Automation Testing Tutorial : All You Need to Know to Get Start

Why is Automation Testing Required? How it is critical in software Development life Cycle?

With growing digitalization & increasing number of apps released every day, there’s a need for a convenient, efficient way to conduct software testing. Automation testing technique not only improves efficiency, and accuracy but also reduces time, effort and cost, whilst reducing manual errors. Once automated tests are created they can easily be repeated and can be extended to perform tasks more efficiently that is  impossible with manual testing.

Automation testing is an ideal testing technique for running many tests repeatedly and simulateniously handling a lot of the work that human testers would consider boring and repetitive. 

How Automation Testing  is Critical in Software development Life Cycle?

Automation test is the most important part of the SDLC because manual testing takes a long time and it's expensive. Test automation not only allows developers to deliver software faster but also ensure higher quality.

During software development life cycle, there might require execution of same test suite repeatedly. Using a test automation tool, it’s possible to record this test suite and re-play as many times as required within minimum time without any human intervention. Thus it reduces chances of human error, because if issues are missed the customer impact is huge. 

Automation software testing has for some time been viewed as basic for enormous programming improvement associations yet is frequently thought to be excessively costly or troublesome for smaller organizations to execute.

Let’s move on to the next section of this automation testing tutorial for beginners and see major benefits of automation testing.

Here are the Major Benefits of Automation Testing

Test automation offers significant advantages over manual testing, streamlining the development process and improving software quality. Here's a closer look at these benefits:

• Reduced Costs and Time: Manual retesting of code changes and across various platforms is expensive and time-consuming. Automated tests can be executed repeatedly with minimal effort, freeing up valuable resources. Imagine running regression tests in hours instead of days!

• Enhanced Test Coverage: Complex or lengthy tests often get skipped during manual testing due to time constraints. Automation allows you to run these in-depth tests consistently, along with simpler ones. It can even delve deeper into applications, examining internal data for a more thorough evaluation.

• Improved Accuracy: Even the most meticulous testers can make mistakes, especially with repetitive tasks. Automated tests follow the exact steps every single time, eliminating human error and leading to more reliable results.

• Scalability for Large-Scale Testing: Manually simulating numerous users for load testing is nearly impossible. Automation tools can handle vast numbers of virtual users, ensuring applications can perform flawlessly under high traffic. This is crucial for web applications that need to handle surges in user activity.

• Developer and Tester Efficiency: Automated tests can provide early feedback to developers by identifying bugs soon after code changes. This frees up testers to focus on more strategic tasks, like exploring innovative testing methods and designing intricate test scenarios that go beyond the scope of manual testing.

• Improved Team Morale: By eliminating repetitive manual tasks, automation empowers both developers and testers. Developers can focus on building new features and fixing critical issues, while testers can delve into more creative and challenging aspects of their role. This can lead to a more skilled, confident, and motivated team.

In short, test automation is a game-changer for software development. It saves time and money, improves software quality, and empowers development teams to be more efficient and productive.

Automation Testing Process: How is Automation Testing Carried Out?

Process of Automation Testing

Test Automation expands endeavours required for conveying test results and abbreviates test execution cycles. Propelled tests and ideal inclusion help to convey programming of superior quality. Also, test computerization is a well-customized process with characterized stages.

Any procedure begins with definition, so before applying to test mechanization, you ought to characterize the computerization scope. When beginning tests improvement, a tester should, as a matter of first importance, decide request as indicated by the tests' need rate.

Everything matters in extension definition.

Read: How To Make Software Testing More Effective

Having very significant involvement in robotization testing, I can say that, Automation tests should cover the most steady piece of usefulness alongside the one that gets rather frequently tried for around 3-4 times each week. When in doubt, a smoke test is picked for that very reason or another piece of relapse tests.

When the degree is characterized, a tester moves to the determination of mechanization instruments. The tried interfaces characterize the bundle of connected devices. Distinctive kinds of interfaces assume diverse apparatuses' range; there is no general choice. Having settled on the instruments, testers get to structure execution.

