Explain the syntax of a simple Robot Framework test case.

Let's break down the syntax of a simple Robot Framework test case. Here's an example, followed by an explanation :
***Settings***
Library    SeleniumLibrary

***Variables***
${BROWSER}    chrome
${URL}        https://www.example.com

***Test Cases***
Open Browser and Navigate to Website
    Open Browser    ${URL}    ${BROWSER}
    Maximize Browser Window
    Title Should Be    Example Domain?


Explanation:

  1. Sections: Robot Framework files are divided into sections, denoted by triple asterisks. The most important sections for a basic test case are:

    • ***Settings***: Used to import libraries, set variables, and configure other settings.
    • ***Variables***: Defines variables that can be used in your test cases. This helps make your tests more readable and maintainable.
    • ***Test Cases***: Contains the actual test cases.
  2. Keywords: Robot Framework uses keywords to represent actions or steps. Keywords can be:

    • Built-in keywords: Provided by Robot Framework itself (e.g., Log, Should Be Equal).
    • Library keywords: Provided by libraries you import (e.g., Open Browser, Maximize Browser Window from SeleniumLibrary).
    • User-defined keywords: Keywords you create yourself to encapsulate reusable steps.
  3. Test Case Definition:

    • Each test case starts with its name (e.g., Open Browser and Navigate to Website). This name should be descriptive.
    • The lines below the test case name are the steps, each represented by a keyword.
  4. Keyword Arguments: Many keywords take arguments. For example, Open Browser takes the URL and browser name as arguments. Arguments are separated by two spaces.

  5. Variables: Variables are defined using the ${variable_name} syntax. They are used to store values that can be reused in your test cases. This makes your tests more flexible and easier to maintain.

Example Breakdown:

  • ***Settings***: We import the SeleniumLibrary, which provides keywords for browser automation.
  • ***Variables***: We define two variables: ${BROWSER} and ${URL}. This makes it easy to change the browser or URL later without modifying the test case itself.
  • ***Test Cases***: We define a test case named "Open Browser and Navigate to Website."
  • Open Browser ${URL} ${BROWSER}: This line uses the Open Browser keyword from SeleniumLibrary to open the specified URL in the specified browser. The variables ${URL} and ${BROWSER} are used to pass the values.
  • Maximize Browser Window: This line uses the Maximize Browser Window keyword (also from SeleniumLibrary) to maximize the browser window.
  • Title Should Be Example Domain: This line uses the Title Should Be keyword to verify that the title of the web page is "Example Domain." This is an assertion—a check to see if the actual result matches the expected result. If the title is not "Example Domain," the test will fail.

Key Principles:

  • Readability: Robot Framework syntax is designed to be readable, even by non-programmers.
  • Keyword-driven: Tests are built around keywords, making them easy to understand and maintain.
  • Structure: The clear structure of sections and tables helps organize test data effectively.