Any QA expert will agree that for a product and its functionalities to perform optimally and render a good user experience, it must be flawless in the front-end and the backend. While development teams work their best tools and techniques to build great products, it falls on the QA expert’s shoulders to identify defects or issues in the product build or code.
Automation testing is a great tool to test large codes that are repetitive. However, writing clean automation codes requires not just knowledge of writing code but also a comprehensive skill of writing clean codes and following test automation best practices.
Why Write a Clean Code?
Irrespective of the programming language, QA testers must ensure that they write clean code for the following reasons:
It is readable for anyone who is taking a look at it, and they must be able to find what they are looking for easily. When working with test automation scripts, anyone who joins the team later must understand the existing scripts to help the development of further processes for updates or use them as templates to write new scripts.
It is easy to maintain a clean code. QA testers can easily navigate and locate the necessary piece in a clean code to make updates or changes whenever needed.
A clean code is simple, making it fast and easy to make updates and study the changes effect on the remaining framework.
Making the code reusable is the most prominent attribute of automation test scripts. Test scripts check whether all the frameworks using the specific code are updated as the source code is updated.
Having a clean code makes the debugging process simple and fast. Testers can find the problem areas quickly and make breakpoints wherever necessary without making the process long and slow.
Ways to create automation test scripts
A Test script is a code that runs automatically to execute a user interface test. The code identifies the elements in the User interface, navigates to the component required, and simulates user input. The code identifies the output elements and verifies the output element and its results. The code then reads the result from the output elements and assesses the output value. The code then writes the result in a log for documentation.
There are different ways to write automation scripts. Here are some commonly used methods:
Record/Playback
The tester writes a code instead of recording the user’s actions. If any issues or fine-tuning are required, the tester must do the coding himself. Testers use simplified programming languages such as VBScript for this purpose.
Keyword/Data-Driven Scripting
In this method, testers do not have any underlying knowledge of the code but define the test using keywords, and the developer simply implements the test script for the keywords and updates them with the code. This method does not require the tester to worry about the system, but they will rely on development teams.
Coding in Real Programming Language
Creating a test script using this method allows you to have the ability to record or playback and generate a simple script. As a tester, it is vital to go beyond record/playback and learn coding languages to write simple scripts. We can do coding or write test scripts in any language like Java, JavaScript or Ruby, and testers can choose between the coding languages based on their complexity and understanding.
Tips for writing test scripts
Writing clean test scripts can be easy when testers follow simple tricks and practices such as the following:
Clear Scripts
The test script must be clear, concise and coherent in every step, and it must be verified to ensure that the testing process is smooth. If the tester cannot understand the script, it can waste time and resources.
Simple Scripts
A test script must contain a single or specific action for testers to take. It helps ensure that every function is tested correctly and testers do not miss steps in the software testing process.
Well Mapped Scripts
The tester must ensure that the test plan is mapped correctly and strategised when writing a test script. The testers must use collective data and insights to predict intuitive user paths to address every aspect of the application for testing.
Scriptless Automation Testing
Testers can use tools to automate testing instead of writing test scripts. The tools are usually based on automation frameworks like Selenium. Scriptless testing is a widespread technique where testers use the record/playback method, and the actions on the screen are recorded and then played back as a test. Scriptless testing limits the tester’s interaction with UI elements and allows them to verify all the scenarios and critical components to remove glitches. The tester also has the advantage of reusing the test cases in multiple scenarios. It also is a considerably more straightforward process for setting up and starting up the testing process. Scriptless Automation Testing also offers a good ROI with a lower cost of operation.
Test Automation with QAonCloud
QAonCloud applies years of expertise and knowledge to writing every automation test code. Our expert QA testers use industry best practices to write clean code and scriptless automation testing by understanding the application, development languages, and user flows. This helps us ensure high-quality products for our customers with a seamless user interface for the end-user.
