All About Automation testing in Software development life cycle

What is Automation testing?

Automation testing is the process of using specialized software to automatically execute tests on a computer system. This can include functional testing of application interfaces, regression testing of code changes, and performance testing of system resources. The goal of automation testing is to quickly and efficiently verify that a system functions as expected, and to identify and fix any bugs or errors that are found.

What to Automate?

When deciding what to automate in testing, it is important to consider the following factors:

1.????Repetitive tasks: Automating tasks that are performed frequently and take a long time to execute manually can save time and reduce the potential for human error.

2.????Stable functionality: Automated tests are best suited for functionality that is unlikely to change frequently.

3.????High-risk areas: Automating tests for critical functionality or areas of the system that have a high potential for bugs can help ensure that these areas are thoroughly tested and any issues are identified quickly.

4.????Data-intensive tasks: Automation can be used to process and validate large amounts of data, which can be time-consuming and error-prone when done manually.

5.????Regression testing: Automating regression testing can help ensure that changes to the system do not break existing functionality.

It's also important to consider the cost and effort of creating, maintaining and executing the test cases before automating them.

What not to Automate testing ?

When deciding what not to automate in testing, it is important to consider the following factors:

1.????Exploratory testing: Automation is not well-suited for testing that is intended to explore and discover new functionality or unexpected behavior.

2.????One-time tasks: Automating tasks that are performed infrequently or only need to be done once is not cost-effective.

3.????Visual elements: Automation may not be able to accurately test the visual aspects of a system, such as layout, color, and font.

4.????Complex and dynamic workflows: Automation may not be able to handle complex and dynamic workflows that involve multiple systems or user interactions.

5.????Requirement of human intelligence: Some test cases may require human intelligence and decision making that cannot be easily automated.

6.????High maintenance cost: Automation test cases might require constant maintenance with every change in the software, which can be costly and not worth it.

It's important to strike a balance between automating repetitive and high-risk tasks to save time and resources, while also leaving room for manual testing to explore and discover new functionality.

When should we Automate?

It's important to consider the following factors when deciding when to automate testing:

1.????Volume of testing: Automation can be useful for testing large volumes of data or performing a high number of test cases.

2.????Repetitive tasks: Automating repetitive tasks can save time and reduce the potential for human error.

3.????Stable functionality: Automation is best suited for functionality that is unlikely to change frequently.

4.????High-risk areas: Automation can help ensure that critical functionality or areas of the system that have a high potential for bugs are thoroughly tested.

5.????Regression testing: Automating regression testing can help ensure that changes to the system do not break existing functionality.

6.????Efficiency: Automating certain test cases can increase the overall efficiency of the testing process by reducing the time and effort required to perform the tests manually.

7.????Cost-benefit: The cost and effort of creating, maintaining, and executing the test cases should be considered before automating them. It should be worth the investment of time and resources.

It's important to note that automation should be implemented in a phased approach, starting with automating the most critical and repetitive test cases and then gradually expanding to other areas as needed.

Why Automated Testing?

Automated testing can provide several benefits over manual testing, including:

1.????Speed: Automated tests can be executed much faster than manual tests, allowing for a larger number of test cases to be run in a shorter amount of time.

2.????Consistency: Automated tests are not subject to human error, which can lead to inconsistent results.

3.????Repeatability: Automated tests can be run multiple times with the same input and expected output, helping to ensure that the system is working as intended.

4.????Cost-effectiveness: Automated tests can save time and resources in the long run, as they can be run quickly and repeatedly without the need for manual labor.

5.????Improved coverage: Automated tests can cover a larger number of test cases and scenarios than manual testing, which can help to identify and fix bugs more quickly.

6.????Early detection: Automated tests can help identify bugs early in the development process, when they are less costly to fix.

7.????Continuous testing: Automated tests can be integrated into a continuous testing environment, which allows for continuous testing and continuous integration and delivery, which in turn helps to ensure that the system is always working as intended.

