3.14.12. Special parameters: empty strings, the escape character, and skipping test steps
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### 3.14.12. Special parameters: empty strings, the escape character, and skipping test steps

Entering empty strings as parameters
For certain test steps it is allowed to leave a parameter value empty if it is not necessary for the execution of the test step.

If you want the parameter you enter to be an empty string (i.e. nothing), use two single quote marks: ”
This works for test steps as well as for test cases.

You can use this with the equals, matches or simple match operators.

You can also use ’`^$`’ or ’`^\s*$`’ with the operator matches to check that a text area is empty.

You can also use ’`^$`’ with the operator matches to check that a text area is empty.

| If a component looks empty, but entering an empty string doesn't work, it may be worth asking a developer what is actually in the component.

The escape character
Some symbols have a special meaning for test execution. If you want to use the symbol without the special function, you have to escape it. The symbol to negate any special function of the following symbol is a backslash: (∖).

See the section later Section 3.37, “Special characters” for more details on special symbols and escaping them.

| When you are using regular expressions, you will also need to think about which symbols need neutralising. Sometimes more than one backslash is necessary.

Skipping test steps

In order to skip a single test step you can use the special '##jbskip##' value. A test step will not be executed as long as one of the step's parameters contains the value '##jbskip##'.

The value can be used for all parameters except for those whose values are limited to a value set (e.g. the Operator parameter). If the parameter's type is any other than String you can enter it by putting it into single quote marks.