Overview of Robot Framework
Robot Framework is an open-source framework that automates functional, process, and task testing. It leverages numerous open-source libraries to support a wide array of features.
When to choose Robot Framework?
Robot Framework utilizes a keyword-driven methodology, enabling testers to initiate tests using predefined keywords without needing to understand their underlying technical details. This approach makes it user-friendly for those with basic automation knowledge, though it may appear verbose to more experienced users.
While it is an excellent choice for functional testing and process automation in web-based environments, Robot Framework also falls short in meeting the demands of embedded testing.
Benefits of Robot Framework
- Open source: No usage cost.
- Reusability & flexibility: Test cases based on a keyword approach.
- Continuous integration: Easily integrates with your continuous integration pipelines.
- Documentation and support: Extensive documentation and community support.
- Platform support: Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Drawbacks of Robot Framework
- Not adapted to embedded testing: No embedded testing feature available, and limited support.
- Learning curve: Significant time needed to acquire an advanced understanding of the framework syntax in order to extend it with custom or test libraries.
- Limited community support: Despite its large community, not all Robot framework libraries are actively supported. This can be a problem when integrating certain systems or tools.
Pluma: an alternative to Robot Framework for embedded testing
Although Robot Framework supports functional and process automation and is built with Python libraries, its limitations necessitate exploring alternatives. Below is one of the most effective alternative.
Pluma automated testing tool
Pluma is a comprehensive testing tool tailored for embedded systems. Pluma is a command line interface which assists device makers in testing both hardware and software, ensuring the delivery and maintenance of industrial-grade products.
Benefits
- Pre-built test scenarios: Dozens of pre-configured test actions, and resources for embedded systems, plus a test suite specifically for embedded Linux systems.
- Full-stack testing: A single tool to test both hardware and software.
- Non-intrusive: Operates via a command-line interface, interacting with devices under test as a user would, based on predefined and fully customizable testing scenarios.
Main features
- Test management: Facilitates robust product maintenance with a wide range of pre-built test actions, extensible using Python to write custom test scenarios.
- Extensive test scenarios: Includes endurance testing, performance metrics, data connectivity, application features, and protocol testing (BLE, CAN, Modbus).
- Embedded linux system testing: Features a comprehensive suite of tests to maintain industrial-grade Linux systems.
- Reporting and Metrics: Offers raw logs, JSON results, Excel, XRay and JUnit integrations, and performance metrics.
- Continuous integration: Easy integration in CI pipelines (Gitlab, Jenkins, Github)
Robot Framework vs Pluma - which is better for embedded testing?
While Robot Framework is rich in features for general testing, it is not optimized for embedded testing. Its verbose syntax can pose challenges for project management and less technical teams. For embedded systems, Pluma automated testing tool offers a robust and efficient alternative, designed to meet the specific needs of device manufacturers.
