Test automation in IT refers to testing applications using various automation tools for quality assurance purposes, allowing us to observe their behaviors and reactions under different stimuli, such as taking different actions on them or being deployed by users who then perform various actions within them.
Test automation tools may either be free-to-use or licensed, depending on their intent; once deployed, they may allow users to take multiple actions at any given moment.
Automating actions that are well-known or expected by user interface is one way of making sure an app acts in accordance with expectations.
What Is Meant By Automation Framework?
Before we explore frameworks for test automation, lets first define one.
For any idea to be realized successfully, it must abide by certain protocols and governing standards. A framework serves as a set of regulations that, when implemented, will maximize the return on an organizations investments.
Test automation frameworks, on the other hand, consist of features, programs, and tools which create an environment in which automated test scripts may be run successfully.
An automated test framework, in its essence, consists of various components which facilitate the execution and reporting of tests with comprehensive results.
Equipment, testing tools, and procedures form part of this infrastructure for successful automation framework implementation.
What Are The Main Components Of An Automated Test Framework?
Test Data Management systems and libraries are two essential components in test automation frameworks, so let us explore each further here.
- Test Data Management
- Libraries
- Your Unit for Integrity Testing
- following this unit test
- Behavior-Driven Development
Test Data Management
Software testing automation presents its greatest challenge when acquiring and analyzing data; data availability is one such issue that must be properly handled to maximize automation efforts.
A strategic approach must therefore be employed toward Test Data Management for maximum effort optimization.
Software companies can equip their framework with libraries and plugins designed to comb through test data in search of useful items for positive Testing while including simulation tools in their framework to help make test data simpler to comprehend and simplify the management of test data.
Testing Libraries
Test case management and execution form the cornerstone of an apps testing program, so its management and execution should be carefully planned out to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of Testing.
Test cases should be organized into testing libraries which store them all ready for the unit, integration, end-to-end, behavior-driven design testing. What do all those terms mean?
Test Units
Unit testing libraries play a central role in any test automation framework, being utilized not only by testers but also developers alike.
Testers typically utilize them to specify test methods via formal annotations.
Unit testing can also be used for running straightforward tests quickly and simply. Many programming languages provide unit testing libraries; Java developers will likely utilize JUnit, while C# developers could make use of NUnit, xUnit.NET, or TestNG as options.
When it comes to JavaScript test frameworks, your choices include QUnit and Mocha.
Integrity Testing
Unit testing refers to testing each module or feature within an application individually, without interfering with each other or outside dependencies such as databases and file systems - typical external dependencies in JavaScript apps include HTTP services or APIs.
When unit testing an app, you need to ensure each application unit remains separate - as Testing isolates these features completely from one another so the tests dont communicate between themselves during unit testing sessions, and their interaction cannot affect one another or external resources such as HTTP services and APIs that may exist outside its code base during unit tests sessions.
Real-world interactions among units and external dependencies require unit tests alone not be sufficient; further, testing integration between individual units as well as between them and their external dependencies is also vital to ensure quality solutions are developed.
While unit testing alone should still occur, comprehensive integration testing between them all is crucial in order to avoid unexpected results in real-time environments.
Integration testing can be extremely valuable. Keep in mind that most testing frameworks used for integration testing can also be utilized for unit tests, including JUnit or NUnit for Java or NUnit for.NET, respectively - just choose how you wish to utilize each framework! The tools are the same; what differentiates integration from unit testing is how tests are run.
Behavior Driven Development
Unit and end-to-end Testing can be valuable tools in their own right, yet each presents its own set of challenges.
Testing implementation plays a huge part, meaning any time code changes occur, you must also update test cases accordingly.
Behavior-driven development (BDD) offers one effective solution. Dont be misled by its name; BDD does not refer to software development at all but rather represents a collection of best practices that, when employed for automation testing, provide great test cases.
Code written using Behavior Driven Development is written in an easily understandable language so the whole team can grasp it.
Code may be generated based on scenarios, features, or expected behaviors - with BDD aligning code with the scope and intent of automated tests.
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
What Are The Different Types Of Test Automation Frameworks?
