Gartner predicts IT spending will increase by 8% in 2024, reaching a whopping $5 trillion. So, test automation is crucial if you are looking to optimize the cost of a software development project.
how is test automation crucial for cost reduction?
This article is a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about such frameworks, including the types of frameworks, the need for automation, and different approaches.
Let’s start with the first base—”Test Automation!“
What Is Test Automation?
Test automation is a method of automating the testing process involving automated tools to execute ready-made test scripts on a software application before it is released into production.
Test automation includes automatically running test scripts in different scenarios and managing software quality through testing data analysis.
- Reason to automate- Why is automation critical?
- Test prioritization- Which test should be automated?
Why Automate Your Tests?
1. Cost Savings
- The average test automation tool price range is between $150-$250 monthly.
- The average cost of manual testing can range from $5000 to $50,000 and beyond.
2. Optimal Resource Usage
Automation tool is just a platform that allows you to execute the structured framework pattern for efficient testing.
3. Fail Fast Approach
4. Which test should be automated?
An unpopular opinion from many testers is, “Automating every test is not a solution!” Why? Not every test is eligible for automation.
So, which test should you automate?
Choose the types of tests that are repeated and effort-intensive. Now that you know which tests you can automate, let’s understand how you can optimize test coverage with automation.
5. Expand Your Test Coverage
1.1 Creating End-to-End Test Suite
The automation framework can create comprehensive test suites covering various aspects of the software application.
1.2 Cross-Browser and Cross-Platform Testing
1.3 Data-Driven Testing
6. Continuous Integration Pipelines
You can integrate test automation into CI pipelines. It enables continuous testing along the software development lifecycle.
7. Parallel Execution
Monitoring and Reporting
What Is Meant By Automation Framework?
The testing team can follow these guidelines and automate the application by leveraging automation to run different tests.
- Extreme Automation- Choose a framework with higher scalability and broader test coverage to ensure automation on a more comprehensive range of testing tasks.
- Script-Less Testing- Make sure the test automation framework offers features like script-less automation for software testers and businesses with little or no technical knowledge. This reduces the need for testers to learn programming languages.
- Cloud Support- Ensure the test automation framework provides extensive cloud support for testing across devices and platforms. With cloud support, scaling your test cases will be easier.
- Zero-Touch Automation- The word "automation" means zero human intervention, and your chosen framework needs to follow this principle. It must support remote executions, parallel testing, zero-touch automation, and continuous integration with tools like Jenkins.
What Are The Main Components of a Test Automation Framework?
Test Data Management
The adequacy of accessible data can be a massive challenge. You need a strategic approach to manage test data and get deeper insights.
1. Testing Libraries
2.1 Unit Testing
Similarly, JavaScript developers can use frameworks such as QUnit, Mocha, Jest, Ava, and Jasmine to test efficiency.
2.2 An Example of Unit Testing
function add(numbers) {
return numbers.split(',')
.map(x => parseInt(x))
.reduce((a, b) => a + b);
}
Input Expected Output
"5" 5
"4,5" 9
"1,2,3" 6
test('string with a single number should yield the number itself', () => {
expect(add('5')).toBe(5);
});
test('two numbers separated by comma should yield their sum', () => {
expect(add('4,5')).toBe(9);
});
test('three numbers separated by comma should yield their sum', () => {
expect(add('1,2,3')).toBe(6);
});
2.3 Integration Testing
Isolation is crucial, especially if you are testing a module for security purposes. However, you can’t just cut the chord of interactions between modules.
So, the best practice is to use integration testing with other test types.
2.4 Behavior-Driven Development
Both unit and integration testing are essential, but you need a more comprehensive approach. Behavior-driven development (BDD) offers a solution for these challenges.
Now that you know the components, it’s time to explore different options! It would be best to compare different test automation frameworks and then choose the best one.
Looking to optimize your testing processes for maximum efficiency?
Explore essential tips, tools, and strategies for effective test automation.
What Are The Different Types of Test Automation Frameworks?
Understanding different types of test automation frameworks becomes critical for any development team to improve testing efficiency.
Types of Test Automation Frameworks
1. Linear Scripting Framework
Pros
- Does not need extensive planning before generating test scripts
- No coding knowledge needed
- Faster test script generation
Cons
- No reusability due to auto-generation of scripts
- High maintenance, which needs extensive efforts
2. Modular Test Framework
Pros
- Easy to scale and maintain
- Developers can test modules in isolation
- Changes in one module do not impact the master script
Cons
- Need more time to analyze test cases
- Require coding language
3. Library Architecture Test Framework
Pros
- Reduces redundancy by reusing standard functions.
- Updating and maintaining libraries is more accessible.
Cons
- Requires significant effort to create and organize libraries.
- Higher complexity in managing test scripts.
4. Keyword-Driven Test Framework
Pros
- Testers without programming knowledge can create tests.
- Keywords can be reused across multiple test cases.
Cons
- Significant effort is required to define and create keywords.
- Performance issues due to the abstraction layer of keywords.
5. Data-Driven Test Framework
Pros
- Quickly test different data sets by changing the data files.
- Test scripts can be reused with different data sets.
Cons
- Requires careful design to handle data input and output.
- Managing and maintaining test data is complex.
6. Hybrid Test Framework
Pros
- Provides a versatile approach to test automation.
- Maximizes reusability and maintainability.
Cons
- It is highly complex to set up and manage.
- Requires significant effort to maintain.
Why Do We Need a Test Automation Framework?
1. Optimization of Resources
2. Increased Volume of Testing
3. Simultaneous Testing
For example, if you want to test an application on Android and iOS, you can automate testing for simultaneous testing.
4. Enhanced Speed and Reliability
5. More Output in Less Time
A test automation framework helps teams manage the challenges of configuring tests across environments, synchronizing changes, and managing errors.
6. Fixing Bugs at an Early Stage
7. Remote Testing
8. Reusable Automation Code
It also helps test teams create custom test automation logic that testers can reuse without coding.
9. Increased ROI
10. Continuous Testing
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Which Testing Framework Is Best?
Less Coding For More Automation
Why less coding?
Platform Compatibility
Budget-friendly
Summing It Up
Testing automation is a process where you leverage a tool or platform to automate test executions.
This is where an expert like Zennaxx can help. Submit your software testing requirements and get an estimate now.