Eyes class
This class provides the main methods used to execute tests and checkpoints.
Require statement
const {Eyes} = require('@applitools/eyes-images');
Eyes method
Syntax
let eyes = new Eyes();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: Eyes
Use the object returned to call the various methods provided by the Eyes class.
abort method
Syntax
let result = await eyes.abort();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: Promise<?TestResults>
Remarks
If you call this method on a test that was opened but not closed, then then test will have an aborted status in the Eyes Test Manager. If you call it after the test has been successfully closed, then the call is ignored.
abortIfNotClosed method
Syntax
let result = await eyes.abortIfNotClosed();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: Promise<?TestResults>
Remarks
If you call this method on a test that was opened but not closed, then then test will have an aborted status in the Eyes Test Manager. If you call it after the test has been successfully closed, then the call is ignored.
addProperty method
Syntax
eyes.addProperty(name, value);
Parameters
name
Type: string
The name of the property.
value
Type: string
The value associated with the name.
Return value
Type:
Remarks
- Set multiple properties by calling Eyes.addProperty or Configuration.addProperty multiple times with the same property name and with different values.
- You should not assign a given value to a property more than once in a given test run.
check method
Syntax
let result = await eyes.check(name, checkSettings);
Parameters
name
Type: string
The tag defines a name for the checkpoint in the Eyes Test Manager. The name may be any string and serves to identify the step to the user in the Test manager. You may change the tag value without impacting testing in any way since Eyes does not use the tag to identify the baseline step that corresponds to the checkpoint - Eyes matches steps based on their content and position in the sequences of images of the test. See How Eyes compares checkpoints and baseline images for details.
checkSettings
Type:
ImagesCheckSettings|CheckSettings
The fluent API calls, starting with one of the Target methods.
Return value
Type: Promise<boolean>
A return value of true indicates that the checkpoint matched, or is a new checkpoint. The meaning of a return value of false depends on whether this is the first checkpoint to return this value or not. For the first checkpoint that returns a value of false, the implication is that there was a mismatch. The test may choose to recapture the image and resend it (when using a check that supports this feature). Once one checkpoint has returned false, all the following checkpoints will also return false. This does not mean that the checkpoint mismatched; it means that Eyes will only know the final status of the checkpoint at the end of the test. If required, the actual result of the checkpoint should be obtained from the StepInfo object in the TestResults returned by the close method.
Remarks
For a detailed description of how to use this method see The Eyes SDK check Fluent API.
checkImage method
Syntax
let result = await eyes.checkImage(base64String, name, ignoreMismatch);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(base64String, name);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(base64String);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(url, name, ignoreMismatch);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(url, name);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(url);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(filePath, name, ignoreMismatch);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(filePath, name);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(filePath);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(imageBuffer, name, ignoreMismatch);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(imageBuffer, name);
let result = await eyes.checkImage(imageBuffer);
Parameters
base64String
Type: string
The checkpoint image in PNG format, encoded in base64.
name
Type: string [Optional ]
The tag defines a name for the checkpoint in the Eyes Test Manager. The name may be any string and serves to identify the step to the user in the Test manager. You may change the tag value without impacting testing in any way since Eyes does not use the tag to identify the baseline step that corresponds to the checkpoint - Eyes matches steps based on their content and position in the sequences of images of the test. See How Eyes compares checkpoints and baseline images for details.
ignoreMismatch
Type: boolean [Optional ]
This parameter is used to implement retry of a checkpoint. If you are not implementing retry, then don't pass this parameter or pass a value of false. To implement retry, on all retry attempts apart from the last, pass this parameter a value of true. When the method returns, check the return value. A returned value of true means that the checkpoint passed, and you can continue with the next checkpoint. A returned value of false means that that the checkpoint did not match. Since this parameter was passed as true, Eyes will not store the outcome of this checkpoint and will expect that the next image sent is for the current step (i.e. is being retried). On the last retry attempt, pass a value of false. This way, Eyes knows that there will be no more retries, and it will store the results of the last check as the result of the current step. The next checkpoint sent will be treated as the next step. Note that since Eyes allows for new or deleted steps, once there is a mismatch for one step, all subsequent steps will also return a mismatch, and Eyes determines the actual match/mismatch/new/missing status of all the steps when the test is closed.
url
Type: string
A string with the URL of the checkpoint image. The image must be in PNG format.
filePath
Type: string
A string with the file system path to the checkpoint image file. The image must be in PNG format.
imageBuffer
Type: Buffer
The checkpoint image as an object in PNG format.
