Keyword Driven Automation Testing Framework

Keyword Driven Framework is a type of Functional Automation Testing Framework which is also known as Table-Driven testing or Action Word based testing.

The basic idea behind the keyword-driven testing approach in test automation is to separate the automation from the test case design. This is usually achieved by using an additional layer of abstraction where the tests itself are defined technology-independent and readable for non-technical personnel as well. Thus, a keyword could be defined as a set of actions performing a “Login” or “Save”-Operation.

 

What is Keyword Driven Testing?

Keyword-driven testing is a type of functional automation testing framework which is also known as table-driven testing or action word based testing.

In Keyword-driven testing, we use a table format, usually a spreadsheet, to define keywords or action words for each function that we would like to execute.

Advantages:

1) It is best suited for novice or a non-technical tester.

2) Enables writing tests in a more abstract manner using this approach.

3) Keyword driven testing allows automation to be started earlier in the SDLC even before a stable build is delivered for testing.

4) There is a high degree of reusability.

Disadvantages :

1) Initial investment in developing the keywords and its related functionalities might take longer.

2)      It might act as a restriction to the technically abled testers.

In Keyword driven testing, each keyword corresponds to an individual testing action like a mouse click, selection of a menu item, keystrokes, opening or closing a window or other actions. A keyword-driven test is a sequence of operations, in a keyword format, that simulate user actions on the tested application. In keyword driven automation framework we create the methods in Java that are mapped to the functionality of the application.

 

 

The basic idea behind the Keyword Driven approach in automation is to separate the coding from the test case & test step. This helps a non-technical person to understand the automation very well.

The Components of keyword driven automation framework in Selenium webdriver.

Each keyword driven automation framework has some common components as mentioned below:

1)      Java Class Library with functionality specific methods.)

This class will contain a list of all generic functions, which need to be reused in the application. They can be either Generic functions or Application specific functions.

2)      Test Data Sheet (generally in excel format)

This is an excel sheet (data source for all the keywords)

3)      Read Keyword Excel Utility

This utility will actually read the keywords in the excel sheet and will give a call to the Java Class library. Keyword refers either to a base or user keyword which both can be used freely when test cases are constructed. Keywords have variable number of arguments and rest of the columns are reserved for them.

4)      Test Script with actual keywords

This is the Test case which you write, wherein you will be using all the functions. The steps in this Test will be executed according to the execution steps in the Test Keyword Sheet.

5)      Reports

The reports generated will contain the response as per step, either pass or fail.

Flow of Execution:

1)      User will Execute the Test Script written with Action Keywords

2)      The Action Keywords are mapped in the excel sheet, so the Excel Reader file will read the keywords.

3)      The Excel Reader will read the excel file and pass the control to the Library class function.

4)      The Library class function contains the reusable functions, which will be executed.

5)      The functions will be executed with either pass or fail status and the same will be printed in the reports.