Ability to databind to combinations of data variables removed?

[Shashi]

Hello Telerik,

We are trying out the latest version of Test Studio (2012.2.920.0) to see if we can upgrade to it (our current version is 2011.1.411.0).  We have run into an issue which could be a show-stopper for the upgrade (for us).  Here is the issue:

Many of our tests have steps that data-bind to combinations of data variables - rather than a single data variable.  Here is an example:

Type 'Seedpatient Uiautotest' into TxtNameCriteriaTextbox - DataDriven: [$(TestPatientFirstName) $(TestPatientLastName)]

Our tests use XML file databinding and "TestPatientFirstName" and "TestPatientLastName" are separate nodes in the XML file.

All such tests are working fine in our current version but are failing under the new version.  Error message in the log file under the new version is as follows:

'10/22/2012 11:54:55 AM' - 'Fail' : 6. Type 'Seedpatient Uiautotest' into TxtNameCriteriaTextbox - DataDriven: [$(TestPatientFirstName) $(TestPatientLastName)]
------------------------------------------------------------
Failure Information:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Column name 'TestPatientFirstName) $(TestPatientLastName' does not exist!
InnerException:
System.ArgumentException: Column name 'TestPatientFirstName) $(TestPatientLastName' does not exist!
   at ArtOfTest.Common.Design.Data.DataResolver.GetMatchValue(Match match, DataRow data, Boolean throwError)
   at ArtOfTest.Common.Design.Data.DataResolver.GetMatchString(String expression, DataRow data, Boolean error)
   at ArtOfTest.Common.Design.Extensibility.Descriptors.AutomationDescriptor.BindData(String propertyName)
   at ArtOfTest.Common.Design.ProjectModel.DataBoundObject.BindData[T](String propertyName)
   at ArtOfTest.WebAii.Design.IntrinsicTranslators.Silverlight.Descriptors.TextBoxSetTextActionDescriptor.Execute(IApplication hostApp)
   at ArtOfTest.WebAii.Design.Extensibility.XamlActionDescriptor.Execute(IAutomationHost autoHost)
   at ArtOfTest.WebAii.Design.Execution.ExecutionEngine.ExecuteStep(Int32 order)
------------------------------------------------------------

From the error message, it looks like Test Studio is no longer recognizing the presence of multiple variables in the databinding - it is apparently trying to interpret everything within the opening "$(" and the last ")" as a single variable - and looking for a column with that name (which, of course, it does not find).

I saw that there is a new UI now for setting data-binding (it looks like it came in with version 2011.1.719.0).  It is nice that we can select the variables from a list now but it has a couple of issues with the above scenario:

a) TypedText and RecordedText dropdowns are blank by default (after upgrade to the new version).
b) I don't see a way to select multiple variables for either field.   
c) Dropdown text field is not editable - so we can't type in to it.  This prevents me from overriding the default selection to use the multi-variable databinding.

I know I can work around this by creating a new data variable with the combined value - but would prefer not to as it leads to a maintenance issue (these variables are used in multiple tests and some of them require just parts of the name rather than the full name).

I hope you can provide a solution for the above issue that would allow us to continue using multiple variable databinding.  We are ok with making minor changes in code if that is what it takes.  If the ability to select multiple variables is supported in the new Databinding UI, please let us know how to do that - if not, it would be good to get a new internal build that restores the ability to type in the data-binding as we used to be able to do in previous releases.

As mentioned before, this may be a show-stopper for us to upgrade to the new release - which would be a shame as it looks like it has some pretty nice features and fixes to a few issues that we have been waiting on for a while. 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,
Shashi

[Shashi]

UPDATE:
I found a way to edit the databinding - if you select the Value dropdown of "TypedText" (for example), a text field opens up at the bottom of the list of data-binding options which you can type into to edit the databinding.

Unfortunately, it turns out this won't be enough to solve the original issue.  If I put back the "$(" at the beginning of the first data-bind column name and the ")" at the end of the second data-bind column name and then click Set, Test Studio looks for a column called "$(PatientFirstName) $(PatientLastName)" and of course, it doesn't find it.  This means Test Studio, indeed, now only supports one data-bind column per statement - where previously it used to support multiple columns per statement (which was a lot more flexible).