Lets take a look at some of the frameworks available. The term automated Testing is used to describe a variety of frameworks.
Lets look at the common ones.
Linear Automation Test Framework
Linear automated Testing offers introductory-level tests. Testers create sequential scripts of various features of interest to them and run each individually - no custom code necessary, and testers dont require expert automation knowledge either; rather, this approach works like point-by-point Testing: simply choose one feature, create its script, and then test.
Linear automation offers many benefits, but its main draw is speed.
Pros and Cons
- Read up on how to use them too
- Fasten Yourself Today
- Flexible Payment Solutions may also be an option available to you
- Find more out about the Cons
- Single Use with High Maintenance Aufwands Redundancies
Modular Test Framework
Modular-based frameworks are specifically designed to break test cases down into smaller modules for testing purposes, then take an incremental and non-incremental approach where each test module is tested independently before Testing of an entire application is undertaken - every test being independent of another.
Once a test engineer has created their function library, he or she can store scripts within it for easy updates to individual scripts without altering whole applications; Testing requires less time and effort as a result.
The Pros and Cons of Using Pros
- Reusable
- Modular Approach
- Efficient
- Scalable
You can also find out more about the Cons
- Flexible
- Technical knowledge is required
- Complex
Library Architecture Test Framework
An architecture library testing framework can identify similar tasks within scripts and group them based on function.
A library is then established for all these sorted functions to store. This makes the reuse of code easy in different scripts; plus, the framework comes in handy when there are similar features across an apps different sections.
The Pros and Cons of Using Cheaper Alternatives
- Reusable
- Cost-effective
- Scalable
- Long-term ROI
You can also find out more about the Cons
- More development time
- Technical knowledge is required
- Complicated
Test Framework based on Keywords
Keyword-driven testing frameworks separate script logic from test data storage, then store both at external locations; keywords related to GUI actions form part of a script, while keywords associated with objects or actions promote reuse across test scripts.
The Pros
- Reusable
- Scalable
- Low Maintenance
The Cons
- Time for High Development
- Over time, complexity increases.
- Knowledge of high automation required
Data-Driven Test Framework
Data-driven testing frameworks separate test script logic from test data storage externally in order to facilitate reuse across data sets; testers may even adjust and manipulate this external database as desired, making testing scenarios truly reusable, thereby increasing code reusability and ensuring code reusability.
The Pros
- Scalable
- Tests are faster
- There are fewer scripts needed
- You can also use flexible payment methods
The Cons
- Setup time is high
- Needs excellent technical skills
- It is hard to troubleshoot
Hybrid Test Framework
Hybrid test frameworks help overcome some of the drawbacks inherent to other test frameworks by providing greater flexibility by combining parts from various frameworks together into a hybrid structure, which ultimately improves the efficiency of Testing.
Test automation frameworks are popular and include the following:
- Selenium
- Appium
- UFT
Read More: Automation of Tasks utilizing Artificial Intelligence
Why Do We Need A Test Automation Framework?
As technology moves towards greater automation in this century, testing automation becomes an increasing need. Planning and executing test automation frameworks offers numerous benefits.
Optimization of Resources
Test frameworks can assist in optimizing resources by making it simpler to utilize various resources according to organizational needs.
Test automation frameworks offer processes to help achieve goals more easily. They must match resources with requirements.
Resource optimization can be enhanced further with a flexible adoption strategy.
Tests to be Increased in Volume
Test automation frameworks increase test volume significantly. Mobile phones, for instance, are constantly being updated; manual Testing would be impossible on every single one and would make Testing too time-consuming and inconvenient for companies; automated Testing allows testers to simultaneously assess thousands of devices at the same time.
Simultaneous Testing
Test automation frameworks make testing multiple devices at the same time easy, with testers simply needing to run scripts across them when automatizing.
All parameters within these test scripts remain identical for quick reports of comparative analyses.
Improved Speed and Reliability
Software companies often find writing and running tests time-consuming. Automated test frameworks can reduce this effort significantly; just consider testing the logout feature of a website; Testing manually each scenario separately would require longer.
By using an automated framework instead, all scenarios could run simultaneously to provide results very quickly.