Return value
Type: Promise<boolean>
A return value of true indicates that the checkpoint matched, or is a new checkpoint. The meaning of a return value of false depends on whether this is the first checkpoint to return this value or not. For the first checkpoint that returns a value of false, the implication is that there was a mismatch. The test may choose to recapture the image and resend it (when using a check that supports this feature). Once one checkpoint has returned false, all the following checkpoints will also return false. This does not mean that the checkpoint mismatched; it means that Eyes will only know the final status of the checkpoint at the end of the test. If required, the actual result of the checkpoint should be obtained from the StepInfo object in the TestResults returned by the close method.
Remarks
This method can take three different types of string: a base64 image, a URL, and a file path. It inspects the format of the data to decide if what it has is an image, a URL, or a filepath.
checkRegion method
Syntax
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(base64String, region, name, ignoreMismatch);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(base64String, region, name);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(base64String, region);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(url, region, name, ignoreMismatch);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(url, region, name);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(url, region);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(filePath, region, name, ignoreMismatch);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(filePath, region, name);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(filePath, region);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(imageBuffer, region, name, ignoreMismatch);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(imageBuffer, region, name);
let result = await eyes.checkRegion(imageBuffer, region);
Parameters
base64String
Type: string
The checkpoint image in PNG format, encoded in base64.
region
Type:
Region|RegionObject
A non-empty region representing the screen region to check in screenshot pixel coordinates.
Type definitions
RegionObject
The type RegionObject is defined as: {left:number,top:number,width:number,height:number,coordinatesType: CoordinatesType|undefined} The field coordinatesType is for internal use only and should not be set by users.
name
Type: string [Optional ]
The tag defines a name for the checkpoint in the Eyes Test Manager. The name may be any string and serves to identify the step to the user in the Test manager. You may change the tag value without impacting testing in any way since Eyes does not use the tag to identify the baseline step that corresponds to the checkpoint - Eyes matches steps based on their content and position in the sequences of images of the test. See How Eyes compares checkpoints and baseline images for details.
ignoreMismatch
Type: boolean [Optional ]
This parameter is used to implement retry of a checkpoint. If you are not implementing retry, then don't pass this parameter or pass a value of false. To implement retry, on all retry attempts apart from the last, pass this parameter a value of true. When the method returns, check the return value. A returned value of true means that the checkpoint passed, and you can continue with the next checkpoint. A returned value of false means that that the checkpoint did not match. Since this parameter was passed as true, Eyes will not store the outcome of this checkpoint and will expect that the next image sent is for the current step (i.e. is being retried). On the last retry attempt, pass a value of false. This way, Eyes knows that there will be no more retries, and it will store the results of the last check as the result of the current step. The next checkpoint sent will be treated as the next step. Note that since Eyes allows for new or deleted steps, once there is a mismatch for one step, all subsequent steps will also return a mismatch, and Eyes determines the actual match/mismatch/new/missing status of all the steps when the test is closed.
url
Type: string
A string with the URL of the checkpoint image. The image must be in PNG format.
filePath
Type: string
A string with the file system path to the checkpoint image file. The image must be in PNG format.
imageBuffer
Type: Buffer
The checkpoint image as an object in PNG format.
Return value
Type: Promise<boolean>
A return value of true indicates that the checkpoint matched, or is a new checkpoint. The meaning of a return value of false depends on whether this is the first checkpoint to return this value or not. For the first checkpoint that returns a value of false, the implication is that there was a mismatch. The test may choose to recapture the image and resend it (when using a check that supports this feature). Once one checkpoint has returned false, all the following checkpoints will also return false. This does not mean that the checkpoint mismatched; it means that Eyes will only know the final status of the checkpoint at the end of the test. If required, the actual result of the checkpoint should be obtained from the StepInfo object in the TestResults returned by the close method.
Remarks
This method can take three different types of string: a base64 image, a URL, and a file path. It inspects the format of the data to decide if what it has is an image, a URL, or a filepath.
clearProperties method
Syntax
eyes.clearProperties();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type:
close method
Syntax
let result = await eyes.close(throwEx);
let result = await eyes.close();
Parameters
throwEx
Type: boolean [Optional : default = true ]
If this parameter has a value of true, then if there are new, missing, or mismatched steps, an exception will be thrown. If the parameter is set to false, then an exception will not be thrown for the above cases. If the parameter is not passed, then it is as if a true value was passed.
