In this blog, Devu Mohanan discusses the various automation testing tools available and how to choose the right one for your project.

WHY AUTOMATION TESTING? 

Automation testing is the process of carrying out tests and validating the functionality, performance, and dependability of a software application using software tools and scripts.  It entails developing and executing automated test cases and scripts that replicate user interactions and validate expected outcomes. 

Automation testing aims to streamline and optimize the software testing process by reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency. It involves the use of specialized tools and frameworks that enable testers to automate the execution of test cases, data generation, result comparison, and reporting. 

AUTOMATION TESTING PROCESS 

1. Test planning: It involves figuring out the scope of testing, defining test objectives, and determining which test cases may be automated.
2. Test Script Creation: Use a programming language or specialized automation tools to write test scripts or code. These scripts outline the tests' steps, activities, and expected outcomes.
3. Environment Setup: Configure the test environment, including the software application, test data, test infrastructure, and any test fixtures that are required.
4. Test Execution: Execute the automated test scripts to verify the application's behavior by performing the specified actions. To imitate user actions, the test scripts interact with the application's user interface, APIs, or other components.
5. Result Analysis: To find any differences or failures, compare the actual test results to the intended ones. Automation systems frequently provide reporting and logging features that allow you to follow test outcomes and provide full information on failed tests.
6. Maintenance and Enhancement: Keep the test scripts and update them as needed when the application is changed. Adding new test cases, updating current scripts, or adjusting to changes in the application's functionality are all examples of enhancements.

ADVANTAGES OF AUTOMATION TESTING 

Over manual testing, automation testing has various advantages, these includes: 

• Accuracy: Automated tests have been configured to take specific stages and perform preset activities, decreasing the possibility of human error.
• Reusability: Test scripts can be reused, which helps future testing cycles run more quickly and efficiently. Because of its reusability, tests may be executed consistently and with effective test coverage.
• Efficiency: The testing process is greatly accelerated. Automated tests can be run significantly faster than manual tests, providing faster feedback on the quality of the product under test.
• Coverage: Compared to manual testing, automation testing allows for greater test coverage. Numerous test cases that cover various functional scenarios, data types, and combinations can be run concurrently or sequentially.
• Reliability: Automation testing ends dependence on individual testers and their subjective opinion. It produces reliable and repeatable findings, which reduces the possibility of incorrect results.
• Scalability: It is appropriate for testing large, sophisticated software systems. As the number of test cases expands. automation enables parallel execution, reducing overall testing time.
• Regression Testing: Automation scripts can be rerun to ensure that no functionality has been impacted whenever software changes or updates are made, this saves time and effort.

AUTOMATION TESTING VS MANUAL TESTING 

TYPES OF AUTOMATION TESTING TOOLS  

The following are some of the available test automation testing tools in the market:  

• Selenium
• Katalon Studio
• TestComplete
• Appium
• Unified Functional Testing 

Selenium

• Selenium is a popular open-source web-based application testing framework.
• It provides a suite of tools and libraries that enable automation testing of web browsers across different platforms.
• The core component of Selenium is Selenium WebDriver, which provides a programming interface to interact with web browsers. WebDriver allows testers to automate the actions performed by users, such as clicking buttons, filling out forms, navigating through pages, and verifying page elements.
• Selenium is compatible with various web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Internet Explorer.
• It supports multiple kinds of operating systems, making it useful for testing web applications across numerous platforms.
• Selenium has a large and active community, which contributes to its extensive documentation, numerous online resources, and continuous development of new features and enhancements.
• It integrates well with other testing frameworks, build tools, and CI/CD pipelines, making it a popular choice for web application testing.

Katalon Studio

• Katalon Studio is a comprehensive test automation tool for web, mobile, API, and desktop application testing.
• It allows testers to create and execute test cases using a simple and intuitive interface.
• Katalon Studio includes a centralized Object Repository where test objects are stored. This repository allows testers to define and manage web elements, making them easily reusable across test cases.
• Katalon Studio supports data-driven testing, allowing testers to parameterize test data and execute tests with different datasets.
• It integrates smoothly with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) tools like Jenkins, Azure DevOps, and Bamboo.
• Katalon Studio supports testing across multiple web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
• It also allows for testing on various operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. This helps ensure application compatibility and consistent behavior across different browser and platform combinations.
• Katalon Studio offers a free version (Katalon Studio Community Edition) as well as a paid version (Katalon Studio Enterprise) with additional features, support, and advanced capabilities. 
   

