Virtual Objects In QTP

When QTP fails to identify an object in the application,virtual objects are used.It is a feature provided by QTP where we can define an area that is nonstandard object in the application to a class and methods can be applied.Now you must be thinking that way QTP doesn't recognise any object.It mainly happens because we don't have proper add ins.Using virtual Object Wizard we can map non standard objects to standard objects.

When you want QuickTest to recognize virtual objects during
recording, ensure that the Disable recognition of virtual objects while
recording check box in the General tab of the Options dialog box is cleared.
Tools-Option-General.

Group of Virtual Objects that i stored in the virtual Object Manager under a descriptive name is knows as virtual object collection.

Virtual Objects collection definitons are saved with .vot extensions under QTP\Dat\vo template folder.
If you want to copy virtual object collection from one computer to another then you have to copy the .vot file and paste it in the same location.

virtual objects can only be defined for objects on which you can click or double click.

QuickTest identifies a virtual object according to its boundaries. Marking an object’s boundaries specifies its size and position on a Web page or application window. When you assign a test object as the parent of your virtual object, you specify that the coordinates of the virtual object boundaries are relative to that parent object. When you record a test,QuickTest recognizes the virtual object within the parent object and adds its a test object in the object repository so that QuickTest can identify the object during the run session. QuickTest also recognizes the virtual object as a test object when you add it manually to the object repository.

Disadvantage:- When you assign a test object as virtual object through the wizard you specifiy the coordinates of the virtual object boundaries.virtual object loses its identification on resizing the page.