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Input Files
Input Files can be used to extract variables from a text file, such as a username and a password per simulated user, assigned to a login form. However, the functionality of input files is generic, which means that variables for any purpose can be extracted.
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.txt (recommended) or
.dat
Input File Options
Option Name | Purpose |
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File Scope | Defines the scope of the variables which will be (later) extracted from the Input File: |
| this scope is usually not useful for Input Files because only one line will be read during the entire load test at the start of the test. |
| a new line will be read for each simulated user during the load test. This is the proper scope for reading user account data (username/password). The line remains the same for all executed loops of the same user. |
| a new line will be read each time a simulated user executes a loop. The new lines are distributed over all users and loops. |
| a new line will be read each time a simulated user executes an inner loop. The new lines are distributed over all users, loops, and inner loops. |
Line Order | Controls whether the lines are read in sequential or randomized order. |
Comment Tag | Defines a "start character" or a "start string" for commented-out lines. Such lines will be ignored during the load test. |
Var Delimiter | Defines the "variable delimiter character" that separates values on the same line (several values/variables can be extracted from the same line). |
Trim Extracted Values | Control whether blank characters (white spaces) are removed from the start and the end of the extracted variables. |
EOF Action | Controls the behavior when all lines from the Input File have already been read when a new line is requested: |
| the file is re-opened. If a randomized line order was set, the lines continue to be randomly read in a new order. |
| the load test will be immediately aborted. This option can be used to avoid duplicate logins with the same username/password when fewer lines are available than users, which should be simulated. Note that EOF can also become true for a randomized line order because the lines are first mixed while opening the file and then read. |
Text Input Details | |
Line Column # | the column number (of a line) from which the variable is extracted (1, 2, 3 ..) |
Var Name | any new variable name, but with the following naming restrictions:
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Next, you should test to ensure that the parsing of the Input File works correctly. This can be done by clicking the Input File button for an Input File definition: |  |
Afterward, you can extract variables from the Input File by clicking one or more times on the variable extractor icon: |  |
Variable Created from Input File Result: |  |
Input File Example
The following example shows the definition of an Input File, (first) without the assignment of variables:
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