As you must be well aware of the fact that test automation is a process of executing test cases by using certain automation tools. The reason behind introducing automation was to speed up the process and increase efficiency and that’s what tools like Selenium are performing in the testing industry. Today Selenium has been one of the most essential needs in the development cycle. With the help of Selenium frameworks, you can jump your automation task by a notable margin of time which will eventually help in reducing the cost too.
In case you wonder what a framework is? Let’s talk layman, it’s a blend of various coding standards, sets of guidelines, test data handling, etc. that are being used to implement and design different test cases.
Now, first thing first, we’re here to share some of the most exciting top selenium frameworks that you must know. So, let’s start with its introduction.
What is Selenium?
Back in 2004, Jack Huggins introduced Selenium first which is a free open source platform that is specifically being used to validate web applications across different platforms. Besides this, a tester can create test scripts with the help of multiple languages like Python, C, Java, etc. Thus, it’s not a tool but a complete set of software of which each unit is being made to dedicatedly perform automation testing. Some of which are:
- Webdriver
- Selenium IDE
- Remote Control
- Grid
Therefore, the testing which is performed using selenium tools and frameworks is referred to as Selenium Testing.
Now, is the time to check out the Top 5 Selenium Framework that you must know:
1. Linear Automation Framework
It’s one of the easiest and simplest frameworks that allow the tester/user to record every step manually such as user input, navigation, etc. This framework is a set of guidelines that is purely used to create defined test cases. Tools such as Selenium can be easily configured and implemented into this for delivery using a CI/CD pipeline. In other words, those who have less knowledge in coding can also work on this very swiftly especially when a repeat case is to be required in such a project. This also enables less manual intervention and human error. Overall, there is certainly a handful of features and pointers that you might need to see before implementing. Some of them are:
- It is the only solution if you’re looking for rapid and quick test scripts.
- Custom code is not required in Linear Automation so the one with less or no expertise in automation can easily handle the operations.
- It is also known as Record and Playback framework.
2. Modular Based Testing Framework
This framework allows testers to break down and divide the whole application into small modules or clusters into several small blocks and that allows the user to create a series of new test scripts individually for each as per need. Besides this, it follows the concept of abstraction which means that a tester will plant test data into test scripts and prevents all the modules or clusters from affecting any scripts. Thus, the test script for other modules or clusters will remain the same. Besides this, it also comes with certain features:
- The framework is highly scalable and can easily develop test scripts on its own initiative.
- It is one of the most cost-efficient frameworks to work on.
- It can take less effort to create test cases because test scripts for different modules can be reused.
3. Data Driven Framework
This framework is one of the most popular and demanding in the field of testing today. If you intend to perform manual testing and try maintaining all the records all by yourself, it will not be just frustrating but will also create a lot of confusion. That’s where a data-driven framework comes in, it allows users to save all the data in a single place (preferably MS Excel). This will not only save time but will also allow running those test cases using different sets of data. Apart from Apache POI (used for selenium) and logic scripts, there are certainly other factors that need to be looked after while using a data-driven framework:
- Just because all the tests are being maintained separately so it becomes much easier to modify test scripts as and when required.
- A tester will eventually save more time because it allows for performing tests at a large scale.
- From a coding point of view, it’s not that required in this, and on the other hand, it is also compatible with various data sets.
4. Library Architecture Testing Framework
It is based on a modular framework, this framework helps in dividing the app into functions that can be used by other parts of the app too, rather than separating the application into test scripts. In this framework, Selenium WebDriver is commonly being used whereas Robot Framework is well capable of inspecting functions other than the websites like FTP, Android, etc. However, it’s a python-based framework but you can always use Jython or IronPython. It is also known as Structured Scripting or Functional Decomposition is highly scalable and a tester is required to have a good command over coding. Let’s find out some other key factors of the library architecture framework:
- Due to its robust nature, it offers highly scalable testing.
- It is considered cost-efficient and easy to maintain the framework
- If you’ll dig inside, this framework can be used for inventory management systems, where common activities are repeated every time.
5. Keyword Driven Framework
It’s an extension of a data-driven testing framework that does not only segregate the test data from the scripts but also keeps a certain set of code belonging to the test script into an external data file and those sets of code are what we call keywords. Besides this, since all the data inside it are stored in a tabular form so it is also being called a table-driven framework. Besides all of this, there are certain things to consider while choosing this one:
- It will definitely require good hands-on test automation so that this framework can be executed perfectly.
- In this framework all it needs is just a single keyword for performing multiple test scripts, so the code is reusable.
- With the help of this framework, the test scripts can be built independently of the application under test.
6. Hybrid Test Automation
It’s a combination of more than one framework i.e. keyword and data framework. Even today most organizations are using hybrid test automation as it delivers better outputs and can easily be adapted as required. It allows the tester to use different keywords and data sets in which inputs and functions are stored in a separate file. As we’ve discussed above the data-driven framework, also has the capability to use different data sets. This framework is especially used by non-coders who have less or no knowledge of programming. Let’s check out some additional features of the hybrid test automation framework:
- It allows ease in installation and maintenance.
- In a hybrid test framework, the consistency of test automation is being implemented by defining standards
- Hybrid allows the user in tool independence by implementing your framework as separate software
Considering the requirement and the features of these frameworks, you can easily filter the best use of them. Besides this, you also need to make sure that whatever framework you’re going to choose should match the automation tool so that you’ll get the expected results.
