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What is automated testing?

It is a process of transforming human-driven testing behavior into machine execution. Usually, after the test case is designed and reviewed, the tester executes the test step by step according to the procedures described in the test case, and the actual results are compared with the expected results. In this process, in order to save manpower, time or hardware resources and improve testing efficiency, the concept of automated testing is introduced.

Automated testing application scenario

The research field of software test automation mainly focuses on the automatic management of software testing process and the automation of dynamic testing (such as unit testing, functional testing and performance). In these two areas, compared with manual testing, the advantage of test automation is obvious. First of all, automated testing can improve testing efficiency and make testers pay more attention to the establishment and development of new test modules, thus improving test coverage; secondly, automated testing is more convenient for the digital management of test assets, so that test assets can be reused throughout the test life cycle, which is especially significant in functional testing and regression testing. In addition, the automated management of the test process can make the testing activities of the organization more procedural, which is very consistent with the idea of CMMI process improvement. According to the survey of OppenheimerFunds, in the three years before and after 2001, the global return on investment due to the use of test automation is as high as 1500%.

First, skilled programming skills

For an excellent tester, it is very necessary to have skilled programming ability. if there is no skilled programming ability, it is impossible to write logic automation test scripts, which greatly reduces the efficiency of testing. Background knowledge of programming can not only simplify automated scripts, but also improve communication with developers. Not only that, once the unit test is complete, you can also participate in in-depth functional testing. To acquire this skill, you need to do two things:

(1) learn the design framework well.

However, which language you are proficient in depends on the programming language that the developer uses in the project

(2) be proficient in creating test scripts

At this stage, whether you should have programming knowledge depends on the automation framework used. If your project is using SpecFlow or Cucumber for test automation, you can write scripts in simple English, regardless of back-end logic or coding. Sufficient knowledge of the Selenium web driver is sufficient. However, if you are using UFT or QTP, you should have a comprehensive knowledge of programming.

Have excellent manual testing skills

Please remember the following points

(1) eyes are sometimes more accurate than machines.

When something looks wrong during the test, the human eye can easily detect it. It is difficult to detect visualization problems using automated scripts. Looking at the software from the user's point of view can help testers identify UI and usability tests to discover bug, a feature that is difficult to program in automated scripts.

(2) manual testing is also essential.

Automated testing is a machine that does only what it is asked to do. Complex testing requires a lot of preparation and planning, as well as certain boundaries. The script then follows the protocol and tests the application accordingly, and special tests help testers answer questions such as "what happens when I follow X instead of Y". It helps testers think and test in the simplest ways that are difficult to program in automated scripts. Even visual cross-browser testing requires manual methods. Instead of relying on an automated script to find visual differences, you can manually check the problem through real browser and device testing.

(3) there may be vulnerabilities in automated testing.

An automated script is like another piece of code. No matter how good a programmer is, there are always mistakes. Performing manual operations throughout the testing process, rather than relying entirely on automation, will ensure that there are no problems with the test results after the script is executed.

Third, it is necessary to master professional knowledge of using automation tools

In the current era, the industry requires speed and quality, and customers expect software vendors to deliver high-quality bug-free applications in a short period of time. This is why automated testing applications are on the rise, and every manufacturer wants automated testers to have the knowledge and experience of the following automation tools.

(1) Selenium

Selenium supports multiple system environments (Windows,Mac,Linux) as well as multiple browsers (Chrome,FireFox,IE and headless browsers (no interface)). Its scripts can be written in a variety of programming languages, such as Java,Groovy,Python,C#,PHP,Ruby and Perl.

(2) automatic testing platform-optimal testing

Youtest is a mobile cloud testing platform under Tencent, with more than 50 testing experts, more than 300 professional testing teams, more than 10 years of terminal testing service experience, providing compatibility testing, automated testing, telepresence, device sharing and other services, not only supporting standard capability output, but also providing customized testing solutions to help enterprises build a complete DevOps testing system. And a quality team with Internet thinking.

(3) UFT

UFT (Unified functional testing) is a well-known commercial testing tool for functional testing. It provides a comprehensive feature set for API,Web services, desktop GUI testing, web pages, mobile applications and other platforms. This tool has advanced image recognition, reuse test components and automatic document generation.

UFT uses VB scripts to register test process and object controls. UFT is integrated into the Mercury business process testing and Mercury quality center. This tool also supports support for CI through CI integration tools such as Jenkins.

(4) Watir

Watir is an open source web automated testing tool based on the Ruby library. Watir supports cross-browser testing, including Firefox,Opera, headless browsers and IE. It also supports data-driven testing and integration of BBD tools such as RSpec,Cucumber and Test/Unit.

(5) Katalon Studio

Katalon Studio is a powerful automated testing solution for web applications, mobile and web services. Based on Selenium and Appium frameworks, Katalon Studio integrates the advantages of these frameworks in software automation.

This tool supports different levels of testing skill sets. Non-programmers can also quickly get started on an automated test project (such as recording test scripts using spyware objects), while saving programmers and senior testers time to build new libraries and maintain scripts.

Have a full understanding of business needs

A skilled automation tester must have a comprehensive understanding of the application from the front end and the service layer before the test phase begins. They must know:

(1) programming language used by the development team

(2) platform or device requirements for applications to be run by end users

(3) Database for storing back-end information and user data

(4) api or web services connected to the system and how they are used

(5) once the application is launched, all the features and functions expected by the end user or stakeholders

(6) whether manual tests were performed at the beginning of the testing phase, and if so, how?

(7) expected time spent by manual testers testing the application

(8) whether there is any significant bug that has not been fixed in the previous version and how it will affect the business

(9) expected delivery date for completion of the test phase

(10) browser differences

Fifth, have the ability to troubleshoot automatic tools

Popular test automation tools are so large and complex that they require testers to have detailed technical knowledge of the tools themselves before your project can start using them.

In a project, you may also encounter scenarios like this:

"the script showed some errors in the test results, but the application worked well according to business requirements. The script showed success, but the application threw some real-time errors."

This is called false negative and false positive, and usually occurs when the tester does not have enough knowledge to configure the test script. They just continue to use the template and expect the test to run successfully. If you want to be a successful automated tester, you should have detailed knowledge of configuration tools and how to troubleshoot scenarios such as false positives and false negatives.

Experience in using test management tools

The main purpose of automated testing is to reduce the complexity of the whole testing process. If you are an automated tester, you should have some experience with test management tools. Because they are flexible, they allow users to log any errors and sort them according to their priority based on how they affect items. In addition, its scalability allows easy exchange of information among team members. Having a test management tool will ensure that all important information about the test phase is secure and only accessible to your team and management.

7. Understand different development methods

The team not only wants testers to have knowledge of testing. You also need to understand how different development methods work. If the project follows DevOps or Agile, don't expect the team leader to tell you what to do. Deliver work in a timely manner and prepare for daily meetings to prevent any embarrassment when stakeholders or managers ask key questions about the current phase of work. Understanding development methods will also help you go further in your career.

Summary:

These skills will help testers gain very high value in the industry. Especially if you have a proper understanding of all the latest automation tools and CI/CD tools (such as Jenkins or GitLab), you will become not only a valuable resource for the team, but also a valuable resource for the industry.

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