View Categories

Test Parameterization

6 min read

Table of Contents

Recorded tests typically contain hard-coded values which make the tests static and difficult to modify. The easiest way to make tests more efficient and manageable is to parameterize them. Simply replace the hard-coded input values with parameters. This allows you to re-use the tests with multiple data sets, share test data and create more flexible test processes.

Below is the list of test parameters available in Bqurious Platform :

  • Fixed
  • Fixed-Encrypted
  • Data Table
  • Data Table-Encrypted
  • Stored Variable
  • Global Variable
  • Unique
  • Excel

Fixed : #

  • Used when we wish to use the same specific data every single time.
  • Data is visible to anyone viewing the created test case.

Here’s how you can create Fixed data :

  1. Navigate to the test case creation screen.
  2. Click on Test Steps tab.
  3. Use the appropriate action keyword.
  4. Click on Data button for the particular action keyword.
  5. Select Fixed as the data type for the particular param.
  6. Enter the value for the param.
  7. Click on the Update button.
  8. Save the test case.

For Example :

Fixed-Encrypted : #

  • Used when we wish to use the same specific data every single time.
  • Data is encrypted and is not visible to anyone viewing the created test case. Only the test creator knows the data.

Here’s how you can create Fixed – Encrypted data:

  1. Navigate to the test case creation screen.
  2. Click on Test Steps tab.
  3. Use the appropriate action keyword.
  4. Click on Data button for the particular action keyword.
  5. Select Fixed – Encrypted as the data type for the particular param.
  6. Enter the value for the param.
  7. Click on the Update button.
  8. Save the test case.

For Example :

Data Table : #

  • Used when we wish to use a specific data with a specific tag.
  • Data is visible in the grid table and anyone can view it.

Here’s how you can add data to a Data Table :

  1. Navigate to the test case creation screen.
  2. Click on Test Steps tab.
  3. Use the appropriate action keyword.
  4. Click on Data button for the particular action keyword.
  5. Select Data Table as the data type for the particular param.
  6. Enter the value for the param. Please note, this value will be created as the column name for the Data Table.
  7. Click on Update button.
    You will notice the column name will be displayed besides the Tag column on the lower part of the test creation screen.
  8. Enter one of the tags (QA, default, Dev, Prod, UAT, Staging) in the Tag cloumn.
  9. For this tag, enter the value that you wish to pass.
  10. Click on Save button.

For Example :

Data Table-Encrypted : #

  • Used when we wish to use a specific data with a specific tag.
  • Data is encrypted in the grid table.

Here’s how you can add data to an encrypted Data Table :

  1. Navigate to the test case creation screen.
  2. Click on Test Steps tab.
  3. Use the appropriate action keyword.
  4. Click on Data button for the particular action keyword.
  5. Select Data Table – Encrypted as the data type for the particular param.
  6. Enter the value for the param. Please note, this value will be created as the column name for the Data Table.
  7. Click on Update button.
    You will notice the column name will be displayed besides the Tag column on the lower part of the test creation screen.
  8. Enter one of the tags (QA, default, Dev, Prod, UAT, Staging) in the Tag cloumn.
  9. For this tag, enter the value that you wish to pass.
  10. Click on Save button.

For Example :

Stored Variable : #

  • Used when we wish to store some data stored in a specific variable.

Here’s how you can create a stored variable :

  1. Navigate to the test case creation screen.
  2. Click on Test Steps tab.
  3. Add action keyword ‘copyStringValueTo’ to your test case.
  4. Click on Data button for the particular action keyword.
  5. Enter meta data for String to Store and In variable params.
  6. Save the test data.

Using a stored variable :

  1. Click on Data button for the action keyword where you wish to pass the stored variable data.
    Enter Test Data pop up window will be displayed.
  2. Select Stored Variable as the data type for the particular param.
  3. Enter the stored variable name whose value you wish to use.
  4. Click on Update button.
  5. Save the test case.

For Example :

Global Variable : #

  • Used when we wish to make data static for the complete application.

Here’s how you can create and use a global variable :

  1. Click on CONFIGURE on left panel.
  2. Click on Global Variables.
  3. Enter the meta data for : Variable name, Variable description, Value.
  4. Click on Save button.

For Example :

You can create an Encrypted Global Variable by selecting the checkbox, under Encrypt? column, for a specific variable. 

For Example :

Here’s how you can access the global variable :

  1. Click on DESIGN on the left panel.
  2. Click on Test Case.
  3. Select the test case.
  4. Click on Test Steps tab.
  5. Click on Data button for the particular action keyword.
    Enter Test Data pop up window will be displayed.
  6. Select Global Variable as the data type for the particular param.
  7. Select the created global variable from the dropdown displayed next to the data type.

Unique : #

  • Used when we wish to make a data unique.

Here’s how you can create a Unique data:

  1. Navigate to the test case creation screen.
  2. Click on Test Steps tab.
  3. Use the appropriate action keyword.
  4. Click on Data button for the particular action keyword.
  5. Select Unique as the data type for the particular param.
  6. Click on the ‘U’ button displayed next to the text field.
  7. Create a unique string by clicking on the various options available.
    You will be able to view the output string as you create the unique string.
  8. Click on Done button.
  9. Click on Update button.

For Example :

Excel : #

  • Used when we wish to use data from an Excel sheet stored under External Test Data.

Here’s how you can add an Excel sheet to the BQ platform:

  1. Click on DESIGN on left panel.
  2. Click on External Test Data.
  3. Click on Add Data File button.
  4. Enter the value for File Description.
  5. Click on Save button.
  6. Either drag and drop files or upload files on the mentioned section.
  7. Once the file is uploaded, it will be displayed below in the grid.

Linking the Excel sheet to the test case :

  1. Click on DESIGN on left panel
  2. Click on Test Case.
  3. Select the test case.
  4. Click Edit button under Test Case Details tab.
  5. Select the appropriate file under Data File dropdown.
  6. Click on Save button.

Here’s how you can create an Excel data:

  1. Navigate to the test case creation screen.
  2. Select the Test case and click on the Test Steps tab.
  3. Use the appropriate action keyword.
  4. Click on Data button for the particular action keyword.
  5. Select Excel as the data type for the particular param.
  6. In the param value, enter the exact same Column name, as mentioned in the Excel Sheet, so that the correct data can be fetched.
  7. Click on Update button.
  8. Before the keyword that uses the Excel data, use setExcelRow keyword and enter the starting row number from which you wish the data to be fetched.
  9. Save the test case.

For Example :

What are your Feelings