The modern world is unthinkable without thousands of useful programs and mobile applications. Some of them do not stand up to competition, but there are those loved by hundreds of millions of users. Behind every successful mobile app is a team of developers and testers. The role of the latter is often underestimated, but it is they who are responsible for bringing the perfect app to the market. How do testers work? Do they sit all day with their laptops or mobile phones and check out various features? Not always. Today, there is such a wonderful method as test automation, and it will be discussed in today’s article.
What is test automation?
Test automation (TA) is a software-checking technique that involves using automation tools and frameworks to execute the same set of tasks over and over again. The key difference between manual and automated checks is that manual one is completely dependent on the person sitting at the computer or gadget. While automated checks can be written once and run multiple times with little or no human intervention.
Although the benefits of manual QA specialists are great, the global trend of delegating manual labor to machines is driving automated testing to the fore. It allows you to increase efficiency, as well as increase the coverage and speed of software testing when you need to repeat the same cases. Automation software can enter data into the environment, compare expected and actual results, and generate detailed reports.
Types of automated tests
Test automation is applied to various types of inspections. The number of programs being developed is constantly increasing, their complexity is also increasing, so more operations are needed. To properly approach this process, you need to understand the types of automated testing:
- Regression testing. In this type, the performer has to perform many small and routine tasks. Automation takes over these tasks. Checks of this type are written on the basis of manual analogs that have already proven their effectiveness, so the quality remains at a high level.
- Cross-browser and cross-platform testing. In this form, automation is built quite simply. The whole point is to run the program under different operating systems or different browsers.
- Location testing. If done manually, this type is a laborious process, because you need to check the result of the program or application, depending on the selected location or the chosen language. The bottom line is to identify defects in the graphical display of the program under monitoring. Automation allows you to speed up the process at times.
- Performance testing. This type is extremely rarely performed “manually” and is fully automated. The point is to give the program a moderately increasing load and determine the edge when the program can fail. For these types of tests, special services are used that simulate different situations. For example lack of RAM, a large number of one-time operations, low Internet speed, etc.
Benefits of test automation
Why automate testing? Here is a small list that will convince you of the usefulness of this activity:
- The speed is several times higher than with manual testing.
- Reliability is significant.
- Significant savings in time and money. You have to invest only in the beginning.
- Eliminates the human factor. It leads to flawless results.
- Increases efficiency. This benefit is especially valuable in a competitive environment.
- Reduces time to market and more. Thus, you can launch more apps in a shorter time.
TA helps to optimize the use of human resources. Of course, these specialists can be more expensive to hire, but when one automation specialist does the work of several manual QA specialists, hiring them is certainly a profitable investment.
Conclusion
Today, both manual and automated software testing coexist in parallel. It is impossible to talk about the need to completely get away from the manual. However, global trends and exponential growth in the number of programs and applications hint that automation is the future.
As the digital world continues to evolve, the importance of tests without people will only increase. Already now, it is important to form your strategy taking into account the future reality and look for specialists who will help make your software popular and profitable.