BDD Implementation Architecture with Robot Framework: A Step Further

BDD in Robotframework

Functional requirements and behaviors are key elements in software development with the BDD methodology. This framework is compatible with Robot Framework, and its architecture emphasizes analysis and clarification during the application development process.

Throughout the implementation process, BDD aids in progress tracking, identifying scenarios and understanding requirements. This is made possible through the creation of a language shared amongst stakeholders, software development teams and business analysts, fostering communication and collaboration.

At its core, BDD expresses specifications and actions using natural language — based scenarios. These scenarios are presented in the format” Given-When-Then.” Consumer behaviors and anticipated system responses are defined by scenarios. As a result, stakeholders come to understand one another, and scenarios are made accessible and verifiable by both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Robot Framework is a commonly used application for implementing Scrum. It enables the automatic execution of scenarios using the Given, When, and Then structure and supports organic language-based scenarios. The capabilities of Robot Framework, along with the partnership and shared understanding facilitated by BDD, improve team communication and offer a dependable testing procedure to guarantee the software’s proper functionality.

*** Settings ***
Documentation     A sample BDD scenario for user login
Library           SeleniumLibrary
*** Test Cases ***
User Login
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters valid credentials
    And clicks the login button
    Then the user should be redirected to the home page
    And the user should see a welcome message

In this example, the BDD scenario is defined as a test case in Robot Framework. Under the *** Test Cases *** section, the scenario stages are written as test steps. Each step of the situation is indicated by the terms Given, When, Then, and And.
If more test cases or variables are required, the scenario can be expanded. The SeleniumLibrary, which offers keywords for web automation, is imported via the Library option.

This is a simplified example; in a true test environment, you would implement the test steps using the necessary keywords provided by the respective libraries. The test runner in the Robot Framework can execute the scenario.

BDD Implementation Architecture with Robot Framework

Feature Files: Feature files act as the storage location for scenarios that describe how an application or system behaves. These files, which commonly end as.robot, include multiple scenarios and the actions that correspond to each one, which are organized in scenario tables. Each scenario is broken down into steps and represents a certain functionality that is being tested.

Scenario tables are structures that hold scenarios and steps. Each scenario table contains the name, steps, data columns, and pertinent information for a particular scenario. The Given-When-Then format used in BDD is used to arrange scenario tables.

Scenario: User Registration
  Given the user is on the registration page
  When the user enters valid registration details
  And submits the registration form
  Then the user should be successfully registered

Robot Framework offers customisable steps to carry out specific tasks used in test scenarios. These procedures represent the steps that are taken while the test is running. Robot Framework’s built-in libraries or Python-based libraries can be used to define steps.

Robot Framework provides a test runner that could be used to run test cases. Scenario tables and steps are processed by the test runner, automating scenario execution. Additionally, it produces test reports and summarizes any successes or failures experienced during execution.

The implementation of BDD using Robot Framework is guided by this architectural framework. Your test scenarios can be structured using feature files, scenario tables, and steps. The test runner included with Robot Framework can also be used to monitor test results and provide reports.

These specifics give a general overview of using Robot Framework to accomplish BDD. Based on your unique requirements, you can expand upon this fundamental framework and make use of additional tools provided by Robot Framework to improve your test scenarios.