Dynamically Invoking Java Methods

Dynamic invoke enables you to directly call methods, retrieve properties, or set properties, on an actual instance of a control in the application under test. You can also call methods and properties that are not available in the Silk4J API for this control. Dynamic invoke is especially useful when you are working with custom controls, where the required functionality for interacting with the control is not exposed through the Silk4J API.

Call dynamic methods on objects with the invoke method. To retrieve a list of supported dynamic methods for a control, use the getDynamicMethodList method.

Call multiple dynamic methods on objects with the invokeMethods method. To retrieve a list of supported dynamic methods for a control, use the getDynamicMethodList method.

Retrieve dynamic properties with the getProperty method and set dynamic properties with the setProperty method. To retrieve a list of supported dynamic properties for a control, use the getPropertyList method.

For example, to call a method named SetTitle, which requires the title to be set as an input parameter of type string, on an actual instance of a control in the application under test, type the following:

control.invoke("SetTitle","my new title");

Note: Typically, most properties are read-only and cannot be set.

Note: Reflection is used in most technology domains to call methods and retrieve properties.

Supported Methods and Properties

The following methods and properties can be called:

Methods and properties that Silk4J supports for the control.
All public methods of the SWT, AWT, or Swing widget
If the control is a custom control that is derived from a standard control, all methods and properties from the standard control can be called.

Supported Parameter Types

The following parameter types are supported:

Primitive types (boolean, integer, long, double, string)
Both primitive types, such as int, and object types, such as java.lang.Integer are supported. Primitive types are widened if necessary, allowing, for example, to pass an int where a long is expected.
Enum types
Enum parameters must be passed as string. The string must match the name of an enum value. For example, if the method expects a parameter of the enum type, java.sql.ClientInfoStatus you can use the string values of REASON_UNKNOWN, REASON_UNKNOWN_PROPERTY, REASON_VALUE_INVALID, or REASON_VALUE_TRUNCATED
Lists
Allows calling methods with list, array, or var-arg parameters. Conversion to an array type is done automatically, provided the elements of the list are assignable to the target array type.
Other controls
Control parameters can be passed or returned as TestObject.

Returned Values

The following values are returned for properties and methods that have a return value:

The correct value for all built-in Silk4J types. These types are listed in the Supported Parameter Types section.
All methods that have no return value return null.