Examples of approaches for automating test cases

Capture and replay

In capture/playback approaches, tools are used to capture interactions with the SUT while performing the sequence of actions as defined by a test procedure/scenario.

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Linear scripting

Linear scripting approach uses a scripting (programming) language and an interface controller (test tool) to describe the actions and interaction elements to navigate the user through a sequence of steps. This approach (usually) does not follow any abstraction concepts or reuse patterns - that is why this approach is not recommended when a large suite of scripts is to be developed (high maintenance cost).

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Structure scripting

Compared to linear scripting in structured scripting technique we see some levels of reuse and abstraction. These elements get usually transposed into a script library. The library contains reusable scripts that perform sequences of instructions that are commonly required across a number of tests (interaction and data processing related).

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Data-driven testing

The data-driven scripting technique builds on the structured scripting technique. The most significant difference is how the test inputs are handled. The inputs are extracted from the scripts and put into one or more separate files (typically called data files).

This means the main test script (control script) can be reused to implement a number of tests (rather than just a single test). The control script contains the sequence of instructions necessary to perform the tests but the input data from a data file.

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Keyword-driven testing

Keyword-driven testing is a technique to automate test cases that builds on the following principles:

• the interactions with the system under test are similar in nature but with different data sets
• test controller implements logic for all possible interactions with the system under test which could be technical (e.g. click, type) and business in nature (e.g. place order)
• test analyst defined test scripts using action words and test data and serve them to test controller for execution.

Check out this example - control script
Check out this example - test script

Process-driven scripting

The process-driven approach builds on the keyword-driven scripting technique with the difference that scenarios – representing uses cases of the SUT and variants thereof – constitute the scripts which are parameterized with test data or combined into higher-level test definitions

An example of such scenario is given bellow:

Feature: Explore California

  As a web site visitor
  I want to leave my contact details
  So that I could be notified when new trips are planned

  Scenario: User leaves contact details
    Given 'Mark Donovan' is a new customer
    When he navigates to 'Contact' page
    Then should be able to leave his contact details

This scenario follows a Gherkin definition style and the steps implementation is done using Cucumber tool