Robot Framework Test Execution Options: Command Line and Test Runners

Efficient and flexible test execution is a crucial aspect of any test automation framework. Robot Framework offers a variety of options for running tests, catering to different needs and scenarios. In this blog, we will explore the two primary methods for executing tests in Robot Framework: using the command line interface (CLI) and leveraging test runners. We’ll delve into the benefits and use cases for each approach.

Test Execution via the Command Line Interface (CLI)

The command line interface is the most basic and commonly used method for running Robot Framework tests. It provides a straightforward way to execute test suites and individual test cases, making it a popular choice for both local and continuous integration (CI) environments. Here’s how you can run tests using the CLI:

Running a Test Suite:

robot my_test_suite.robot

Running Multiple Test Suites:

robot suite1.robot suite2.robot

Running a Single Test Case:

robot -t "Test Case Name" my_test_suite.robot

Running Tests with Tags:

robot -i tagname my_test_suite.robot  # Runs tests with the specified tag
robot -e tagname my_test_suite.robot  # Excludes tests with the specified tag

Generating Reports:

robot --outputdir results my_test_suite.robot  # Generates output and log files in the "results" directory

Benefits of Using CLI:

  1. Simplicity: The CLI is easy to use and is available by default in all operating systems, making it accessible to everyone on the team.
  2. Quick Execution: It allows for fast and simple test execution, making it suitable for local development and debugging.
  3. Integration: You can easily integrate CLI execution into continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
  4. Customization: It offers various command-line options for controlling test execution, such as filtering tests by tags or generating reports.

Test Execution with Test Runners

While the CLI is a practical choice for many scenarios, test runners provide advanced features and capabilities for test execution. Test runners are Python scripts or libraries that can be used to run Robot Framework tests programmatically. Some popular test runners include robot.run, pybot, and the Robot Framework API.

Here’s an example of using robot.run to execute tests programmatically:

from robot import run

settings = {
    "outputdir": "results",
    "output": "output.xml",
    "log": "log.html",
    "report": "report.html",
}

run("my_test_suite.robot", **settings)

Benefits of Using Test Runners:

  1. Programmatic Control: Test runners offer greater flexibility and programmatic control over test execution. You can dynamically set execution options, handle exceptions, and integrate test execution into custom scripts or applications.
  2. Parallel Execution: Test runners enable parallel test execution, allowing you to save time when running large test suites.
  3. Custom Reporting: You can create custom reporting mechanisms and integrate test results into other systems or tools.
  4. Integration with Test Frameworks: Test runners are often used in combination with test frameworks like pytest, allowing you to run Robot Framework tests alongside other types of tests.

Choosing the Right Method

The choice between CLI and test runners depends on your specific needs and the complexity of your test automation project. Here are some factors to consider when making that decision:

In conclusion, both the command line interface and test runners are valuable tools for executing Robot Framework tests. The choice between them should be based on your project’s specific requirements, complexity, and need for customization and integration. Whether you opt for the simplicity of the CLI or the flexibility of test runners, Robot Framework offers a variety of options to suit your test execution needs.

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