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Robot Framework Tutorial

Introduction

Robot Framework is an open-source automation testing framework that is keyword-driven and designed for acceptance testing and acceptance test-driven development (ATDD). It is highly extensible, allowing users to create and use libraries that can enhance its capabilities.

Installation

To get started with Robot Framework, you need to have Python installed on your machine. You can install Robot Framework using pip.

Run the following command in your terminal:

pip install robotframework

After successful installation, you can verify it by checking the version:

robot --version

Creating Your First Test Case

Robot Framework test cases are written in plain text format. The basic structure of a test case includes the test case name, keywords, and the expected outcomes.

Create a file named example_tests.robot and add the following content:

*** Test Cases ***
Example Test Case
    Log Hello, Robot Framework!

To run the test, use the following command:

robot example_tests.robot

Understanding Test Suites

Test cases can be organized into test suites. A test suite is simply a collection of test cases that can be executed together.

Here is an example of organizing test cases in a suite:

*** Test Suite ***
Example Suite
*** Test Cases ***
First Test
    Log This is the first test
Second Test
    Log This is the second test

Using Keywords

Keywords are the building blocks of Robot Framework. They represent actions or operations. You can use built-in keywords or create your own.

Here’s an example of creating a custom keyword:

*** Keywords ***
Custom Keyword
    Log This is a custom keyword

Libraries

Robot Framework allows you to utilize libraries to extend its functionalities. Libraries can be built-in, standard, or external.

To use the SeleniumLibrary for web testing, install it using:

pip install robotframework-seleniumlibrary

Then, you can import it in your test case:

*** Settings ***
Library SeleniumLibrary

Running Tests and Viewing Results

You can run your tests using the robot command. Robot Framework generates reports in HTML format after execution.

Run your tests with:

robot example_tests.robot

Check the generated report.html and log.html files for detailed results.

Conclusion

Robot Framework is a powerful tool for test automation that is easy to use and flexible. With its keyword-driven approach, you can create comprehensive test cases that are readable and maintainable. Explore its extensive libraries and functionalities to enhance your testing strategies.