Automate testing is used to test if a certain computer program meets the specified requirements without testing this manually.

As opposed to a person entering commands and pressing buttons to check out a program, other programs get employed to do the testing.

This saves time and enables one to catch more mistakes. 

Individuals and organizations harness automation testing to make sure that a developed website, application or any other software is fit for use upon release to the users.

There are particular tools that assist in setting up, constructing, as well as performing these tests.

Some people may consider it hard or costly to do automation testing whereas in fact it is cheaper and time effective since it helps to identify errors. 

What Is Automation Testing And Why Does It Matter?

Automation testing in simple terms is a process of using another software tool to test another software application.

It enables comprehensive testing of applications to be done by the tools without involving people as is usually the case in manual testing.

This makes the testing to be faster and reliable most importantly when it comes to the repeated processes. 

Acceptance testing is actually a critical process in asserting that a software application is going to run smoothly before it is handed over to the users.

It enables easy identification of problems and time is well saved for the makers of software.

It does not override all the types of tests that are conducted by humans, but it is very efficient at doing the routine tests which have to be conducted every time there is a new update of the software. 

Where Automation Testing Shines: Key Applications

Automation testing is a special and rather universal type of activity in the course of software development. Here’s a detailed look at its most common applications:

1. Product Setup Testing 

• This one checks whether software was well installed and configured. 
• Periodic checks for proper initialization of all the databases, the user accounts, and the general systems settings. 
• Checks that all the dependencies that are meant to be installed are properly installed and configured 

2. Test Data Generation 

• Produces significant amounts of realistic data useful for testing in numerous circumstances 
• Creates data for special cases and extreme vital conditions 
• Writes data sets used for performance and load testing 

3. User Interface (UI) Testing 

• Tests usability of entities on the interface such as buttons, forms, menus etc. 
• Cross check the relative layout of the elements and alongside the responsive design layouts. 
• Ensures proper processing of user input and use of software interface 
• Responsible for policy and procedure compliance in regard to accessibility 

4. Performance Testing 

• Records response times when the application is operated under different loads 
• Able to detect areas of constraints such as time and resources 
• A verification of other characteristics is accomplished by emulating high user loads. 
• Scans for memory leaks and bad habits in resource utilization 

 5. Regression Testing 

• Repeats prior performed tests to test new changes have not undone prior results 
• Detects as-of-yet unknown and undesired consequences of code modifications 
• Assists in the sustainment of software stability from development, to testing, and launching phases. 

6. Security Testing 

• Crawls for prevalent threats (e. g. , SQL injection, cross-site scripting) 
• Verifies the product of authentication and authorization systems 
• Reviews of the correct ways in which sensitive data is encrypted 
• Compares with the set security standards and regulations 

7. Functionality Testing 

• White-box testing Looks at the architecture and substructures within the application
• Black-box testing Involves paying huge emphasis on both input and output aspects while having no information on the internal actions. 
• Check that design and all the functionality are as per the stated requirements 

8. Compatibility Testing 

• Ensures software works correctly across different, Also called platforms, types of OS include Windows, MacOS, Linux and the likes. 
• Clients (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge and more). 
• Mobile devices, smartphones (various) and tablets. 
• All the database systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle and other kinds of DB systems. 

9. Internationalization (i18n) and Localization (l10n) Testing 

• Checks that all different character sets and encodings are being handled correctly 
• Cross checks the translated copy in encouraging the right translation of parts of the user interface 
• According to a particular locale, it ensures the correct preparation of dates, time and numbers. 
• Verifies support for Right-To-Left (RTL) configuration when needed 

10. API Testing 

• Authenticates the operational, dependable, and defendable nature of application programming interfaces 
• Verifications for appropriate management of several inputs and conditions 
• Assures the right implementation of the error and status codes 
• Checks the accuracy and coherence of the data produced by each API call 

11. Testing of CI/CD Pipeline 

• Concerned with Build, Test and Deploy aspects of the software and application development lifecycle. 
• Guarantees code changes blend with the rest of the code. 
• It enables generation of quick feedback on the quality of the code written or the results of the tests. 

