Robotframework list variable from variable file

Question

I'm having a problem reading a list variable from a file. I have a file (variables.py) with 3 variables :

TEST1=212
TEST2=[111, 222, 333, 444, 555, 666]
TESTS3="sadasd"

Both ${TEST1} and ${TEST3} are accessible (I get values from variable file) But when I try to access second variable with @{TEST2}[2], I get an error :

FAIL : Non-existing variable '@{TEST2}[2]'

This only happens, if I try to use variables from file. If I create list variable in RIDE, I can easly access it with @{Variable}[{$index}]

If I try this syntax : ${TEST2}[2], I get :

'[111, 222, 333, 444, 555, 666][2]'

So robotframework knows that there is a variable with given name, but doesn't know that it's a list variable. Am I doing something wrong?

esaruoho · Accepted Answer · 2019-10-21 09:39:13Z

7

To distinguish explicitly between a list that is a value of a scalar variable and a list variable, you have to use LIST__ prefix for @{vars} in the variable file. See Robot Framework User Guide: Creating variables directly for details.

In your case, this would be:

LIST__TEST2 = [111, 222, 333, 444, 555, 666]

In general, there are three ways to initialize lists in variable files:

STRINGS = ["one", "two", "three", "four"]
LIST__STRINGS = ["one", "two", "three", "four"]

Do not confuse this with the syntax for the *** Variables *** section, where initializing a list would be:

*** Variables ***
@{STRINGS}     | one | two | three | four

You can access individual elements in a list assigned to scalar variable like this:

${TEST2[0]}

edited Oct 21, 2019 at 9:39

esaruoho

9662 gold badges9 silver badges27 bronze badges

answered Jan 28, 2013 at 15:03

janne

1,0176 silver badges8 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

Itanium Over a year ago

Now I feel kind of dumb. Went through Variable section several times, but didn't see that. Thank you very much!

jotrocken Over a year ago

Just fixed the link.

tuexss Over a year ago

sneaky finnish lesson of the day :D

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Robotframework list variable from variable file

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related