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Monday, November 5, 2012

What is keyword driven testing framework and methodology?


Keyword driven testing is one of the testing methodologies which is gaining popularity in the area of the test automation. Well, in this article, we are going to discuss regarding the frame work and methodology of the keyword driven testing. 

What is Keyword Driven Testing?

- The key word driven testing methodology is actually dependent on frame work. 
- It depends on such a frame work that calls for the development of the key words and data tables.
- But there is one condition which is that it should be independent of the test automation tool which is to be used for their execution. 
- Another condition is that it should also be independent of the test script code which is used to drive the application under test or AUT as well as the data. 
- In this testing methodology, the functionality of the application under test or AUT need to be documented in a table. 
- Also, the functionality needs to be stated as in step by step instructions for each and every test. 
- This then actually becomes a frame work approach for creating automated regression tests. 
- The frame work approach thus obtained proves to be successful in achieving many benefits of the automated testing when compared to the traditional methodology for capture and playback of the custom scripts. 
- Whenever automated testing is required, two sets of requirements come in to existence namely:
  1. Business Requirements: This category included the following requirements:
a) Maintainability: The maintenance of the tests should be easy as well as there should be a minimum need for updating scripts with changes made to the application and newer versions.
b) Selective testing: Less requirement of in depth testing. Also it should be easy to select test scenarios for a much targeted regression.
c) Recovery: It should be possible for the test suite to resume testing from the point where it failed or crashed at a later point of time. The need for re- testing the functionality should be eliminated.
d) Scalability: For gaining the time efficiency the execution of the tests from different machines at the same time should be possible.
e) Inter environment portability: All the environments must support the test scripts without making nay changes to them.
f)   Usability: Minimal amount of training must be required by employees to learn to execute the automated suite. There should be no manual intervention in the execution of the scripts.
g) Reporting: The status of each test script must be known easily.

  1. Technical requirements: This category includes:
a) Data abstraction: There should complete isolation of the test data for the execution of the scripts from the actual script code.
b) Separation of concerns: Concerns at each layer must be addressed by the distinct layers of the architecture.
c)  Portability

Methodology of the keyword driven testing lies in two different phases namely:
  1. Planning phase and
  2. The implementation phase
The planning phase involves the analyzation of the application and determination of operations and objects to be used in the business processes. The requirement of customized keywords is determined for the following purpose:
  1. Additional functionality
  2. Business level clarity
  3. Maximizing efficiency
  4. Maintainability
The second phase i.e., the implementation phase operates around a collection of objects or references usually known as repository which saves the info for unique identification of the objects. This phase also involves the development and documentation of the keywords of the business level in function libraries. Development of customized functions is required for the creation of the functional libraries. This is all done for the application under test or AUT.
The methodology of the keyword driven testing calls for more advance planning and time investment.


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