12. Database Testing 

• Co-generation of data for validation purposes 
• Check how the database is handled for the transactions and the rollbacks. 
• Strengthens the capability of a database to handle different form of loads 
• Ensures validity of the data migration scripts as well as the processes. 

13. Network Testing 

• Imitates different network conditions such as delay, dropping packets and so on. 
• Check how the application under test acts in case of weak network signal. 
• Ensures the correct management of networks and issues of timeout. 

 14. Usability Testing 

• Mitigates collection of data regarding interactions of the user with the product or service. 
• Captures and analyzes the degree of usage by the targeted users.
• Can be used to flag problem areas in the use of a product or system.

Thus, automation testing of the software improves quality, reliability, efficiency of the development in the mentioned areas. 

Top Tools To Supercharge Your Automation Testing

Automation testing tools, including those tailored for Automation Testing AQA, are available with varying prices, right from the paid versions to the ones available freely on the web. Here are some of the best options:

Paid Tools

UFT (Unified Functional Testing) 

Ideal for: These refer to the type of testing known as functional testing and the testing carried out using regression models, crucial for Automation Testing AQA.

 Key features:

• User-friendly interface.
• Supports many technologies (Web, Desktop, SAP and the like). 
• Strong facilities to identify the object.
• Is compatible with other HP tools.

LoadRunner 

Ideal for: Application performance testing and Load testing 

Key features: 

• Has the capability of mimicking several thousands of users at one and the same time. 
• Includes specific performance data.
• Is compatible with a broad spectrum of application technologies.
• Provides constant and immediate observation and evaluation.

TestComplete 

Ideal for: Functional testing such as graphic user interface testing for both the desktop, web and mobile applications. 

Key features: 

• AI-powered testing capabilities.
• Voice record and playback facilities.
• Is designed to support multiple scripting languages.
• Lease integrates with other Continuous Integration and Continuous Development applications. 

Ranorex Studio 

Ideal for: Cross-platform GUI testing.

 Key features: 

• Codeless test creation 
• Reusable code modules 
• Built-in issue tracker 
• It supports testing of web applications and systems as well as in desktop and mobile environments. 

Tricentis Tosca 

Ideal for: Ongoing subsequent testing in the enterprise settings.

Key features: 

• Model-based test automation. 
• Risk-based testing approach.
• Resolves the compatibility issues for more than 160+ technologies and applications.
• Heightened API test strength.

Free And Open-Source Tools  

Apache JMeter 

Ideal for: According to focenz, performance and load testing is the process of using multiple systems as one to test the endurance of the target application, an essential part of Software Quality Assurance.

Key features: 

• Enables testing of as many different application/server /protocol types as possible 
• Very scalable through Y numbered plugins 
• Supports distributed testing 

Selenium 

Ideal for: Internet Explorer Automation 

Key features: 

• Supports code written in one of several programming languages 
• Supported by all leading browses 
• Can work with the testing frameworks like TestNG, JUnit etc. 

SoapUI

Ideal for: Web Service testing using SOAP & REST_FULL. forms 

Key features: 

•   Functional, security and performances testing for APIs 
•   SOAP as well as REST interfaces supported 
•   Enables a user to create complicated test scenarios 

Katalon Studio 

Ideal for: Testing of Web, API, mobile, and the desktop. 

Key features: 

• Developed using Selenium and Appium as the parent frameworks 
• Provides both script and no-script adventures. 
• Compliant with many technologies addressing CI/CD and ALM areas 

Appium 

Ideal for: Mobile application testing is one which involves testing of both Android and i-0S mobile applications on the field. 

Key features: 

• Cross-platform: can use the same API for testing for both iOS and android 
• Compatible with several programming languages 
• You do not have to change app for testing 

Robot Framework 

Ideal for: Acceptance testing and acceptance test driven development (ATDD) 

Key features: 

• Keyword-driven testing approach 
• Extensible through libraries 
• Easy-to-read test cases 

Cypress 

Ideal for: Testing of current generation web applications 

Key features: 

• Real-time reloading 
• Automatic waiting 
• Several allow debug from developer tools 
• Is a framework that is based on Mocha and Chai 

These are all valuable instruments every one of them possesses strengths and can be used in the course of varied testing.

The type of tool can also be influenced with the need and the technology and the expertise the team has in that technology. 

