Annotations in TestNG can be understood as specific pieces of code which are incorporated within the logic of a program with the intention of controlling the sequential execution of the test methods. In other words, TestNG Annotations help in deciding upon the sequence of the tests which are made to run. These annotations are extracted from Java language and are a crucial component of Test Next Generation (TestNG) which in turn acts as an automation framework, widely employed by Selenium.
For a more detailed understanding of Selenium as a predominant Test Automation Tool, refer to our blog on “What is Selenium?”
In this blog, we will look at the question of what are TestNG Annotations. Additionally, we shall also look at the TestNG Annotations Order as well as consider its benefits.
What are TestNG Annotations?
Annotations in TestNG have the purpose of controlling the next method which is supposedly the one to be executed next in the test.
The abbreviation ‘NG’ stands for Next Generation and TestNG itself is a test run automation framework. Annotations can be thought of as a comment on something which helps in specifying its meaning. The primary objective of TestNG Annotations is to make end-to-end testing easy.
The importance of including TestNG Annotions within your overall program logic can be understood by a simple above example.
For instance, you need to execute seven test cases and one method is written for each of the test case. At first, you simply use the main method and do not involve Annotations in TestNG. Now suppose, when you execute the program, five methods are executed successfully and the sixth one fails. What do you do?
You rectify the errors in the sixth method and you are seeking to execute only the sixth one as the first five have already been made to run. However, you cannot achieve this objective without the help of TestNG Annotations.
Types of Annotations in TestNG
There are ten different types of TestNG Annotations. Let us have a look at them.