Automation Framework

What is Automation Framework?

An automation framework is a set of assumptions, concepts and tools that provide support for automated software testing. The main advantage of such a framework is the low cost for maintenance. If there is change to any test case then only the test case file needs to be updated and the Driver Script and Start-up script will remain the same. Ideally, there is no need to update the scripts in case of changes to the application.

In other words, it is a structured combination of; various assumptions for testing, testing concepts and testing practices.

Choosing the right framework/scripting technique helps in maintaining lower costs. The costs associated with test scripting are due to development and maintenance efforts. The approach of scripting used during test automation has effect on costs.

Benefits of Automation Framework

• Provides an outline of overall test structure
• Ensures consistency of testing
• Minimizes the amount of code for development – thereby less maintenance
• Maximizes reusability
• Reduces exposure of non-technical testers to code
• Enables test automation using data

Types of Automation Framework

• Data Driven Automation Framework
• Keyword Driven Automation Framework
• Modular Automation Framework
• Linear Framework
• Hybrid Automation Framework
• Business Process Testing (BPT) Framework with Quality Center

 

Data Driven Framework

• Repeated use of test scripts with different data inputs.
• Easy to implement using various data sources like MS-Excel, DB, XML, etc.
• Helps in reducing coding for large test cases.
• Ease of testing of time-consuming & complex test cases.

Keyword Driven Framework

• As the name suggests, it enables keyword driven testing or table driven testing.
• Data & Keyword tables being independent of the automation tool.
• Enables documentation of the functionality of the Application Under Test (AUT) in a tabular format.

Modular Framework

Types of Modular Frameworks:

• Test Script Modularity Framework - Enables creation of small, independent scripts representing Modules & Functions of the Application Under Test (AUT).

• Test Library Architecture Framework - Enables creation of library files representing Modules & Functions of the Application Under Test (AUT).

Linear Framework

Linear Framework is the framework where you write the scripts in a step by step manner as depicted in the test case flow. In this type of framework, you don’t create any functions and all the steps are written one after the other in a linear fashion. Suppose you have a test case with the following flow -> Login > Create Order -> Logout, the test script for this will be written as – 

Hybrid Framework

• It is the most popularly implemented Framework.
• It is a combination of the three types of frameworks described before.
• It has an ability of evolving itself over a passage of time and over many projects.

 

BPT Framework

Business Process Testing (BPT) Framework is the framework where you can divide the test cases into multiple flows and each of these flows is scripted by using a Business Process Component. When all the components for a particular test case are ready, you can link the components one after the other as per the test case flow and execute the BPT test case from QC.

Components in BPT Framework

• Application Area: Application Area acts as a container or a place holder that stores the Business Process Components and other related items such as function libraries, object repositories etc.

• Business Process Component: Just like functions or actions that can be used to store re-usable code, BPT framework has Business Process Components in which you write the scripts for an action.

Above mentioned are the two components that are available specifically in BPT Framework. Other than these, you will have the standard components like function libraries, object repositories, data sheets, etc as part of your BPT Framework.

 

Advantages of BPT Framework:

• BPT Framework allows non-technical subject matter experts to quickly create test cases using the business process components.
• A lot of features such as component linking & data parameterization come built in with the BPT Framework. Because of this you do not need to spend extra effort to write code for these functionalities.

Disadvantages of BPT Framework:

• BPT Framework can be used only if you have QC access.
• You would need to purchase additional license for BPT Framework if you want to use this for your test scripts.
• Performance issue during script execution (if more components are integrated).