Data-driven testing is an automated testing framework that involves using data contained in a spreadsheet or table as input values to test scripts. This is done to prevent creating individual test cases with various inputs for the same functionalities. The test scripts' inputs might be in XML, CSV, XLS, and some other data formats.
There are 4 main types of data-driven testing based on the source of test data inputs:
Key-driven : Here, dynamic data is provided as inputs to the test cases by employing a keyboard to retest the application and validate the business logic.
Flat files : Application retesting is done by taking input data stored in flat files like .doc or .txt.
Front-end object : The test scripts use data from front-end objects like list, table, menu, data window etc.
Spreadsheet/Excel : Here, the test data is taken from data stored in excel sheets or spreadsheets.