How They Work 

Different techniques are used in automation testing each with its positive attributes and suitable scenarios.

Here’s an in-depth look at the most common techniques:

Record and Playback 

 How it works: 

• A log captures interaction with the application; generic input we record mouse clicks, keystrokes, and so on. 
• These actions are then translocated into a script, as it will soon be named in the scope of this work. 
• It has features of a script so that all operations can be replayed by the user. 

Best for: 

• Simple, UI-focused tests. 
• First of all, defining a method for the important field of quick prototyping of a test case is an adequate approach. 
• Depending on the experience of the teams that are allocated with automation testing. 

Scripting 

 How it works: 

• Testers develop programs using code (typically in Python, Java or Javascript), to develop the test cases. 
• Those scripts work or can work through the UI or API of the application. 
• Can include fairly low level logic as well as data manipulation and complex custom validation rules. 

Best for: 

• Complex test scenarios. 
• High customisation projects.
• Thus it comes out clearly that teams with high programming competencies. 

Data-Driven Testing 

 How it works: 

• They accept input from external data sources such as Excel sheets and databases and hence are written in the form of test scripts. 
• Same test script is executed one or multiple times with different combinations of input data. 
• The results in many cases are stored per data set and that is why there is a power type, a position type as well as the size type. 

Best for: 

• Apps that have many more inputs and many more possibilities for an output. 
• The next alteration within regression testing is the use of distinct data sets. 
• Organizations that in a bid to achieve maximum test coverage effectively. 

Keyword-Driven Testing 

 How it works: 

• The test cases are written with the help of various predefined keywords or action words. 
• Every keyword points at a particular action or a set of actions that need to be performed. 
• These keywords get interpreted by a framework, which means the launch of an appropriate code. 

Best for: 

• Multisport teams, that is teams with a combination of technical skills.
• Use cases that may involve high levels of test case reusability on the particular project.
• Situations, when test maintenance by individuals, who don’t program, is relevant.

Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) 

 How it works: 

• These being tests, they are written in a natural language format — with many testers using Gherkin syntax. 
• These easy to understand tests are used to document the behavior of the application. 
• A framework (as for example Cucumber or SpecFlow) converts these into executable tests. 

Best for: 

• Following is the list of agile teams that practicing BDD: 
• Tasks where the communication of requirements is highly necessary 
• Teams that are interested in having a close link between the testing and the user stories and acceptance criteria 

Still, each of the enumerated methods has its right to belong to automation testing since many projects apply a set of these techniques to get to the wide range of coverages.

Selection is based often on the requirements of a specific project, the composition of the project’s team, as well as on the features of an application that is under testing. 

Busting Common Myths About Automation Testing

This topic of automation testing is one that is rather misunderstood. Let’s clear up some of the most common myths: 

Myth #1: Automation Can Fully Replace Manual Testing: It can’t, there will always be some tasks that cannot be automated and manual testing is always required. 

Myth #2: Can Be Done Manually: Some of the tasks, such as the regression testing, are best performed when and if they are automated.

Myth #3: Automation is Time Consuming: If one is willing to spend time installing and creating automated tests, time is saved in the long run. 

Myth #4: Automation is Easy: Even though it may demand skills and experience to undertake it, it is less straining as compared to undertaking manual testing.

Myth #5: Automation is Only for Regression Testing: It is used in many other fields: performance and security testing. 

Myth #6: Automation also Does Not Inculcate Team Work: This also applies to the processes of software localization as any other parts of the software development.

For organizations and individuals who understand the importance of thorough software testing, automated testing can be an invaluable tool.

To ensure that your automated testing strategies align with best practices, it’s essential to consider all aspects, from manual testing to the automation tools you employ.

For more insights into secure software practices, you can explore resources.

Myth # 7: Automation’s returns are immediate and fast. It is a long-term investment product, which has been known to give good returns in the long-run. 

Conclusion

Automated testing as we know is an effective technique to apply; however, it does not pull wonders out of a hat.

The activity is best done with a lot of preparation, coordination, and a good measure of waiting and expecting the end product.

But when done effectively it could improve your product quality and also the time taken to develop your software.

Bear these tips in mind whenever you venture into automation testing and you are sure of having mastered it in the process.