Framework

A test automation framework is a set of assumptions, concepts, and practices that provide support for automated software testing

Benefits for Framework:

• Allow highest possible reusability
• Support different application versions
• Should support different environments
• Self Configurable
• Easy to use and understand
• Flexible

General types of framework:
• The Test Script Modularity Framework
• The Test Library Architecture Framework
• The Keyword Driven Testing Framework
• The Data Driven Testing Framework
• The Hybrid Test Automation Framework

Test script Modularity Frame work:
The test script modularity framework requires the creation of small, independent scripts that represent modules of the application-under-test. These small scripts are then used in a hierarchical fashion to construct larger tests, realizing a particular test case.

The Test Library Architecture Framework
The test library architecture framework is very similar to the test script modularity framework but it divides the application-under-test into procedures and functions instead of scripts. This framework requires the creation of library files that represent modules, sections, and functions of the application-under-test. These library files are then called directly from the test case script.

The Keyword Driven Testing Framework
Keyword-driven testing framework requires the development of data tables and keywords, independent of the test automation tool used to execute them and the test script code that "drives" the application-under-test and the data. Keyword-driven tests look very similar to manual test cases. In a keyword-driven test, the functionality of the application-under-test is documented in a table as well as in step-by-step instructions for each test. It is an application independent automation framework.

The Data Driven Testing Framework
Data-driven testing is a framework where test input and output values are read from data files (datapools, ODBC sources, cvs files, Excel files, DAO objects, ADO objects, and such) are loaded into variables in captured or manually coded scripts. In this framework, variables are used for both input values and output verification values. Navigation through the program, reading of the data files, and logging of test status and information are all coded in the test script.

The Hybrid framework:
“Hybrid” frame work, where we use Data driven framework and Key word Driven Frame work.