Providing tests with variable data (datapools)
You can produce more realistic
tests by changing them to use datapools. During execution, a test
that uses a datapool replaces a value in the recorded test with variable
test data that is stored in the datapool. This substitution allows
each virtual user to generate a different request to the server.
- Datapool overview
Datapools provide tests with variable data during a run. - Creating a datapool associated with a test
You can create datapools that contain variable data for tests to use when they run. This is the preferred way to create a datapool, because the datapool is automatically associated with a test. You can create anything from an empty datapool that contains one column, which you can edit later, to a fully functioning datapool. - Creating a datapool in the workspace
You can create datapools in the workspace containing variable data that tests use when they run. You can use this method to create a datapool if you have not yet created the test that will use it. - Creating datapools with multiple substitutions
Before the 9.2 release, you could substitute one datapool value at a time. Starting from the 9.2 release, after the test is generated, you can view all the datapool candidates, add multiple candidates as datapool values, substitute values, and create a new datapool out of it. You can also substitute multiple datapool candidates for an existing datapool. - How datapool options affect values that a virtual user retrieves
The Open, Access, and Wrap modes that you select for a datapool affect the values that a virtual user retrieves. The Wrap mode also affects segmented datapools. - Importing a CSV file into a datapool
If you need to create a new datapool with a large number of records, you can initialize the datapool quickly by importing data from a comma-separated-value (CSV) file. - Enabling a test to use a datapool
Before a test can use variable data from a datapool, you must update the test to include a reference to that datapool. - Associating a test value with a datapool column
After you have created a datapool and have enabled your test to use the datapool, you associate a specific value in the test with a specific datapool column. - Viewing datapool candidates when you open a test
Datapool candidates are displayed automatically when you open a test for the first time. From the datapool candidates window you can view the datapool candidates in the test, bookmark locations of interest, and add or remove datapool references. - Editing a datapool
You can add, modify, or remove data from a datapool, similar to the way you work with a spreadsheet using the Datapool Editor. - Encrypted datapools overview
You can encrypt one or more columns in a datapool. - Using a digital certificate store with a datapool
You can associate the certificates in one or more certificate stores with a datapool to use multiple digital certificates during testing. - Navigating between a datapool and a test
After you have created a datapool or imported a comma-separate values (CSV) file into a datapool, you can navigate between the datapool and associated tests in the test editor. You can enlarge the test and the datapool, list the datapools that a test uses, navigate from a row in a datapool to the corresponding element in the test, see the data for a page or request, and add or remove datapool references.
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