A Short Guide to Test Automation Frameworks

What is a test automation framework?

Executing tests are facilitated through a set of components and the test results are also comprehensively reported. A test automation framework is implemented by major components such as test automation engineers, procedures, scripts, testing tools and equipment.

Following are the important types of test automation frameworks:

1. Modular based test framework: In this framework, the test cases are broken down into small test cases. It follows an incremental approach and a non-incremental approach. First, there is independent testing of modules, and then the application is tested as a whole. Through this, each test is made independent.

2. Library architecture test framework: In this framework, those tasks that hold similarities are identified within the test script. The similar tasks by function are grouped by testers. All the sorted functions are stored in a library. Reusability of code is facilitated across different test scripts.

3. Keyword Driven test framework: The script logic is separated from test data in this framework and then the data is stored externally. After that, the keywords are stored in a different location. The actions that are associated with keywords testing GUI are a part of the test script. The same keyword is used by testers across different test scripts.

4. Data Driven test framework: The test data and test script logic is segregated using this framework. The data is then stored externally. In this framework, reusable test scripts are created for testing different data sets. Data can be varied by testers to change testing scenarios and thus make sure that the code is reusable.

5. Linear automation test framework: Introductory level testing is used in this type of framework. Test scripts are sequentially created by testers and then run them individually. Custom code need not be written. A single functionality needs to be selected, the script needs to be written and then tested. Speedy workflow is one of the main benefits of the linear automation test framework.

Benefits of test automation frameworks:

· Different resources are optimized according to organizational needs

· The Volume of testing is increased

· Different types of devices are being simultaneously tested

· Challenges pertaining to report generation, error management, local configuration and synchronization are reduced to a great extent

· Bugs are fixed in the early stages of the software development life cycle.