Return value
Type: Promise<TestResults>
The result of the test can be obtained from the object returned. See TestResults class for a list of what information can be obtained from this object. See TestResults class for a list of what information can be obtained from this object.
getAgentId method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getAgentId();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getApiKey method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getApiKey();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getAppName method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getAppName();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getBaselineBranchName method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getBaselineBranchName();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getBaselineEnvName method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getBaselineEnvName();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
Returns the value most recently set by a call to setBaselineEnvName, or a value of null if the baseline environment name has not been assigned in this run.
getBatch method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getBatch();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: BatchInfo
getBranchName method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getBranchName();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getConfiguration method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getConfiguration();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: Configuration
getDebugScreenshotsPath method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getDebugScreenshotsPath();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
Remarks
Enable and disable saving screenshots to the local disk using the setSaveDebugScreenshots method.
getDebugScreenshotsPrefix method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getDebugScreenshotsPrefix();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
Remarks
Enable and disable saving screenshots to the local disk using the setSaveDebugScreenshots method.
getDeviceInfo method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getDeviceInfo();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getHostApp method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getHostApp();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getHostOS method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getHostOS();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getIgnoreCaret method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getIgnoreCaret();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: boolean
getIsDisabled method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getIsDisabled();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: boolean
If true, then all calls to Eyes are ignored, if false then all calls to Eyes work as usual.
getIsOpen method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getIsOpen();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: boolean
Return true if the Eyes.open method has been called on an eyes instance, and Eyes.close, Eyes.abort or Eyes.abortIfNotClosed have not yet been called.
getMatchLevel method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getMatchLevel();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: MatchLevel
Remarks
For a full description of the affect of each match levels and the different ways to apply them to tests, checkpoints and regions, How to use Eyes match levels.
getParentBranchName method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getParentBranchName();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getProxy method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getProxy();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: ProxySettings
getSaveDebugScreenshots method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getSaveDebugScreenshots();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: boolean
Remarks
Enable and disable saving screenshots to the local disk using the setSaveDebugScreenshots method.
getSaveDiffs method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getSaveDiffs();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: boolean
returns true if steps that have mismatches are automatically saved to the baseline.
getSaveNewTests method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getSaveNewTests();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: boolean
getScaleRatio method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getScaleRatio();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: number
getServerUrl method
Syntax
let value = eyes.getServerUrl();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type: string
getViewportSize method
Syntax
eyes.getViewportSize();
Parameters
This method does not take any parameters.
Return value
Type:
open method
Syntax
await eyes.open(appName, testName, imageSize);
await eyes.open(appName, testName);
Parameters
appName
Type: string
The application name. This may be any string. You can set the application name for all tests using the Configuration.setAppName method or Eyes.setAppName method. If you do so, then set this parameter to a value of null to indicate that the configuration default should be used.
testName
Type: string
The name of the test. This name must be unique within the scope of the application name. It may be any string.
imageSize
Type: RectangleSize [Optional ]
If this parameter is not provided, and the viewport was not set using the setViewportSize method, then the viewport size is taken from the dimensions of the image of the first checkpoint. For the image SDK this is used to identify the baseline and does not affect the way the checkpoint image is processed in any other way.
Return value
Type: Promise
Remarks
After making a call to this method, you must eventually terminate the test by calling Eyes.close (in case of a normal completion) or Eyes.abort (in case of an aborted test). If you want to run another test, then it is recommended to do this with a newly created Eyes instance to avoid side effects. However, in principle, it is legal to call Eyes.Open again to start a new test on the same Eyes instance.
replaceImage method
Syntax
let result = await eyes.replaceImage(stepIndex, image, tag, title, userInputs);
let result = await eyes.replaceImage(stepIndex, image, tag, title);
let result = await eyes.replaceImage(stepIndex, image, tag);
let result = await eyes.replaceImage(stepIndex, image);
Parameters
stepIndex
Type: number
The index number of the checkpoint (the first checkpoint is zero).
image
Type:
string|Buffer|MutableImage
The image for this checkpoint in PNG format.
tag
Type: string [Optional ]
Replace the tag originally defined for the checkpoint.If this parameter is not passed, then the default tag is used.
title
Type: string [Optional ]
Replace the <title> tag in the checkpoint metadata.If this parameter is not passed, then the title in the metadata is undefined.
userInputs
Type: Trigger[] [Optional ]
Replace the list of user actions recorded for this checkpoint.If this parameter is not passed, then this checkpoint does not have any associated user actions.
