When you start writing multiple Selenium scripts, you quickly realize that simply running one test after another isn’t enough.
You need structure, flexibility, and control.
That’s where TestNG (Test Next Generation) becomes a game-changer for Selenium testers.
1. Test Prioritization
- Problem: Without control, tests run randomly.
- TestNG Solution: Easily set priority to decide the execution order of your test methods.
@Test(priority = 1)
public void loginTest() { }
@Test(priority = 2)
public void addToCartTest() { }
? Ensures critical tests run first.
2. Grouping Tests
- Problem: Sometimes you need to run only smoke tests or regression tests.
- TestNG Solution: Use groups to categorize your tests.
@Test(groups = {"smoke"})
public void loginTest() { }
@Test(groups = {"regression"})
public void checkoutTest() { }
? Makes it easy to run a specific set of tests without touching the code.
3. Data-Driven Testing (DataProvider)
- Problem: Manually testing different inputs is tedious.
- TestNG Solution: Use DataProvider to run the same test multiple times with different data.
@DataProvider(name = "loginData")
public Object[][] getData() {
return new Object[][] { {"user1", "pass1"}, {"user2", "pass2"} };
}
@Test(dataProvider = "loginData")
public void loginTest(String username, String password) { }
? Saves time and ensures thorough coverage.
4. Parallel Test Execution
- Problem: Running tests one-by-one wastes time.
- TestNG Solution: You can configure TestNG to run tests parallelly across different browsers.
? Reduces total test execution time drastically.
5. Better Reporting
- Problem: Basic console logs aren’t enough to analyze results.
- TestNG Solution: Comes with built-in HTML reports showing passed, failed, skipped tests clearly.
? Easier for testers, managers, and developers to review.