No-code test automation is the key to successful software development. Short release cycles, quick feature updates, and swift response to trends are inevitable when you are in a software industry. The trophy is yours if you overcome all the above. And these demands are unlikely to diminish any time soon. Test automation plays a vital role in helping you reach this mark. Today, no code testing is the next big thing in test automation. Let us see what it is.
What is No-Code Test Automation?
The method in which intelligent test automation solutions help achieve intentional results without any coding is called no-code test automation. It takes complex tasks traditionally done by coding and simplifies them through automated code generation. In short, it enables testing an application without writing a single piece of code to make testing quick and simple.
See How No-code Test Automation Works
It generates code in the background while recording test steps. It leverages object identification or image capture technologies to automate application processes using visual elements. This is crucial in driving test automation, and provides an abstraction layer that translates simple user interactions to code. Software engineers can thus focus on creating test scenarios and user experience evaluation rather than creating humongous lines of testing codes.
The Advantages of No-code Test Automation
With the ease of use and speed, no-code test automation offers several benefits, especially in the agile software development space. Here’s a list of core benefits it provides.
Frees-up Software Engineers
The prime intent of automation is to free-up employees from repetitive tasks. For instance, software engineers need to carry out regression testing at all instances of software development. With no-code test automation, they need not invest time to automate regression tests by writing codes and helps them invest time and effort in relevant, valuable tasks.
Supports Agile/Automation Adoption
Being a holistic automation solution applicable across an organization, it eliminates a significant automation barrier of requiring a specific skill set for the complete utilization of the system. Also, no-code method enable users with least coding knowledge to be part of testing which reduces the overall development costs.
Keeps In Pace with the Speed of Development Cycles
No-code test automation works on graphical UI workflows that shorten the learning curve to help testers easily learn automation and its implementation to quickly and easily build test automation. In return, this helps them keep pace with the fast development lifecycles.
Easy to Maintain and Scalable
No-code method mainly works through the native identification of objects, making it scalable and easy to maintain. Software engineers can combine testing workflows and reuse across all test cases, and changes made to any sub-flow initiates changes to all related test cases automatically. Therefore, every time the system in testing changes, the test case need not require adjustments.
Best-in-class Documentation
This method stores and document tests accurately with visual descriptions/video, logs, and records in audio trails to provide accurate and audible documents that help check all actions and events the way they occur.
However, an uphill has a downhill. With all the above advantages, no-code test automation has some challenges. Let us see some of them.
Challenges of No-code Test Automation
It is not 100% Codeless
Even if the solution is codeless, enterprises might not be able to achieve 100% automation as many instances still require certain amount of manual coding. Typically, a codeless test automation solution records all the test steps into a script while testers manually perform them. Even though the recording happens automatically, the initial stages need manual workforce.
Rigid Templates Limit Customization
In no-code test automation, sometimes testers get little/no opportunities to modify scripts as the automation process happens in the background. So, when a tester discovers that a relevant app feature is missing, it becomes challenging to fit that specific piece of business logic into the software.
Creates Shadow IT
Employees or users can easily access IT governance and operate or make changes without management knowledge in a no-code system. That creates a Shadow IT. Shadow IT refers to users accessing software development/IT systems, code repository, and related services without approval steps. It exposes software development systems to serious security risks and compliance issues.
Not Universal
No-code test automation leads to interoperability issues between browsers, software, and test platforms as it’s still not universal.
Inefficient Maintainability
If the tests are not reusable or modular, maintainability becomes challenging with the mounting number of tests and the dynamically changing application ecosystem in testing.
Future of No-code Test Automation
As Chris Wanstrath, CEO at GitHub said, “the future of coding is no coding at all.” QA testing is the paramount technology that ensures error-free software in an age where even a lone bug can cost you humongous dollars. Fact is, the need for automation coders will not diminish. Rather than replacing manual jobs, no-code test automation will boost their outcome and efficiency. And the speed with which it is growing implies that the technology will enable testing in a complete codeless package. Today it leverage intelligent technologies like artificial intelligence to support even non-technical employees to create user-friendly and interactive apps, websites, and automation sequences; that’s easy road to success with no-code test automation within reach.
At Avo, we provide automation solutions like Avo Assure that simplifies testing through simple, user-friendly technology. It helps create test scenarios without any coding skills, not compromising test coverage and quality. To know more about our automation solution, get a free demo today.
