From Functional QA to Test Automation: My Journey from Zero Coding to Full Stack QA

Transitioning from a manual QA role to test automation can feel like standing at the edge of a coding cliff, especially when your coding experience is… well, non-existent. But let me tell you something—

You don’t need to be a coding expert to start.

All you need is the right mindset and a plan. Here’s my story, with actionable tips and a sprinkle of humor for all the curious QAs out there.

The Mindset

Before you dive into coding tutorials or automation tools, ask yourself:

Why do I want this?

The answer to this question will fuel your journey long after the initial excitement fades. Think of it like signing up for a gym membership.

Many of us start strong, but only those with a clear “why” stick to the grind and see results. Without it, you’re just another expired gym membership.

?? Write down your motivation or reason on a sticky note, and make sure to place it somewhere you can see it.        

Reason

Automation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a way to solve real-world problems. Focus on how it can make your job easier or more impactful. It can also give you financial growth as well as future job security.

If you track my case, test automation might even give you a chance to explore the QA world outside India.

Planning

Start small. Don’t aim to master 10 tools at once.

Learn what’s immediately relevant to your current work.

Are you in a frontend team or in the backend team? Because this way you can deicide which tool will help you automate your day to day test cases. This will make your learning attached with work from the beginning(and interesting too).

Execution

Consistency beats speed.

Commit to learning daily or weekly, even if it’s just an hour. Time spent looking for answers is not wasted. We need to make a strong approach so that we won't give up as soon as we stumble upon a coding challenge.

Ask, Listen, and Keep Asking

One of the best ways to learn is by asking questions. If something doesn’t click the first time, ask again. QA professionals are naturally curious problem-solvers—embrace that!

“The smartest people aren’t the ones with all the answers; they’re the ones who ask the right questions.”

Trust the Documentation

The internet is full of flashy “cheat sheets” and viral LinkedIn posts promising shortcuts. But trust me, official documentation is your best friend(and it must be this way).

Let me share a quick story:

I once bought a Selenium course from a highly acclaimed “guru.” After spending hours on it, I realized all he was doing was reading the documentation out loud—line by line. I nearly fell asleep! That’s when I decided to skip the middleman and dive straight into the docs.

Trust the people who created these tools and programming languages; they should always be your source of truth.

Lesson: Save your money. You already possess the analytical and problem-solving skills that make you the smartest person on the team as a QA. You can easily find all the answers in the documentation, just like breaking down a product requirement—understanding what it will do and how.

Automate What You Already Do

Here’s a hack:

• Identify repetitive tasks in your daily workflow.
• Automate them and don't worry about the quality of code. Focus on what you wanna achieve(for now).

For example, if you frequently run the same SQL query, write a script to do it for you. Of course you don't know how to do it yet, just Google it. Find the code, understand it(that is why I allowed Googling myself so that I can also learn before using it), and experiment. Break it to learn what makes it work.

Bonus tip: If documentation falls short, copy the code to ChatGPT (but don’t rely on it as your primary resource).

The Best Resources

Books

• Head First Java – A beginner-friendly introduction to Java(and your foundation of future programming).
• Head First Design Patterns – Perfect for cleaning up your code once you’re comfortable with the basics.

Tools & Languages:

• Start with Java (it’s the backbone of many automation tools).
• Learn TypeScript after Java—it simplifies life and it puts Playwright on steroids.
• Python? I kept it optional. Think of it like choosing between a V12 or V8 engine—both get you crazy fast(with too much horsepower already).

Frameworks

• Start with TestNG. Future plans can be to learn Cucumber. This also depends on the programming language. For python you might use pytest and for JS you can use Jest.
• Master Selenium, then graduate to Playwright with TypeScript (it's necessary).
• Add RestAssured to your arsenal for API testing.

IDE

Use IntelliJ IDEA CE(free edition). It’s modern, intuitive, and far less frustrating than Eclipse (looking at you, dinosaurs ??).

IntelliJ IDEA not only checks for optimized code—such as broken nomenclature, inline return statements, and redundant conditional blocks—but also explains the reasoning behind these checks. You’ll learn as you code, and this will elevate your skills.

Clean Up Your Code

SOLID Principles

Once you’ve written your first automation scripts, revisit them with a critical eye. Start by analyzing how your code handles responsibilities—is each class or method focused on a single task, or are you trying to do too much in one place?

Learn and implement SOLID principles to make your code modular, maintainable, and scalable.

For instance, the Single Responsibility Principle ensures each class or function has one clearly defined purpose, while the Open/Closed Principle encourages extending functionality without modifying existing code.

Nomenclature

Next, dive into Oracle’s official naming conventions to standardize your variables, methods, and class names. Proper naming not only makes your code easier to read but also helps others (and your future self) understand it effortlessly.

Imagine if someone writes your name with all lowercase letters or in all caps. While technically correct, it’s not a standard practice, and it’s visually jarring.

The same applies to naming conventions in code—it’s about clarity, readability, and professionalism.

This process might feel tedious, but it’s a crucial step in becoming a better developer. You’ll likely find parts of your old code clunky, overly verbose, or outright messy. Embrace the humor in it—it’s all part of the growth process. With every iteration, you’ll see your scripts evolve into cleaner, smarter solutions, setting you up for tackling bigger challenges ahead!

Dedicate Daily Learning Session with AI

Make AI your learning companion for daily progress.

A simple prompt like “Teach me asynchronous programming like I’m 10 years old” or “What is the difference between ‘==’ and ‘.equals()’? Explain it like I’m 10 years old” can break down complex programming concepts into plain, digestible English.

The beauty of tools like ChatGPT is their ability to adjust to your learning style. By consistently using prompts like “Explain it like I’m 10 years old,” you create a pattern where AI simplifies topics without assuming advanced coding knowledge. This not only makes learning enjoyable but also builds your understanding from the ground up, ensuring you grasp the fundamentals before diving deeper.

Dedicate 15–30 minutes daily to ask, learn, and explore concepts with AI. Over time, this habit will bridge gaps in your knowledge, making you a more confident and competent automation professional.

Takeaway: Transitioning Is About Problem-Solving

At its core, transitioning from manual QA to test automation isn’t about memorizing syntax, mastering tools or DSA. It’s about applying your analytical skills to new challenges and learning how to solve problems creatively.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

So, to all the manual QAs out there: you’ve got this. Start small, stay curious, and trust the process. One day, you’ll look back at your journey and realize you’ve built a bridge from functional QA to automation—one script at a time.

P.S - Don't forget to watch my cinematic transition journey, pinned at the top.