Referencing Databases using Excel Connectors
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The data generation functions can be used in conjunction with the full range Excel connectors into files, databases, Azure, and other data sources.
Using Excel’s dependency mapping, the Data Generation Add-In can then be used to edit data from existing systems. Data in test databases, for example, can be enhanced synthetically for greater test coverage, before being invoked existing test automation frameworks or used in manual testing. The data generation Add-In thereby provides a simple and lightweight tool to improve the rigour of testing.
First, the data is imported to Excel. Navigate to Data/Get Data and select the relevant location:
In the navigator pane, select the relevant table and click “Load”.
This will import the table into Excel, where it can be edited:
The data generation functions can then be used in a separate sheet to edit data in the connected database or file, referencing the cells as set out here. Existing data can be strung together using the Parse function, and fresh synthetic data generated, supplementing existing data sets according to test and development needs.
The newly created data can be maintained as the files or databases changes, using Excel’s refresh controls. Right click the table name in the “Queries & Connections” panel, and click “properties”.
Under “Refresh Control”, select the nature and regularity of the refresh. As the data source, the imported data will automatically refresh:
Data can also be refreshed manually, by navigating to the data tab and clicking “Refresh All” in the “Queries & Connections” tab:
Data generation functions that reference the imported data will auto-update as the data is refreshed. This automatically maintains test data, keeping it up-to-date as systems data changes. Interdependencies in the data and synthetic data are also maintained by Excel, providing a quick and simple way to maintain the validity of test data.
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- IEnumerable to Data Reader
- Data Table to List
- Nested String List to Data Table
- List to Data Table
- IEnumerable to List
- List to IEnumerable
- Remove from List
- Exists in List
- Value Exists in Dictionary
- Key Exists in Dictionary
- Remove from Dictionary
- Get from Dictionary
- Clear Dictionary
- Add to Dictionary
- Clear List
- Add to List
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- Explanation of Remaining Sheets in the Control Spreadsheet (for reference only)
- The ForeignKeys Sheet - Specifying which Foreign Keys to read from the Source Database
- The Tables Sheet: Defining Metadata that will be read from the Source Database
- The ProcessModel sheet – Toggling Subset Rules
- Refining the Control Spreadsheet
- Overview of the Advanced Control Spreadsheet
- Introduction
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- Drop both Primary and Foreign Keys (The composite DROPKEYS Action)
- Validate Both Primary and Foreign Keys (The composite ValidateKeys Action)
- Add Both Primary and Foreign Keys (The Composite ADDKEYS action)
- Drop Tables
- Truncate Data
- Delete Orphans
- Drop Primary Keys
- Drop Foreign Keys
- Validate that Foreign Keys are Unique
- Validate that Primary Keys are Unique
- Add Foreign Keys
- Add Primary Keys
- Overview of Post-Subset Actions
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- Use Event Hooks to call VIP Flows
- Different Methods for Connecting to Source Databases
- PreProcess Variables and Parameters
- Using SQL Functions to query Databases and Using the Queries in Data Generation Functions
- Summary of the Process to Configure the Test Data Configuration sheet
- How the PreProcessVariables Table is used in the Configuration sheet
- Sample Commerce Configuration Sheet Examples
- Adding Event Hooks in Configuration sheet for custom functionality
- How to Configure the Synthetic Test Data Configuration Control Sheet
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- The UI Recorder
- Test Modeller – Maintenance
- Test Modeller Core (Linux) Optional – Postgres LDAP
- Test Modeller Core (Linux) Optional – SSL Certificate Installation
- Test Modeller Core (Linux) Optional – Active Directory
- Test Modeller Core (Linux) Installation
- Test Modeller: Software Pre-requisites
- Test Modeller : Installation components
- Test Modeller : System requirements (Windows, Linux)
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- Common Problems
- Extend Test Modeller (Advanced)
- Edit Code Templates (Advanced)
- Import existing framework / custom page objects (Advanced)
- Execute Tests (Java)
- Generate Automation Code
- Build a Model (Java)
- Scan an Existing Web App
- Configuration (Java)
- Prerequisites (Selenium Java)
- Welcome Selenium (Java)
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- Generate Optimised Test Cases and Data into Excel
- Implement Naming Conventions
- Page Object Generation
- Intelligent Page Objects
- Customising Page Objects
- Import Custom Code Snippets
- Rule-Based Test Generation
- Trigger Automation Execution from within Test Modeller
- Automation Configuration
- Test Data Automation for Gherkin Specifications
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