Software Testing Automation: Everything You Need to Know

Software testing automation can be a complex procedure that consists of many repetitive steps and cycles. An automation test aims to understand the functional capabilities of a developing app by testing its use cases in simulated real-world scenarios. This is done to ensure that a given software can deliver the results it is programmed to offer when it finally goes live. 

Let’s now understand how Software testing automation works.

What is Software Testing Automation?

Software testing automation is the process of using automated algorithms and frameworks to execute software tests on developing applications. Software automation testing eliminates reliance on manual testing by employing pre-scripted testing protocols and machine learning tools to run software test cycles. Automated tests are quicker to implement, and allow easy integration with CI/CD pipelines to pace up the execution of software tests. 

With the growth of automation platforms that supply developers with read-to-use test modules and databases, software testing has taken a new and improved form. Automation testing utilizes reusable test scripts to accelerate the test process, while also enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of results.

How Does Test Automation Software Work?

Test automation software works by employing pre-programmed scripts to run tests on a developing application. Different functions and steps of a software test are coded into algorithms that can now run without manual execution. Such functions are assembled to create specific modules that are used by developers to execute complex testing cycles. With the growing popularity of automation testing, many cloud-based platforms are now offering advanced testing environments for software developers to run application tests at low infrastructure and time costs.

Here are some typical operative processes that are behind most software automation tests:

Script Development

Automation platforms and services are backed by pre-coded testing features that can be readily employed to run a software test. Test automation platforms host a repository of testing algorithms that are scripted by engineers to define specific test cases. These algorithms outline the steps that need to be executed during a standardized software test. Many algorithms and testing features can be combined to create customized tests that meet a tester’s evolving requirements. 

Execution of tests

Scripted instructions within an automated testing algorithm interact with the software under test to execute a full-fledged testing procedure. This process can involve inputs from external databases, and interaction with other platforms to run an integrated application test that offers specific results. 

Reporting and Analysis of Results

After the execution of any test case, the automation software offers pre-built methods to report and analyze its outcomes. Expected outcomes of a test cycle are compared with actual outcomes to understand the performance of a particular application. After this, detailed reports are generated to provide insights into the status of individual test cases and summarize results. 

Integration

Automated software toolkits provide many features that can integrate with other testing platforms to create custom testing scenarios. Developers can combine pre-scripted test algorithms with manual testing techniques to understand the different functions of their applications. Integrations can be used to run CI/CD pipelines or version control tests during an SDLC. Cross-platform integration allows developers to incorporate unique testing techniques into built-in automated testing frameworks.

What Kinds of Software Tests Need to be Automated

Certain software tests can provide better quality and faster results upon being automated. Here are some popular automated software testing processes:

End-to-end Tests

End-to-end software automation tests are built to test the entire workflow of a software application. These tests try to cover multiple levels of an application stack, including testing the backend programming, databases, and user experience. These tests try to validate the performance of an application from start to finish, ensuring that all components function correctly to deliver expected outcomes. End-to-end tests are important for testing the reliability of developing software and verifying its performance before it is released in the real world.

Unit Tests

Unit tests are conducted to validate the functionality of the smallest testable components of software. These are run upon individual units of a developing application to test their performance in isolation from the rest of the software program. Unit tests are known to deliver precise and quick results which help developers catch early errors or faults in developing software. Popular unit testing frameworks such as JUnit, NUnit, Mocha, and Playwright help in facilitating fast and reliable unit tests for multiple types of software. 

Integration Tests

Integration tests are used to ensure that different components of a given application work together in sync. These tests are designed to test functions like communication between modules, data transfer, and software compatibility across different interfaces. Integration tests are built to identify and correct performance mismatches between different units of software. There are various levels of integration tests, ranging from component integration, API integration, and system integration testing. 

Performance Tests

Performance tests are used to verify the responsiveness, functional stability, and overall performance of a software application under different conditions. Key performance indicators such as response time, resource utilization, and component interactions are measured to identify functional faults within an application. Some common techniques employed for running a performance test include load testing, scalability testing, and stress testing. Performance tests help developers optimize the system architecture of applications to improve user experience and reduce risks of performance degradation or failure.

Benefits of Software Automation Testing

Software testing is an essential part of all software development lifecycles. It is the step that determines whether a developing software is on the right track in terms of delivering the functions it is constructed for. Here are some key benefits of software automation testing:

More Frequent Tests

Automation of software tests makes it easy to conduct repetitive and component-directed tests more frequently during an SDLC. Automated testing scripts and features do away with the need to code or develop a new testing environment for every test cycle. This is because developers can use pre-built frameworks and modules to carry out most standard application tests for their software. As a result, software testing cycles become faster and easier to implement, allowing testers to conduct frequent tests before the final deployment of an app.

Enhanced Resource Efficiency

Software testing requires a complex combination of infrastructure and skills to provide successful results. Development teams need to compile their testing hardware, software, coded programs, databases, and manual skill sets before they embark on an application testing journey. Automated software testing can reduce the time and effort it takes to create functional testing environments by providing pre-built testing tools that can eliminate lengthy manual labor. Furthermore, automation testing allows testers to integrate AI and machine learning algorithms into traditional testing cycles, leading to improved accuracy and faster results.

Quick execution compared to Manual Testing

The use of manual testing skills for running software tests requires huge investments into human skill sets. Despite having capable testers on board, development teams struggle with allocating responsibilities and maintaining a high-quality testing schedule that relies on manual testing. Automated software tests offer a solution to these issues by multiplying the efficiency and reliability of test results, while also saving time and resources. The use of automated tests can significantly improve testing speeds, resulting in faster time-to-market for new software.

Higher Accuracy

Software automation testing can significantly improve the accuracy of application testing reports. The pre-framed software testing features and modules are already screened by programmers to provide consistent results. This means that the testing toolkits available on automation testing platforms offer more reliable and accurate results when compared with freshly coded manual tests. So, by choosing pre-verified automated algorithms, testers can enhance the validity and precision of their software testing results.

Scalability

Reusable testing scripts are easy to scale and apply across multiple testing scenarios. Automated testing platforms rely on cloud-based testing environments that can easily handle huge volumes of testing data without compromising the reliability of a test. This allows testers to carry out larger and data-heavy tests without additional hassles of software modifications or upgrades. Most automation testing software also offers cross-platform integrations that make it easy for developers to customize and scale their test cycles as needed. 

Use Avo Assure for an enhanced Automation Testing experience

A successful software automation testing cycle relies on two main factors – the infrastructural set-up of a test environment and the abilities of a testing team. If you are a team of skilled developers who know exactly how to run a productive software test, don’t let your results get compromised due to infrastructural lack. Use the AvoAssure automation testing platform to access a one-spot solution for all of your software testing requirements. With 100% scriptless automation, seamless CI/CD integration, and elastic execution tools, AvoAssure is guaranteed to enhance your automation testing results.