TestComposer: A Tcl-Enabled Plug-in

TestComposer enables you to define variables that you can then use as step parameters, step return values, procedure arguments, or for creating Tcl expressions.

The For step, for example, uses a loop variable initialized to a start value and loops over a values domain for executing the nested steps a number of times. Other looping constructs, such as for example the While step, also rely on variables for defining expressions that are evaluated by the looping commands and determine the script flow.

Variables can also be assigned to command steps so as to retrieve specified portions of a step output. Variables retrieved this way can be used in subsequent steps for defining complex Tcl expressions using the Expression Builder.

The Expression Builder is a component of the TestComposer plugin that is used for creating and editing Tcl code fragments and Tcl expressions as part of TestComposer script steps.

Using the Expression Builder enables you to add multi-line Tcl code, create logical or arithmetic expressions that are evaluated in Tcl, and reference local variables in Tcl code or expressions.

The Expression Builder, which is available from a number of TestComposer steps, such as Assign or TclEval, is described in detail in Chapter 7, Using the Composer Expression Builder.