Parameters

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What is a Parameter?

Parameters are variables you can set in a control script or in the system settings before using their values in a query or in a subsequent part of your scripts.

The parameters are available at the following locations and can be used there to modify the behavior of the system:

  • in a control script
    You can read and set parameter values in testcase and testsuite control scripts. You can also use parameters to pass values between these different scripts.
  • in connection-settings of datasources
    This allows you to set a parameter value in a control script and use these dynamic values in the connection-settings. This allows you to set up the connection dynamically at runtime.
  • in probe queries
    This gives you the possibility to modify filters of the queries (e.g. SELECT … FROM Orders WHERE SalesTeritory=[Parameter]).
    But you can also set objects dynamically (e.g. SELECT … FROM [Dynamic Table Name from parameter]).
    Or you can even build the whole probe query in a control-script and inject it into a probe-definition.

Parameter Context

It is important to understand how parameters are used in context of testsuites and testcases. To show you that, have a look at the following structure.

  • Global
    • Testsuite
      • Testcase

A parameter can be defined on each of the levels of this structure. You may define a global parameter in BiG EVAL’s system-settings. The parameter is then available within all testsuites and testcases.

But you can also define a parameter within a testsuite, which makes it available to the testcases of this testsuite only.

If you define a parameter within a testcase only, it is only available there.

Overwriting Parameters

The value of parameters defined on an upper level can be overwritten by any subordered level without changing the value on the upper level. The overwritten values will only be available within the respective context and subordered contexts.

  • Global (sets X=10)
    • Testsuite A (sets X=20)
      • Testcase #A1 (X is 20)
      • Testcase #A2 (X is 20)
      • Testcase #A3 (sets X=30; so X is 30 only for this testcase)
    • Testsuite B (no change on X)
      • Testcase #B1 (X is 10)
      • Testcase #B2 (X is 10)
      • Testcase #B3 (sets X=40; so X is 40 only for this testcase)

Setting a Parameter within a Script

As discussed before, a parameter value can be set within a testsuite-control-script or a testcase-control-script. If you set a parameter-value for a parameter that wasn’t defined before, it gets automatically created. So there’s no need to declare or create a parameter before.

SetParameter("Month", 7);

Setting a Global Parameter

Global Parametes can be set in the system-settings of BiG EVAL because they are available throughout the whole BiG EVAL instance.

  1. Open BiG EVAL.
  2. Click on “System” -> “Settings” in the main navigation.
  3. Open the “Parameters” register.
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