Desktop Application Scraping Using TestComplete Desktop Scraper

Prerequisites

Create a New TestComplete Project

1. Launch TestComplete.
2. Navigate to File > New > New Project.
3. Enter the required project details: Project Name, Project Location, Scripting Language.
4. Click Finish.

   

The project will be created and saved in the specified location.

Add the Scraper Code

Open the newly created project and add the following code to the workspace:

def ElementScraper():

buttons = MkSet(mbYes, mbNo)

AlgoScraper.StartElementScraping( Win32API, BuiltIn, buttons, mrYes )

def PageScraper():

buttons = MkSet(mbYes, mbNo)

AlgoScraper.StartPageScraping( BuiltIn, buttons, mrYes, Options )

Installing the Scraper Extension

Download TestComplete algoScraper V1.4 from algoQA downloads, the algoScraper.tcx file will be available in same folder.

1. Copy the file to the TestComplete Script Extensions folder.

Example location: C:\Program Files (x86)\SmartBear\TestComplete 15\Bin\Extensions\ScriptExtensions

2. Restart TestComplete.

Verify Installation

To verify that the extension has been installed successfully:

1. Open TestComplete.
2. Navigate to File > Install Script Extensions.
3. Confirm that Scraper Extensions is listed.

Scraping Methods

The Desktop Scraper supports two types of scraping:

1. Element-by-Element Scraping
2. Page Scraping

   

Element-by-Element Scraping

Element-by-Element Scraping: Use this method when you want to capture individual controls from an application.

Perform the following:

1. Select Element Scraper from the available options.
2. Click Run.
3. Enter a screen name when prompted.

   

4. Open the target application (for example, Calculator).
5. Move the cursor over the required control.
6. Press the Ctrl key.

Stopping or Continuing Scraping

1. Press the Esc key.
2. A confirmation dialog appears: Do you want to stop scraper?

   

To Continue Scraping Another Screen

1. Click No.
2. Enter a new screen name. (Example: Weather)
3. Open the new application.
4. Continue scraping controls using the Ctrl key.

To Stop Scraping

1. Click Yes in the confirmation dialog.
2. Scraping will stop.
3. A success message will display the generated CSV location.

Generated Output: A file named Scraped_Elements.csv is generated in the project folder.

The CSV contains information such as:

• Control Type
• Control Name
• XPath
• Page Name
• Feature Name
• Node Name

Page Scraping

Use this method when you want to scrape an entire application page at once.

Perform the following:

1. Select Page Scraper.
2. Click Run.
3. Enter a screen name. (Example: Calculator)

   

4. Click OK.
5. Within 5 seconds, navigate to the target application window.

   

The scraper automatically captures the currently active window.

Parent Name Confirmation

After capturing the page, a dialog appears: Please confirm or edit the parent name.

1. Verify the parent name.
2. Modify it if required.
3. Click OK.

   

Continue or Stop Scraping

After the page is captured, a dialog appears: Do you want to stop scraper?

To Continue

1. Click No.
2. Enter a new screen name. (Example: Weather)
3. Navigate to the next application.
4. Repeat the process.

To Stop

1. Click Yes.
2. The scraper generates the output CSV and displays the file location.

Generated Output: A file named Scraped_Page.csv is generated in the project folder.

The CSV contains:

• Control Type
• Control Name
• XPath
• Page Name
• Feature Name
• Node Name

Finding the Correct Parent Name

In some applications, the parent name may not be correct.

When prompted for the parent name confirmation:

1. Open Object Browser in TestComplete.
2. Locate the target application in the object tree. (Example: Microsoft.WindowsCalculator)
3. Copy the correct parent name from the object hierarchy.
4. Paste it into the Parent Name Confirmation dialog.

Using the Scraped Data in algoQA

After the CSV file is generated:

1. Create a new project in algoQA.
2. Upload the generated scraped CSV file.
3. Continue with:
   • Scenario Recording
   • Scenario Generation
   • Test Case Generation
   • Test Script Generation

The uploaded scraped data will be used to create the application model and accelerate test automation activities.