Post#1.Automation Introduction

What is Automation Testing?

The Process of converting Manual Test cases into Test Script by using any automation tool is known as Automation Testing.

Testers write test scripts and test cases using the automation tool and then group those test cases into test suites.

Benefits of Automation Testing

Reliable: Tests perform precisely the same operations each time they are run, thereby eliminating human error

Repeatable: You can test how the software reacts under repeated execution of the same operations. 
Programmable: You can program sophisticated tests that bring out hidden information from the application.

Comprehensive: You can build a suite of tests that covers every feature in your application.

Reusable: You can reuse tests on different versions of an application, even if the user interfaces changes.

Better Quality Software: Because you can run more tests in less time with fewer resources

Fast: Automated Tools run tests significantly faster than human users.

Cost Reduction: As the number of resources for regression test are reduced.

When to automate an application:

Do the Automation testing in the following scenario of the Software,

·      Requirements do not change frequently

·      Access the application for load and performance with many virtual users

·      Steady Software with respect to manual testing

·      Obtainability of time

·      Huge and serious projects

·      Projects that need to test the same areas often

Steps to follow in Automation testing:

There are lots of helpful tools to write automation scripts, before using those tools it’s better to identify the process which can be used to automate the testing,

·         Identify areas within software to automate

·         Choose the appropriate tool for test automation

·         Write test scripts

·         Develop test suits

·         Execute test scripts

·         Build result reports

·         Find possible bugs or performance issue

The following areas must be automated first

1.   Highly redundant tasks or scenarios
2. Repetitive tasks that are boring or tend to cause human error 
3. Well-developed and well-understood use cases or scenarios first 
4. Relatively stable areas of the application over volatile ones must be automated.

Disadvantages of Automation Testing

Though the automation testing has many advantages, it has its own disadvantages too. Some of the disadvantages are:

• Proficiency is required to write the automation test scripts. 
• Debugging the test script is major issue. If any error is present in the test script, sometimes it may lead to deadly consequences. 
• Test maintenance is costly in case of playback methods. Even though a minor change occurs in the GUI, the test script has to be rerecorded or replaced by a new test script. 
• Maintenance of test data files is difficult, if the test script tests more screens.

Some of the above disadvantages often cause damage to the benefit gained from the automated scripts. Though the automation testing has pros and cons, it is adapted widely all over the world.