Robot Framework and Selenium Test Automation

Robot Framework Seleniumis a potent combination that enables testers to automatize web applications efficiently. Robot Framework, built on Python, mix with Selenium WebDriver through Selenium2Library, allowing teams to create modular, clear, and scalable test cases.

This clause explainhow to use Robot Framework with Selenium, include apparatus, writing tryout cases, defining keywords, and executing tests with screenshots.

Introduction to the Robot Framework

The Robot Framework is built on top ofPythonand integrate multiple open source puppet to provide a single tool for test mechanisation. Robot provides the syntax to. It basically offers something akin to a programming language with its set of keywords, structure, and stream.

This tool comprises two main part:

1. Libraries

By nonpayment, the framework comes with a set of built-in library. These library help developer. To maintain it modular,third-party librariescan be add to expand its capabilities. While String handling, screenshots, date-time, and XML handling libraries come by nonpayment, libraries such as Android support, Django, and HTTP libraries can be added based on requirements and use cases.

2. Tools

Tools are meant to aid with maintaining test cause and comfort of use. They include editing creature like plugins for, built-in creature for logging, documentation, and HTML based report contemporaries.

Using the Robot Framework involves using both the library and instrument to build scalable mechanisation test cases.

What is Selenium2library?

Since the Robot Framework doesn ’ t have all the necessary creature to build and execute automation tests for web applications, testers use the Selenium2library to do so. ThisSelenium-based librarypermit the Robot Framework to use Selenium and perform web-based operation internally. It can be used to duplicate a variety of user actions, from accessing a site to performing all UI operations.

In this Robot Framework & # 8211; Selenium tutorial, let us explore how to write an mechanisation test case using Selenium2library.

Writing a Test Case with Robot Framework & # 8211; Selenium

1. Installing and setting up Robot Framework and Selenium

If one has Python installed, instal the Robot Framework is straightforward. Simply run the following command.

pip install robotframework

For elaborated instructions and alternating installment methods, refer to theofficial installment guide.

Next, install Selenium and Selenium2library by running the following command:

pip install selenium robotframework-selenium2library webdrivermanager

To control successful installation, execute the bid below:

robot -- variation

If the installation was successful, one will see the framework adaptation, like in the ikon below.

Before proceeding, ensure that the browser driver is in the system path so that Selenium can open the browser. To do so,download the chromedriverand place it under the book folder where Python is establish. To place where the Python executable has been establish, open the Python interpreter and enter the undermentioned dictation:

Import sys, os
os.path.dirname (sys.executable)

The itinerary to the python pamphlet will be printed. For example:

& # 8216; C: \\Users\\Akshay\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Python\\Python36 & # 8217;

From the path above, the “ scripts ” brochure can be located under the Python36 directory.

2. Writing an Automation Test Case for Robot Framework and Selenium

SUSA automates exploratory testing with persona-driven behavior, catching bugs that scripted automation misses.

This example will attempt to compose a test case to open a browser, navigate to Google, and lookup for a subject.

Before, we explore the various sections of the tryout rooms, let ’ s make a file called “my_testcase.robot”. The various section account below such as scene, keyword definitions, etc would be added to this file.

Step # 1 Settings

The very first step is to configure the settings at the beginning of the file. For our tryout case, we need to use the Selenium2library. So, importing that is the only setting we ask to configure.

The settings subdivision of the examination case:

* * * Settings * * *

Library Selenium2Library

Each subdivision in a Robot Framework test case starts with“***”follow by the name of the block and so ends with“***”. The 1st line designate that the code block that follows is the specify block. The 2nd line uses the “Library” keyword to spell the Selenium2Library into context.

Step # 2 Defining Variables

The variable cube helps define some constants that may be used throughout the use cause. For this exam example, two variable will be delineate: the “ HOMEPAGE ” variable, which will store the URL of the website to be opened, and the “ BROWSER ” variable, which stores information on which browser is to be used. Given below is the codification for this:

* * * Variables * * *

$ {HOMEPAGE} http: //www.google.com
$ {BROWSER} Chrome

Set the HOMEPAGE to be google.com, use the Google Chrome browser to run the test case.

Step # 3 Keyword definitions

Keywords in the Robot Framework work otherwise when compared to early programming languages. Robot wanted to do the framework easy to translate, so the keywords are human-readable descriptions. For example, Selenium2Library get with alarge number of predefined keywordslike “ Open Browser ”. This keyword is responsible for opening a browser and loading a webpage.

Similarly, in a examination case, one has to define custom keywords to build operations that are relevant to the use event. Here ’ s how to define keywords in this model:

* * * Keywords * * *

open the browser
Open Browser $ {HOMEPAGE} $ {BROWSER}

hunting topic
[Arguments] $ {topic}
Input Text name=q $ {topic}
Press Key name=q \\13

The code above uses the Keywords block, and defines two keywords. The first keyword is called “ open the browser ”. It is configure to open a new browser window delineate by the “ BROWSER ” varying and load the URL initialized in the “ HOMEPAGE ” variable. Here, “ Open Browser ” is an in-built keyword of Selenium2Library used to open a browser illustration using Selenium Webdriver.

The second keyword defined hither is “ search topic ”. This keyword is capable of executing the following tasks in sequence:

It have an argument called “topic.”

It apply the “Input Text ”in-built keyword to find an factor on the web page and input text.

Here, it uses a locator to find the input element where text can be enter. On the Google homepage, the text box to enter hunting queries has an attribute called“name” whose value is set to“q”. Here, the Input Text keyword searches for a text box with the gens property set to the value “q”. It then types the text provided in the argument in step 1.

Finally, it uses the “Press Key” in-built keyword to mime the user action of pressing the “ Enter ” key denoted by “\\13”.

Step # 4 Writing Test Cases

Now, use all the blocks that feature be define earlier to publish test lawsuit. Let ’ s break up the task into two test cases. The first test instance open the homepage on Chrome and the second exam case look for a matter on Google. Here ’ s the code:

* * * Test Cases * * *

Open Browser
open the browser

Search on Google
search topic BrowserStack

Each test case has a generic pattern. The first line is the name of the test case, and the 2nd line appeal the keywords defined inStep #3. The test legislate the arguments wherever applicable.

The first automation test instance is “Open browser”. It is passed if the browser opens the homepage on the mentioned browser. Otherwise, it neglect. The second test case is “Search on Google”. Here, it searches for the news “ BrowserStack ”. If the search is accomplished, this test case will be marked as successful, else it is marked as a failure.

Step # 5 Running the Test Suite

Here ’ s the entire exam rooms:

* * * Settings * * *

Library Selenium2Library

* * * Variables * * *
$ {HOMEPAGE} http: //www.google.com
$ {BROWSER} Chrome

* * * Keywords * * *
open the browser
Open Browser $ {HOMEPAGE} $ {BROWSER}

search topic
[Arguments] $ {matter}
Input Text name=q $ {topic}
Press Key name=q \\13

* * * Test Cases * * *

Open Browser
open the browser

Search on Google
hunting topic browserstack

Store this in a file and name it “my_testcase.robot”. Once this file is saved, run it expend the robot command:

automaton my_testcase.robot

If it ’ s successful, the testers will get the text “pass” against each of the test cases executed. The screenshot below shows what successful executing would look like:

Screenshots

Here are some screenshots of the test execution

Browser is opened

Home page is loaded

Talk to an Expert

“ BrowserStack ” is type and Enter is pressed.

The final result page is fetched

The Selenium Robot framework is an easy-to-understand unfastened source tool which provides a modular interface to establish custom automation exam cases. It has been adopted by large arrangement for this purpose, and for full intellect. As show above, it is hugely useful for automation quizzer.

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It provides a Brobdingnagian array of keywords along with the possibility to progress and use one ’ s own keywords. This makes much easier and faster. Overall, It ’ s a outstanding tool that can be used to test a variety of scenarios and is a knock-down tool in the testers ’ toolbox.

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