TestComplete

• TestComplete is intended to help with functional, regression, and data-driven testing for a variety of applications, including desktop, web, mobile, and business applications. 
• TestComplete runs tests on a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux and has built-in support for testing applications written in technologies such as.NET, Java, Delphi, C++, Python, Web, and others.
• TestComplete enables testers to record user interactions with the application and instantly generate test scripts. Test scripts can be written in a variety of scripting languages, including JavaScript, Python, and VBScript.
• TestComplete offers data-driven testing, allowing testers to parameterize and run tests against various datasets. Test data can be imported from a variety of sources, including Excel, CSV files, and databases, allowing testers to test a variety of scenarios and inputs.
• It enables keyword-driven testing, in which test cases are produced using a specified set of terms or activities.
• TestComplete features a visualizer that takes screenshots throughout test execution to provide visual proof of test results. It makes it easier for testers to find and diagnose problems by visually comparing predicted and actual application states.
• TestComplete is compatible with common development environments like as Visual Studio, Eclipse, and IntelliJ IDEA, allowing for easy integration into the development workflow. It also offers comprehensive support for CI/CD systems such as Jenkins, TeamCity, and Azure DevOps. 

Appium

• Appium is an open-source test automation framework that was created exclusively for mobile applications.
• It enables testers to automate native, hybrid, and mobile web app testing on iOS and Android platforms.
• Appium supports cross-platform testing, allowing a single codebase to be used for testing on numerous devices and platforms.
• Appium enables testers to create test scripts in a wide range of programming languages, including Java, C#, Python, Ruby, JavaScript, and others. It works with common testing frameworks such as JUnit and TestNG.
• Appium allows testing on both real-world devices and emulators / simulators.
• Appium is based on the WebDriver protocol and so works with the Selenium WebDriver API. This enables Selenium testers to apply their existing knowledge and expertise in mobile automation to Appium.
• Appium, as an open-source framework, benefits from a vibrant community of contributors and users. This guarantees continual development, updates, and maintenance, making it a dependable option for mobile test automation. 

Unified Functional Testing (UFT)

• Unified Functional Testing (UFT), formerly known as QuickTest Professional (QTP), is a software testing tool for functional and regression testing of desktop, online, and mobile applications. 
• UFT enables testers to record user interactions with the application and instantly generate test scripts.
• VBScript and JavaScript are two scripting languages that can be used to record test scripts.
• Users can extend the functionality of UFT by creating custom add-ins and integrating it with third-party solutions. It offers a strong and adaptable foundation for developing custom functions, libraries, and user-defined keywords.
• UFT enables you to conduct tests on a variety of computers and situations, both locally and remotely. It generates detailed execution reports that include test results such as pass/fail statuses, execution logs, screenshots, and error messages.
• UFT offers keyword-driven testing, which involves creating test cases using a collection of specified terms or activities. Also, it supports data-driven testing by allowing testers to parameterize test data and run tests against diverse datasets.
• It also connects with well-known CI/CD systems such as Jenkins and Azure DevOps to include test automation into software development and deployment pipelines.  

Below is a comparison chart showing some of the characteristics and features of the above-mentioned automation tools:

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT AUTOMATION TESTING TOOL 

Choosing the right automated testing tool is critical to the success of your software testing efforts and it depends on various factors. Here are the steps to choose the best automated testing tool for our project. 

1. Identify the requirement: Understand the specific goals, consider about the platform that requires testing and determine the type of application you will be testing.
2. Consider your Team’s skills: Ensure the tool supports languages your team is proficient in. Check for an active community, forums, and support channels.
3. Budget: Depending on the size and complexity of your project, certain options may not fit your budget constraints. Before you decide which tool is best for you, you need to know how much you are willing to spend.
4. Perform a Comparative Analysis: Create a comparison matrix to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different tools based on your evaluation criteria.
5. Reusability: Reusability is an important factor to consider when choosing the best option for your project. This allows teams to reuse scripts and tests created in one environment in another environment, eliminating the need to manually configure or configure each time something new needs testing.
6. Consult Stakeholders: Involve stakeholders, including QA teams, developers, and management, to gather diverse perspectives.
7. Final Selection: Make an informed decision based on reviews, feedback and compatibility with your project requirements. Choosing an automation testing tool should match the specific needs of your project, the expertise of your team and your long-term goals. 
    

CONCLUSION 

Software development practices, tools, and technologies continually evolve to meet the demands of improving efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction while delivering successful products and services. Within this dynamic landscape, software testing remains pivotal in achieving these goals. To keep pace with the ever-changing complexities of integrated and intelligent systems, organizations require intelligent automation and smart analytics to accelerate decision-making and validation processes. 

However, choosing the right automation tool is not just a technical decision - it is a strategic one. Beyond features, it is vital to ensure that your testing team has access to robust support and resources, ensuring seamless operations even in the face of challenges. The ultimate goal is for your testing solution to enhance efficiency, enabling your team to deliver high-quality products faster. 

Are you looking to implement test automation for your projects or seeking guidance in navigating these complexities? Our team brings extensive experience and expertise in implementing test automation solutions for multiple Microsoft projects as a trusted quality partner. Connect with us - marketing@valorem.com, to learn how we can help your organization achieve streamlined, reliable, and future-ready testing processes. Let’s build smarter, together.