Smart identification

Relevant for: GUI tests and components

When UFT One uses the learned description to identify an object, it searches for an object that matches all of the property values in the description. In most cases, this description is the simplest way to identify the object, and, unless the main properties of the object change, this method will work. If UFT One is unable to find any object that matches the learned object description, or if it finds more than one object that fits the description, then UFT One ignores the learned description, and uses the Smart Identification mechanism (if defined and enabled) to try to identify the object.

The Smart description properties Dialog Box enables you to create and modify the Smart Identification definition that UFT One uses for a selected test object class. Configuring Smart description properties enables you to help UFT One identify objects in your application, even if some of the properties in the object's learned description have changed.

While the Smart Identification mechanism is more complex, it is more flexible. Therefore, if configured logically, a Smart Identification definition can probably help UFT One identify an object, if it is present, even when the learned description fails.

You should enable the Smart Identification mechanism only for test object classes that have defined Smart Identification configuration. However, even if you define a Smart Identification configuration for a test object class, you may not always want to learn the Smart values. If you do not want to learn the Smart description properties, clear the Enable Smart Identification check box.

Even if you choose to learn Smart description properties for an object, you can disable use of the Smart Identification mechanism for a specific object in the Object Properties or Object Repository window. For tests, you can also disable use of the mechanism for an entire test in the Run pane of the Test Settings dialog box.

However, if you do not learn Smart description properties, you cannot enable the Smart Identification mechanism for an object later.

The Smart Identification mechanism uses two types of properties:

  • Base Filter Properties. The most fundamental properties of a particular test object class; those whose values cannot be changed without changing the essence of the original object. For example, if a Web link's tag was changed from <A> to any other value, you could no longer call it the same object.

  • Optional Filter Properties. Other properties that can help identify objects of a particular class. These properties are unlikely to change on a regular basis, but can be ignored if they are no longer applicable.

Smart identification is not relevant for Insight or Text test objects.

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