Here are the steps to follow for successful test automation

• Step1: Selection of tools
• Step2: Define the scope of Automation
• Step3: Planning, Design & Designing
• Step4: Test Execution
• Step5: Maintenance

Automation Testing Process, Step1: Selection of Tools

a). Understand your  project requirements thoroughly

Keeping up the virtue of an application by conveying a sans bug item is vital for the accomplishment of any undertaking. Mechanized testing can help improve the nature of a task and increment scope and profundity of the tests. For this, get a profound comprehension of your venture necessities, for example, venture type (web/work area/versatile), the extent of the undertaking, and existing group's quality on code language before you begin the procedure. There is no such instrument that is positive or negative, yet the ROI of any apparatus depends on the need, for example, what does one have to mechanize and what measure of experiments needs automation?

b). Consider your existing test automation tool as a benchmark

Let us say that you considered the Selenium Test Automation Tool as a benchmark to assess and decide the best mechanization apparatus for their venture. The favorable circumstances and downsides of Selenium Web Driver structure should be comprehended before assessing different apparatuses.

Selenium is a free, open-source apparatus accessible to test web applications and sites. It gives the record-playback apparatus to create and record playback test contents. It gives language backing to C# Ruby, Java, JavaScript, Python, and Node.js however needs appropriate client bolster administrations. Testing groups influence Selenium if they are alright with coding procedures and they test web applications through the UI. Support would be a bad dream with Selenium for a lone tester who must administer both Manual and Automation Testing and may likewise require a full-time Developer for upkeep. Program similarity is the other test with this device.

c). Identify the key criteria suitable for a project

  There are many key focuses one ought to consider before choosing the best-fit mechanization apparatus for a venture. Here is the rundown of a few key criteria that was utilized to assess the best apparatus for our situation.

• Ease of Developing and Maintaining the Scripts: Development and upkeep of test contents ought to be as basic as conceivable to diminish the human and time asset usage.
• Ease of Test Execution for Non-Technical user: The test suite execution ought to be basic for any venture part to run them effectively as and when required. Additionally, it ought to be simple for manual testers who have next to no or no specialized information.
• Support to Web, Desktop & Mobile application: Leveraging three distinct instruments for three sorts of stages for test robotization is a confounded undertaking to deal with. It is smarter to choose an apparatus that bolsters all three stages.
• Intuitive Test Report: Test reports builds certainty; thus the reports should be natural and straightforward for the supervisory crew to see effectively.
• Cross Browser Testing: Support to Cross program testing is an unquestionable requirement when there are numerous end-clients and no specific program confinement.
• Support for Keyword & Data Driven Testing: Keyword driven testing goes about as an augmentation to the information-driven testing structure. At the point when a venture ends up complex, the test system should be broadened.
• Technical Support and Assistance: Automation Engineers unquestionably need assistance while taking care of basic issues of a venture. The apparatus that gives specialized help and help would be of extraordinary help.
• Language Support like C#, Java, Python, and others: Every test situation can't be recorded. At times, the tester must compose the code. Along these lines, the apparatus that underpins the expected language to compose the tweaked contents would be useful.
• TFS DevOps integration with builds: Support to coordinate with Continuous Integration apparatuses for computerized fabricates and arrangements is fundamental.
• Pricing: Depending on the above characteristics and venture cost gauges, assess the cost contrast among the other accessible automation tools.

Read: Roles and Responsibilities Of Selenium Test Automation Engineer

Automation Testing Process, Step2: Define the Scope of Automation

The extent of mechanization is the region of your Application Under Test which will be computerized. Following focuses help decide scope:

• The highlights that are significant for the business
• Scenarios which have a lot of information
• Common functionalities crosswise over applications
• Technical plausibility
• The degree to which business parts are reused
• The multifaceted nature of experiments
• Ability to utilize a similar experiment for cross-program testing

Automation Testing Process, Step3: Planning, Design, and Development

Read: How Can I Become A Manual Tester In Just 30 Days?

Amid this stage, you make an Automation methodology and plan, which contains the accompanying subtleties

• Automation instruments chose
• Framework plan and its highlights
• In-Scope and Out-of-scope things of mechanization
• Automation testbed arrangement
• Schedule and Timeline of scripting and execution
• Deliverables of Automation Testing

Automation Testing Process, Step4: Test Execution

Let’s first understand , test execution is.

