How should you test read-only fields that should display data from an existing database?

Testing read-only fields that are designed to display data from an existing database is best accomplished using an expression rule that queries the test data. This method ensures that the fields are populated correctly with the expected data from the database, allowing you to verify that the display mechanism functions as intended.

Utilizing an expression rule enables you to execute a query against the database and retrieve live data, ensuring that the values shown in the fields accurately reflect what is currently stored. This approach allows for dynamic testing and validation against real scenarios, which is crucial for confirming that your application will work correctly in a production environment.

Testing the interface from a record view may provide insights into how the fields appear to the user, but it doesn't allow for controlled or extensive testing of the underlying data retrieval logic. Simply typing test values for each field would not represent the actual integration with the database and may lead to misleading results. Changing the fields to make them editable introduces issues since the original intent of the fields—to be read-only—would no longer apply, thus compromising the integrity of the test.