Test Macros

Macros are dynamic system keywords that allow you to include variable information in a test's Test URL, HTTP Header Request, Script, and Post Data fields. The macro is replaced by the system at the time the test is run. Using macros, you can add information that helps identify the test or server on which the test was run so you can correlate data between your application or website and Catchpoint, which can be used for troubleshooting purposes. Catchpoint supports both basic macros and enhanced macros. Basic macros allow you to insert a single piece of data, and enhanced macros provide more options so that you can define the value inserted using a dynamic statement.

*See the attached file for a reference showing what macros are supported per test type.

Test URL, HTTP Header Request and Post Data all reflect information that Catchpoint expects to match with your website when a test is run; therefore, you should be aware that using macros requires setup on your end in order for tests to execute correctly.

For example, if you enter the following value in the Test URL field:
http://www.site.com/?${time}

Catchpoint submits the request as:
http://www.site.com/?20100303203121772

Basic Macros

Catchpoint supports the following basic macros:

Enhanced Macros

Enhanced macros allow you to use a variable statement to define the value you want to insert in the Test URL, Test HTML, HTTP Header Request or Post Data. Catchpoint supports the following enhanced macros:

Random List

The random list macro can be used to define a list of values to be inserted in place of the macro. You can define a list of numbers, strings or a list of key values. When the test is run, Catchpoint will select one of the values from the list and substitute that value in place of the macro. For example, the macro ${randomlist(2, 7, 9, 11)} would be substituted with one of the following numbers: 2, 7, 9 or 11.

The following options are available for random list macros. There is no limit to the number of values you can enter within the parentheses; however, keep in mind that macros contribute to the field lengths both as defined and once the substitution is made.

Custom Time Stamp

The custom time stamp macro allows you to insert a time stamp into your test's Test URL, Test HTML, HTTP Header Request or Post Data. This macro allows you to insert a time stamp for the time the test ran, or a random time stamp. Additionally, you can define the format for the time stamp, so that the macro reflects the format of the time stamp issued by the test's server(s) instead of having to modify the test's server to reflect the Catchpoint node's time stamp.

The custom time stamp macro is composed of three parameters. The first defines the format used for the time stamp, and the second and third define the date range from which the random time stamp is generated. You can select either a relative time period, i.e., a time period in relation to the time the test ran, a specific date range, or a combination of the two. For example, the macro ${timeformat(“MM/DD/YYYY HH:MI”, 1.5, 2011)} would insert a random time between 1.5 days after the test ran and Jan 1, 2011 12:00 AM. The custom time stamp macro using the following syntaxes:

You do not have to enter two date range parameters. If you include only one parameter, Catchpoint will select a random time stamp between the parameter entered and the time the test ran. For example, the macro ${timeformat(“YYYYMMDD”, -5)} would insert a random time the time the rest ran and 5 days previous. You can also use a combination of dynamic and static parameters.

Time Format - Use a combination of the following expressions to create the format for the time stamp:

• YYYY = 4-digit year
• MM = 2-digit month
• DD = 2-digit day
• HH = 2-digit hour
• MI = 2-digit minute
• SS = 2-digit second
• MSC = 3-digit millisecond

For example, if the time stamp is 04/20/2010 7:25:30.123 PM UTC, the following macros would insert three different formats for the time stamp:

• ${timeformat("MM/DD/YYYY")} = 04/20/2010
• ${timeformat("DD-MM-YYYY HH:MI:SS")} = 20-04-2010 07:25:30
• ${timeformat("YYYYMM")} = 201004

Host Request

Used for request overrides only. Basic usage is as follows:

• Example (using URL http://www.catchpoint.com:8080/main.aspx?key=value):
  • ${hostrequestauthority} – www.catchpoint.com:8080
• Example (using URL http://www.catchpoint.com:8080/main.aspx?key=value):
  • ${hostrequestpath} – main.aspx

Synthetic_Verbs_Macros.xlsx