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In some cases, you might want to match only part of an attribute value or text content.
Examples
For example, some web frameworks commonly generate "id" or "name" attribute values in the form "constant_dynamic", such as "transid_2010". The attribute value always begins with "transid_", but "2010" is a dynamic value that might be "1984" the next time you load the page.
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For more XPath examples, you can examine the XPaths that SOAtest generates for Element Properties locators. Once you have saved an Element Properties locator, change the locator to Use XPath.
SOAtest will then displays an XPath that is functionally equivalent to the saved Element Properties locator.
Scripting or XPaths?
If you are not familiar with XPath, your first inclination when there is not an obvious Element Properties locator may be to use scripting to access the DOM: either a scripted "Attribute value" for an Element Properties locator, a "Use Script" locator.
Whenever you consider scripting, first consider whether you can create an XPath locator. Various search strategies lend themselves well to XPath, and XPath expressions are typically easier to create and maintain than scripts.
Preventing the Use of a Specific Dynamic Attribute
Note that if you simply want to avoid using the dynamic "name" attribute (or any other attribute) in locators, you can configure SOAtest not to use the "name" attribute when generating locators during recording. For details on how to achieve this, see Customizing Recording Options.
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