Overall, automated testing can help to improve the quality and reliability of a system, while also reducing the time and resources required to test it.

When not to Automate?

There are certain situations where it may not be appropriate to automate testing:

1.????Exploratory testing: Automation is not well-suited for testing that is intended to explore and discover new functionality or unexpected behavior.

2.????One-time tasks: Automating tasks that are performed infrequently or only need to be done once is not cost-effective.

3.????Visual elements: Automation may not be able to accurately test the visual aspects of a system, such as layout, color, and font.

4.????Complex and dynamic workflows: Automation may not be able to handle complex and dynamic workflows that involve multiple systems or user interactions.

5.????Requirement of human intelligence: Some test cases may require human intelligence and decision making that cannot be easily automated.

6.????High maintenance cost: Automation test cases might require constant maintenance with every change in the software, which can be costly and not worth it.

7.????Not enough resources: If the organization doesn't have enough resources, i.e. budget, personnel, or time, it might not be feasible to automate the tests.

It's important to strike a balance between automating repetitive and high-risk tasks to save time and resources, while also leaving room for manual testing to explore and discover new functionality.

what automated testing process includes all the set of activities that are performed during the automation of different software applications ?

The automated testing process typically includes the following set of activities:

1.????Test Planning: This includes identifying the goals and objectives of the testing, determining the test cases and scenarios to be automated, and creating a test plan.

2.????Test Design: This includes creating test cases and test scripts, and designing the test environment, including the necessary hardware and software.

3.????Test Execution: This includes executing the test cases and scripts, and recording the results.

4.????Test Analysis: This includes analyzing the results of the tests, identifying any defects or issues, and reporting them to the development team.

5.????Test Maintenance: This includes maintaining and updating the test cases and scripts as the software changes, and ensuring that the test environment is up-to-date.

6.????Test Optimization: This includes optimizing the test cases and scripts to improve the overall efficiency of the testing process.

7.????Test Closure: This includes documenting the test results and lessons learned, and closing the testing phase.

It's important to note that automated testing process can differ from organization to organization and on the type of software being tested, but the above-mentioned activities are the most common and widely used in the process.

Life cycle automated testing process

The life cycle of the automated testing process typically includes the following phases:

Step 1 : Requirements understanding

In the automated testing process, the first step of requirements understanding includes:

1.????Gathering and analyzing the requirements of the software application, including the functional and non-functional requirements.

2.????Identifying the scope of the automated testing and determining which parts of the application will be covered by the automated tests.

3.????Identifying any constraints or limitations on the testing process, such as time, budget, or resources.

4.????Understanding the development process and how automated testing fits into it, including any integration with continuous integration and delivery.

5.????Identifying the target audience and end-users of the software, and understanding their needs and expectations.

6.????Identifying any specific testing needs or requirements that may affect the automated testing process, such as performance testing or security testing.

7.????Identifying any regulatory or compliance requirements that must be met by the software.

This step is crucial in order to ensure that the automated testing process is properly aligned with the overall goals and objectives of the software development project, and that the testing process is able to provide the necessary coverage and quality assurance.

Step 2 : Defining scope of automation

In the automated testing process, the second step of defining the scope of automation includes:

1.????Identifying the test cases and scenarios that will be automated. This includes identifying the functional areas of the application that will be covered by the automated tests, as well as any non-functional requirements that must be tested.

2.????Prioritizing the test cases and scenarios based on the level of risk, complexity, and impact on the software. This can help to determine which tests should be automated first, and which tests may be better suited for manual testing.

3.????Defining the acceptance criteria for the automated tests, including the expected results, pass/fail criteria, and any performance or quality metrics that need to be met.

4.????Identifying any dependencies or interrelationships between the test cases and scenarios that need to be considered when automating the tests.

5.????Defining the test environment, including the hardware and software configurations that will be used for the automated tests.

6.????Identifying any manual testing that will be required in addition to the automated testing, and determining how the manual testing will be integrated with the automated testing process.

This step is important in order to ensure that the automated testing process is properly scoped and aligned with the overall goals and objectives of the software development project, and that the testing process is able to provide the necessary coverage and quality assurance.

Step 3 : Selecting the right tool for automated

In the automated testing process, the third step of selecting the right tool includes:

1.????Researching and evaluating different automation tools based on their capabilities, features, and cost.

2.????Identifying the specific requirements of the software application and determining which tools are best suited to meet those requirements.

3.????Evaluating the compatibility of the tools with the development and test environments, including any integration with existing tools or systems.

4.????Considering the scalability and maintainability of the tools, as well as their level of support and documentation.

5.????Assessing the ability of the tools to support the test cases and scenarios that have been identified as part of the scope of automation.

6.????Considering the cost of the tools, including the initial purchase price, as well as any ongoing costs for maintenance, upgrades, or support.

7.????Evaluating the user interface, ease of use and user-friendliness of the tools, to ensure that the team members who will be using the tool are comfortable with it.

8.????Considering if the tool has a good reputation in the market and the level of community support it has.

This step is crucial in order to ensure that the right tool is selected for the automation testing process, and that the tool is able to provide the necessary coverage and quality assurance. It's important to keep in mind that the tool selection should be done after a thorough evaluation and testing.

Step 4: Framework creation for automated

In the automated testing process, the fourth step of framework creation includes:

1.????Defining the overall structure and organization of the automated tests, including the test data, test scripts, and test results.

2.????Developing the automation test scripts, using the selected tool and programming languages.

3.????Creating a test library of reusable test scripts, functions, and modules that can be used across multiple test cases.

4.????Implementing error handling and recovery mechanisms, to ensure that the automated tests can continue running even if an error occurs.

5.????Implementing reporting mechanisms, to ensure that the results of the automated tests can be easily tracked and analyzed.

6.????Creating a test execution schedule, to ensure that the automated tests are run at the appropriate time and frequency.

7.????Creating a test environment setup and tear-down process, to ensure that the test environment is properly configured and ready for the automated tests to run.

8.????Creating a test data management process, to ensure that the test data used in the automated tests is accurate, up-to-date, and properly maintained.

This step is important in order to ensure that the automated testing process is well-structured, maintainable and efficient. The framework should be flexible enough to accommodate new test cases and changes in the application. It should also be easy to use and understand for the team members.

Step 5: Scripting test cases for automated

In the automated testing process, the fifth step of scripting test cases includes:

1.????Identifying the specific test cases and scenarios that will be automated, based on the scope of automation defined in the previous step.

2.????Creating detailed test scripts for each test case, using the automation tool and programming languages selected in the previous step.

3.????Creating test data and test inputs for each test case, to ensure that the test scripts are executed with the appropriate data and inputs.

4.????Defining the expected results and pass/fail criteria for each test case, to ensure that the test results can be accurately evaluated and analyzed.

5.????Validating the test scripts and test data, to ensure that they are accurate and complete, and that they properly cover the identified test cases and scenarios.

6.????Reviewing and testing the test scripts and test data with the development team and other stakeholders, to ensure that they are properly aligned with the overall goals and objectives of the software development project.

7.????Documenting the test scripts and test data, to ensure that they are easily understood and maintainable by the team members.

This step is important in order to ensure that the automated tests are accurate, complete, and properly aligned with the overall goals and objectives of the software development project. It's also important to make sure that the test data is relevant and realistic.

Step 6: CI/CD Integration for automated

In the automated testing process, the sixth step of CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery) integration includes:

1.????Integrating the automated tests with the development and deployment process, to ensure that the tests are run automatically and continuously as part of the software development life cycle.

2.????Configuring the automated tests to trigger automatically when code changes are committed to the source code repository.

3.????Setting up and configuring the CI/CD pipeline, including the test execution, reporting, and analysis tools.

