Kinds of Test Automation Frameworks

A framework defines a set of principles or best practices that we can trace in a systematic method to achieve the desired results. Therefore the below-mentioned test automation frameworks manage best practices to attain the goals of the automation project.

Linear Scripting Framework:

Linear Scripting Framework is a basic level test automation framework that’s in the kind of’Record and Playback’ in a linear style. This framework is also known as’Record and Playback’ frame. This type of framework is utilized to examine small sized applications. Within this type, creation, and execution of test script have been done separately for every test case individually.

Using this framework, we can create test scripts (Record and playback) without preparation much or consume much time but it has its drawbacks like lack of re-usability and hard coding the data does not allow to run with a number of data sets.

In the modular testing framework, testers create test scripts on module wise by breaking the comprehensive application under test into smaller, independent tests. In simple words, testers divide the application into multiple modules and make test scripts individually. These individual test scripts can be combined to make bigger test scripts using a master script to attain the required situations. This master script is used to invoke the individual modules to conduct end to end test situations. Inside this framework, testers write function libraries to use it whenever demanded. This is AKA modularity framework or module-based frame.

Data-driven Framework

It is again a type of test automation framework focused on separating the test scripts logic as well as the test information from each other. Allows us to create test automation scripts by passing distinct sets of test data. The test data set is stored in the external files or tools such as MS Excel Sheets, MS Access Toolbar, SQL Database, XML files , The evaluation scripts link to the external resources to acquire the test data. By using this framework we could easily make the test scripts operate properly for different sets of test data. This framework significantly reduces the number of test scripts compared to module-based framework.

This frame gives more test coverage with reusable evaluations and flexibility in the execution of evaluations only when required and by altering only the input data and dependable concerning no effect on tests by changing the test data but it has its own drawbacks such as testers working on this frame ought to have hands-on programming knowledge to develop test scripts.

Keyword Driven Testing Framework

It’s also known as table-driven testing or activity word predicated testing. During Keyword-driven testing, we use a table format to define keywords or action words for every function or method that we would execute. It performs automatic evaluation scripts depending on the keywords given in the excel sheet. By utilizing this Framework, testers can work with keywords to create any test automation script, testers without programming knowledge would also have the ability to operate on the test scripts. The logic to see keywords and call the required action mentioned in the outside excel sheet is put in the primary class. Keyword-driven testing is much like data-driven testing.

Even though to work on this frame doesn’t require much programming abilities but the initial setup ( implement the frame ) requires additional expertise.

Hybrid Test automation frame is the combination of at least two frameworks mentioned above. It tries to leverage the advantages and benefits of different frameworks for the specific test environment it manages. Most of the teams are constructing this hybrid framework in the current sector.

Behavior Driven Development Testing Framework

The objective of this Behavior Driven Development framework is to create a platform that allows everyone (for instance, Business Analysts, Developers, Testers etc,) to participate actively. It does not need the users to be acquainted with a programming language. We use non-toxic, natural language to create test specifications.

The frameworks mentioned previously are some of the most popular Test Automation Frameworks utilized by the automation testers.