Local Variable

This step in the procedure is used to define (declare) a local variable. You can use local variables to store values in and then either use their values in the rest of the procedure or use them when determining if your test succeeded or not.

1 Right-click on the line in your procedure where you wish to define a variable and select the command Insert Step ( Local variable and select the type of variable that you would like in the shortcut menu.

When you create a variable it is automatically given an initial value which is typically 0 for numerical variables and the value FALSE for boolean variables. Text strings are by default empty.

NOTE You can read more about the different types of variables and data in appendix B, Data Types on pg. 52 in this user guide.

Here I have crated a variable with an integral number and named it intNumber.

2 After this you can use the General tab in the properties window to give the variable a suitable name, change the data type or change the initially assigned value.

TIP Instead of having to change to the properties window, you can instead type the name of the variable, assign the initial value and type a comment for the variable directly in the document window, in the same way as explained in the section For the experienced user on pg. 30.