Test execution is the way toward executing the code and contrasting the normal and real outcomes. Following variables are to be considered for a test execution process:

• Based on a hazard, select a subset of a test suite to be executed for this cycle.  
• Assign the experiments in each test suite to testers for execution.
• Execute tests, report bugs, and catch test status constantly.
• Resolve blocking issues as they emerge.
• Report status, modify assignments, and rethink plans and needs day by day.
• Report test cycle discoveries and status

Automation Testing Process, Step5 : Maintenance

Once done with test cases execution, the next step is to create reports so that the actions performed & consecutive results obtained during testing are recorded. As new functionalities get added to the software that you are testing with every successive cycle, automation scripts need to be added, reviewed, updated after each release of cycle. Maintenance becomes necessary to improve the effectiveness of test automation. So, you can follow these steps when performing Automation Testing to get efficient results. Brush up your understanding about QA testing, take this QA Testing quiz now!

Next section of this automation testing tutorials for beginners, we are going to discuss about different test automation frameworks.

What Types of Testing Can Be Automated?

Unit Tests

The largest portion of your mechanization tests comprises of your Unit Tests. Unit Tests will be tests that are quick, solid, and just test little bits of code rationale. Since mechanized Unit Tests rush to create and can be effectively fused into your Continuous Integration process, these tests involve the biggest segment of your robotized tests. I would urge your product engineers to make loads of Unit Tests and to perform test-driven advancement with all new programming code.

Integration Tests

Next, have your testers make Automation Integration Tests for all zones that can't be Unit Tested. These tests are considerably harder to compose, run all the more gradually, and require a great deal of coding. Given the colossal assets required, it's basic to organize which Integration Tests to mechanize utilizing an organized mechanization overabundance. At any rate, make a mechanized Smoke Test to add to your Continuous Integration process. A Smoke Test is an abnormal state, fundamental test to uncover straightforward disappointments extreme enough to dismiss an imminent programming discharge.

GUI Tests

The Graphical User Interface (GUI) likewise should be mechanized to practice all the usefulness and ways of the application. GUI computerization is precarious because it's typically contained various conditions. For instance, some users of the framework may just be cultivated by following an unpredictable succession of GUI events. Since the GUI may change essentially crosswise over adaptations of the application, GUI tests can every now and again break, so this bit of mechanization should make up the littlest level of your Automation tests.

Read: Automation Testing Basics For Beginners.

Barriers to Successful Automation Testing

While automation testing offers significant benefits, there are challenges to consider during implementation. Here are some of the most common pitfalls:

• Slow and Repetitive Test Creation: Developing automation test scripts can be time-consuming, especially for complex functionalities. This can discourage teams and hinder adoption.
• Low Test Coverage: Focusing solely on automating easily scriptable tests can leave critical areas untested. A well-rounded automation strategy should aim for comprehensive test coverage.
• Inadequate Test Data: Reliable and sufficient test data is essential for effective automation. Inaccurate or insufficient data can lead to unreliable test results and wasted effort.
• Weak Test Maintenance: Automated tests require ongoing maintenance as the application evolves. Failing to prioritize maintenance can lead to a backlog of broken tests, ultimately rendering automation ineffective.

Overcoming the Challenges:

Despite these potential roadblocks, the advantages of test automation outweigh the challenges. Most automation tools offer features to streamline test script creation, manage test data effectively, and simplify maintenance. These tools can significantly improve the overall testing process.

Scope of Automation Testing : Career Outlook

The automation testing industry is booming! Research indicates a projected growth rate of 14.2% during the 2021-2026 period. This translates to significant growth opportunities for individuals entering this exciting field.

Why Choose Automation Testing?

A career in automation testing offers a compelling combination of factors:

• High Demand: QA automation testers are highly sought-after professionals.
• Diverse Roles: The field offers a variety of roles to cater to different interests and skillsets.
• Competitive Salaries: Automation testing positions typically come with attractive compensation packages.
• Industry Flexibility: The skills acquired in automation testing are valuable across various industries, providing flexibility in career paths.

Expand Your Knowledge:

• How to Become An Automation Testing Expert: Dive deeper and learn the steps to becoming a master of automation testing.
• Waterfall vs Agile vs Scrum vs Kanban: Understanding different project management methodologies can be beneficial in a testing career.

By choosing qa testing, you're entering a dynamic and promising field with a bright future. This rewrite emphasizes the growth potential, highlights key benefits, and offers relevant learning resources.