Last updated on Jan 14, 2024
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Variable Types
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Variable Scopes
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Resource Files
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Variable Files
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Best Practices
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Debugging Tips
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Here’s what else to consider
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Robot Framework is a popular open-source automation framework that uses a keyword-driven approach to write test cases. One of the features of Robot Framework is that it allows you to use different types and scopes of variables to manage your test data and resources. In this article, you will learn how to use the robot framework variable scopes and types to manage resource and variable files effectively.
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- Gerard Kinneen CoFounder and CXO of iSort AB | Blending Innovation in Robotics with Practical Solutions for Heavy Load Management |…
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1 Variable Types
Robot Framework supports four types of variables: scalar, list, dictionary, and environment. Scalar variables store a single value and are prefixed with $. List variables store multiple values and are prefixed with @. Dictionary variables store key-value pairs and are prefixed with &. Environment variables store values from the operating system environment and are prefixed with %. You can define variables in different ways, such as in the test case file, in the resource file, in the command line, or in the variable file.
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L'exploitation astucieuse des étendues et des types de variables dans l'infrastructure de Robot Framework offre une gestion agile des fichiers de ressources et de variables. En définissant la portée des variables avec précision, des variables locales aux variables globales, l'organisation des données devient flexible et adaptable à différents niveaux de tests. Les types de variables, tels que les scalaires, listes ou dictionnaires, permettent une structuration claire des informations, particulièrement cruciale pour la gestion de fichiers de ressources complexes. Cette approche optimise la maintenance, encourage la réutilisation des composants de test et confère une adaptabilité essentielle face aux évolutions des besoins du projet.
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2 Variable Scopes
Robot Framework also supports different scopes of variables: global, suite, test, and local. Global variables are available throughout the test execution and can be defined in the command line or in the variable file. Suite variables are available within a test suite and its children and can be defined in the setting table or in the resource file. Test variables are available within a test case and can be defined in the variable table or in the test case. Local variables are available within a keyword and can be defined in the keyword.
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- Gerard Kinneen CoFounder and CXO of iSort AB | Blending Innovation in Robotics with Practical Solutions for Heavy Load Management | Passionate about Autonomous Vehicles for Construction Sites.
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In my experience leveraging the appropriate variable type and scope, you can ensure efficient data management and access throughout the Robot Framework test suite, tailoring the use of variables based on the granularity of data and the required availability across different parts of the test hierarchy.
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3 Resource Files
Resource files are external files that contain reusable keywords, variables, and settings for your test cases. You can import resource files in your test case file using the Resource setting in the setting table. Resource files can also import other resource files or libraries. Resource files use the same syntax as test case files, except that they do not have test case tables.
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- Gerard Kinneen CoFounder and CXO of iSort AB | Blending Innovation in Robotics with Practical Solutions for Heavy Load Management | Passionate about Autonomous Vehicles for Construction Sites.
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What is the need for careful management of dependencies and the absence of explicit support for certain features like test case tables, which might impact the overall flexibility and maintainability in certain scenarios.
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4 Variable Files
Variable files are external files that contain variables that can be imported in your test case file or resource file using the Variables setting in the setting table. Variable files can be either Python files or YAML files. Python files can contain any Python code that creates or modifies variables, while YAML files can contain only scalar, list, or dictionary variables. Variable files can also access environment variables or arguments passed from the command line.
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- Gerard Kinneen CoFounder and CXO of iSort AB | Blending Innovation in Robotics with Practical Solutions for Heavy Load Management | Passionate about Autonomous Vehicles for Construction Sites.
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This lacks potential challenges, such as the need for caution in using Python files due to potential security risks and the limited expressiveness of YAML for complex variable structures.
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5 Best Practices
To use the robot framework variable scopes and types to manage resource and variable files effectively, you should adhere to some best practices. This includes using meaningful and consistent names for your variables, as well as selecting the appropriate type and scope of variables for your test data and resources. Additionally, you should use resource files to store common keywords, variables, and settings that can be shared by multiple test cases or test suites. Variable files should be used to store complex or dynamic variables that require Python or YAML logic or to pass arguments from the command line. Finally, environment variables should be used to store sensitive or system-dependent values that should not be hard-coded or exposed in your test files.
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6 Debugging Tips
If you encounter any issues or errors with your variables or resource files, you can use some debugging tips to troubleshoot them. For example, the Log or Log To Console keywords can allow you to print the values of your variables or the paths of your resource files at different points of your test execution. Additionally, the BuiltIn library can be used to access or modify your variables or resource files programmatically by employing keywords such as Set Global Variable, Get Variable Value, or Import Resource. Moreover, the robotframework-debuglibrary enables interactive debugging using breakpoints, commands, or expressions in your test files or resource files. Finally, the robotframework-lint tool can be used to check your test files or resource files for syntax errors, naming conventions, or other issues.
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- Gerard Kinneen CoFounder and CXO of iSort AB | Blending Innovation in Robotics with Practical Solutions for Heavy Load Management | Passionate about Autonomous Vehicles for Construction Sites.
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Dont use chatgpt to debug as it just ends up causing more problems than it is worth If you encounter any issues or errors with your variables or resource files, you can use some debugging tips to troubleshoot them.
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7 Here’s what else to consider
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