How to create variants for a sequence-file?

[OnlyOne]

Hello,
i have a testplan with custom teststeps. Each step has a new field with type "container" and name "myData",
Inside of this container are numeric, string and bool parameter. The parameter inside this container are used to execute
the teststep.
I attached an example of this, if you open the right side of the sequence then the container "myData" can be seen.

No i want to use the testplan for two different products, that means different parameters.
Is the only thing that is included in teststand, the property-loader? If yes, can someone give me an example of how to
use to property loader with my attached sequence?
As far as i understand it, i have to create to different text files where i specify for each step-name the parameters.
Does that mean when my testplan contains >1000 teststaps, that i have to create that manually by hand, or is there a function
to export everything into a file (all parameters, skips, loop, ...)?
I´m using TS 3.5 with LV 8.2

Thanks for your help





Message Edited by OnlyOne on 11-05-2007 07:29 AM

[~jiggawax~]

Hey OnlyOne,

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to tell you about this cool new feature in TS 4.0.  You can select multiple steps and change the same property for all selected steps in one swoop.  Finally!!!  I added five of your custom steps and tested it just to make sure.  And it works.

However, if you can't afford to upgrade or you like 3.5 better then the best way is to use the Import/Export Properties Tool.  Look in the Tools menu and you'll see it there.  Tools>>Import/Export Properties.  It's basically the same thing as the Property Loader step except you can go both directions instead of only being able to read values from a file.  You can write the file with it!! In fact what most developers do is use the tool to create the file.  Copy the file multiple times and change the values in each file.  Then use the Property Loader step to dynamically read the different files for their tests. 

The Property Loader step is dynamic as the Import/Export Properties tool is only during development.

As for an example for the Property Loader: C:\Program Files\National Instruments\TestStand 3.5\Examples\LoadingLimits  That contains a couple examples from Excel, Txt and other file formats.

Hope that helps some,