4.????Automating the test execution, reporting, and analysis process, to ensure that the results of the automated tests can be easily tracked and analyzed.

5.????Integrating the automated tests with other testing tools, such as performance testing or security testing, to ensure that the overall testing process is comprehensive and effective.

6.????Automating the deployment of the application to different environments, such as development, staging, and production, to ensure that the application is properly deployed and tested in each environment.

7.????Monitoring the results of the automated tests, and reporting any issues or failures to the development team.

This step is important in order to ensure that the automated testing process is integrated with the overall software development and deployment process, and that the tests are run automatically and continuously as part of the software development life cycle. This way it can help to catch the bugs early in the development process, reduce the time to market, and increase the overall software quality.

What is Test Automation Framework?

A test automation framework is a set of guidelines, tools, and practices that are used to structure and organize the automated testing process. A test automation framework provides a common set of resources, such as libraries, functions, and modules, that can be reused across multiple test cases. This helps to ensure that the automated tests are consistent, maintainable, and efficient.

There are several different types of test automation frameworks, including:

1.????Data-driven framework: This type of framework separates the test data from the test scripts, allowing for the same test script to be executed with different sets of data.

2.????Keyword-driven framework: This type of framework uses keywords or action words to represent the actions that are performed in the test script, making the scripts more readable and maintainable.

3.????Hybrid framework: This type of framework combines elements from multiple frameworks, such as data-driven and keyword-driven, to create a customized solution that is best suited to the specific needs of the software application.

4.????Behavior-driven development (BDD) framework: This type of framework focuses on the behavior of the system under test and uses natural language constructs to define the test cases.

5.????Modular testing framework: This type of framework separates the test scripts into smaller, reusable modules, making it easy to maintain and update the test scripts.

The choice of the framework depends on the requirements and the goals of the software application, as well as the organization's testing needs.

1.Data-driven framework with example:

A data-driven framework is a type of test automation framework that separates the test data from the test scripts, allowing for the same test script to be executed with different sets of data. This approach allows for more efficient and flexible testing, as the same test script can be reused to test different scenarios and inputs.

An example of a data-driven framework would be a login test for a web application. In this example, the test script would be written to input a username and password, submit the login form, and check for the appropriate response, such as a successful login or an error message. The test script would be executed multiple times, with different sets of data, such as different username and password combinations, to test the different scenarios.

Here's an example of how a data-driven framework would work in practice:

1.????The test script is written in a programming language, such as Java, Python, or C#, using a test automation tool, such as Selenium, Appium, or TestComplete.

2.????The test data, such as a list of usernames and passwords, is stored in an external data source, such as an excel sheet, CSV file, or a database.

3.????The test script is executed multiple times, using different sets of data from the external data source.

4.????The test script retrieves the data, inputs the data into the appropriate fields on the web application, submits the login form, and checks the response.

5.????The test script generates a report of the test results, including the test data used, the expected results, and the actual results.

6.????The test script can be executed again with different test data for regression testing.

The advantage of this approach is that the same script can be used with different data sets, making the process more efficient and reducing the time and cost of creating and maintaining test scripts. The test data can be easily modified, updated, or extended without changing the test script. Also, it's possible to test the application with a large number of test data sets, which can help to identify and fix bugs that may not be found using a smaller set of test data.

2 . Keyword-driven framework :

A keyword-driven framework is a type of test automation framework that uses keywords or action words to represent the actions that are performed in the test script, making the scripts more readable and maintainable. The main idea behind this framework is that the test script is created in a way that the keywords are independent of the test script and the test script is written to call these keywords. This means that the same set of keywords can be used to test multiple scenarios and applications.

Here's an example of how a keyword-driven framework would work in practice:

1.????The keywords or action words, such as "launch browser", "navigate to URL", "enter username", "enter password", "click login button" are created and stored in a separate keywords library.

2.????The test script is written using these keywords and the test script calls the keywords from the library.

