1. QTP: Object Repository, Descriptive Programming and Beyond
Prepared by: Igor Gershovich

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. DP Pros and Cons PROS: It’s a white box
Compatible with different QTP versions
Code portability is high
Easy to mass update

6. 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

7. 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

8. Object Repository
Logical Name
Properties

9. OR: Object identification default properties

10. 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

11. Script playback using Descriptive programming
QTP searches the Application Under Test (AUT) for the Object using Descriptive properties and performs user action

12. 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

13. Different ways to work with objects

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

15. ChildObjects method – using Collection Object

16. ChildObjects method – using Collection Object
Last Name fields are populated

17. 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

18. Better names for Object Spy radio-buttons
Run-Time NATIVE Object
Run-Time QTP (Test) Object

19. Object Run-Time Properties from AUT (GetRoProperty)

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

21. Test Object Properties from OR Set/GetToProperty

22. Regular Expressions in OR Example: Server independent Page object
1. Click on Property value to access RegEx
2. Click RegEx Icon

23. Regular Expressions in OR

24. Regular Expressions in OR
RegEx icon

25. 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)

26. Smart Identification (SI) Recording Options
SI Checkbox

27. Smart Identification (SI) Run Option
SI Checkbox

28. Igor Gershovich E-Mail: igershovich@connectedtesting.com
Phone: