What is the process for developing automation scripts?

A common mistake made in such endeavours is to start developing without really understanding the need of the end user. Defining scope and objectives is typically done thoroughly and then the developers start developing. Over the course of the development the developers tend to build their own representation of reality, which can significantly deviate from the end user's reality. Regular meetings with the end users (not the management) are very helpful to close this gap.

Well to be frank there are no specific guidelines as such for the process but in general these are some common steps involved in script generation. 1. IDE Workspace 2. Identifying of Business scenarios that can be automated. Usually this is done when the build is stable to an extent. 3. Identifying the components using the DOM 4. Framing the steps into automation script. Some tools record and some of them needs to be manually written. 5.Script baselining, means checking for errors and making sure all elements are added properly, Library creation and usage of Libraries of the tool used. 6.Executing the script as a dry run on the given build and checking if any run time errors are encountered, correcting it if not raising the issue withteam

Developing effective automation scripts involves: Requirement Analysis Tool Selection Test Planning Framework Development Script Development Data Management Integration Execution and Reporting Maintenance Continuous Improvement

To define the scope and objectives of your automation scripts, you should consider the test cases or scenarios that you want to automate, the expected outcomes or results, and the criteria for success or failure. You also need to consider the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of automation, as some tests may be better suited for manual testing. Tools like test management software, requirements documents, or user stories can help you identify and prioritize the test cases for automation. We can use any prefeered tool for automation testing such as Selenium WebDriver, CrossBrowserTesting, and LambdaTest. By using these tools, you can test your web application on different browsers and devices and ensure that it works well on all platforms.

Analyze, set up environment, choose language, design test cases, script, parameterize, debug, version control, execute, report, maintain, integrate, review, document.

- Investigate tools such as Selenium for web automation and Ansible for IT infrastructure to understand their functionalities - Confirm that the chosen tools align with the technologies and systems integral to the project. -Select tools capable of scaling to accommodate the project's expanding requirements and changing automation needs. - Prioritize tools with an engaged community to ensure continuous assistance and updates. - Choose a programming language that harmonizes with both the selected tools and the expertise of your team.

Go beyond popularity, prioritize synergy: Align with development ecosystem: Leverage frameworks compatible with existing programming languages and libraries. Emphasize team proficiency: Choose tools your team already knows or can readily learn and maintain. Seek integration and scalability: Prioritize options that seamlessly connect with CI/CD pipelines and future project growth. Don't ignore community and support: Consider active user communities and readily available resources for learning and troubleshooting. Evaluate feature and cost fit: Align chosen tools with the specific needs and budget constraints of your project. Remember, the perfect tool is not just popular, but perfectly in sync with your team, project, and future goals.

I see a different in needs between system level tests and lower level tests. At system level tests, the stakeholders are often non technical. For me gherkin is an excellent way to go there. At lower level tests, typically very specific interfaces and protocols play a role and the selection is more driven by the technology to integrate with.

Choose an appropriate automation framework based on your project requirements and technology stack. Frameworks like Selenium, Appium, JUnit, TestNG, etc., are commonly used for web and mobile automation.

Cross browser testing can be time consuming in different platform and environments we can ensure cross browser compatability testing of the web application we by using playwright

In my opinion, an automation QA expert MUST know the end to end flow of the system before preparing script for the same. This will help him/her in building a strong and efficient script for a longer run also correct test cases . Knowing the ultimate objective will make sure to have a clear vision. An Automation QA needs to be a good manual QA because that is where they realize the entire process and cause of testing.

Shift from test cases to user journeys: Map to user experiences: Design scripts that mimic real user interactions and scenarios, not just isolated test cases. Embrace scenario-based testing: Focus on user stories and epics for broader coverage and real-world context. Data-driven with purpose: Leverage automation frameworks for dynamic data generation and customized testing configurations. Start small, build modularly: Design smaller, reusable components that combine seamlessly for complex scenarios. Prioritize maintainability: Write clear, documented scripts with descriptive variable names and error handling mechanisms. Remember, effective automation scripts tell user stories with dynamic data, not just execute repetitive test steps.

Choose test cases that are repetitive, time-consuming, critical, or cover a broad range of functionalities. Prioritize test cases based on business impact and frequency of execution.

Basic and important step in process automation is to get understanding of the business process that will be automated. Essential for identifying crucial routes, dependencies, and possible points of failure. Following that, specific objectives for the test cases must be specified whether the emphasis is on functionality, performance, or security issues. Prioritizing test scenarios for directing attention to high-risk regions and vital capabilities. Using a risk-based testing methodology improves this process by ensuring that test cases are strategically discovered and prioritized based on their potential impact on the company, connecting testing efforts with business risks and goals.

Create detailed test cases based on the identified scope and objectives. Design test data that covers various scenarios and edge cases. Consider both positive and negative test cases for comprehensive coverage.

Create a standard, follow some existent code standards, use a good process, follow an automation partner like page objects. This is really important when automating scripts.

We should always follow code conventions by each coding language. If its pep8 or js/ts conventions. A senior member should always do CR. We should never merge directly into master branch.

Craft with purpose, not just code: Prioritize clarity and consistency: Adhere to style guides, use descriptive variable names, and create meaningful comments for readability and maintainability. Embrace modularity: Break down scripts into reusable functions and modules for easier adaptation and testing of individual components. Leverage data-driven techniques: Separate test logic from data to create dynamic, adaptable scripts that cover various scenarios. Handle errors gracefully: Implement robust error handling mechanisms to prevent script failures and provide informative feedback. Integrate with version control: Utilize Git or similar systems for collaboration, version tracking, and rollback capabilities.

Write the automation scripts based on the designed test cases. Implement reusable functions and modules to promote code efficiency. Ensure scripts are well-documented to aid understanding and maintenance. Implement synchronization mechanisms to handle delays or asynchronous behavior in the application. Use waits appropriately to ensure that the automation script interacts with elements only when they are ready.

Once you've chosen your tools and framework, follow coding conventions and style guides for your selected language and framework. Prioritize readability, reusability, and modularity by employing comments, variables, functions, and modules effectively. Additionally, integrate version control systems like Git or SVN to track and manage code changes efficiently.

Treat testing as a journey, not a destination: Prioritize early testing: Implement unit tests for individual functions and modules to catch errors early on. Diversify testing environments: Run scripts on various browsers, devices, and configurations to ensure compatibility and uncover potential issues. Leverage logging and reporting: Utilize tools to track script execution, identify errors, and generate comprehensive reports for analysis. Embrace debugging as a learning experience: Analyze failures to understand root causes, improve script quality, and enhance testing skills. Involve testers and developers: Encourage collaboration to pinpoint issues, suggest improvements, and align testing with development efforts.

Execute the automation scripts against the test environment. Monitor and analyze results to identify and fix any issues or bugs. Utilize AI-powered tools for intelligent debugging and automated error analys

One of the biggest issuea with automation projects is maintaining it. Thats why an automation project should not be a full regression project, but a sanity-regression project. By that, we decreasing the test cases massively and the project becomes flow-based. Instead of element based, which results in much better maintenance.

Regularly review and update automation scripts to accommodate changes in the application or environment. Ensure compatibility with new releases or updates to tools and frameworks. Leverage AI-driven analytics to proactively identify areas for improvement or optimization.

You can make use of some AI tools to help you in the implementation, like Chat GPT and Copilot. This can speed up your implementation and give you more confidence about the scripts you are creating.

Always remember to ask yourself, "How can this break?" You will rarely, if ever, think of all possibilities for this answer but it's a useful reminder to help ensure you've considered the critical components that could generate issues or failures in any automation. Is the directory even present? Is the appropriate file system access present in the current context? What happens when two instances of the automation script run concurrently? What will occur in the event of an unexpected input? All these questions can help ensure that your automation will work the first time around.

Need to understand the scope and objective of Automation Have a well designed framework - which is easy to understand, and scalable then pick up those scripts which are being repeated and reused for manual testing - automate them first

It is also important to consider using another test method or tool, it is possible that you find an issue that in other way was not easy to find.