Automation testing in software development plays a critical role. It saves the company time and money that would go into manual processes. There is higher efficiency, streamlining of workflows, and reliability of results. The teams can also replicate test cases. It allows for wider coverage of test scenarios.
The same applies to exploratory tests that need human intelligence. The company must take time to understand the value of test automation. They must plan and create strategies to meet business expectations and add value.
Furthermore, with the automation testing tutorials available online, people can master the art of automation. Implementing this in their businesses has numerous benefits. Our article explores ways businesses use automation testing.
Let’s check out some of them below.
- Functional Tests
A business will use automation testing to check the functionality of an app. The testers must have set specifications to act as a metric. Functional tests look at things like the user interface and security.
Others are API, and client/server communication. Let us take the example of mobile apps. The functional test will cover factors like usability.
Will the user find it easy to navigate the app without too much difficulty? Do they find it easy to access the different features, and so on?
There are many types of functional tests the QA team can use. These include
- Smoke testing to check the stability of the app. It lets the teams know they can proceed with further tests. They run small sets of tests after each build. Think of it much like confidence or build verification processes.
- Sanity testing ensures that bug fixes have been successful
- User acceptance testing to determine that the app meets the end-user specifications.
- Unit Tests
Unit tests involve testing each individual code or unit in the app. The aim is to ensure each is operating well, independent of the whole. Unit testing begins in the initial or code development phase. The teams use the tests to verify the correctness of the code.
So, why is it important to carry out unit tests? Well, the test allows the team to identify and fix any issues early on. It will save the company time and money through early detection. Trying to fix issues later in the development cycle will be expensive.
And, such tests are replicable across other test scenarios. All the team needs to do is make relevant tweaks as per the test requirements. It saves them time by not having to write test scripts from scratch.
- Integration Testing
Integration testing is on the other end of unit testing. It looks at how the units perform together as a group. The team will run the test only after the completion of unit testing. Validation and verification come after the integration tests.
Integration testing identifies any abnormal behavior of the units when together. Catching such issues early in the development cycle can save time and money.
Imagine having to go back to the beginning to identify the cause of the app failure. The developers also need to run integration tests if they make any changes in the code.
- Regression Testing
In the development process, developers may update or change code. Such changes, no matter how small, can cause problems further down the line.
The teams will do regression testing to see what impact the changes will have. The tests also determine if they work and integrate well with the existing code.
- Accessibility Testing
Any software developer understands the importance of inclusivity. That means everyone should be able to use it. But, there are specific groups that may experience challenges.
A visually impaired individual or one with hearing disabilities needs special assistive features. Such include speech recognition, screen readers, and magnifiers. Those with complications around motor control will need special keyboards.
There are some specific accessibility guidelines developers must adhere to. Such include web content accessibility guidelines. Products that meet such have a higher chance of satisfying diverse customer requirements.
- End To End Testing
End-to-end testing looks at the app’s workflow from the beginning to the end. Developers aim to replicate end-user scenarios. It allows them to check data integrity and confirm integration.
The tests cover a wide range of scenarios. Such include hardware communication with the app, external dependencies, network connectivity, and databases. Remember, the functionality of an app depends on how units integrate/work together.
Think about it this way. A washing machine comprises many different components. A unit test could confirm that each individual component works well. But, it is only until you run a complete wash cycle will you know the different units work well together. And, that is what the end-to-end testing confirms.
- Performance Testing
Web and mobile app developers will run performance tests. Non-functional testing looks at qualities like scalability and response time. Others are resource usage, speed, and stability. All these have a direct impact on usability.
Performance testing covers many factors including:-
- Load testing to determine the threshold
- Stress testing to check stability and performance even with insufficient hardware resources
- Soak or endurance tests to check if the app can hold up to extended usage
- Scalability tests to measure performance when there is a significant increase in workloads
- Spike tests check system performance if there is a sudden spike in the number of users.
- Volume testing to see the app’s ability to handle large data volumes.
- Performance testing identifies any obstacle that may interfere with the smooth user experience.
Final Thoughts
Software development businesses must incorporate automation testing in the processes. It cuts down the developmental time.
Teams enjoy higher efficiency by not having to handle manual or repetitive tasks. The company uses automation testing in several ways as we have highlighted above.
The tests ensure only high-quality products go into the market. They must meet customers and industry requirements.
Developers can catch any bugs that will interfere with the functioning of the apps. For the company, the result is cost savings. Product recalls are expensive and can damage the reputation of the company.
Customers trust businesses that offer the best products. Loyalty from such will help the company see ROI for any automated testing tools they invest in.
