how is a testing tool different from testing framework/ [closed]

Question

What is the basic difference between, a test automation framework and a testing tool?

For example nunit is a test automation framework, but on the other hand Resharper is a testing tool. Both are used for testing the C# code.

What is the difference between them?

I mean why is one called a test framework and the other a testing tool?

Answer 1

The testing framework is used to describe your tests. E.g. NUnit or XUnit are used to write unit tests.

The testing tool is a tool that executes tests. Resharper for example will not just execute your tests and show you how many succeed, but can also measure the execution time of each test, analyze them and measure the code coverage.

In short:

• testing framework: describes any kind of tests
• testing tool: works with this tests (e.g. analyses or executes them)

Answer 2

In the extremely general sense, frameworks, runners, report writers, etc. are all tools. In common use, "tools" means an executable that does something with your tests or test results. The most common tool is a test runner. Other tools measure performance or coverage, produce reports, etc.

Since you mention NUnit, it consists of a number of different tools together with a test framework. The NUnit framework is packaged as and often called just plain "NUnit."

The NUnit team produces several different runners, including the console runner and two VS adapters. A GUI is being developed separately (by me). Other runners you can use with NUnit include Resharper, TD.Net and NCrunch.