Automation is a revolutionary technology that keeps surprising humankind each passing day. It can potentially pave the way for the future of technology and aid the continuous expansion of the ambit of its applications. But what is Automation Testing? Well, here is the answer.
What Is Automation Testing?
Automation Testing is a method used to test software products with the help of specialized testing tools and frameworks to reduce human intervention, thus minimizing the error. This method indirectly enhances the quality of the product.
The testing is performed with the aid of automation software. This method involves writing a specific test script and testing the execution flow according to the written test scripts.
The actual outputs are compared with the predicted outcomes ensuring the dependability and quality of the application.
Automation testing makes it easier to perform repetitive tasks and cumbersome ones too.
These tasks are essential for CI/CD pipelines.
Types of Automation Testing
Automation Testing can be majorly classified into three categories, these are:
- Automation Testing based on the Types of testing
- Automation Testing based on the Phases of testing
- Automation Testing based on the Types of Tests
- Automation Testing based on the Types of Testing
Based on Types of Testing, these can be of two types:
- Functional Testing
Functional testing revolves around the product’s core function and verifies each of the application’s features. It is generally dependent on the customer’s requirement. The actions performed in the software are validated with functional testing. There are two ways of doing it, that is automated or manual. Testing the login functionality of a website is one of the examples of this type of testing.
2. Non-Functional Testing
This type of testing is about the product’s behavior and its ability to verify the non-functional aspects like performance, reliability, usability, etc. It is usually customer-centric or according to their expectations. The performance of the software is validated with the help of non-functional testing. It is a tedious task that can’t be done manually. The time taken by a dashboard to load in the website is one of the examples.
Automation Testing based on the Phases of Testing
A: Unit Testing
The minutest component of the software is called a Unit. All the individual parts of the code must work as desired for the product’s success because it gives a holistic view of the performance of the code. The execution time here is faster because of the chunks of code being tested at a time. Developers generally prefer this kind of testing.
B: API Testing
The interface between the UI and the database is known as the Application Programming Interface.
The primary function of this type of testing is to check the application’s end-to-end functionality. Access to the source code won’t be provided to the testers here, and there won’t be any involvement of inputs or outputs from the keyboard. The outcome is obtained by making the software send API calls, and the testers note the system’s response to check the functionality.
C: UI Testing
The testers here seek the correctness of the visible elements. These elements include the fields, labels, buttons, links, text fields, and images on the system’s screen. For an enhanced user experience, the mentioned elements need to be accurately displayed and function as intended for an exceptional user experience.
The testing makes sure to check the application’s functionality in managing the user’s actions via the input devices like the keyboard, mouse, etc. The intent is to provide an easy-to-use and friendly user interface (UI) and experience.
Automation Testing based on the Types of Tests
A: Smoke Testing
Also known as build verification testing, smoke testing is performed in the initial stages of application testing. Smoke testing acts as a checkpoint to move onto the next testing level whenever a new feature or functionality is added to the existing structure.
B: Integration Testing
Integration testing is known by various names, I&T testing or string testing being one of them, or rarely is it known as thread testing. The function of this testing is to enable adequate communication between all the crucial modules of the application. In layman’s language, the software consists of many small modules, and in integration testing, these modules are logically grouped. They are then tested as groups to unfurl the flaws while maintaining interaction between these modules.
C: Regression Testing
Regression testing is performed if the certainty about the software’s function is to be confirmed after specific changes in the structure. The types of changes made can be fixing the bugs, changes in the configuration, or the enhancement of the software. It is achieved by functional and non-functional tests being re-run on the application.
D: Security Testing
The things to be avoided by the tester include incurring data breaches, losing revenue, and tarnishing reputation due to unauthorized access. For preventing malicious intrusions and preventing such incidents altogether, security testing is performed, thus unraveling the underlying risk threads in the software.
The risks also include various vulnerabilities, threats, malware, etc., in the software application. This kind of testing helps you figure out all the shortcomings and fragilities in the system’s security, which can be prevented right on time by employing effective solutions.
E: Performance Testing
Even in the case of a heavy workload, the product should work efficiently and without a lag. Therefore it’s essential to test the product before being launched to check its responsiveness, agility, speed, stability, reliability, and robustness under specific workloads. An excellent example of performance testing involves checking the browser’s response time and the server request processing time.
F: Acceptance Testing
The last phase of testing before the launching of the product/software is acceptance testing. It is performed to ensure that all the consumer’s needs, business requirements, and the client’s demands are fulfilled. Also, it finally determines if the product is fit to be delivered.
Six Steps for the Selection of Right Test Automation Tool
The Automation Testing tool mainly decides the success of a Test Automation process. A few key considerations to be kept in mind while selecting an automation testing tool are:
- A Supportive Platform
Compatibility with a plethora of platforms is a crucial requirement for any automation testing tool to be chosen. Striking compatibility would be required with platforms like Windows, macOS, Unix, Linux, Mobile, etc. Tools like Selenium and Maveryx support numerous platforms. But as an exception, some tools run mainly on Windows. Making sure the automation testing tool provides cross-browser testing is essential. It is also vital to make a list of all the platforms that the tool may run on.
- Adequate Support for Programming and Scripting Languages
Maximum automated testing tools support only a handful of programming languages. Keeping in mind the comfort of your team concerning the programming language, along with the needed support and resources, is very important. Checking out different scripting languages that the tools offer for writing test scripts is a task that can’t be avoided. Generally, the recommendation is to choose testing tools that allow freedom of choice of the language to be used.
It enables you to write the test scripts according to your personal preferences. It becomes easier to write the automation scripts without any tedious programming in the case of a script less test automation tool.
- Proper Maintenance and Backup
It is vital to ensure the status of the tool of your choice regarding upgrades and support. Adequate support of active user communities and developers for the automation testing tool should be guaranteed. The need for assistance or suggestions from these active forums would become inevitable as the project advances. In case of non-availability of a support community for the tool indicates redundancy of the tool.
- Easy to Use
One of the essential features of the tool of your choice should be ease of use. Some software testing tools might appear easy to use during the initial stages, but the later stages might be beyond your reach. In the end, a lot of time is spent on programming and maintaining the test scripts. As a thumb rule, a tool with easy handling should be chosen by developers, test engineers, and even non-programmers.
- Maintenance of Script
Test script maintenance can reflect changes in the requirements of AUTs precisely and is undeniably one of the most critical phases in test automation. Conditions are dynamic and frequently change, especially while working in an agile environment. Maveryx and QTP are the tools that can help update scripts whenever changes are made.
- Proof of Concept
Before finally selecting the suitable automation testing tool, testing the tool in specific scenarios is essential. The most amazing tools in the market come with a demo version and can be used for a limited time. Steps to be followed:
- Keeping in mind different objects and controls in the application, create different scenarios. Choose the tools according to the comparative study.
- Use the selected tool to automate these scenarios.
- Study the results after creation.
- Compare the tool’s compatibility with other integration tools.
Conclusion
The appropriate automation testing tool is undeniably a very crucial factor. It has a hefty contribution to the success of a test automation project. A detailed comparison and retrospection regarding the desired features is a must before introducing the tool in a project. Once the right tool is chosen for testing, it will ultimately bring value to the project and significantly increase the chances of its success.
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