How to use regular expression in class path in TestNG.xml? Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report TestNG provides a regular expression in class path features for the testng.xml file. It is useful when you want to run lots of test classes from a package conforming to a particular pattern without listing each class in TestNG.Approach to Using Regular Expressions in Class-Path in testng.xmlTestNG allows you to use the regular expression to add test classes in a test suite. This is useful when you want to execute all the test classes whose names are similar in nature, or follow a particular pattern without necessarily listing all of them. Here is a simple step-by-step guide, with examples of the Java test classes and the testng.xml setup.Steps to Use Regular Expressions in Class PathCreate Test Classes: Now, different test classes can be created under a package, and the naming pattern should also be unique. For example, create classes like TestClassA, TestClassB, etc., under a package named testNG.Implement the Test Classes: Every test class shall contain at least one test method with the annotation @Test.Configure testng.xml with Regular Expressions: Test classes should be specified with the help of a tag <package> inside the testng.xml. In the name attribute, add the regular expression that will match all the classes coming under a certain pattern; for instance, .*TestClass.*.Set regex="true" to enable regular expression matching in the classpath.Run the TestNG Suite: Once testng.xml is ready, trigger the test suite. Based on the regular expression, TestNG will select and execute all the test classes..Example Test ClassesTestClassA.java Java package testNG; import org.testng.annotations.Test; public class TestClassA { @Test public void testA() { System.out.println("Running test in TestClassA"); } } TestClassB.java Java package testNG; import org.testng.annotations.Test; public class TestClassB { @Test public void testB() { System.out.println("Running test in TestClassB"); } } TestNG XML Configuration with Regular ExpressionThe testng.xml file will use a regular expression to include only the classes whose names match a pattern (e.g., those containing "TestClass"). XML <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <suite name="Suite" verbose="1"> <test name="Test Suite"> <packages> <!-- Use regular expression to include only classes containing 'TestClass' in the name --> <package name="example.*TestClass.*" regex="true"/> </packages> </test> </suite> Explanation:Java Classes: TestClassA and TestClassB are test classes, each with one test method.TestNG XML: This testng.xml file is used to define the package of testNG. The attribute name="testNG.*TestClass.*" defines a regular expression matching class names containing "TestClass". regex="true" allows matching with regular expressions. This means that only TestClassA and TestClassB will run, leaving out AnotherClass.Output:OutputConclusionUsing regular expressions in the testng.xml file make it easier to select many test classes based on their naming pattern. The approach imposes more flexibility and reduces listing each class manually, which is more desirable, especially for big test suites. 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