What is a data-driven framework?
Hey Macy
Building on the concept of a data-driven framework, this approach not only separates test data from test logic but also enhances the flexibility and scalability of tests. By storing data in external files such as CSV, Excel, or XML, it becomes easier to modify and extend test cases without altering the core test scripts. This separation leads to more maintainable and readable code, as the test logic isn’t cluttered with data specifics.
TestNG, a popular testing framework in Java, leverages the @DataProvider annotation to implement data-driven testing effectively. This annotation allows the declaration of a method that returns an array of objects. These objects, typically in the form of two-dimensional arrays, represent the data sets to be used in test methods. Test methods that need to use data-driven testing can then reference a DataProvider by specifying its name in the @Test annotation. This linkage enables the test method to be executed multiple times with different sets of data, each time using a row from the array returned by the DataProvider method.
This methodology is particularly useful in scenarios where the same set of actions needs to be tested with various inputs. It not only simplifies the testing process but also enhances the thoroughness of tests, as a wide range of input scenarios can be checked. Furthermore, data-driven testing with TestNG facilitates easy integration with build tools and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, making it a go-to choice for modern software testing practices.