How do you handle variables in Robot Framework?

Variables are essential in Robot Framework for making your tests more flexible, readable, and maintainable. Here's a breakdown of how you handle them:

1. Defining Variables :

* In the `Variables` section: This is the most common way to define variables. You list the variable name and its value :

***Variables***
${BROWSER}    chrome
${URL}        https://www.example.com
${USERNAME}   myuser
@{COLORS}    red    green    blue  # List variable
&{USER_DATA}  name=John   age=30  # Dictionary variable

* From the command line: You can set variables when running your tests. This is useful for environment-specific configurations :

robot -v BROWSER:firefox -v URL:https://staging.example.com my_test.robot?

* Within test cases or keywords: You can use keywords like Set Variable, Set Test Variable, Set Suite Variable, or Set Global Variable to define variables dynamically during test execution :

***Test Cases***
My Test Case
    ${dynamic_value}    Set Variable    some value
    Log    ${dynamic_value}

* From external files: You can load variables from resource files (.robot), Python files (.py), or YAML files (.yaml). This is great for managing larger sets of variables.

2. Variable Types :

* Scalar variables (${...}): These hold a single value (string, number, etc.).

${USERNAME}    myuser?

* List variables (@{...}): These hold a list of values.

@{COLORS}    red    green    blue

* Dictionary variables (&{...}): These hold key-value pairs.

&{USER_DATA}  name=John   age=30

* Environment variables (%env{...}): These access environment variables from your operating system.

%env{PATH}

3. Using Variables :

* In test cases and keywords: You use the variable syntax (e.g., ${USERNAME}) to access the variable's value.

***Test Cases***
Login User
    Input Text    username_field    ${USERNAME}?

* In keyword arguments: You can pass variables as arguments to keywords .

***Keywords***
My Keyword
    [Arguments]    ${message}
    Log    ${message}

***Test Cases***
My Test Case
    My Keyword    ${USERNAME}

* In strings: You can embed variables within strings.

${greeting}    Set Variable    Hello, ${USERNAME}!
Log    ${greeting}

4. Variable Scopes :

Global variables: Available throughout the entire test execution.
Suite variables: Available within the test suite (all test cases in a file or directory).
Test case variables: Available only within the specific test case.
Local variables: Available only within the keyword where they are defined.

5. Best Practices :

Use descriptive names: Choose variable names that clearly indicate their purpose.
Define variables in a central location: This makes it easier to manage and update variables.
Use appropriate scopes: Choose the scope that best suits the variable's usage.
Consider using variable files: For larger sets of variables, using external files can improve organization.