Generate text input

[Mathias]

I am testing an application where users have to enter unique names for entities they create. How can I generate text inputs using timestamps or GUIDs or some other random element to ensure that every automated test creates a new entity with a unique name.

I have tried binding my tests to a spreadsheet using simple formulas (concatenate predefined text with timestamp). However, these formulas do not seem to get updated when the test is executed and the spreadsheet is read.

[Plamen]

Hi Mathias,

You can generate random strings using the code provided in this article. You can also append these random strings to an already existing strings to make them unique.

Another option is to use the DateTime.Now property which gets the current date and time, and append it to a value from your database. Then set the new value as an Extracted Value to be used later in the test by a Data Bound enter text step. Here's a sample coded step:

public void WebTest1_CodedStep()
{
SetExtractedValue("UniqueName", Data["Col1"].ToString() + " " + System.DateTime.Now.ToString());
}

See this short video demonstrating the above code in action.

All the best,
Plamen
the Telerik team

[Mathias]

Hi Plamen

Many thanks - this solved my problem!

Regards

Mathias

[Matthew]

This is great, thank you! 

Is there a way I can store that value for reference in a future test step?.  E.g. if I'm creating an item that requires a unique name using a generated SystemDateTime.Now.ToString()  appended and in a later verification step I want to find that name?

[Ivaylo]

Hello Matthew,

Yes, you can use get/set extracted variable as shown in this article.

Regards,
Ivaylo
Telerik

 

[Matthew]

Great, thank you Ivaylo!

[Ivaylo]

Hello,

You are most welcome.

Regards,
Ivaylo
Telerik