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JBehave VS Robot framework

Compare JBehave VS Robot framework and see what are their differences

JBehave logo JBehave

JBehave is a framework for Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD).

Robot framework logo Robot framework

Robot Framework is a generic test automation framework for acceptance testing and acceptance...
  • JBehave Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-15
  • Robot framework Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-20

JBehave features and specs

  • Behavior-Driven Development Support
    JBehave is designed specifically for BDD, helping teams write understandable and executable specifications through structured narratives.
  • Separation of Stories and Code
    It allows for clear separation of stories (requirements) from the actual test code, which helps in maintaining clarity and separation of concerns.
  • Integration with Java Ecosystem
    Being a Java-based tool, JBehave integrates seamlessly with existing Java projects and works well with build tools like Maven and Gradle.
  • Customizable
    JBehave offers customization opportunities, allowing users to adjust the framework to better fit their specific project needs.
  • Community and Documentation
    JBehave is supported by a dedicated community and comprehensive documentation, providing considerable resources for troubleshooting and learning.

Possible disadvantages of JBehave

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For beginners, understanding JBehave's syntax, concepts, and integration can require significant time and effort.
  • Verbose Tests
    The framework can lead to verbose test specifications, which might be cumbersome to manage for large projects with numerous stories.
  • Limited IDE Support
    Compared to other BDD tools like Cucumber, JBehave has limited direct support in IDEs, making it less intuitive for developers used to strong IDE integrations.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users might experience compatibility issues when integrating JBehave with certain Java projects or during updates to newer versions of the framework.
  • Resource Intensive
    Executing JBehave tests can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting performance when running large suites of tests.

Robot framework features and specs

  • Open Source
    Robot Framework is open-source, which means it is free to use and has a large community of users and contributors who continuously improve the tool and provide support.
  • Extensible
    Its extensible nature allows easy integration with various libraries and tools. Custom libraries can also be added to extend its functionality further.
  • Keyword-Driven Testing
    Utilizes a keyword-driven testing approach, making tests readable and simple to create even for non-programmers. This encourages collaboration between developers and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Platform Independent
    Robot Framework is platform-independent and can be run on different operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Selenium Integration
    Offers seamless integration with Selenium, empowering it to be used for a wide range of web application testing tasks, from simple UI checks to complex automated workflows.
  • Rich Reporting
    Generates comprehensive logs and reports that help in the easy identification of test results and issues. The reports are user-friendly and provide detailed execution flow.
  • Data-Driven Testing
    Supports data-driven test cases, allowing tests to be executed with multiple sets of input data, enhancing test coverage.

Possible disadvantages of Robot framework

  • Learning Curve
    For those unfamiliar with keyword-driven testing or the framework itself, there can be a learning curve, particularly in understanding how to best structure test cases and use the available libraries.
  • Performance Overhead
    The high level of abstraction can introduce some performance overhead, making it less suitable for extremely performance-sensitive or low-level testing scenarios.
  • Limited Mobile Testing
    While it supports mobile testing through Appium, the support and community resources for mobile testing are not as robust as for web application testing.
  • Python Dependency
    It primarily relies on Python, which means that some organizations that use different programming languages might find it less straightforward to integrate and utilize effectively.
  • Debugging Complexity
    Debugging can be less intuitive compared to traditional code-based frameworks. Errors can sometimes be harder to trace due to the abstraction layer provided by keyword-driven scripting.

Analysis of Robot framework

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Robot Framework is a good choice for automating tests and processes, especially if you are looking for an open-source solution with strong community support and flexibility.

Why this product is good

  • Robot Framework is considered good because it is an open-source automation framework that supports both keyword and behavior-driven development (BDD). It is versatile and can be used for test automation and robotic process automation (RPA). It has a simple, human-readable syntax, making it accessible for non-programmers. The framework is extensible, allowing users to create custom libraries. It also integrates well with various tools and environments, which enhances its functionality.

Recommended for

  • QA engineers and testers looking for a robust test automation framework.
  • Organizations seeking an open-source tool for robotic process automation.
  • Teams that need a scalable solution that integrates with other tools.
  • Non-programmers who require a framework with an easy-to-understand syntax.