Return value
Type: Promise<boolean>
replaceWindow method
Syntax
let result = await eyes.replaceWindow(
stepIndex,
screenshot,
tag,
title,
userInputs
);
let result = await eyes.replaceWindow(stepIndex, screenshot, tag, title);
let result = await eyes.replaceWindow(stepIndex, screenshot, tag);
let result = await eyes.replaceWindow(stepIndex, screenshot);
Parameters
stepIndex
Type: number
The zero-based index of the step in which to replace the actual image.
screenshot
Type: Buffer
The PNG bytes of the updated screenshot.
tag
Type: string [Optional ]
The updated tag for the checkpoint.
title
Type: string [Optional ]
The updated <title> tag for the checkpoint.
userInputs
Type: Trigger[] [Optional ]
The updated userInputs for the checkpoint.
Return value
Type: Promise<MatchResult>
A promise which, when resolved, takes a value of true as a parameter, if the image matched. Otherwise, it will have a value of false.
setAgentId method
Syntax
eyes.setAgentId(agentId);
Parameters
agentId
Type: string
The id of the agent in the format 'name/1.2.3'.
Return value
Type:
Remarks
To take effect, this method must be called before the call to open.
setApiKey method
Syntax
eyes.setApiKey(apiKey);
Parameters
apiKey
Type: string
Your API key.
Return value
Type:
Remarks
Set this immediately after the Eyes object is created (before calling open). If you have an environment variable called APPLITOOLS_API_KEY that is set to the value of your API key, then you do not need to call this method, and Eyes will take the string from the environment value.
setAppName method
Syntax
eyes.setAppName(appName);
Parameters
appName
Type: string
The application name. This may be any string.
Return value
Type:
Remarks
If you call this method, it must be called before the call to Eyes.open. In the call to Eyes.open, if you provide the application parameter, then it will override the value set here. If you don't provide the parameter or pass a null, then the value set here will be used.
setBaselineBranchName method
Syntax
eyes.setBaselineBranchName(baselineBranchName);
Parameters
baselineBranchName
Type: string
The name of the baseline branch to use.
Return value
Type:
setBaselineEnvName method
Syntax
eyes.setBaselineEnvName(baselineEnvName);
Parameters
baselineEnvName
Type: string
The name of the baseline environment.
Return value
Type:
setBatch method
Syntax
eyes.setBatch(batchOrName, batchId, startedAt);
eyes.setBatch(batchOrName, batchId);
eyes.setBatch(batchOrName);
Parameters
batchOrName
Type:
BatchInfo|BatchInfoObject|string
Type definitions
BatchInfoObject
The type BatchInfoObject is defined as: {id:(string|undefined),name:(string|undefined),startedAt:(Date|string|undefined),sequenceName:(string|undefined),notifyOnCompletion:(boolean|undefined)}.
batchId
Type: string [Optional ]
If the first parameter is a batch name string (and not a BatchInfo object), then the value passed for this parameter will be used as the id of the created object. All tests that have the same batch ID will appear in the Test results in the same batch. If the value is a falsy value or is not passed and the environment variable APPLITOOLS_BATCH_ID is defined, then the value of the environment variable will be used as the ID. Otherwise, an internal id will be generated.
startedAt
Type: string [Optional ]
If the value is a falsey value or is not passed, then the current date and time will be used.
Return value
Type:
Remarks
Call this method once before the calls to the open method for all tests that are supposed to be part of this batch.
setBranchName method
Syntax
eyes.setBranchName(branchName);
Parameters
branchName
Type: string
The name of the branch from which the baseline will be taken and saved. This may be any string.
Return value
Type:
setConfiguration method
Syntax
eyes.setConfiguration(configuration);
Parameters
configuration
Type:
Configuration|object
A configuration object that has the various properties/methods set to the required values.
Return value
Type:
Remarks
The typical sequence for configuring a test is:
- Create a Configuration object.
- Set the properties you want to set up, using the various set methods.
- Create an Eyes instance.
- Call the Eyes.setConfiguration method with the configuration object.
- Call the Eyes.open method to start the test session.
Once you've changed the configuration of an Eyes instance by calling Eyes.setConfiguration or by setting a configuration directly on the Eyes instance, if you want to change the configuration, you must use the following sequence:
- Get the current configuration using Eyes.getConfiguration to a local variable.
- Make changes to the local configuration value.
- Assign the local configuration object to the Eyes instance using Eyes.setConfiguration.
setDebugScreenshotsPath method
Syntax
eyes.setDebugScreenshotsPath(pathToSave);
Parameters
pathToSave
Type: string
A pathname where saved checkpoint images should be stored.
Return value
Type:
Remarks
Enable and disable saving screenshots to the local disk using the setSaveDebugScreenshots method.
setDebugScreenshotsPrefix method
Syntax
eyes.setDebugScreenshotsPrefix(prefix);
Parameters
prefix
Type: string
A prefix to be added to the saved checkpoint images filename.
