Software Test Automation, besides anything else, brings in two very important concepts into testing. It makes it iterative & continuous keeping in sync with the modern-day project execution methodologies like Agile & DevOps. Automated software testing services become a logical part of these ideologies to maintain an iterative & continuous approach in the software development process.

With contemporary software catering to things beyond the unthinkable and the user expectations disrupting the very concepts of software; test automation gains momentum with a clear aim to increase reliability and consistency of the tests, abbreviating the test cycle, bringing in digital disruptions to software testing. Radically different approaches in the test strategy are a call of the day for the millennial world software, making automation testing the most favorable approach and an essential part of API Testing,  Agile Testing and Extreme Programming.

Best Practices for Test Automation

To make the best of automation frameworks & tools software QA companies adhere to test automation strategies and best practices. They gauge the thin line between automation of tests over manual testing at the onset and devise sensible test plans. A smart test strategy aligned to enterprise objectives helps make the most of the test automation approach as well as bring in resourcefulness & effectiveness into the exercise.

Strategize Test Automation

Test automation can fulfill the requirements of certain software but cannot be generalized to be the best fit for all sorts of requirements. A prudent test automation strategy helps identify the need for test automation and the goals.

Normally test automation works the best for rigorous tests to assure performances and meticulous, monotonous checks to examine the functionality of the software.

Integrate into Software Development

Agile & DevOps become a way of life for developing dependable software. A practical test strategy integrates Automation into the development approaches like Agile & DevOps with an intent to increase fruitful collaboration between the testing & the development teams. This helps shape a robust automated testing strategy integrated tightly with the development cycle. Evaluation of the software at every step and taking required corrective actions continuously is a marked advantage.

Choose the Appropriate Tool

The purpose of the software itself is instrumental in deciding the relevant tool for automation testing. Automation tools specialize in diverse tests like load testing, functional testing, compatibility testing, and so on. It is very important to choose the most applicable tool for every project.

Be Ready for Re-usability

Automation is all about increased efficiencies by the reusability of code. Wise management of test assets and easy access to these for teams becomes of critical importance for reduced test cycle duration.

Automate Carefully

Testing is an integrated part of the overall development lifecycle; hence automation needs to be implemented taking into account factors like test maintenance & timing required for execution. Tests that slow down the test cycle are probably better performed manually can be omitted for automation.

Offer Complete visibility

Implementing test automation without appropriate tracking will not serve the purpose. It is important that statistics, trends, and improvements in quality assurance will help highlight positive aspects generated out of the exercise, as well as increase motivation across teams.

Benefits of Automation Testing

Automated testing then, it goes without saying brings in marked advantages to the testing processes.

• This contemporary approach to testing caters to almost every aspect of the software and is extremely comprehensive
• Automation caters to monotonous tasks & repetitive tests
  • Increases efficiencies of the testing cycle by increasing the speed
  • Reduces human efforts in monotonous tests & can be directed to skilled ones
  • The credibility of the repetitive tests increase as monotony brings in human errors and is avoided with automation
• Automation generates reusable test scripts that can be put to use across projects
  • Makes the work of conducting tests faster
  • Reduces cost as efficiencies increase & the time reduces

Proprietary or Open Source? Choosing The Test Automation Tool

Raging debates continue to make rounds regarding the choice of automation tools. There are a number of open-source tools available as well as proprietary ones, each set with its own share of ups & downs. Software QA companies need to make wise choices. An approach of mixing both types of tools works the best when the abilities & usability of each are assessed practically.

Choosing One

Software Test Automation Tools to Look Out for

The list is endless, each with its own unique abilities.

Automated Web Testing Tools

• Selenium

Selenium is a popular automated web testing tool and helps automate web browsers across different platforms. Selenium has the support of some of the largest browser vendors who have taken steps to make Selenium a native part of their browser.

• Ranorex

Ranorex allows automation of web application testing and both record user interactions and plays them back to execute tests. Ranorex is one of the more popular commercial tools to build and run automated web and GUI tests.

• SoapUI

SoapUI is a cross-platform functional testing tool. It has been specifically designed to help automatically test APIs such as SOAP and REST interfaces to ensure the interoperability of different applications.

• Tellurium

Tellurium is a web automation tool that allows you to design and write your automated tests using plain English without any scripting or programming experience.

Automated GUI Testing Tools

• Squish

Squish is a GUI testing tool for various platforms, including QT, native Windows, and Mac applications. Squish allows testers and developers to build automated tests using familiar scripting languages such as JavaScript, Perl, Python, and Ruby.

• Ranorex

Ranorex allows you to automate your desktop applications and both record user interactions and play them back to execute your tests. Ranorex is one of the more popular commercial tools to build and run automated GUI and web tests.

• TestComplete

TestComplete is an automated testing tool for the Windows platform. It allows to record, script, and run GUI tests for applications built using different frameworks and languages, such as .NET or C++.

• Test Studio

Test Studio is an automated functional and load testing tool that helps test applications on various platforms built using different frameworks and tools.

Unit Testing Frameworks

• NUnit

NUnit is a unit-testing framework for all .Net languages. It was initially ported from JUnit to .NET and has been redesigned to take advantage of many .NET language features.

• net

xUnit.net is a community-focused unit testing tool for the .NET Framework written by the original inventor of NUnit. xUnit.net is the latest technology for unit testing C#, F#, VB.NET and other .NET languages.

• JUnit

JUnit is a simple unit testing framework to write repeatable tests in Java. JUnit has been important in the development of test-driven development and is one of the standard testing frameworks for Java developers.

• TestNG

TestNG is a Java testing framework inspired by JUnit and NUnit and introduces some new functionalities that make it more powerful and easier to use. TestNG is designed to cover multiple categories of tests, including unit, functional, end-to-end, and integration tests.

• PHPUnit

PHPUnit is a popular framework for unit testing in PHP projects. It provides both a framework that makes it easier to write tests as well as the functionality to easily run, execute and analyze tests and results.

In a Nutshell

Companies get philosophical while devising a software testing strategy. For software companies contemplating automated testing, the evaluation of ROIs is of extreme importance too. Trending Automated testing tools drive software test automation services playing key roles in the software development cycles bringing in marked benefits.