Variables and Local Values

Testform implements a variable (variable:) and local values (locals:) resolution engine inspired by Terraform, but adapted to the native readability of YAML.

No .tfvars or JSON files required: everything is declared and resolved in YAML.

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1. Declaration: variable: vs locals:

The variable: Block (Input Variables)

Variables represent configurable input parameters declared with metadata:

variable:
  app_url:
    type: string
    description: "Base URL for the test environment"
    default: "https://www.saucedemo.com"
  environment:
    type: string
    description: "Target environment (dev, staging, prod)"
    default: "dev"
  default_timeout:
    type: number
    default: 5000

Referenced in .feature files via: ${var.variable_name}

The locals: Block (Local and Computed Values)

Locals represent derived constants or computed expressions to prevent code duplication:

locals:
  base_url: "${var.app_url}"
  login_url: "${local.base_url}"
  api_health: "${local.base_url}/health"
  tag_env: "@env-${var.environment}"

Referenced via: ${local.local_name}

Testform resolves transitive dependencies (locals referencing other locals or variables) through multiple evaluation passes.

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2. Precedence Hierarchy (5 Levels)

When the same variable is defined across multiple files or commands, Testform applies strict precedence (from lowest to highest):

▲ HIGHEST PRIORITY
│  [Level 5] CLI Flags:          -var "key=value"
│  [Level 4] CLI Var Files:      -var-file="staging.yml"
│  [Level 2] Domain Folders:     auth/auth.yml, inventory/inventory.yml, etc.
│  [Level 1] Terraform Standard: variables.yml, locals.yml
│  [Level 0] Base Manifest:      main.yml (global defaults)
▼ LOWEST PRIORITY

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3. Usage in Gherkin Feature Files (.case.feature)

Variables and locals are interpolated seamlessly in both tags and steps:

@testcase
Feature: User Authentication in SauceDemo
  @tc-1 @auth @smoke ${local.tag_env}
  Scenario: Successful login with standard user
    Given the user navigates to "${local.login_url}"
    When entering username "standard_user"
    And entering password "secret_sauce"
    And clicking the "Login" button
    Then the system redirects to "${var.app_url}/inventory.html"