Robot Framework
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| Developer(s) | Pekka Klärck, Janne Härkönen et al. |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 3.0
/ December 31, 2015 |
| Repository | |
| Written in | Python |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Software testing framework / Test tool |
| License | Apache License 2.0 |
| Website | www |
The Robot Framework is a generic test automation framework for acceptance testing and acceptance test-driven development (ATDD). It is a keyword-driven testing framework that uses tabular test data syntax.[1]
History
The basic ideas for the Robot Framework were shaped in the Pekka Klärck's masters thesis[2] in 2005. The first version was developed at Nokia Siemens Networks the same year. Version 2.0 was released as open source software June 24, 2008 and version 2.8.4 was released February 7, 2014.[3]
The framework is written using the Python programming language and has an active community of contributors. It is released under Apache License 2.0 and can be downloaded from robotframework.org.
Description
Test cases are written using keyword testing methodology written in a tabular format. These tables can be written in plain text, HTML, tab-separated values (TSV), or reStructuredText (reST) formats files[4] in any text editor or using the Robot Integrated Development Environment (RIDE).[5] RIDE simplifies writing test cases by providing framework specific code completion, syntax highlighting, etc.
Examples
The following test case implements a Hello World example:
| Test Case | Action | Argument |
|---|---|---|
| Demo | Log | Hello World |
This can be written as follows:
*** Test Cases ***
Demo
Log Hello World
Log is a built-in keyword that logs the given parameter to the test report generated by the Robot Framework.
With the help of the SeleniumLibrary,[6] writing tests for web applications is very easy too:
| Test Case | Action | Argument | Argument |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demo | Open Browser | http://www.google.com | ie |
| Input Text | id=lst-ib | Hollywood Celebrities | |
| Click Button | Google Search |
This test opens a new Internet Explorer browser window and performs an internet search.
Add-ons
These libraries are best implemented in Python, but using Java or .Net is also possible.
Other languages such as Perl, Javascript and PHP can be used for libraries as well, using the remote library interface, see Robot Framework User Guide and documentation for more information.
See also
References
- ^ "Robot Framework Homepage". Robotframework.org. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Laukkanen, Pekka: "Data-Driven and Keyword-Driven Test Automation Frameworks", 2006". Eliga.fi. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Robot Framework Downloads Page". Robotframework.org. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
- ^ "User Guide 2.8.4". Robotframework.org. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
- ^ "RIDE Homepage". Github.com. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Robot Selenium Library". Code.google.com. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
External links
- Project Website
- An Introduction to Test Automation Design by Lisa Crispin
- Command Line Testing With The Robot Framework by Alessandro Collino
- Driving Development with Tests: ATDD and TDD by Elisabeth Hendrickson
- Writing Maintainable Automated Acceptance Tests by Dale H. Emery
- Usage of Robot Framework in Automation of Functional Test Regression by Stanislav Stresnjak and Zeljko Hocenski
- Selenium Meet-Up April 20, 2010 Elisabeth Hendrickson on Robot Framework
- Robot Framework: Semicolon-free testing by Filip Noetzel