Automated Testing with automated tools increases accuracy while decreasing the chances of miscalculations or mistakes.
Increased Output In Less Time
Automating tests helps companies overcome challenges associated with synchronization and local configuration, error tracking, and reporting, as well as automate test preparation and execution through scripted process automation.
A company that streamlines its efficiency can produce more in less time.
Fixing Bugs At An Early Stage
Test automation helps to fix bugs early. It is also less expensive and time-consuming to have someone else do it for you.
Test automation engineers can automate and write scripts.
By implementing the shift-left concept, an organization can use the appropriate test automation frameworks. This refers to the notion that Testing should be done as early as possible in the lifecycle of software.
It is important to automate Testing as soon as possible before writing production code. This is exactly how techniques like TDD (test-driven development) or BDD (behavior-driven development) work.
Remote Testing
With test automation software now at your disposal, theres no longer any need to be in the office all of the time with test devices plugged in - running tests remotely is now feasible, making life much simpler! For instance, before leaving home, you could run one and have its results available when you return after only a short amount of time has elapsed - saving both money and space!
Utilized Automation Code
It is possible to repurpose test automation scripts written for one application across another application with similar login functionality, for instance, by your companys testers testing login functionality with these same scripts and reusing them across other login features in other apps with login features.
Return On Investment (ROI) Increases
Many are dissuaded from investing in test automation frameworks by their initial cost; however, long-term returns on investment are substantial.
Test automation frameworks save both time and resources by expediting delivery faster, eliminating the need to hire more staff members.
Companies using an automated framework for Testing dont need multiple testers when most tasks can be accomplished by one automation test engineer alone, such as setting up and running scripts.
Continuous Testing
2022 will mark an unprecedented rise in Continuous Integration and Delivery/Deployment pipelines to expedite code deliveries to production as quickly as possible.
A fully automated pipeline ensures your code reaches production as efficiently as possible.
Continuous Testing is an integral component of continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD). So what exactly is continuous Testing?
Continuous Testing refers to the practice of repeatedly running your automated test suite, with test automation frameworks becoming indispensable tools in accomplishing it.
Such frameworks not only enable test creation but also automated execution.
What Is The Best Testing Framework?
Now is the time to select your frame.
Selecting an effective testing framework can be challenging, so to find an optimal solution, it is critical to first understand your testing process requirements before considering testing framework options.
To do so effectively.
Learn to Test Your Application: code- or no code Testers might employ code, record-and-playback tests, or something flexible like Selenium which supports different languages/apps/languages/tools, etc., while you have various options like Testim for non-code Testing such as this article describes.
Platform: What platform is your app running on, be it web, Android, or iOS? Frameworks are optimized for different platforms - choose one which best matches the one your testers will be testing against (Windows or Mac).
Also, consider which framework would work with each specific one when choosing which framework to use for testing your product or service.
Budget: We could all do more if money werent such an important aspect of life; unfortunately, it is.
When selecting your testing framework and budget can sometimes be flexible but shouldnt always act as a filter; use the budget as one such filter!
Trends in Test Automation
These trends in test automation should be prioritized for 2023. They allow organizations to offer optimal experiences to customers while meeting operational constraints effectively.
Adopting No-Code Or Low-Code Solutions
Though these solutions have long been around, low-code or no-code platforms will become an industry trend in 2023.
Low-code platforms enable abstracted development with guided testing and governance controls, providing developers with a faster means of building digital products. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 70% of new applications developed by companies will use low-code and no-code technologies compared with 25 percent currently built using these strategies.
Automation testing has an increasing influence on the roles of "business technologists" and citizen development (basically nontechnical programmers), two individuals that operate outside the IT organization to build analytics or technology capabilities.
An Exponential Surge Of Collaborative Robots
Collaborative robots (also referred to as cohorts or collaborative robots) are specifically designed to work alongside humans in shared environments, seamlessly performing multiple tasks ranging from lifting heavy products in warehouses and intelligently transporting goods across supply chains.
Experts anticipate an increase in automation in 2023 which may prompt companies to invest more heavily in collaborative physical robots as well as digital ones in order to simplify complex workflows and workflow processes.
