The symbol save operator (>>) and the symbol recall operator (<<) can be used to collect a value at one place in a story test and then use it in other places.

The symbol save operator can be used in any expected value cell. Instead of comparing the actual value to an expected value, the actual value is saved with the symbol name.

when input is⇓ story test fixture check plain test 'sample class' set field something check field >>mysymbol set field null check field >>nullsymbol sample class set field something check field >>mysymbol something set field null check field >>nullsymbol null

'sample class' set field something check field >>mysymbol set field null check field >>nullsymbol

then output is

sample class set field something check field >>mysymbol something set field null check field >>nullsymbol null

The symbol recall operator can be used in any input or expected value cell. The value used will be the last value saved with the symbol name.

when input is⇓ story test fixture check plain test 'sample class' set field something check field <<mysymbol set field null check field <<nullsymbol set field <<mysymbol check field something set field <<nullsymbol check field null sample class set field something check field <<mysymbol something set field null check field <<nullsymbol null set field <<mysymbol something check field something set field <<nullsymbol null check field null

'sample class' set field something check field <<mysymbol set field null check field <<nullsymbol set field <<mysymbol check field something set field <<nullsymbol check field null

then output is

sample class set field something check field <<mysymbol something set field null check field <<nullsymbol null set field <<mysymbol something check field something set field <<nullsymbol null check field null

We can save any value in a symbol, e.g. a byte array.

when input is⇓ story test fixture check plain test 'sample class' set bytes 0x010203 check bytes >>bytesymbol check bytes <<bytesymbol sample class set bytes 0x010203 check bytes >>bytesymbol System.Byte[] check bytes <<bytesymbol System.Byte[]

'sample class' set bytes 0x010203 check bytes >>bytesymbol check bytes <<bytesymbol

then output is

sample class set bytes 0x010203 check bytes >>bytesymbol System.Byte[] check bytes <<bytesymbol System.Byte[]

Symbol values can also be assigned with the Name Keyword and the Configure Fixture and used with the Use Fixture and With Keyword.

Symbols can be erased with the Clear Symbols Fixture.

We can also get and set symbol values in fixture code:

    if (Symbols.HasValue("stuff")) {
        var mySymbol = Symbols.GetValue("stuff);
    }

    Symbols.Save("another") = "one";

Notes:

This is a separate feature from the FitNesse wiki symbol feature.