Python for Testing (Robot Framework)

Python for Testing (Robot Framework)

Python is one of the most popular languages for test automation, and when combined with Robot Framework, it becomes a powerful solution for both technical and non-technical testers. Robot Framework is a keyword-driven automation framework that uses Python as its core engine.

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What is Robot Framework?

Robot Framework is an open-source test automation framework mainly used for:

• Web UI Automation
• API Testing
• Database Testing
• RPA (Robotic Process Automation)

It follows a keyword-driven approach, which makes test cases easy to read and write.

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Why Use Python with Robot Framework?

• Robot Framework is built on Python
• You can create custom keywords using Python
• Easy integration with Selenium, API libraries, databases
• Readable test cases for non-programmers

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Robot Framework Architecture

Robot Framework sits on top of Python libraries. Python handles the logic, while Robot Framework handles execution and reporting.

Test Case (.robot)
        ↓
Robot Framework Engine
        ↓
Python Libraries / Custom Keywords
        ↓
Application Under Test

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Simple Robot Framework Test Case Example

Below is a basic example of a Robot Framework test case:

*** Settings ***
Library    SeleniumLibrary

*** Test Cases ***
Open Google Homepage
    Open Browser    https://www.google.com    chrome
    Title Should Be    Google
    Close Browser

Here, SeleniumLibrary is a Python-based library that provides browser automation keywords.

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Using Python to Create Custom Keywords

One of the biggest advantages of Robot Framework is the ability to write custom keywords in Python.

Python Keyword File (example_keywords.py)

from robot.api.deco import keyword

@keyword("Add Two Numbers")
def add_two_numbers(a, b):
    return int(a) + int(b)

Using the Python Keyword in Robot Test

*** Settings ***
Library    example_keywords.py

*** Test Cases ***
Addition Test
    ${result}=    Add Two Numbers    10    20
    Should Be Equal    ${result}    30

This shows how Python logic can be reused inside Robot Framework test cases.

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Python for Web Testing in Robot Framework

Python libraries like SeleniumLibrary allow Robot Framework to automate web applications.

*** Settings ***
Library    SeleniumLibrary

*** Test Cases ***
Login Test
    Open Browser    https://example.com/login    chrome
    Input Text    id=username    admin
    Input Text    id=password    password123
    Click Button    id=login
    Page Should Contain    Dashboard
    Close Browser

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Python for API Testing in Robot Framework

Robot Framework can perform API testing using Python-based libraries like RequestsLibrary.

*** Settings ***
Library    RequestsLibrary

*** Test Cases ***
Get Users API Test
    Create Session    mysession    https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com
    ${response}=    GET On Session    mysession    /users
    Should Be Equal As Integers    ${response.status_code}    200

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Advantages of Using Python with Robot Framework

• Easy-to-read test cases
• Strong Python ecosystem
• Reusable custom keywords
• Powerful HTML reports
• Supports CI/CD pipelines

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Who Should Learn Python + Robot Framework?

• Manual testers moving to automation
• Automation engineers
• QA professionals
• Python developers entering testing

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Conclusion

Python and Robot Framework together provide a flexible, scalable, and beginner-friendly test automation solution. With Python handling the logic and Robot Framework offering readability and reporting, this combination is ideal for modern testing needs.

If you are starting your automation journey, learning Python for Robot Framework is a smart and future-proof choice.