In this article, we are going to discuss Difference Between Test Harness vs Test Framework. Test Harness and in the later part of this article, we will compare Test Harness with Test Framework. Test harness can be explained as a unit testing tool that helps in the automation and execution of unit test cases. It enables the automation of unit tests for any software application. It has the system test drivers which work in collaboration with supporting testing tools which are required to execute the tests. Further, it provides drivers and stubs which are an actually small computer program written in languages like JAVA, Net, etc. that interact with the software application code under test. The test harness is often used by developers for unit testing of the modules during the development or development phase of any software model.

 

 

Advantages of Test Harness:

The following are the advantages of the test harness and this is the reason it is followed as a standard testing practice in most of the organizations.

• It helps to automate the overall testing process to the maximum extent.
• It is capable to execute test suites which are composed of multiple test cases.
• It is capable to generate test report either by its own as in case of TestNG or through another third party tool or development as in the case of Junit.
• The test harness is composed of drivers and stubs which are small programs, therefore, they are capable to Support debugging of code.
• Test Harness tools can capture the test results for an entire suite as well as individual test present inside the suite or standalone test.
• It helps developers in the early identification of a defect at the code
• It enables developers to measure the code coverage at code or elementary level during application development.
• The test harness is very helpful in terms of increasing the system productivity through the test automation.
• It helps to enhance the quality of software components or overall software application.
• Test harness can help to cover complex test scenarios which are very difficult to handle through tradition testing approach.
• It adds confidence to the organization marketing team towards the robustness of the application software as it is well tested right at unit level.

 

Disadvantages of Test Harness:

• Test Harness tools do not support record and play features.
• Testers using test harness tools are expected to have knowledge of programming languages such as JAVA, .NET, Groovy, Ruby, Python, etc.
• Test harness could an asset to any organization but at the same time, it incurs a cost for writing automates test suites or test cases through skilled developers.

 

Context Where Test Harness Used:

Test harness can be used in the following two contexts namely, Automation Testing, and Integration Testing.

• Automation testing: In automation testing, the developers develop test scripts which are written in languages such as JAVA, Python, Ruby, Groovy, etc. Such test scripts require test data along with setting up of certain test parameters which are necessary to execute the automation test scripts. After these test scripts are executed, the test results are captured and analyzed in the form of test reports.
• Integration testing: In Integration testing, the two modules within the same application or different applications are integrated and testing is conducted to make sure both modules which are developed separately are working smoothly as a single unit when integrated. As a standard practice, test cases are written and executed as automation script or through tools such as Junit, Nunit, etc. are results are recorded as a report and analyzed for exit criteria of the overall integration testing to be successful.

 

Example of Test Harness Tools:

• Junit: It is an API written in JAVA language which is used to design and implement test cases to conduct the unit testing for JAVA program or JAVA based applications. They are very frequently used to test applications which are built in JAVA language.
• Nunit: It is an API written in a .NET language which is used to design and implement test cases to conduct the unit testing for the .NET program or .NET based applications. They are very frequently used to test applications which are built in .NET language.

 

Differences Between Test Harness vs Test Framework:

Given below is the comparison between test Harness and test automation Framework.

Properties	Test Automation Framework	Test Harness
Definition	Test automation framework is a set of procedures, processes, intellectual concept and environment through which the tester can design and implement automated tests.	A test harness is a set of drivers and stubs, which are actually small dummy programs written in programming languages such as JAVA, .NET, etc. that interact with the application software under test.
Composition	Test automation framework is composed of information such as the test library, automated testing, testing tools, best practices, and testing platform.	Test harness composed of all the information which is required to compile and execute a test such as test cases, source code file under test, target deployment port(TDP), and stubs.
Record and Playback mechanism	It allows tester can manually “Record & Playback” script in this framework	Testers cannot use “Record & Playback” script in case of Test Harness
Examples	Test Automation framework can be categorized into Data-driven testing, Modularity driven testing, Hybrid testing, Code driven testing, module driven testing, behavior driven testing, and Keyword driven testing.	Test harness can be used in the following two contexts. They are Automation Testing, and Integration Testing.
Tool Example	Cucumber, Robot Framework, etc.	Junit, Nunit, etc.

 

Conclusion:

Test Harness is very useful in the organization as it helps developers to do unit testing and identify defects early in their code during the development phase. It ensures stable build to be given to testers for testing as most of the defects are unveiled at the time of developed. Hence, Test harness tools also help in increasing the testing productivity as the testing team won’t be spending time in raising mundane defects. It also ensures the quality software as end product which is well tested right at the unit level. Therefore, it adds confidence to the organization which is using a test harness tool during software development for unit testing.

I think I have addressed all major differences Between Test Harness vs Test Framework. I have worked for this around 3 years out of my testing career on Test Harness and Test Framework. There are some experts who have spent their whole career life on Test Harness and Test Framework. If I missed out addressing some important differences or other aspects then let me know in comments below. I will keep on updating the article for the latest testing information.
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