3.????A test data file, such as an excel sheet, is created with the test data and the keywords that need to be executed for each test case.

4.????The test script reads the test data file, and calls the keywords in the order specified in the test data file.

5.????The test script performs the actions associated with the keywords, such as launching a browser, navigating to a URL, entering data into the fields and clicking a button.

6.????The test script generates a report of the test

explain Automation Framework using Automation Framework with Example ?

An automation framework is a set of guidelines, tools, and practices that are used to structure and organize the automated testing process. It

3. Modular framework :

A modular framework is a type of test automation framework that separates the test scripts into smaller, reusable modules. This approach allows for more efficient and flexible testing, as the same module can be reused across multiple test cases and test scripts.

Here's an example of how a modular framework would work in practice:

1.????The test scripts are separated into smaller, reusable modules, such as login, logout, navigation, data input and so on.

2.????Each module is designed to perform a specific task or set of tasks, such as logging in to a website, navigating to a specific page, or entering data into a form.

3.????Each module has its own set of functions and sub-routines that can be called by the main test script.

4.????The main test script is written to call the relevant module functions and sub-routines in the required order.

5.????The test data can be passed to the modules to test different scenarios.

6.????The test script generates a report of the test results, including the module used, the expected results, and the actual results.

7.????The modules can be reused across multiple test scripts and test cases, making the testing process more efficient and reducing the time and cost of creating and maintaining test scripts.

The advantage of this approach is that it allows for easy maintenance of the test scripts as the changes made in one module will affect only the specific module and will not affect the whole test script. This way it makes it easier to maintain and update the test scripts. Additionally, it makes it easier to understand the test script as it's divided into smaller and more manageable parts.

4. Hybrid framework :

A hybrid framework is a type of test automation framework that combines elements from multiple frameworks, such as data-driven and keyword-driven, to create a customized solution that is best suited to the specific needs of the software application.

Here's an example of how a hybrid framework would work in practice:

1.????The test script is written using a combination of keywords and programming code, using a test automation tool such as Selenium or Appium.

2.????The test data is stored in an external data source, such as an excel sheet or CSV file, and is used to drive the test script.

3.????The test script reads the test data and performs the actions associated with the keywords, such as launching a browser, navigating to a URL, entering data into the fields and clicking a button.

4.????The test script also uses programming code to perform additional actions, such as validating the test results, generating a report, or handling errors.

5.????The test script can be executed multiple times, using different sets of data, to test different scenarios.

6.????The test script generates a report of the test results, including the test data used, the expected results, and the actual results.

The advantage of this approach is that it allows for a more flexible and efficient testing process, as the same test script can be reused with different sets of data to test different scenarios, while also allowing for more advanced actions to be performed using programming code. Additionally, it allows the team to use the strengths of multiple frameworks and pick the best approach for each scenario.

Popular Test Automation Testing Tool Names :

There are many popular test automation tools available, depending on the requirements and the type of software application being tested. Here are some of the most popular test automation tools:

1.????Selenium: An open-source tool for automating web browsers, Selenium supports multiple programming languages, such as Java, C#, Python, and Ruby.

2.????Appium: An open-source tool for automating mobile applications, Appium supports multiple programming languages, such as Java, C#, Python, and Ruby.

3.????TestComplete: A commercial tool for automating desktop, web and mobile applications, TestComplete supports multiple programming languages, such as JavaScript, Python, VBScript, and JScript.

4.????UFT/QTP (Unified Functional Testing/QuickTest Professional): A commercial tool for automating functional and regression testing, UFT/QTP supports multiple programming languages, such as VBScript and JavaScript.

5.????TestNG: An open-source tool for automating functional and regression testing, TestNG is written in Java and is integrated with Selenium.

6.????JUnit: An open-source tool for automating unit testing, JUnit is written in Java and is integrated with Selenium.

7.????Cucumber: An open-source tool for automating acceptance testing, Cucumber supports multiple programming languages, such as Java, C#, Python, and Ruby.