What is the best way to use the Database library in Robot framework?

1 Install and import

Before you can use the Database library, you need to install it and import it in your Robot framework test suite. You can install it using pip or from the source code, depending on your preferences and environment. To import it, you can use the Library setting in the Settings section of your test suite file, or use the Import Library keyword in a test case or keyword. For example, you can write:

*** Settings ***
Library    DatabaseLibrary
*** Test Cases ***
Connect to database
    Import Library    DatabaseLibrary
    Connect To Database    pymysql    mydb    user    password    localhost    3306        

2 Connect and disconnect

The Database library provides keywords to connect and disconnect from various types of databases, such as MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. You can use the Connect To Database or Connect To Database Using Custom Params keywords to establish a connection, and use the Disconnect From Database or Disconnect From All Databases keywords to close the connection. You should always disconnect from the database after you finish your tests, otherwise you may encounter errors or memory leaks. For example, you can write:

*** Test Cases ***
Connect and disconnect
    Connect To Database    psycopg2    mydb    user    password    localhost    5432
    # Do some database operations here
    Disconnect From Database        

3 Query and update

The Database library allows you to execute SQL statements to query and update the database. You can use the Query or Execute Sql String keywords to run a single statement, or use the Query or Execute Sql Script keywords to run a script file. You can also use the Row Count Should Be or Table Must Contain keywords to verify the results of your queries or updates. For example, you can write:

*** Test Cases ***
Query and update
    Connect To Database    sqlite3    test.db
    Execute Sql Script    create_table.sql
    Execute Sql String    INSERT INTO users VALUES ('Alice', 25)
    Query    SELECT * FROM users
    Row Count Should Be    1
    Table Must Contain    users    Alice
    Disconnect From Database        

4 Use variables and parameters

One of the best practices when using the Database library is to use variables and parameters instead of hard-coding values in your SQL statements. This way, you can make your tests more flexible, reusable, and maintainable. You can use the Robot framework variable syntax to insert variables in your SQL statements, or use the paramstyle attribute to specify how to pass parameters to the database driver. For example, you can write:

*** Variables ***
${NAME}    Bob
${AGE}    30
*** Test Cases ***
Use variables and parameters
    Connect To Database    sqlite3    test.db    paramstyle=qmark
    Execute Sql String    INSERT INTO users VALUES (?, ?)    ${NAME}    ${AGE}
    Query    SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = '${NAME}'
    Row Count Should Be    1
    Table Must Contain    users    ${NAME}
    Disconnect From Database        

5 Handle errors and exceptions

Another best practice when using the Database library is to handle errors and exceptions that may occur during your database operations. You can use the Run Keyword And Expect Error or Run Keyword And Ignore Error keywords to catch and handle expected or unexpected errors, or use the Register Database Error keyword to register custom error messages for specific database drivers. You can also use the BuiltIn library keywords to log, report, or fail the test cases based on the errors. For example, you can write:

*** Test Cases ***
Handle errors and exceptions
    Connect To Database    sqlite3    test.db
    Register Database Error    sqlite3    UNIQUE constraint failed
    Run Keyword And Expect Error    UNIQUE constraint failed    Execute Sql String    INSERT INTO users VALUES ('Alice', 25)
    Log    Duplicate entry detected
    Disconnect From Database        

6 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?