We are living in one of the developed and advanced ages of human beings. Advancement in technology has brought the need for every industry to develop software that does help to run everything. In developing software, there is a need for the software to be fast and high quality, thus the need for test automation. So what does automation testing entail?
Automation testing involves testing specific software products while utilizing special tools. In automation testing, these tests are conducted automatically, with the eventual results compared to the expected results.
During automation testing, there is little to no human interference making the entire process almost effortless. As compared to manual testing, automation testing is less time-consuming as the repetitive actions are automated using the testing tools.
Choosing the Best Automation Tools
In the current technological world, there is several automation testing tools. It can be rather confusing when it comes to choosing the best automation tools. During this stage, one needs to ask themselves four crucial questions. These four crucial questions entail the four WHs, and that is who, what, why, and when. How about we have brief discussions on the four WHs.
First WHs- WHO
When thinking about the best software testing tools, the first question to ask you is who will be carrying out the testing and using the web testing tools. Will you be using expert web testing professionals or maybe you will be using junior staff members? Will the non-technical staff be involved through the entire web testing process? If yes, what stage will the non-technical staff be involved and what do they need to learn to be able to interpret the results.
Second WHs- WHAT
The second crucial aspect is answering the what question. Answering the what question revolves around understanding whether the software testing tools, will be used on a mobile application or web application.
Additionally the what question involves around answering what product layer will be tested. Understanding which product layer you will have test will help one understand web testing tools to be used as each product layer testing involves using specific testing tools.
Third WHs- WHEN
This question is around two significant things: how well the apparatus you work with engraves itself into the cycles of consistent turn of events and coordination, and how well it works along with developers’ tests. Along these lines, for instance, it is truly useful to be aware assuming the instrument offers variant control and information history if essential.
Fourth WHs- WHY
This is straightforward; it does come with understanding the different software testing types and with each different type comes with different purposes and intent. Understanding what you will be testing will help you understand which tool to pick.
Best Testing Tools Available on the Market
In choosing the best software testing tools, you will come to notice that there are thousands of these tools on the internet. Picking one can be difficult especially if you are new to this world of web testing. So to help you out we have decided to come down with a list of the best software testing tools.
Selenium
For years, Selenium has been among the best website testing tools and is considered a household name. Over the years it has set standards for user interface automation. Selenium allows developers to test their web applications.
Its ability to incorporate a vast majority of languages including Java, C#, Ruby, PHP, Groovy, and Perl. Additionally the tool does allows for multiple environment supporting Windows, Linux and Mac. Furthermore the tool can be utilized across multiple browsers.
In November 2020, the company took the whole testing experience to the next level through its release of the 4.0.0 Alpha 7. The 4.0.0 Alpha 7 which does allow for a seamless web testing experience. The launch of the 4.0.0 Alpha 7 does allow for developers to test their codes on multiple browsers such as, Internet Explorer Edge,Chrome and Safari without any need for code modification following the W3C Standard Protocol.
Selenium is considered a tool for the experts as it can be used properly with individuals who have advanced programming skills. Additionally one needs to spend a considerable amount of time building automation frameworks and libraries. For many, the complexity and time duration needed to develop automation frameworks can be considered is the main disadvantages of using the tool. It does come with an open source license
Testim
In regards to software testing tools, Testim is considered a cutting-edge, instinctive UI and low code requirement. The tool does allow for recording of client’s activities by utilizing the Chrome extension.
Using the Testim visual editorial manager, developers are able to alter any tests and any finding from the test. Additionally Testim allows for cross- testing which can be simply be started by the implicit scheduler or from a CI activity.
Testim coordinates with every single critical Ci. Testim’s test status include empowers clients to treat test disappointments contrastingly as they run in the CI (stop the form, pass the form with data as it were). Testim coordinates with famous adaptation control frameworks for code/test branch synchronization and joint effort and bug following devices.
One can view the test results from the dashboard which does show the last test runs for each test. Failures can be easily be determined using the bench markers set up. In all totality Testim’s greatest value comes from its AI-fueled finders which does help to keep tests stable, while also diminishing the financial implication
Cucumber
Third, on our list is Cucumber. Unlike the first two web testing tools, Cucumber isn’t ideally meant for automation testing. Unlike other tools, Cucumber is meant for discussion and requirement clarification. However, it can be useful as a lot of teams tend to use it as an automated testing foundation as it does read code written in regular English.
Soap UI
Developed by Smartbear, Soap UI is an open-source functional testing tool which does provide a comprehensive API Test Automation Framework for REST( Representational State Transfers and SOAP (Service- Oriented Architectures)
It is the best tool for API and services testing, however, it cannot be used in web or mobile app testing. Its amazing features include the ability to easily reuse scripts, drag, and drop, and ability to allow for asynchronous testing. In regards to license, it is open-source.
Watir
If you fancy using Ruby, then you do need website testing tools that do facilitate web app testing. In full Watir stands for Web Application Testing In Ruby, which does allow for automation testing using the ruby library.
Watir is open source and does come with amazing features. Some of its features include: it is lightweight, easy to use, allows for multiple browsers, can work on different platforms, allows for cross-platform OS support, and is technology independent
Eggplant
Recently bought by Keysight Technologies, Eggplant is an excellent automation web testing tool. For more than a decade, it has been used by several companies including industry leaders such as Gartner and Forrester. It does come with amazing features which include AI-driven automation, user engagement, seamless tools integration, testing efficiency, and critical systems automation
Test IO
One of the big disadvantages of web testing tools is the inability of some tools not work in real multiple browsers. The good thing about using Test IO is that does allow for crowd testing in real devices, across multiple browsers under real-life conditions. It does incorporate crowd testing which means it does use skills from thousands of real-time professionals thus helping to improve the web apps quality.
Lambda Test
Lambda Test is considered one of the best scalable cloud-based testing tools. Utilizing the Lambda test does help to ensure that all web app elements such as Javascript, Video CSS, and HTLM5 among others work seamlessly across all desktops and mobile browsers. Using Lambda tests one gets the opportunity to exploit over 2000+ desktop and mobile browser combinations.
Serenity
In the pursuit of the best website testing tools, you always need a tool that does reduce the entire workload. Well, one tool is doing exactly that and that is the Serenity testing tool. It does ensure that all tests have been written easily for monitoring and maintenance.
Its features do allow for diverse applications. Additionally, the website testing tool does provide detailed test reports which do provide insights into the overall web application performance while also keeping a tab of all project progress.
Final Words
After reading the above blog piece, do you feel that the stress that comes with picking the right software testing tools or website testing tools finally lifted?.
As a software developer, you do understand that the success of any software comes down to testing and if not conducted well, it only needs more time wastage and frustration. The above software testing tools do help to remove all that. Just remember that all of these tools come with their sets of advantages and disadvantages.