Performing Data-Driven Testing Using Apache POI
In software testing, data-driven testing (DDT) is a powerful approach that separates test logic from test data, allowing testers to run the same test script with multiple sets of input values. One of the most popular tools for enabling DDT in Java is Apache POI, a Java API for reading and writing Microsoft Excel files. What Is Apache POI? Apache POI (Poor Obfuscation Implementation) is an open-source library that enables Java programs to interact with MS Office files. For Excel files specifically, it provides support for both .xls (HSSF) and .xlsx (XSSF) formats. This makes it ideal for testers who maintain test data in spreadsheets. Why Use Apache POI for Testing? Flexibility: Easily update test data without changing the test script. Scalability: Run tests with large datasets. Maintainability: Externalized data improves clarity and organization. Setting Up Apache POI To use Apache POI in your project, add the following Maven dependencies: xml Copy Edit <dependency> ...