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How to Create a Data-Driven Test

Published in Software Testing 3 mins read

Data-driven testing automates tests by separating test logic from test data. This allows you to run the same test with multiple datasets, significantly improving efficiency and test coverage. Here's how to create one:

Steps to Create a Data-Driven Test

Creating a data-driven test involves several key steps:

  1. Define Test Cases: Begin by clearly defining your test cases. Each test case should represent a specific scenario you want to validate. This involves outlining the inputs, expected outputs, and the actions performed. (Reference: Step 1 from provided link)

  2. Prepare Test Data: Organize your test data in a structured format. Common choices include spreadsheets (CSV, Excel), databases, or JSON files. Each row typically represents a single test iteration with different input values. (Reference: Step 2 from provided link)

  3. Choose a Testing Framework: Select an appropriate automation testing framework. Popular options include Selenium, Cypress, pytest, or JUnit. The framework will provide tools to read your test data, execute your test logic, and report results. (Reference: Step 3 from provided link)

  4. Develop Test Scripts: Write your test scripts using the chosen framework. The scripts should be designed to be independent of the specific data values. They will read data from your chosen source, execute the test steps using those data points, and then verify the expected results. (Reference: Step 4 from provided link)

  5. Connect to Test Data: Implement the code within your test scripts to read and access the data from your data source (spreadsheet, database, etc.). This usually involves using libraries or APIs provided by your chosen framework or programming language. (Reference: Step 5 from provided link)

  6. Iterate Through Test Data: Structure your test script to loop through each row (test iteration) in your data source. For each iteration, the script should:

    • Read the input data for that row.
    • Perform the test steps using that input data.
    • Verify the expected results against the actual results. (Reference: Step 6 from provided link)

  7. Execute and Report: Execute your test scripts. The framework will manage the execution, handling each test iteration independently. Finally, generate a comprehensive report detailing the outcome of each test iteration, including pass/fail status and any errors encountered. (Reference: Step 7 from provided link)

Example: A Simple Data-Driven Test (Conceptual)

Let's say you're testing a login form. Your test data might look like this (in a CSV file):

Username,Password,Expected Result
user1,password1,Success
user2,wrongpassword,Failure
admin,admin123,Success
blank,,Failure

Your test script would read each row, enter the username and password, and then check if the login result matches the Expected Result column.

Benefits of Data-Driven Testing

  • Increased Test Coverage: Easily run the same test with numerous input variations.
  • Reduced Test Maintenance: Modify test data instead of modifying scripts for changes in input values.
  • Improved Efficiency: Automate repetitive testing tasks.

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