User-Defined Variables

Definition

User-defined variables are variables managed by the test scenario builder.  Variables allow the application to create message content and field values at run time, so that you can perform tests without having to create multiple messages yourself.  Values assigned to user-defined variables are managed by generators.

Create a new variable

1. Click the “Edit Variables” link at the right side of the window.
2. Click Add…  A new row is added to the grid.
3. Give it a name.
4. Select the variable type.
   

   Variable Type Name	Description
   String	A set of characters
   Char	A single character
   Boolean	True or False
   Int	Number between -2,147,483,648 and 2,147,483,647
   Long	Number between –9,223,372,036,854,775,808 and 9,223,372,036,854,775,807
   Double	A 15 digit number between ±5.0 × 10−324 and ±1.7 × 10308
   Date Time	Calendar date between January 1, 0001 and December 31, 9999
   Mapping Table	A 2-column table where each row contains an initial value and its equivalent mapping value
   Environment Variable	A set of values for which the used value is determined by the active environment.

5. Configure the generator.  Generators refer to the data sources used to set values to your variable.
   

   Generator	Recommended Use
   Boolean	Insert a Boolean value (true or false).
   Date Time	Insert a randomly generated date-time value. You can set the range, time unit, format, and other parameters.
   Directory Listing	Iterate through files in a specified directory.
   Excel File	Pull random data from an Excel 2007+ spreadsheet — for instance, a list of names, addresses, and cities.
   Numeric	Insert a randomly generated number. You can set the length, decimals and other parameters.
   SQL Query	Pull data from a database based on an SQL query. You’ll be able to configure a database connection.
   String	Insert a randomly generated string or static value. You can set the length and other parameters.
   Substring	Insert a part of another variable.
   Table	Pull data from HL7-related tables stored in one of your profiles, useful for coded fields.
   Text File	Pull random data from a text file — for instance, a list of names. Several file formats can be used: txt, csv, etc
   Environment Variable	Map a given value to specific, user-defined environments, such as Development, Production or Local.

   Note: Advanced Mode allows you to combine several generators to generate complex value formats. For instance, a patient ID with the format XXX-9999-M can be generated by combining Excel, numeric and string generators.