Exploring data-driven testing techniques and frameworks that enable automation testing

Data-driven testing is a specific testing method wherein input values are retrieved from an automated test case from a data source such as a database file or an Excel spreadsheet. A test automation framework is a set of guidelines that are strategically applied to enhance the overall performance of test automation activities. In this article, you will get to know about data-driven testing and the different types of test automation frameworks.

What is Data-driven testing?

It is a testing method wherein the data is loaded and used to enhance automated test cases. The same test case can be taken and run with many different inputs, which in turn helps to obtain enhanced coverage from a single test.

The following are the techniques of data-driven testing:

1. Setup / teardown modules should be used: The test environment should be configured by each test case. If a number of rows are read by a test case from an Excel spreadsheet and then inserted into the application, then a teardown step should be included by the test case to delete the records that were created.

2. Realistic data should be used: The data table that contains the data should provide significant coverage of the test scenarios. Negative data values through which an error is returned and positive data values that should succeed should be included. For example, when the number field accepts values between 1 and 100 then the positive test cases would include 1, 2, 99 and 100.

3. The test data should be separated from the test code: Data tables should be used to provide validation and input values for your automated tests rather than the data values being stored directly in your test cases.

What is a test automation framework?

It is a set of guidelines like object repository treatment, test-data handling, coding standards etc., which when followed during automation scripting will be able to generate beneficial outcomes like reduced script maintenance cost, higher portability, code re-usage etc.

The following are the types of test automation frameworks:

1. Modular-based testing framework: The application under test is divided by testers into separate functions, units or sections and each of these will be tested in isolation. Once the application is broken down into individual modules then for each part a test script is created and then combined so that larger tests can be built hierarchically.

2. Linear automation framework: This automation testing framework is also known as the “record-and-playback” framework. Code need not be written by testers for creating functions and the steps are written in a sequential order. Each step such as checkpoints, user input or navigation is recorded by the tester and then the script is played back automatically to conduct the test.

3. Library architecture testing framework: This automation testing framework is in line with the modular framework, but, has some additional advantages. Rather than the application under test is divided into different scripts that need to be run, the scripts containing similar tasks are identified and later grouped by function. So, the application is divided by common objectives. The library is a place where these functions are kept and is called upon by test scripts whenever needed.

4. Data-driven framework: The test data is separated from script logic, which means testers can store the data externally. Through this framework, multiple data sets can be used to execute the tests.

5. Keyword-driven framework: A table is laid down for each function of the application under test with a series of instructions in consecutive order for running each test. An external data table is used to store the keywords, thereby making them independent from the automation testing tool that is being used for test execution.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing test automation for your project, then do get connected with a predominant software testing company in united kingdom that not only understands the entire framework of perfectly applying test automation but, will also provide you with solutions and strategies that are precisely in line with your project specific requirements.