QTP: Object Repository, Descriptive Programming and BeyondPrepared by: Igor Gershovich

Object Repository vs. Descriptive Programming what to use?There really is no best wayUse 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 ConsPROS:GUI Front end to examine all the objects in the repositoryHighlight in Application feature is great tool to walk the object treeNo need to modify the script when object properties changesEasy to identify objects in AUT by Object Logical namesCan be created independently from scripts

OR Pros and ConsCONS:Additional layer to maintainUnnecessary objects can be createdMultiple users cannot concurrently save/write to the shared ORIt wont eliminate the need for Descriptive Programming in most of cases

DP Pros and ConsPROS:Its a white boxCompatible with different QTP versionsCode portability is highEasy to mass update

DP Pros and ConsCONS:Lower Code Readability and requires more comments, like what object is accessedPotentially 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 RepositoryLogical NameProperties

OR: Object identification default properties

Script playback using ORQTP finds the Object in Object Repository using object Logical Name and Object HierarchyQTP retrieves Test Object properties from ORQTP searches actual application for the Object with the same properties as the OR Test Object and performs user action

Script playback using Descriptive programmingQTP 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 propertiesExample: Link Logout Same objects on every pageExample: Buttons Next, Back, Cancel, OKLots of similar objects on one pageExample: table with many First & Last name text boxes

Different ways to work with objects

Different ways to work with objectsExample 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. refers to the AUT Object NATIVE properties/methods

Better names for Object Spy radio-buttonsRun-Time NATIVE ObjectRun-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 RegEx2. Click RegEx Icon

Regular Expressions in OR

Regular Expressions in ORRegEx icon

Object Smart IdentificationSmart Identification is not Artificial IntelligenceSI uses loose/unreliable object recognitionIts 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 OptionsSI Checkbox

Smart Identification (SI) Run OptionSI Checkbox

Igor GershovichE-Mail: igershovich@connectedtesting.comPhone: 720-933-9395