Return value
Type:
Remarks
Enable and disable saving screenshots to the local disk using the setSaveDebugScreenshots method.
setDeviceInfo method
Syntax
eyes.setDeviceInfo(value);
Parameters
value
Type: string
The name of the device - this is displayed in the Device column in the Test Manager.
Return value
Type:
setExplicitViewportSize method
Syntax
eyes.setExplicitViewportSize(explicitViewportSize);
Parameters
explicitViewportSize
Type: RectangleSize
The size of the viewport. A value of null disables the explicit size.
Return value
Type:
setHostApp method
Syntax
eyes.setHostApp(value);
Parameters
value
Type: string
The value to be used for the Host OS Property.
Return value
Type:
setHostOS method
Syntax
eyes.setHostOS(value);
Parameters
value
Type: string
The value to be used for the Host OS property.
Return value
Type:
setIgnoreCaret method
Syntax
eyes.setIgnoreCaret(value);
Parameters
value
Type: boolean
If set to true, then Eyes does extra processing to eliminate artifacts introduced by blinking cursors.
Return value
Type:
setIsDisabled method
Syntax
eyes.setIsDisabled(isDisabled);
Parameters
isDisabled
Type: boolean
If this has a value of true then all method calls to the SDK are ignored. Otherwise, all methods work as usual.
Return value
Type:
setMatchLevel method
Syntax
eyes.setMatchLevel(matchLevel);
Parameters
matchLevel
Type: MatchLevel
Available match level values are:
For a description of these match levels and the different ways to apply them to tests, checkpoints, and regions, see Eyes match levels.
Return value
Type:
Remarks
For a full description of the affect of each match levels and the different ways to apply them to tests, checkpoints and regions, How to use Eyes match levels.
setParentBranchName method
Syntax
eyes.setParentBranchName(parentBranchName);
Parameters
parentBranchName
Type: string
The branch name. This may be any string.
Return value
Type:
setProxy method
Syntax
eyes.setProxy(proxySettings);
eyes.setProxy(isEnabled);
eyes.setProxy(url, username, password);
eyes.setProxy(url, username);
eyes.setProxy(url);
Parameters
proxySettings
Type: ProxySettings
An object that defines how to connect to the proxy server by providing the user name, password, URI and port. This is an instance of the ProxySettings class.
isEnabled
Type: boolean
If this parameter is provided, then it must have a value of false, and it means that use of the proxy is disabled.
url
Type: string
The proxy URL to be used by the serverConnector. If it has a value of then no proxy is set.
username
Type: string [Optional ]
The string to pass as the username.
password
Type: string [Optional ]
The string to pass as the password.
Return value
Type:
setSaveDebugScreenshots method
Syntax
eyes.setSaveDebugScreenshots(saveDebugScreenshots);
Parameters
saveDebugScreenshots
Type: boolean
If set to true, then checkpoint images is saved to a local directory.
Return value
Type:
setSaveDiffs method
Syntax
eyes.setSaveDiffs(saveDiffs);
Parameters
saveDiffs
Type: boolean
If this has a value of true, then the baseline will be updated with checkpoints that have mismatches.
Return value
Type:
setSaveNewTests method
Syntax
eyes.setSaveNewTests(saveNewTests);
Parameters
saveNewTests
Type: boolean
If False, the user will need to save the baseline explicitly in the Test Manager for new tests to be saved to the baseline. If True, Eyes will automatically create a baseline for tests with a status of 'new' (the default behavior).
Return value
Type:
setScaleRatio method
Syntax
eyes.setScaleRatio(scaleRatio);
eyes.setScaleRatio();
Parameters
scaleRatio
Type: number [Optional : default = 1 ]
The scale ratio to use.
Return value
Type:
setServerUrl method
Syntax
eyes.setServerUrl("https://myEyesServer");
Parameters
serverUrl
Type: string
The URL of the Eyes server. Pass a value of null to use the default cloud server.
Return value
Type:
setViewportSize method
Syntax
await Eyes.setViewportSize(viewportSize);
Parameters
viewportSize
Type:
RectangleSize|RectangleSizeObject
The size of the viewport
The size of the viewport passed as an object.
The size of the viewport passed as an object {'width':, 'height':}
Type definitions
RectangleSizeObject
The type RectangleSizeObject is defined as: {width:number,height:number}.
Return value
Type: Promise
Remarks
- Call this method before the call to Eyes.open. Then, when calling the open method, don't pass the viewportSize parameter.
This method is a static method.