Reference or Field Reference overview

A Reference, which is in response data, points to a specific value that you want to use in a subsequent test location, generally a request. Whereas a Field Reference points to an entire block of test data.

You can substitute a request value with a Reference. This method of substitution is called data correlation. You can also use the Reference as an input to an IF-THEN condition in a test or as an input to custom Java™ code that your test calls.

The entire HTTP response can be designated as a Field Reference. You can then use the Field Reference as an input to custom Java™ code that your test calls.

For Reference, the value is highlighted in light blue to indicate that it is an unused Reference. When you use the Reference, then the highlighted value changes to dark blue. A name is given to the Reference as soon as you create it. You can right-click the Reference value and select Properties to view the name of the Reference.

For Field Reference, the entire field is highlighted in yellow to indicate that it is a Field Reference. A name is not given to the Field Reference. You can right-click the Field Reference value and select Properties to name the Field Reference.

To learn more about creating and selecting a Reference or a Field Reference for the response, refer to the following topics.