Quicker development/debugging/testing turnaround with customised PetraClient startup

Overview of Startup Features

While developing/debugging/testing a certain function of OpenPetra, developers/testers often need to start the PetraClient application repeatedly, for example while introducing a new functionality or while fixing a Bug.

To make the turnaround of developing/debugging/testing cycles faster, PetraClient can be configured to do things at startup for you, thereby saving a lot of time.

These startup features can be specified as Command Line Arguments or in the .config file, or both. If both are specified, the Command Line Arguments 'win', i.e override the features as specified in the .config file.

For specification of the startup features in the .config file, read this first.

Startup Feature AutoLogin

The 'AutoLogin' feature allows the specification of a username and password which is then used when the OpenPetra Client starts up. The OpenPetra Client automatically logs in with these credentials and presents the Main Menu screen. This means you don't have to type the credentials over and over again!

Please note that this feature is disabled when the CheckBox 'Remember the username' is ticked in the OpenPetra Login dialog.

Example

Example for use as Command Line Argument:

   -AutoLogin:demo -AutoLoginPasswd:demo

Example for use in the .config file:

   <add key="AutoLogin" value="demo" />
   <add key="AutoLoginPasswd" value="demo" />   

Temporary Suppression of Feature

To temporarily suppress the execution of this feature although it is specified either as Command Line Argument or in the .config file or in both, press and keep the <ALT> key depressed immediately after starting the OpenPetra Client and before the login screen appears.

Startup Features TestAction and ActionClick

TestAction

The TestAction feature allows the specification of a Screen and optionally of parameters for a screen. This screen is automatically launched when the Main Menu screen appears after the login. This means you don't have to go through the OpenPetra menu structure over and over again to launch the same screen that you are just working on!

Example

Example for use as Command Line Argument for opening the Partner Edit screen:

   -TestAction:"Namespace=Ict.Petra.Client.MPartner.Gui,ActionOpenScreen=TFrmPartnerEdit,PartnerKey=43005002,ShowTabPage=petpDetails"

Example for use in the .config file:

   <add key="TestAction" value="Namespace=Ict.Petra.Client.MPartner.Gui,ActionOpenScreen=TFrmPartnerEdit,PartnerKey=43005004,ShowTabPage=petpAddresses" />

Notes:

• For screens in the Finance Module Screens that depend on a specific Ledger you always need to add ,LedgerNumber=xx to the TestAction line (replacing 'xx' with a valid Ledger Number in your test DB) to make sure that such screens are appropriately initialised when opened with the TestAction method!
• Keyboard shortcut for developers: 'CTRL+SHIFT+T'. On pressing this, the 'TestAction' is executed (again and again). That particular key combination is convenient for the re-opening of a screen that the developer needs to close and re-open while testing/debugging!

ActionClick

Use ActionClick instead of 'TestAction' to call specific public Methods. Look in the UINavigation.yml file to find the appropriate 'ActionClick' target for the screen that you want to launch. Please note that you also need to specify the Namespace in which the public Method is found.

Example

Example for use as Command Line Argument for opening the Partner Find screen:

   -TestAction:"Namespace=Ict.Petra.Client.MPartner.Gui,ActionClick=TPartnerMain.FindPartner"

Example for use in the .config file:

   <add key="TestAction" value="Namespace=Ict.Petra.Client.MPartner.Gui,ActionClick=TPartnerMain.FindPartner" />

Important: Certain screens need specific initialisation before opening them - without that they are opened but appear 'broken'. Use 'ActionClick' rather than 'TestAction' to call the initialisation Method (see previous paragraph). An example for this is the Partner Find screen; use ActionClick=TPartnerMain.FindPartner to open that screen properly.

Temporary Suppression of Feature

To temporarily suppress the execution of this feature although it is specified either as Command Line Argument or in the .config file or in both, press and keep the <CTRL> key depressed immediately after starting the OpenPetra Client and before the login screen appears.