The Var context→ item is a special item which allows generation of simple data, such as the current time and random numbers.

Its contents are accessed just like any other map access.

# Assign to variable
set %Now% as %Var:DateTime%
Notice %Now%

# or just use directly
Notice %Var:DateTime%

Every access to the Var map will return a new value (based on the semantics of the item).

The elements

Var:DateTime

The current date and time.

Var:Random

An unsigned random number within the standard range of the host platform (such as 32-bit).

Var:RandomInt

Produces a signed integer value.

Var:RandomBool

Produces a true or false value. This can be used directly in a condition→.

if %Var:RandomBool%
  #Do something
end

Var:UniqueString

Returns a pseudo-unique string every time it is called. Within one instance this is guaranteed. But over time it is not guaranteed (the time interval is currently about one year to millisecond precision).

This is usually enough when a unique string is needed for a string.

Var:Counter

Returns the next number in a counter each time it is accessed. This is reset to 0 for each instance of TestPlan.

Var:ClientEmail

A common case which produces a unique email address. This uses the context items Email.Client.Prefix and Email.Client.Suffix along with a unique string to create the address.

Var:Text

Refer to Var Text→

Custom Elements

These use a standard mechanism called DynamicObjects. They can be easily created in Java if you need a specialized generator, as is often the case.

There is currently no facility to define new dynamic objects from dotTest.