Running the same test suite repeatedly is time-consuming, but with a test automation tool, it becomes faster to write and replay the test suite when needed. It reduces human intervention and improves the return on investment for testing. Automation testing allows for easy input of test data, comparison of expected outcomes with actual results, and generating comprehensive test reports. While it requires some allocation of funds and resources, automation testing is a valuable investment for organizations seeking to streamline their software testing process.
It is the most effective way to broaden test coverage, enhance effectiveness, and improve execution speed in software testing.
Why do you need test automation?
- Faster and more accurate development: Test automation can accelerate development by swiftly executing tests and ensuring their repeatability. Additionally, it aids in mitigating the risk of failure by removing human error from the equation.
- Tests are included in the build process: Tests can be incorporated into the build process and triggered after every build completion by organizations.
- Automated functional tests: The development team can develop automated functional tests while the application software is being created, allowing them to test the changes in their environment.
- AccelerationAutomation enables the early detection of crucial bugs in the software development life cycle (SDLC), supporting the shift of quality assurance towards the beginning stages.
- Testing cycle optimizationAutomation enables the utilization of Agile practices, including task-oriented and behavior-driven development.
- DevOps transformationAutomation allows for establishing a continuous testing environment, an essential aspect of DevOps.
- Granular quality assessmentQuality control in the testing lifecycle can be fortified by incorporating quality gates made possible by automation.
- Competitive edgeAutomation is increasingly substituting manual and model-based quality assurance (QA), becoming a necessary prerequisite in every software development project that aims to stay competitive.
- Deciding the scope of Test Automation:01
- Choosing The Right Automation Tool02
- Plan, Design, and Strategy03
- Set up the Test Environment04
- Test Script Execution05
- Examine & Maintenance Approach06
Deciding the scope of Test Automation:
Consider the feasibility of Automation, taking into account different perspectives. When assessing feasibility, these aspects should be addressed without fail:
- Identify which modules of the applications can be automated and which ones cannot.
- Determine which test cases can be automated and the methodology for automation.
- Consider variables such as cost, team size, and skillset.
Choosing The Right Automation Tool
This phase guides the test engineer throughout the test tool evaluation and selection process. It begins with confirming management support and then reviews the system's engineering environment and other organizational needs to establish tool evaluation criteria. The test engineer then defines an evaluation domain to pilot the test tool.
Once these steps are completed, the test engineer can contact vendors to acquire the selected tool(s). The test personnel then evaluate the tool using the provided sample criteria. Selecting the correct Automation Testing device is a crucial stage in the automation testing life cycle, as testing heavily relies on automation tools.Plan, Design, and Strategy
The initial stage of the automation testing life cycle process outlines the approach and goal of test automation. In this stage, an automation procedure and plan are developed. The following factors need to be considered during this process:
- Selection of automation tools.
- Identify the appropriate design framework after weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the testing tool.
- Creating a test suite for the automation experiment in the device for test management.
Set up the Test Environment
The Automation Testing Life Cycle setup phase involves preparing a machine or remote machine for executing test scripts. It is important to consider the following key areas of the test environment:
- Test Data
- Multiple Browsers
- Automation Framework
- Tool configuration and licensing
Test Script Execution
After setting up the test environment, it is time to execute the test script. It is crucial to ensure that all test cases are functioning correctly. When developing the test script, consider the following points:
- Include all relevant aspects of the experiment in the test script.
- Run the scripts in different conditions and on various platforms.
- To save time and effort, batch execution can be performed.
- If any errors occur, create a bug report
Examine & Maintenance Approach
The final stage of the automation testing life cycle involves analyzing the results of extensive testing to identify specific areas that have received numerous issue reports.
Based on the outcome of this analysis, it is determined whether additional testing is necessary. During the maintenance phase of automation testing, the software's new functionality is tested to ensure it works correctly. This stage is implemented when new scripts are added and require inspection and upkeep to enhance the effectiveness of the automation scripts.The Katalon Platform is a highly scalable and user-friendly automation testing tool for various applications such as web, API, desktop (Windows), and mobile. It has gained a strong following with over one million users in the Katalon community and is the preferred choice for automation by more than 100,000 businesses. With Katalon, users can skip the need to code or build a test automation framework from the ground up. Instead, they can download the tool and concentrate on testing. Additionally, Katalon regularly updates its software to ensure compatibility with the latest platforms, browsers, and operating systems.
Selenium, introduced in 2004, is widely recognized as the leading open-source framework for automating web testing. Its software collection includes Selenium WebDriver, Selenium Grid, and Selenium IDE.
Appium, similar to Selenium, is an open-source automation testing tool specifically designed for mobile applications. It utilizes the mobile JSON wire protocol to enable users to create automated UI tests for native, web-based, and hybrid mobile apps on Android and iOS platforms.
TestComplete can automate functional UI testing for desktop, mobile, and web applications. It has built-in support for over 500 controls and third-party frameworks, allowing it to handle and identify dynamic UI elements in various technologies.
Cypress is an automation tool designed for end-to-end web testing, strongly emphasizing supporting JavaScript frameworks. It is built with a unique architecture that allows it to operate seamlessly within a browser alongside your application. It enables Cypress to have direct access to elements and execute tests faster.
Ranorex Studio can automate GUI testing for various applications such as web, mobile, and desktop. It offers a comprehensive framework that combines low-code automation and a full IDE, making it accessible for beginners and efficient for experienced testers.
Perfecto is a platform for testing web and mobile applications that operate in the cloud and use automation. It offers features such as running tests across different environments, customizable capabilities, analysis of test results, and integration with various tools. Perfecto aims to make continuous testing easier for DevOps teams.
LambdaTest offers cloud-based automated testing services. With LambdaTest, teams can easily expand their test coverage by conducting fast parallel testing across different browsers and devices.
The Postman tool is highly popular for automating API testing. It enables users to create various functional, integration, and regression tests. The command line interface can execute these tests automatically in CI/CD pipelines.
This open-source API testing tool is designed for REST and SOAP web services. It offers essential features such as automated functionality, performance, regression, and security testing. Users also have the option to upgrade to the commercial version, ReadyAPI (formerly SoapUI Pro), which provides advanced capabilities.
Eggplant Functional is a GUI automation testing tool for mobile, desktop, and web applications. It is an integral part of Eggplant’s ecosystem. An image-based approach enables the automation of various platform and technology combinations using a single script.
Tricentis Tosca is an all-inclusive automation solution for testing web, API, mobile, and desktop applications. Its distinguishing feature is its model-based testing methodology, which enables users to analyze an application’s UI or APIs to develop and manage tests using a business-friendly model.
This open-source tool is specifically designed for automated performance testing, primarily focusing on web applications. Its main function is to simulate many users accessing web services and analyze the application’s performance under test (AUT). Additionally, JMeter can also be utilized for conducting functional API testing.
Robot Framework is a versatile open-source framework designed for automating tests, particularly for acceptance testing and acceptance test-driven development. It utilizes a keyword-driven methodology, making it easy to begin with minimal coding effort. Additionally, it offers a wide range of tools and libraries, allowing for further customization and expansion.
This open-source framework automates end-to-end testing specifically for Angular and AngularJS applications. It is an integrator for Selenium, WebDriver, Jasmine, Node.js, and other technologies. Protractor is also effective for regression testing with non-Angular apps.