How do you debug a robot framework test case that is not interacting with the browser?

1 Check the test case syntax

One of the first things you should do when debugging a robot framework test case is to check the syntax of the test case. Syntax errors can prevent the test case from running properly or cause unexpected behavior. You can use the built-in keyword Run Keyword And Expect Error to catch any syntax errors and log them. For example, you can write:

Run Keyword And Expect Error    SyntaxError:*
...    Open Browser    ${URL}    ${BROWSER}        

This will check if the Open Browser keyword has any syntax errors and log them if they do. You can also use the robot framework syntax checker tool to scan your test case files for any syntax errors before running them.

2 Verify the browser settings

Another common reason why a robot framework test case may not interact with the browser is that the browser settings are not compatible with the test case. For example, the browser may have pop-ups blocked, cookies disabled, or extensions installed that interfere with the test case. You can use the built-in keyword Get Browser Capabilities to get the current browser settings and compare them with the expected ones. For example, you can write:

${capabilities}=    Get Browser Capabilities
Log    ${capabilities}        

This will log the browser capabilities, such as browser name, version, platform, and preferences. You can then verify if they match the requirements of your test case and adjust them if needed.

3 Inspect the web elements

Sometimes, a robot framework test case may not interact with the browser because the web elements that the test case is trying to locate or manipulate are not visible, enabled, or accessible. This can happen due to dynamic web content, loading delays, or incorrect locators. You can use the built-in keyword Wait Until Page Contains Element to wait for an element to appear on the page before interacting with it. For example, you can write:

Wait Until Page Contains Element    id=login-button    10s
Click Element    id=login-button        

This will wait for up to 10 seconds for the login button to appear on the page and then click it. You can also use the browser tools, such as the inspector or the console, to inspect the web elements and see their attributes, styles, and events. This can help you identify the correct locators and selectors for your test case.

4 Debug step by step

Finally, a useful technique for debugging a robot framework test case that is not interacting with the browser is to debug it step by step. This means running the test case in a mode that allows you to pause, resume, and execute each keyword individually. You can use the built-in keyword Pause Execution to pause the test case execution and prompt for user input. For example, you can write:

Open Browser    ${URL}    ${BROWSER}
Pause Execution    Enter any key to continue        

This will open the browser and then pause the test case until you enter any key. You can then inspect the browser state and the test case output. You can also use the robot framework debugger tool to set breakpoints, watch variables, and evaluate expressions while running the test case. This can help you pinpoint the exact location and cause of the problem and fix it accordingly.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?