Maintaining scripts is an important task in UI automation. Some times, it may be difficult to do. However, if we separate script flow and actual actions, we may able to maintain the scripts without any issues even the UI changes.

The formal approach.

Here is the steps to create for a test script w.r.t to QEngine

1. Create New Suite named as Test
2. Create New module in that suite if needed
3. Create New Script named as TestScript
4. Record the steps in TestScript.
5. Playback when needed.

Looks cool. Say, we have 100 scripts in that Test Suite. Playback is not an issue. Assume that one element changed in the UI. Now, we need to check and edit all the 100 scripts. This will neutralize any gains made using test automation.

Here is the new model

1. Create New Suite named as Test
2. Create python file for UI functions named UIFunctions.py
3. Create python file for script flow named ScriptActions.py
4. Create New Script named as TestScript
5. Record or use export mode for recording the scripts. Create functions using recorded actions. Store the functions in UIFunctions.py
6. Call the functions needed in ScriptActions.py.
7. Call and import the script flow in TestScript.
8. Playback.

In this approach, if anything changes we need to modify in two files. Let see this with examples.

Content of UIFunctions.py