I am hoping the removal of this feature was inadvertent - not by design.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Shashi

[Byron]

Hello Shashi,

I'm sorry you are experiencing this difficulty. As you have already discovered, there is an active bug report for this behavior in our Public Issue Tracking System (PITS). If you have not done so already, you can vote for the bug fix in PITS, increasing its priority in our efforts. Thanks for your input, which we rely upon to improve our product.

In the meantime, you can use a coded step to workaround this issue. For example:

// Enter text from column FirstName and column LastName, separated with a space, in 'TxtNameCriteriaTextbox'
String FirstAndLast = Data["FirstName"].ToString() + " " + Data["LastName"].ToString();
Actions.SetText(Pages.TextPage.TxtNameCriteriaTextbox, FirstAndLast);

Please let us know if we can help you further.

All the best,
Byron
the Telerik team

[Shashi]

Hi Byron,

It looks like the issue has been fixed and available in a custom build (1026).  But I don't see this build available in my account.  Could you do what is needed to make it available in my account?

Thanks,
Shashi

[Byron]

Hi Shashi,

I have created a DropBox folder containing the installer for the custom build. You should receive an invitation to this folder shortly. Keep in mind that this custom build requires an unusual syntax for binding multiple data columns to a single step:

Col1)$(Col2

Please let us know if this custom build resolves your issue. 

Regards,
Byron
the Telerik team

[Shashi]

Byron,

My company has blocked the DropBox site - so I cannot access it.  Can you deliver this build as an internal build in my account?  If this will take time, could you let me know how long it will take?

Also, when is the next official release expected?

Thanks,
Shashi

[Byron]

Hello Shashi,

I have uploaded the installer file to one of our FTP servers. I have provided you the login details for the ftp account.

 Let me know if you have issues accessing the file. The next official release does not have a specific date yet. I believe, however, that this custom build will resolve your issues.

Kind regards,
Byron
the Telerik team

[Shashi]

Byron,

I am having no luck with this FTP site either.  If I try to connect from Windows Explorer (I am on Windows 7 Enterprise), I get a web page - title indicates I am at the root of the ftp site but it is empty.  I also tried FTPZilla - but I am having problems connecting.  I suspect it is being blocked by our company firewalls (they are extremely security conscious).  It looks like the only way for me to get the new build will be as an internal build in my account.

Could you let me know if this is possible - and if so, when?  If it is not possible, what is the reason?

Thanks,
Shashi

[Byron]

Hello Shashi,

I'm sorry you're still having problems downloading this build. I recommend double-checking to ensure your ftp client is attempting to connect to the address from the previous ticket in active mode. In FileZilla you can set this setting in the Transfer Settings tab of the Site Manager. I am also checking with our admins to determine if there is a way to provide you the build through your Telerik.com account.

Kind regards,
Byron
the Telerik team

[Byron]

Hello Shashi,

I also wanted to give you the directions for connecting to the FTP server using Internet Explorer. Before you use the address and credentials we provided, take these steps:

1. Open Internet Explorer, go to Tools -> Internet Options -> Advanced

2. Uncheck “Use Passive FTP”
3. In the address bar type in: ftp://82.103.64.22
4. Enter your username and password

Regards,
Byron
the Telerik team

[Shashi]

Byron/Telerik,

I finally got to try out the new functionality in the latest official version (2012.2.1420.0).  All our tests that used databinding to multiple variables in one step seem to be working now.  However, I have encountered some other issues related to the new functionality,  Please see my latest post in the following thread for the details:

http://www.telerik.com/automated-testing-tools/community/forums/test-studio/general-discussions/disabling-simulaterealuser-breaks-data-driven.aspx

I look forward to your response - you can use either thread.

Thanks,
Shashi

[Cody]

Hi Shashi,

Your other post is in our queue to be worked on. We'll be responding to it very soon.

Regards,
Cody
Telerik