Automation is now a priority. Nearly all QA specialists write automation scripts for their projects. To secure your professional growth, you need to upskill regularly. Prioritizing test automation services at this time is your best bet. So, if you’re starting your automation journey or want to level up existing knowledge, here’s what you should know.
Test Case and Test Script Aren’t the Same
Let’s warm up with the basics. Test cases are instructions for human QA engineers – what and how to check in software. Scripts are instructions for a program that will execute the tests. So you can make a test case and adapt it into a test script (for a machine to grasp it), automating it.
What Is a Test Case?
A test case is a specific set of conditions and actions you need to execute to verify the behavior of a feature/component. Test cases are documented instructions that outline the input values, the steps to perform, and the expected outcomes. They are created based on requirements, specifications, and use cases.
Example of a Test Case for a Login Page
ID: TC001
Summary: Verify that a user can successfully log in to the website.
Pre-conditions:
The test data to access the test account:
- Username: “testuser.”
- Password: “test123.”
- Email: “[email protected].”
Steps:
- Open the latest Chrome.
- Open the login page: https://example.com/login.
- Login using the details in Preconditions.
Expected Outcome:
A success message is displayed after the login procedure.
What Is a Test Script?
A test script is a set of instructions written in a scripting or programming language that automates the execution of test cases. So, a script is that same test case adjusted for a tool you’re working with. That’s why it is also called an “automated test case.”
Example of an Automation Test Script for a Login Page
Each test case has two parts: simulation (taking the test steps) and validation (comparing the outcomes). QA specialists can visually assess the result of a test. For a program to do so, it needs even more guidelines. And when you write automation scripts, most of them are reserved for the validation instructions.
Avoiding the complexity of a code-written test, always prioritize simplified automation test scripts. Here’s an example of one:
- Open the latest Chrome.
- Type in the URL for the login page: “https://example.com/login”.
- Enter the username “user123” and password “securePass456” into the respective fields.
- Click on the “Login” button.
- Check if the URL changes to the user’s dashboard URL, indicating successful login.
- Verify that the dashboard page displays the user’s information (e.g., username, profile picture).
- Log out from the dashboard using the provided logout functionality.
- Confirm that the user is directed back to the login page.
For a program to do all that, you would also need to specify:
- How to open the browser?
- How to locate fields for data input?
- How to recognize the “Login” button?
- How to identify an altered URL?..
Scripts for manual testing seem much simpler. But automated tests are just more voluminous due to the “translation” you need to perform for the tool.
So You Can Write Automation Scripts with Code Only?
You don’t have to be a programming language expert to provide automation testing services. But you’ll have to develop your proficiency in a programming language to continue. Various types of test automation frameworks exist to simplify the automation process. Within them, codeless automation platforms are increasingly popular.
What Are Codeless Automation Tools?
Codeless automation tools execute automated test scripts without requiring manual coding or programming skills. They simplify the test automation by providing a visual interface and pre-built components. You can drag and drop these components to design their automation workflows.
How Codeless Automation Tools Work?
Codeless automation tools let you script via a graphical user interface.
- Navigate the GUI to define the actions, interactions, and verifications they want to automate.
- Choose from the building blocks to construct your automation scenarios. Provided libraries let you pick needed pre-built components, such as actions, conditions, and assertions.
- Drag and drop the building blocks onto a canvas or workflow editor. This process is intuitive and doesn’t require coding knowledge. Each building block corresponds to a specific action or verification step.
- After placing a building block on the canvas, configure its properties using user-friendly forms or interfaces. For example, if you want to automate clicking a button, specify the button element’s identifier or label directly within the tool.
- Input test data or parameters. This data easily integrates into the automation flow to drive dynamic testing scenarios.
- Connect the building blocks to create a sequence of actions and verifications that simulate a test scenario. These connected blocks represent the steps of the automated test script.
Such tools also provide reporting and analytics features. You can generate test execution reports that detail the steps, outcomes, and any failures.
A few more pleasantries for automation beginners these tools offer:
- Rich parameterization – create reusable automation components and test scenarios with minimized redundancy.
- Extensive integrations – integrate with various platforms, frameworks, and testing environments.
- Cross-platform testing – benefit from cross-platform testing with different devices, browsers, or operating systems without manually adapting the code.
- Easy maintenance – update automated workflows using the visual interface.
So don’t be terrified of automation. There’s a comfortable starting point where you can learn the basics and get accustomed to the procedures.
Expert QA Advice on Developing Productive Automated Test Cases
Once you get more comfortable with automation, you’ll have to learn much more quickly. And the process might seem problematic at the beginning. These tips will help you get started on the path to developing productive automation test cases.
Understand the Essentials of Automated Testing Services
First, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what automated testing (AT) is and why it matters. AT involves writing scripts to execute test cases automatically, replacing manual testing efforts. This leads to faster testing cycles, reduced human errors, and more thorough test coverage.
So, get invested in the essentials of automation. Grasp how tests relate to coverage, what automation frameworks there are and how to use them, etc.
Choose Optimal Tools
Selecting the appropriate testing tools is a must. Depending on your project and the technologies involved, choose tools that align with your testing needs. Thoroughly investigate the project you’re working with and research what tools (and their combinations) would suit it.
- Popular testing frameworks and tools for test scripts are Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, and pytest.
- You also might mix API + UI testing and rely on Python, RestAssured, and Java for script automation.
- For continuous integration/delivery (CI\CD), you also might use CircleCI, Jenkins, and GitHub Actions.
Start Small & Gradually Increase the Coverage
Begin with simple test cases to build your confidence and understanding of the testing process. Focus on automating repetitive tasks or vital functionalities that secure business-critical features. As you gain experience, gradually expand the scope of your automated tests.
Collaborate (!)
Regular and informative conversations ensure your tests align with the project’s goals. Collaboration with developers, QA engineers, and business analysts will advance the product and your skills. Engage in discussions about testing requirements, expected outcomes, and potential edge cases.
Write Clear & Maintainable Test Scripts
Write test scripts that are easy to read and understand. Use descriptive names for test methods and follow coding standards. Well-structured test scripts are not only easier to maintain but also help other team members quickly grasp the purpose of each test.
Prioritize Smartly
Focus on test cases that cover critical functionalities, user interactions, and potential error scenarios. Aiming for comprehensive test coverage from the start can lead to more efficient bug detection and better overall software quality.
Implement Assertions Effectively
Assertions are essential for verifying expected outcomes in automated tests. Ensure that your assertions are specific and cover the relevant aspects of the app’s behavior. Use assertion libraries provided by testing frameworks to make assertions clearer.
Carefully Handle Test Data & Environments
Plan how you’ll manage test data and test environments. Using mock data or test databases can help ensure that your tests run consistently and do not impact production data. For UI tests, consider using sandbox environments or test servers to avoid conflicts.
Regularly Update Automated Tests
Your automated tests should also be updated to reflect changes in functionality. Take your time for regular maintenance to ensure that your tests remain relevant.
Always Review & Refine
After writing your tests, review them again. Look for ways to improve the structure, readability, and efficiency of your test scripts. Collect feedback from your team members and apply it to elevate your scripts.
And don’t forget to refresh your product knowledge by getting up-to-date information about the development process, features, and plans.
To Sum Up
Mastering automation is an effortful undertaking. And you need to do it. As companies move to shorter software development lifecycles and CI/CD pipelines, AT will become the core component of QA services. With new tools and technologies, constant upskilling of expertise is non-negotiable. So, strive to tackle automated testing now. We’ll be here to help you.
Good luck, and keep learning.