Automation

Articles

Human eye Using Computer Vision to Reduce Test Automation Blind Spots

The standard test automation toolkit easily completes web and mobile automation, but it fails to detect elements on desktop and mobile content-based applications. Computer vision (CV) replicates the human eye using deep learning technology and can determine objects in pictures, which helps machines orient in space and perform repetitive detection tasks. Let's see how CV can help automate the testing of a much wider software product list.

Maxim Chernyak's picture Maxim Chernyak
Brain made of computer circuits and binary code A Simpler Way of Using Machine Learning to Shift Testing Left

The advantages of shifting left and testing as early as possible are obvious. But as you automate more testing, the test suite grows larger and larger, and it takes longer and longer to run. Instead, just automate the process of finding the right set of tests to run. The key to that is machine learning. This isn't AI bots finding bugs autonomously without creating tests; this is a different way to use machine learning, and it’s far simpler.

James Farrier's picture James Farrier
Pyramid in Egypt Inverting the Test Automation Pyramid

A growing company was tasked to develop a test automation program from scratch, change its coding practices, and build a continuous testing toolchain. Martin Ivison details how they did it, including realizing that implementing the traditional test pyramid wasn't going to work—it would have to be turned upside down. They found out that small is beautiful, cheap is good, and cultural change matters.

Martin Ivison's picture Martin Ivison
Artificial intelligence bot AI-Driven Test Automation and Your Future

Many software testers are lamenting the impending demise of their jobs thanks to artificial intelligence. But Jon Hagar thinks there's no need to panic just yet. Here, he details some capabilities he's seen in AI, relates how these can be used in software testing, and explains why he thinks most people don't have to worry—although he also explains who should! As usual, it comes down to a willingness to learn new things.

Jon Hagar's picture Jon Hagar
Computer screen showing clean code Clean Coding Practices for a Scalable Test Automation Framework

Many organizations are looking to expand their automation abilities by designing and developing test automation frameworks. However, we often abandon good coding practices in favor of working as fast as possible. We need to treat this project like any other application development project. Here are three of the most important clean coding practices to keep in mind in order to make a scalable test automation framework.

Sumon Dey's picture Sumon Dey
Sign saying "Dead end" 6 Reasons Automation Projects Fail

No matter what the domain or company, there are some common problems that always tend to affect new automation projects. Here are six top reasons automation projects can fail. Keeping these pitfalls in mind will help you to avoid them and instead build stable automation frameworks, making the endeavor a collaborative experience so that your whole team owns automation.

Raj Subrameyer's picture Raj Subrameyer
Three cucumbers Why You Shouldn't Use Cucumber for API Testing

Many people misunderstand the purpose of Cucumber. Because it seems to yield clearer, plain-language test scripts, testers want to use Cucumber as a general-purpose testing tool, including for API tests. But its true purpose is as a BDD framework. You may be thinking, what’s the harm? Here’s why it makes a difference—and why you should choose another tool for API testing.

Byron Katz's picture Byron Katz
Infinity symbol with test automation gear incorporated Test Everywhere: A Journey into DevOps and Continuous Testing

A move to DevOps creates an opportunity to shift the testing process to the left. But what if you went further? DevOps supports continuous testing, so you can advocate for a constant focus on quality, with testing permeating the entire software development process. Here's how you can actually have a faster testing process when the software is tested throughout the lifecycle, by developers, testers, and automation alike.

Glass bottlenecks Dealing with a Test Automation Bottleneck

The test team uses the test automation system to execute thousands of test cases because … why not? The tests are running automatically, for free, so there is no incentive to improve test efficiency. Just run them all! But eventually, as more and more tests are added, the system becomes overloaded. Test runs are delayed and you get a bottleneck. Don't throw more money—or new systems—at the problem; do this instead.

Michael Stahl's picture Michael Stahl
Person comparing two apples An Automated Approach to Regression Testing

Testing every single thing isn't feasible, so regression testing should be holistic in verification while focused in scope. A good goal is to ensure no regression issue is introduced into a critical business flow. This endeavor can benefit from automation. An automated testing approach specific to reducing regression issues can go a long way toward building a good client relationship and high brand value.

Anubhav Bansal's picture Anubhav Bansal

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