What is the difference between BeforeClass and BeforeTest in TestNG - Selenium WebDriver

Question

Both the testNG annotations: - @BeforeClass and @BeforeTest looks similar in functionality. But there must be a unique difference in their feature. Can anyone explain this?

Answer 1

@BeforeMethod - executes before every test method e.g. the Method which uses @Test annotation

@BeforeTest - executes only before tag given in the testng.xml file.

Answer 2

@Before and @After are called for every test case.

@BeforeClass and @AfterClass are called once

Comments

Before Class is almost like a 'pre-condition' that must be executed for ALL the tests in that class.

Before Test on the other hand is a precondition for that test only, and does not apply to the rest of the class!