Automation Testing

Automated testing is the application of software tools to automate a human-driven manual process of reviewing and validating a software product. Most modern agile and DevOps software projects now include automated testing from inception.

In software testing, test automation is the use of software separate from the software being tested to control the execution of tests and the comparison of actual outcomes with predicted outcomes.

Skilled required for Automation Testing :-

Programming and Scripting Skill

• Languages: Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, or C# is crucial.
• Scripting: Ability to write scripts to automate test cases and frameworks.
• Code Understanding: Knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming concepts.

Types of Automation Testing :-

• Unit Testing
• Integration testing
• System testing
• User Acceptance testing
• End to End Testing

How Test Automation Works

The automated testing process generally follows these steps:

1. Select a Testing Tool: Choose a tool based on the type of testing required and the platform on which the software is developed.
2. Define the Scope of Automation: Using the best software testing practices, determine which parts of the software testing will be automated.
3. Plan, Design, and Develop: Plan the automation strategy and develop the test scripts.
4. Execute the Test: Run the software tests using automation scripts. The tool should also collect data and provide detailed test reports.
5. Maintenance: Update and modify the automated test scripts as needed with newer versions of the software build.

Benefits of Automated Software Testing

Automated software testing offers numerous advantages. Here are the top five:

1. Enhanced Accuracy

Automated testing eliminates human error, ensuring that each test case is executed precisely as intended. This helps catch bugs early in development, reducing the risk of unnoticed defects causing issues later.

2. Improved Consistency

Automation provides consistent quality assurance by running the same tests each time. This reduces the risk of regression and ensures reliable test results.

3. Increased Speed

Automated testing allows for the rapid execution of numerous tests in parallel saving time and freeing up resources for other essential tasks.

4. Greater Efficiency

Automation saves time and resources and enables the focus on strategic tasks, such as exploratory testing and complex scenario testing.

5. Higher Confidence

Automated testing thoroughly verifies the software, increasing confidence among developers and stakeholders in the reliability and quality of the product.