TestArchitect Tutorial Part 3: Extending TestArchitect Lesson #8: Using an automation harness Working with the Python harness User-scripted Python harness action that interacts with GUI

 Creating a new code script module

Creating a new code script module

Create a new Python module, and provide the code overhead required to access your new user-scripted action.

We’ll begin by creating a new code file, similar in nature to mod_Example.py, used in the earlier exercise. This code file, or module, will contain Python-implemented actions relating to tables.

1. Create a new file for the table support actions, naming it mod_TableSupport.py. 

   By convention, code files are named “mod_X.py”, where “X” is a descriptive name for the scope of the actions in the module.

2. Open the file in your editor, and enter the following code, as shown, which is necessary to let TestArchitect know about the new module and its actions. Once done, save your work.

   # import the functions of TestArchitect
   from lib_abt import *
   
   # set module name
   moduleName = "table support"
   
   # declare the actions for the module
   def SetActions():
       LIBRARY.SetActionScript("check row count", moduleName, 1)
   
   # map an action to its function
   def Divert(actionName):
       result = True
       if actionName == "check row count":
           action_checkRowCount()
       else:
           result = False
           LIBRARY.ReportError("Don't know action: " + actionName)        
       return result
   

   As in the previous exercise, there is a SetActions() function, which in this case declares those actions that are part of the mod_TableSupport module. (Only one action, check row count, is so declared, in this case.) The Divert() function, also seen previously, is called from the main module and directs the action to the Python function that implements it.

3. Notes: 
   The file ta_main.py, which is the main entry point for user-scripted action calls, must now be edited. Note that this was not the case in our previous lesson. When an action definition is added to an existing code module, there is no need to touch ta_main.  However, when a new module is created, as we’re doing here, ta_main does need to know about it.

   Open ta_main.py in the editor.

   1. Import the new module with a Python import statement, added to the existing import statements.

      The import statements of the file should now look like this:

      
      import lib_interpret as Interpreter
      import mod_Example as Example
      import mod_TableSupport as TableSupport
      

   2. In the main() function, register the action(s) of TableSupport by calling the module’s SetActions() function.

      This section should now appear like this:

      
      # register actions (add your "setActions" functions here)
      Example.SetActions()
      TableSupport.SetActions()
      

   3. Finally, add an elif clause in the main module’s DivertToModule() function to direct actions of the table support category to the Divert() function of our new mod_TableSupport file:

      
      # divert the action to a script module
      # note: this function is called by the interpreter, it should return:
      # - True to tell the interpreter that the custom action has been consumed
      # - False if it cannot handle action from the module
      def DivertToModule(moduleName, actionName):
          if moduleName == Example.moduleName:
              return Example.Divert(actionName)
          elif moduleName == TableSupport.moduleName:
              return TableSupport.Divert(actionName)
          else:
              Interpreter.LIBRARY.ReportError("Don't know action: " + actionName)
              return False
      

You have now created the essential “infrastructure” for your new action: that is, the new code module, plus the code needed to direct the program flow to the right place when the check row count action is used in a test module (or user-defined action).

Next, you will create the actual action function: that is, the Python code that implements check row count.