Maven Standard Directory Layout for UI Test Automation project on Java: what modules should be considered as main, and what as test?

Question

Usually UI test automation framework is a separate code base, different from developers repository.

It is common to use Maven or Gradle as a build tool in test automation frameworks written on Java. By default it means that the project has main and test subfolders, which is know as "Maven Standard Directory Layout".

For developers code it is clear for me: under main there is application code itself, whereas under test there are unit tests.

Is there any standard or best practices adopted by the automation community regarding which of these subfolders should be used for which code in Test Automation Framework?

Answer 1

When you run Maven/Gradle test task, it will look for code in the test folder (unless configured otherwise).

• VladislavShcherba: Thanks for the answer! Code from test folder can use the code from main folder. So it is possible that e.g. page objects are in main while tests are in test without additional configuration.
• João Farias: Yes, you just have to import the types.
• João Farias: @zer_ik if the answer is satisfiable for you question, please mark it as Accepted, so others will know the it answers the question.
• VladislavShcherba: The question is about best practices or standard for test automation frameworks: which modules should be in test and which in main. I saw different frameworks and people do it differently. Some use only test. Some claim that page objects, framework initialization etc. should be in main, where test should contain tests, maybe step definitions...
• João Farias: @zer_ik In practical terms, it makes barely any difference. The important parts of your architecture will be on the application modules you will be creating. Meaning: What dependencies exist between the page objects or between the framework init code will be more important for the development of your code. main and test modules are almost virtual modules, of interest of Maven/Gradle, not much for the application code.