The demand for test platforms grows as more businesses use DevOps and Agile approaches. Agile teams frequently release software; thus, it's crucial to test that software fast and efficiently so that issues can be found and resolved immediately. This article will look at the best practices for automated testing within your development cycle.

Select the right test automation platform

The correct test automation platform is necessary for test automation. When choosing an automation tool, consider the qualities that make up the ideal software.

Tools are the only thing required for automation testing. When selecting the appropriate tool, keep the following in mind:

  • Software's characteristics:

Is the application being tested on a mobile device or a web browser? Use an automated testing tool like Selenium to try the former. Appium is one of the most effective automation technologies available for the latter.

  • Programming Knowledge:

You must select tools, frameworks, and languages based on your comfort level and background. The most often used programming languages for automation testing are C#, Java, JavaScript, and Java.

  • Is it open source?

For automation reasons, one may opt to employ open-source tools like Selenium or Appium, depending on financial restrictions. But it's vital to keep in mind that not all open-source programs are inferior to their counterparts that are available for purchase. One open-source tool that automated testers all across the world overwhelmingly choose is Selenium Webdriver.

Right Automation of Test Cases

You must perform the math that implements the best management with the fewest resources to best arrange a team for an organization.

The same holds for managing test automation. Implement test automation in a way that produces outstanding results with little maintenance.

  • Keep good test case documentation. It is more likely that a test case will be well-written and successful when it is executed. It is more likely that your team has experience automating the tests after you practice writing test cases.
  • The secret to producing high-quality software is parallel execution. The automated test cases that don't need interdependencies must be parallelized. A test case result for a transaction page, for instance, shouldn't wait for or depend on the results of the last test case. Test automation and the SDLC benefit from a rigidly adhered-to modular approach.
  • Your test cases can always be grouped. Who would object to using the test code again? Reusability is most effectively used when you know how to arrange the test cases according to their functionality. We can store user code methods for reuse using particular test automation technologies. Enabling partial regression tests of the shared functional area saves time and improves the product's quality.
  • Run tests on the application using reliable servers and network connections.

When an alternative is available, stay away from GUI automation.

For manual testers, automating GUI testing can be a great relief. However, as they are low-level, user-centric tests rather than ones connected to crucial operations, automating them beyond a certain point may result in extra complexity.

The average testing overhead goes up when user interface testing is automated since even little changes in development must be corrected and rechecked in the user interface.

It lengthens testing times, increases testing complexity, and changes the objectives of automated testing. Therefore, it makes more sense to avoid automating UI testing during test automation.

Removing system functionality from GUI testing is another way to avoid GUI automation, as doing so is complicated rather than simplifies the testing process. Additionally, don't solely rely on UI test automation. Consider automating high-level tests as a priority, accounting for 70 to 80 percent of all test automation.

Hire a Dedicated Automation Engineer or Team

A committed engineer ensures that there won't be any room for error. It guarantees that you have a professional familiar with the tool's operation. You may rely on them to swiftly construct tests while utilizing all of the utility's functionality.

As early as feasible, begin testing, and repeat often.

The testing team should do as many tests and as frequently as necessary.

Frequent testing should be done right away when creating an automated test suite. The cost to fix defects is significantly lower when you start testing early than when you begin testing later. Additionally, creating and maintaining unit tests is cheap. Most automated testing consists of unit testing, which performs low-level inspections on an app.

Use Data-Driven Test

Modern online and mobile apps need data-driven testing. Because so many people use the applications, examining and interpreting real-time data from several data points is occasionally necessary. Since manual testing techniques are more prone to errors, they cannot handle these complex operations.

Automation of data-driven tests employs a variety of data factors. It divides the most critical data into parameters, which divides the data's priorities into two groups that can be tested and makes it simple to remember for future changes.

Identify Slow & Failing Tests

One of the key reasons why most businesses are implementing automation is to produce consistent test results. The team must investigate the issue if a test fails. But as the quantity of false positives or inconsistencies grows, so does the amount of time required for analysis. To eliminate uncertainty, you must delete unstable tests that are present in regression packs.

Testing against Malicious Attacks

Malicious attacks are happening more frequently against organizations. Any area of the client's business accessible from outside the network may be the target of these assaults. You can safeguard your application via multiple scenarios by performing constant security testing under challenging conditions.

Keep Records for Better Debugging

Software testing tools can capture screenshots or video logs of the unsuccessful testing scenario. It can be accomplished by pinpointing the precise causes of test failure. Alternately, make an effort to save it by manually recording the testing video or loss logs in text format.

Finding the flaws fast and fixing them right away will help you comprehend the issue better, expedite the procedure, and prevent mistakes from being made again.

Conclusion

You must adhere to the recommended best practices if considering automating your company's testing operations. Plan carefully based on your objectives, and don't be scared to try new things. If test automation is done correctly, it can yield tremendous benefits. Test automation platforms will help you save money while boosting team efficiency and enabling you to develop products that people will adore.

 

Source: https://metapress.com/best-practices-for-automation-testing/