QTP: Object Repository, Descriptive Programming and Beyond

Prepared by: Igor Gershovich

Object Repository vs. Descriptive Programming –what to use? There really is no “best way” Use the method that gives your company the

best ROI, whether that be Object Repository (OR), Descriptive Programming (DP) or a mixture of both

OR Pros and Cons

PROS: GUI Front end to examine all the objects in

the repository Highlight in Application feature is great tool to

walk the object tree No need to modify the script when object

properties changes Easy to identify objects in AUT by Object

Logical names Can be created independently from scripts

OR Pros and Cons

CONS: Additional layer to maintain Unnecessary objects can be created Multiple users cannot concurrently save/write

to the shared OR It won’t eliminate the need for Descriptive

Programming in most of cases

DP Pros and Cons

PROS: It’s a white box Compatible with different QTP versions Code portability is high Easy to mass update

DP Pros and Cons

CONS: Lower Code Readability and requires more

comments, like “what object is accessed” Potentially slower to create To highlight an object in the application

requires utilizing the “Highlight” method

What is Object Repository?

Object Repository is a place where QTP stores learned objects

QTP uses default Object Identification properties: mandatory and assistive to learn objects into OR

Object Repository

Logical Name

Properties

OR: Object identification default properties

Script playback using OR

QTP finds the Object in Object Repository using object Logical Name and Object Hierarchy

QTP retrieves Test Object properties from OR

QTP searches actual application for the Object with the same properties as the OR Test Object and performs user action

Script playback using Descriptive programming QTP searches the Application Under Test

(AUT) for the Object using Descriptive properties and performs user action

Descriptive programming – when and why?Consider using DP in following cases: Dynamic object properties

Example: Link Logout <User Name> Same objects on every page

Example: Buttons – Next, Back, Cancel, OK Lots of similar objects on one page

Example: table with many First & Last name text boxes

Different ways to work with objects

Different ways to work with objects Example for Passenger 1 First Name

ChildObjects method – using Collection Object

ChildObjects method – using Collection ObjectLast Name fields

are populated

TO, RO and .Object

.GetTOproperty/SetToProperty refers to the properties stored in OR

.GetROProperty property refers to the AUT Object property (Run-time)

.Object.<property/method> refers to the AUT Object NATIVE properties/methods

Better names for Object Spy radio-buttons

Run-Time NATIVE Object Run-Time QTP (Test) Object

Object Run-Time Properties from AUT (GetRoProperty)

Run-Time “Native” Object Properties/Methods from AUT (.Object)

Test Object Properties from ORSet/GetToProperty

Regular Expressions in ORExample: Server independent Page object1. Click on Property value to access RegEx 2. Click RegEx Icon

Regular Expressions in OR

Regular Expressions in OR

RegEx icon

Object Smart Identification

Smart Identification is not Artificial Intelligence

SI uses loose/unreliable object recognition It’s recommended to disable SI for each and

every page/window/control using the Tools->Object Identification dialog (Recording)

Another way to disable SI: File -> Settings -> Run -> Check the "Disable Smart Identification during run session" check box (Run-Time)

Smart Identification (SI) Recording Options

SI Checkbox

Smart Identification (SI) Run Option

SI Checkbox

Resources

QA Forums – www.sqaforums.com HP/Mercury QTP User guide Knowledge inbox (by Tarun Lalwani) -

http://www.knowledgeinbox.com/ Microsoft TechNet -

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/

Igor Gershovich

E-Mail: igershovich@connectedtesting.com Phone: 720-933-9395 www.connectedtesting.com