Tests for Shifting Left
Delivering products with minimal defects while remaining within budget remains a top priority for many organizations, yet many struggles with time-to-market issues.
Shift left Testing allows testing teams to easily detect bugs and risks early in a products lifecycle and save both time and money; developers teams work collaboratively in order to detect defects as early as possible, allowing faster release cycles with minimal repairs times and faster repair cycles resulting in increased efficiency, better quality products delivered more rapidly with increased time efficiency in 2023 owing to its importance.
Rpa Brings Revolution Via Semantic Automation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being utilized to streamline business processes, make them more agile and interactive, and simplify things for developers.
Robots created using semantic automation no longer have to abide by rules-based automation - instead, by simply watching, simulating, or observing tasks, these robots will perform them seamlessly.
Increased Hyper Automation
Hyper Automation seeks to augment automation by adding another level of complexity. Automation alone cannot do this; hyper-automated processes include AI and machine learning technologies for measuring input more precisely, as well as sharing real-time access information and augmenting human input when necessary.
Hyper Automated processes may offer other benefits as well, including data sharing, real-time access, increased productivity and augmenting human intervention when required.
NLP and Conversational AI
Intelligent Automation (IA) leaders are expanding the boundaries of Intelligent Automation using RPA technology by employing NLP and Conversational AI techniques - using these tools to guide customers through workflows or automate processes that involve repetitive tasks.
Smart Test Execution
Smart Test Execution in 2023, smart Testing will become increasingly prevalent. Utilizing cutting-edge platforms for test automation that can execute complex flows efficiently and precisely.
Developers can test their code using compliance channels that automatically determine which tests must be executed after every check-in; teams can run only whats necessary (deltas), eliminating long testing cycles on every aspect of a build and saving both time and costs associated with IT and business resources; should any failures arise they can quickly identify where this failed checks-in are related in order to accelerate product life cycle progress faster and enhance progress through its product life cycle faster.
Experience Test Assessments Are Performed
Software testing with multiple experiences will soon become mainstream as software development platforms expand their value propositions and capabilities to incorporate various testing approaches and meet users demands across verticals and industries.
Platforms capable of handling scenarios like Augmented Reality/voice response/flows across multiple mobile devices/input types must support such experiences to meet this trend.
System Autonomous
Autonomic systems or computing are inspired by autonomic nervous system concepts to allow for autonomous responses and actions in biological processes, much like how an organisms nervous system does.
Achieving autonomy with this system means it should behave similarly, taking corrective actions automatically without human interference - unlike traditional programming or simple autonomous systems, which need external updates every so often for updates to take effect.
Composable Applications
Composable apps differ from standard applications in that they use open architecture and agile design principles to break their components apart into individual modules that can then be scaled or maintained based on business needs.
Software components that operate independently can be packaged together into distinct capabilities. Composable apps offer greater agility by enabling enterprises to adapt their infrastructure according to changing business demands.
These technologies can also facilitate digital creativity and innovation while making processes more cost-efficient. Composable apps will become increasingly common as organizations aim to expand market share while building customer loyalty.
Automated Bio-Authentication Procedure
Recent years have witnessed biometric authentication become an increasingly popular method to log into apps, verify actions taken within them, and establish identity through various methods of verification.
Enterprises must ensure their apps provide not only seamless functional testing but also maintain strong security features in an increasingly hostile world. Biometric authentication without passwords should become increasingly prevalent this year. Face ID technologies for smartphones make access easier while offering more secure authentication methods than passwords.
As this authentication method becomes increasingly prevalent across digital experiences, software testing platforms need to be capable of supporting it.
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
Conclusion
Speeding up testing teams can be challenging. Businesses strive to increase the efficiency of software testing processes; Testing is an integral element in the software development process, and automated test frameworks can increase test accuracy while improving the product.
The testing process is improved, application quality increases, testing speeds are increased, and testers are happier.
They also offer a high return on investment. Every software company must deploy test automation frameworks to increase revenue.
It would be time-consuming and difficult to find the best testing framework. Its well worth the effort.
It is a choice that stays the same over time. It is hard for testers and slows the development of applications to switch frameworks midway.
It is best to take your time at the start and select the framework that will work for you.
