Jon Baleva Jan 25, 2024
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Automation Testing - Introduction to Automation Testing

The software testing world comprises two broad classifications of testing - Manual Testing and Automation Testing. The transitioning of testing from manual to automation is considered evolutionary or natural in the software testing field. 

What Is Software Testing?-Software testing is a necessary procedure in software development, and it would include the correction of human-made errors repeatedly with repetitive tests. It is these kinds of redundant tests that have led to the utilization of automation tests. Let us look further into the details of automation testing. 

What is Automation Testing?

Automation Testing is a software testing technique that performs tests using special automated testing software tools. It practices running tests automatically, managing test data, and utilizing the test results to improve the software product quality. This quality assurance measure focuses on replacing human intervention with systems and devices. 

Automation testing uses specific tools to implement software testing with less time, more efficiency, and effectiveness. It also enters test data into the system, compares the expected results with the actual output, and generates detailed reports. The automation method of testing is preferable with large projects and those that have already been through manual testing. 

Why Automation Testing?

Automation testing is the best way to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, test coverage of software testing its execution speed. Once the testers establish automated tests, they can easily be recreated and repeated. It can extend to perform tasks that are unattainable with manual testing. The Automation Testing Course will provide you with the proper guidance for test automation. Test automation has many benefits and is essential due to the following reasons: 

  • Automated testing saves time and money 
  • It does not require human intervention; hence automated tests can run 24/7 and are remotely accessed.
  • Vastly increases the test coverage.
  • Improves accuracy and find bugs in the early stages of software development 
  • Tests scripts are reusable 
  • Automated testing is reliable 
  • Increases the speed of test execution 
  • Ensures consistency 
  • Early delivery to the market 

Top Automation Testing Tools

  • Selenium 
  • Appium
  • Katalon Studio
  • Test Complete
  • HPE Unified Functional Testing (UFT)

The demand for delivering quality products faster is satisfied by the use of automation testing tools. They determine the performance and how the benefits of automation are delivered. Software Testing Courses tell us how crucial software testing is in its developmental cycle. To execute the automation testing, it makes use of various automation testing tools. 

  1. Selenium 

Selenium is considered the industry standard for automation testing for web applications. It is an open-source testing tool and can execute multiple browsers and operating systems. Selenium is compatible with several programming languages and automation testing frameworks. 

Selenium offers the flexibility that is unseen in any other automation testing tool. Users can also write complex and advanced scripts that hinders the reproduction of bugs. To make the best use of selenium, users must possess advanced programming skills to build automation frameworks. One of the striking features of selenium is that it supports parallel test execution, enabling it to reduce test execution time. 

  1. Appium 

Appium is an open-source automated testing tool mainly intended for mobile applications. It supports automation of native, hybrid, and mobile web applications built for iOS and Android. Appium has received immense popularity and stability, making it one of the top mobile automation testing tools. 

Appium highlights its support for multiple programming languages like Java, Python, Ruby, etc. and its cross-platform testing on real devices and simulators. It is easy to install, uses a vendor-provided automation framework, and bases on client/server architecture. 

  1. Katalon Studio 

 Katalon Studio is an automation testing tool that supports both web and mobile application development. It is a comprehensive test automation tool that covers API, Web, mobile and desktop application testing. Katalon works on Selenium and Appium engines, providing a uniquely integrated environment for testers with various tools. 

Katalon Studio is versatile as it runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with hundreds of built-in keywords for creating test cases. It only requires minimal programming skills to grasp its concepts.

  1. Test Complete 

TestComplete is a powerful and easy-to-use functional automation tool from Smart Bear used to test desktop, mobile and web applications. It supports various languages like JavaScript, VBScript, Python, C++ and many more. With TestComplete, users can create complex automated scripts without writing a single line of code. 

TestComplete has an object recognition engine that enables you to determine dynamic user interface elements accurately. This feature is handy for dynamic and frequently changing user interfaces. Testers can easily use Test Complete’s record and playback to verify its results. 

  1. HPE Unified Functional Testing (UFT)

Unified Functional Testing (UFT) by Hewlett-Packard enterprise was formerly known as Quick Test Professional (QTP). It is one of the best cross-platform functional automation testing tools. It provides automation testing solutions for software developers and testers and makes functional testing less complex and cost-efficient. 

UFT provides several striking features like optimised distributed testing, intelligent object detection, image-based object detection, multi-platform compatibility, and multiple testing solutions. The updated version of UFT offers new features and enhancements that streamline the testing process and improve efficiency. 

What is the Automated Testing Process?

The success of test automation requires careful planning. The following steps are followed in an automated testing process:

  • Test Tool Selection
  • Define Scope of Automation 
  • Planning, Design, and Development 
  • Test Execution 
  • Test Maintenance 

1. Test Tool Selection 

Before you apply test automation, you should define the goal of automation. By defining what kind of test you would be performing, you need to select the software testing tool. It would be best to consider the script developing technicality, working platforms, test reporting functionality, and the languages supported before choosing the perfect tool. 

2. Define Scope of Automation 

The next stage of automation testing is defining the scope of automation. The following points will help determine the scope and identify the feasibility of automation. 

  • Scenarios that have a large amount of data
  • Test cases that have standard functionalities across applications 
  • Technical feasibility 
  • The extent to which business components are used
  • The complexity of test cases 
  • Features like cost, team size, and expertise 
  • Ability to use the same test cases for cross-browser testing 

3. Planning, Design, and Development 

After determining the goal and type of tests to automate, this step defines how to approach and accomplish the goal of test automation. It would help if you decided what actions the automated tests will perform. Planning, design, and development includes developing test cases, test suites, and scheduling of scripting and execution. 

4. Test Execution 

This phase includes the execution of automation scripts. Scripts are run with input data, and detailed test reports are provided. Execution can be performed using the automation tool directly or through the test management tool to invoke the automation tool. 

5. Test Maintenance 

Test maintenance is an automation testing phase where tests are performed to analyze the new functionalities added to the software. Maintenance is automation testing is executed with new automation scripts and needs to be renewed with each successive release cycle. 

Conclusion Automation testing is the best software testing method as it focuses on increasing its efficiency, test coverage, and execution speed. The proper selection of automation tools, testing process, and team are essential characteristics of automation testing to be successful. With so many types of tests in play, choose the appropriate tests wisely. The true success of testing comes when manual and automation testing go hand-in-hand.

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Jon Baleva is an IT professional with 20 years of experience in programming and networking. He is an expert in Python & IT Security domains as well as in Operating Systems (OS). He has trained professionals and students in IT Programming courses, Microsoft Azure, Linux   & MAC OS. He is also a writer who writes on tech-related topics for various tech magazines in Philippine. He is now an IT Trainer with Edoxi Training Institute, Dubai.

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