You want to stay ahead of the curve in software testing. What’s the next big thing you need to learn?

AI and Machine Learning in Testing Shift-Left and Shift-Right Testing Approaches Containers and Container Orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) DevOps Practices and Continuous Testing API and Microservices Testing Performance Engineering and Testing Security Testing and Ethical Hacking Skills Test Data Management and GDPR Compliance Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) and Cucumber Low-Code/No-Code Testing Platforms Mobile and Cross-Browser Testing Strategies Blockchain Testing Stay updated with industry trends and emerging technologies to remain at the forefront of software testing.

From my perspective, AI and ML herald a transformative era in software development, empowering testers to automate tasks, enhance data analysis, and improve test coverage. Embracing tools like TensorFlow and Selenium alongside understanding core concepts such as algorithms and ethics is pivotal in harnessing their potential for innovation and impact.

Clearly one of the musts. AI based testing would be inevitable thing for the future. Generative AI will be used to generate test data from existing datasets, new edge cases generation which are difficult to identify manually and can be used to automatically generate test cases based on specifications or requirements. This can help in speeding up the test case design process and ensuring comprehensive test coverage.

To stay ahead in software testing, focus on mastering skills in emerging technologies like AI, DevOps, and performance testing. Additionally, prioritize learning in areas such as security testing, API testing, and mobile/IoT testing. Embrace the shift-left approach to integrate testing earlier in the development lifecycle.

The next big thing to learn in software testing is likely to be advanced automation techniques such as AI-driven testing, machine learning-based testing, and robotic process automation (RPA). These technologies are transforming the testing landscape by improving efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Additionally, mastering DevOps practices and tools, as well as continuous testing methodologies, will be crucial to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving field of software testing.

DevOps and CI/CD to trigger test cases after push to master has become a standard thing. Automation plays a central role in DevOps practices. By automating repetitive tasks, such as testing, deployment, and infrastructure provisioning, teams can increase efficiency and reduce errors.

To stay ahead in software testing, learning about Cloud and Serverless technologies is crucial. Cloud computing is becoming increasingly prevalent, with many applications migrating to the cloud for scalability and flexibility. Understanding how to test applications deployed on cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud is essential. Additionally, Serverless architecture is gaining popularity for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Testers need to grasp how to test functions and services in a Serverless environment, focusing on event-driven, stateless components. Mastering Cloud and Serverless testing ensures readiness for the future of software development and deployment.

In my perspective, mastering IoT and mobile testing involves not only technical skills but also a deep understanding of user behavior and real-world scenarios. Beyond tools and standards, focusing on user-centric testing approaches and embracing continuous learning to adapt to evolving technologies will be crucial for success in this dynamic landscape.

Accessibility is a primary requirement these days for top organizations, thus arises need for a manual QA to be capable of testing application accessibility based on WCAG standards. There are many open source tools and browser extensions in market which manual QAs can easily learn and use like NVDA, axe DevTools, HeadingsMap, WCAG color contrast checker, Accessibility Insights etc. These can help QA easily test all aspects of page structure(Page Region, label region, content structure, roles and heading), Forms(Labeling controls, grouping controls), tab order, heading structure and other accessibility components. The testing focus lies in personifying an actual person who is going to use these tools.