Automation testing tools have emerged as an important asset in the world of software development.
From entering the test data into the System Under Test to comparing actual and expected results to generating detailed reports and in more such ways automation testing tools are making the lives of testers easy.
It is indeed true to say that, automated tools are even helpful when used correctly. To make the best use of an automated testing tool, you should thoroughly know about all its facets and functionalities. Besides this, you should be aware of the tips that can give you the best value for your money and time.
To make you aware of the correct utilization of your automated testing tool, here we’ve covered you with some beneficial automation testing tips and best practices.
· Avoid Comparison Between Manual v/s Automated and Testing v/s Checking
The automated testing tool works based on written scripts and checks only the things that are being asked to check. Since automated testing tools can only trace the errors as per their codes, thus expecting something beyond the written script will merely get in vain.
On the contrary end, manual testing is performed by a tester who can fetch the problems from the arena beyond the focus. He/she may alter the test cases and the steps to execute the test case and thus may get conflicting test results from automated testing tools.
· Automate Regression Tests
This is one of the most useful tips for testing automation. As we all know, tests are automated to make testing easier and faster.
If you need a test case that is required to be executed repeatedly it should be automated. In other situations, when you’re designing a test case for a specific purpose then automating it isn’t going to do any good for you.
In general testing panorama, regression test cases are executed now and then. Since the objective of regression testing is to find out bugs with the addition of a newly added code, therefore it is performed repeatedly.
The manual formation of regression test cases repetitively can make the job tedious. In a situation like this, automation of regression test can be helpful.
· Before Automating Design Test
It is always productive to design the test cases before automating them. It can help in identifying defects, as the automated tests only execute test design.
By automating them straight, you may be able to fetch bugs just from a single scene rather than thinking about several others.
· Remove Ambiguity from Automated Tests
In the event when automated test succeeds in one sprint and fails in the next, without any alterations on the software under test, we cannot settle on it.
In such a situation, you may get bewildered whether the problem is due to application or due to other factors, such as test environment or flaws in the test code itself.
Remove ambiguity from unstable tests and aim for reliable clean results.
· Validate Automated Tests By Reviewing Them
The total number of outdated test cases may amaze you!! This happens when you jump directly to automation without proper planning and designing effective test scenarios.
One of the test automation best practices is that you should spend enough time before diving into automation.
You should have a partner that can carry out former proceedings and review the automated test cases for validity and purity.
· Unstable Functionality Mustn’t Be Automated
One of the prominent Automation testing tips that every tester must ensure is that he/she shouldn’t automate test cases that are yet to be stabilized.
If you started automating tests whose development is in progress, you’re likely to make frequent changes. Amendment of test cases, again and again, can be quite daunting and may affect other features as well.
Other than this, if that particular feature is excluded, then all your test automation can go into vain.
Therefore, it is always a smart choice to automate a feature once it gets stabilized and is less likely to change.
· Test Automation Isn’t A Magic
Test Automation is performed to free-up time of testers to perform quality testing and explore newer bugs. Automated testing Tools help in detecting errors that are usual and likely to occur in almost every application.
If you think that with the use of automated testing tools you will be able to find every single bug, then for your due knowledge this isn’t going to happen. You must unite manual and exploratory testing to make the system bug-free.
· Aim For fast Feedback
Developers are enthusiastic to know if what they have developed works and hasn’t broken existing functionality.
To get this quick feedback loop, the test should be automated at a component or API layer without relying on the UI.
· Understand the Context
Automation of tests can be done in any layer, whether it is unit, API, Service, GUI, etc.
If you want to test the case to fetch the logical and compilation problems then get it automated at the unit layer.
By automating tests in the API layer you can ensure the working of classes all-together.
On the other hand, by automating tests in the GUI layer you will be able to know the workflow.
· Keep the tool away from the chaotic condition
To make the best use of your automated testing tool, keep it at a distance from any sort of chaotic condition.
This is one of the most important automated testing tips that must necessarily be ensured.
Before automating test cases, You should have a meticulous understanding of What to automate, when to automate, who shall automate, etc.
All this you may learn by having a conversation with an experienced automation tester and by following good test practices of others.
These were some of the tips that you must necessarily ensure to make the best use of automated testing tools. By instilling these automation testing tips in your curriculum you will be able to complete your job faster in a flawless manner.
