File Formats Overview

This section provides an overview of the file formats used in DASKALOS TestRunner. Understanding these formats is essential for creating, maintaining, and executing automated test cases efficiently.

Core Concepts

Keyword-Driven Tests

DASKALOS TestRunner follows a keyword-driven testing approach, where test steps are defined using structured keywords rather than hard-coded scripts. This method simplifies test creation and makes automation accessible to both testers and subject matter experts (SMEs).

Dot Notation

Dot notation is used to structure keys in various configuration and repository files. The format follows:

project.section.item
  • Project – Represents the project name or website.
  • Section – Represents a page name (e.g., login) or a functional area (e.g., mainmenu).
  • Item – The specific element or value referenced.

Example:

myproject.login.username_field

This notation ensures a logical hierarchy and simplifies test case maintenance.

Placeholders

Square Brackets [ ]

Values enclosed in square brackets are placeholders that need to be resolved at runtime. These values can come from a predefined data file, test parameters, or test configuration settings.

Example:

Enter username [USERNAME] and password [PASSWORD]

During execution, [USERNAME] and [PASSWORD] are replaced with actual test data.

Curly Braces { }

Curly brace placeholders { } are used in object repository locators to represent dynamic elements. These values are replaced based on the Object Option field in the test case file.

Example:

myproject.login.username_field=xpath://input[@id='user_{0}']

If the Object Option is admin, the actual locator becomes:

//input[@id='user_admin']

File Types

Properties File (.properties)

A standard Java key=value formatted file used for global configurations and object repositories.

  • TestRunner Properties File – Defines global settings, folder locations, and environment configurations.
  • Project Data Values File – Stores project-wide values using dot notation.
  • Object Repository File – Stores locators for test elements.

CSV File (.csv)

A structured comma-separated values (CSV) file used for defining test cases in a keyword-driven format.

  • Header Line – Defines version and format details.
  • Comment Lines – Begin with # and improve readability.
  • Test Steps – Follow the standard format: 
    Description, Object, Object Option, Action, On Fail, Data

By adhering to these structured formats, DASKALOS TestRunner ensures flexibility, maintainability, and ease of use for automation testers and developers alike.