Automation Testing Explained: Everything You Need To Know
In today’s world, where the software industry is considered to be the fastest-growing industry, the sector must require careful testing during the development procedure to maintain quality. It is found that the software market will grow to 507.23 BN USD in 2025. So, developers must acquire software automation testing services besides manual testing to increase their productivity.
In this blog, we will understand briefly about automation testing, its benefits, types, components, and tools for the testing procedure. Also, we will cover the best practices for implementing automation testing services during the software development process.
What Is Automation Testing?
Software testing involves two major types of testing procedures: manual and automatic. Manual testing is done by human testers, whereas automatic testing is done by automated tools.
When one compares these two types of testing services, one of the major differences is time consumption. In manual testing, the test is done with the help of human developers, who need more time to run and test the test codes.
When one considers automation testing services, automated tools reduce the time spent testing. Because the tools are equipped with pre-existing test scripts that can quickly compare the test results with the expected ones.
Another key difference is that automation testing provides more accurate results than manual testing, which leads to less human error.
Let’s Consider the benefits Of Automation Testing
There are several benefits you will get when you choose automation testing solutions over manual testing
- Speed And Efficacy
As the automated testing procedure contains pre-existing test scripts, the testing takes less time with the help of different testing tools. Also, the tools help provide more test coverage in less time and perform regression or repetitive tests accurately.
Also, the developers have to write the test scripts once, and the automation tools save it in the system. So the testers can reuse the test scripts for different software application tests. It saves lots of time for developers who do not need to rewrite the lengthy test scripts repetitively.
- Accuracy And Consistency
An automation software testing company uses different automatic tools to test the application accurately. These tools can find and resolve errors or bugs in less time and reduce the chance of human error.
Also, these tools help to maintain consistency by covering multiple test coverages in a repetitive manner and providing accurate results for each test.
- Cost-Effectiveness
Although the initial investment in automation tools costs you more, in the long term, it can be cost-saving. Because after installation is done, the automated tools can test the test scripts accurately, avoiding human error.
Also, these tools reduce manpower and save you money because you don’t need to hire human developers and provide them with salary or employment benefits.
Key Components Of Automation Testing:
Three major components of software automation testing services include
● Test Automation Frameworks
One of the major components of automation testing is the test framework. Developers use different test frameworks like Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, etc, to write and test the test scripts. These frameworks support both manual and automatic testing based on the requirements.
● Test Scripts
Test script writing is a difficult task that involves test code writing and using keywords and features. However, with the help of automation testing tools, the developers have to write the test scripts once.
As these tools have recording and playback features, they save the test scripts for future use. Developers use these scripts in different test executions.
● Test Data
Test data is a set of functions and features and is a major component of automation testing. So, to ease the process of automation testing solutions, the testers must use accurate test data.
The accurate data leads to easy bug detection, more test coverage, a smooth testing process, and a great return on investment.
Types Of Automation Testing
● Functional Testing
Functional testing mostly refers to black box testing, and other additional features should satisfy the application’s program. This test also checks the application’s primary functionalities, user-friendliness, and accessibility features.
● Regression Testing
An automated software testing company performs regression testing to check the functionality of the application does not affect the pre-existing features after each code change. It performs both functional as well as non-functional testing to check the test code.
● Performance Testing
Testers do the performance testing of software applications in different load situations to ensure the application is compatible with real-world situations. This testing ensures the application’s features are in good speed and maintains stability in different load conditions.
Choosing The Right Automation Tools
When you go for the right automation tool selection, you must consider the factors below.
● Criteria for Tool Selection
Firstly, you have to check whether the selected tool is compatible with cutting-edge technologies. Because automation testing services require real-world load situations to test the compatibility of the testing tools, check the features are compatible with the application’s pre-existing features.
Secondly, you have to check whether the tool has a learning curve and a good community. It will help testers learn new features of the tools to be compatible with the developing application’s features. Also, check whether the platform provides you with user-friendly navigation for easy use.
● Some of the popular tools are
Selenium- It is an open-source platform suitable for testing web applications and supports cross-browser optimization.
Apium- It is also an open-source platform. However, it is best suited for testing mobile applications.
QTP- It is an icon-based tool that is best for testing both web and desktop applications.
Best Practices For Effective Automation Testing
Software automation testing services include best practices such as:
● Test Planning
You must set a clear goal for automation testing, whether you need the test to increase test coverage and reliability or to reduce the development time. You can discuss this with your teammates before the testing starts.
● Maintaining Test Scripts
You must update the tool’s features regularly. Sometimes, when you make changes in a test script, the tools do not save the changed code in a saved test script. So, regular updates help modify the changes.
● Continuous Integration
You must integrate your testing process into the CI/CD pipeline for faster development and updating of system features. Also, you can easily find errors or bugs in Agile or DevOps methodologies.
Common Challenges In Automation Testing
Some common challenges faced by an automated software testing company include:
- Initial Setup Costs- The price of the tools and initial setup needs lots of time and manpower training to adapt to the features.
- Script Maintenance- Due to a lack of trained professionals, it is often seen that they face difficulties while maintaining the test scripts in a system’s storage.
- False Positives/Negatives- The testers initially face difficulties in detecting false positive errors and mitigating the negative points in an application development process.
Future Trends In Automation Testing
- AI And Machine-Learning Integration- In the future, AI and Machine-learning algorithms will help to detect bugs in the early stages. Also, they will predict errors in the future, leading to the high quality of the developed applications.
- Increased Focus On Security Testing- Security testing will be in prior focus as the digital landscape is viewing the rise of cyber-attacks in software industries.
Transform Your Testing Strategy: Embrace Automation Today!
This blog is your guide to give you detailed automation testing benefits, importance, and best practices for maintaining the software application quality. So, to avail yourself of the benefits of automation testing for a great quality application, hire a reliable automated software testing company now!