JBehave videos

BDD automation framework - Jbehave

More videos:

  • Tutorial - JBehave Tutorial 5: View Jbehave Reports
  • Review - Install Natural Eclipse Plugin for Cucumber or JBehave Files

Robot framework videos

Robot Framework Tutorial | Robot Framework With Python | Python Robot Framework | Edureka

More videos:

  • Review - The Robot Framework โ€“ Top 7 Things You Need to Know
  • Review - Robot Class vs Robot Framework Vs Robotic Process Automation

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to JBehave and Robot framework)
Automated Testing
14 14%
86% 86
Browser Testing
16 16%
84% 84
Testing
21 21%
79% 79
Website Testing
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare JBehave and Robot framework

JBehave Reviews

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Robot framework Reviews

Top 5 Selenium Alternatives for Less Maintenance
Robot Framework is an open-source automation framework that uses a keyword-driven approach, making it easy to create and maintain test cases. It supports both codeless and script-based automation, making it versatile for various testing needs.
Best Automation Testing Tools (Free and Paid) | July 2022
Selenium is an open-source test automation framework that automates web browsers. It becomes a favorite automation tool of choice for automation testers. It acts as a core framework for open-source test automation software such as Watir, Robot Framework, Katalon Studio, and Protractor.
Top 10 Best Selenium Alternatives You Should Try
Robot Framework is an open-source test automation framework used for acceptance test-driven development (ATDD) and acceptance testing. Robot Framework is standard and uses a keyword-driven testing approach and behavior-driven.
Best Selenium Alternatives (Free and Paid) in 2021
Robot Framework is an open-source automation framework that implements the keyword-driven approach for acceptance testing and acceptance test-driven development (ATDD). Robot Framework provides frameworks for different test automation needs. But its test capability can be further extended by implementing additional test libraries using Python and Java. Selenium WebDriver is...
5 Selenium Alternatives to Fill in Your Top Testing Gaps
Robot Framework is an open-source Selenium alternative primarily for acceptance test-driven development (ATDD) and acceptance testing. Using the keyword-driven methodology, testers and developers can use Robot Framework as an automation system for web and mobile test automation.
Source: www.perfecto.io

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Robot framework seems to be a lot more popular than JBehave. While we know about 32 links to Robot framework, we've tracked only 2 mentions of JBehave. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

JBehave mentions (2)

  • Week of Java: Part 5: Testing Your Code
    Some BDD frameworks such as JBehave, RSpec, Mocha, Jasmine, Cucumber, among others, embrace the use of this template. Spek is not an exception to this rule. The main difference is that it doesnโ€™t force you to use a concrete assertion framework or additional behavioral files (e.g Cucumber or JBehave). - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago
  • 9 Of The Best Java Testing Frameworks For 2021
    JBehave is also one of the best Java Testing Frameworks, primarily used with Selenium WebDriver for Java testing. JBehave framework is a BDD (Behaviour-Driven Development) framework, which was created in 2003. The ultimate objective behind JBehave is facilitating newcomers to understand and learn about Behaviour-Driven Development at a faster pace. - Source: dev.to / over 4 years ago

Robot framework mentions (32)

  • Most Effective Approaches for Debugging Applications
    Fixing a bug is incomplete without preventing its recurrence. Root cause analysis (RCA), coupled with regression testing and documentation, ensures long-term reliability. Antony Marceles, Founder of Pumex Computing, emphasizes, โ€œFixing a bug is only part of the solution, preventing it from happening again is the real goal.โ€ Marcelesโ€™ team uses regression tests via Robot Framework and code reviews with Gerrit to... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Robot Framework Using the Browser Library: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Practical Tips
    Documentation is your best friend. It provides comprehensive guides, examples, and API references to help you navigate the library effectively. Here you can access it, as well as the Robot Framework documentation. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • Automated Acceptance Testing with Robot Framework and Testkube
    The Robot Framework is an acceptance testing tool that is easy to write and manage due to its key-driven approach. Let us learn more about the Robot Framework to enable acceptance testing. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Beautiful is better than ugly, but my beginner code is horrible
    Well, I work with software quality and despite not having a strong foundation in automation, one fine day I decided to make a change. I have been working with Robot Framework for a few months - and that's when I got a taste of the power of python. Some time later, I dabbled a little with Cypress and Playwright, always using javascript. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Embedded professionals, what kind of 'github' projects would make you hire a developer?
    I've used Lua/Busted in a data-heavy environment (telemetry from hospital ventilators). I've also used robot: https://robotframework.org/. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing JBehave and Robot framework, you can also consider the following products

Cucumber - Cucumber is a BDD tool for specification of application features and user scenarios in plain text.

Selenium - Selenium automates browsers. That's it! What you do with that power is entirely up to you. Primarily, it is for automating web applications for testing purposes, but is certainly not limited to just that.

Mockito - Mocking framework for unit tests in Java.

Katalon - Built on the top of Selenium and Appium, Katalon Studio is a free and powerful automated testing tool for web testing, mobile testing, and API testing.

JUnit - JUnit is a simple framework to write repeatable tests.

Cypress.io - Slow, difficult and unreliable testing for anything that runs in a browser. Install Cypress in seconds and take the pain out of front-end testing.