Speed up the Testing Process Efficiently – Test Automation Frameworks

Manual testing is important to add human intelligence to any software development project. But do you think it is feasible when there are complex applications and fierce deadlines chasing you? It makes the testing process slow which is not an acceptable term in times of automated testing frameworks.

The definition comes like this:

What is an automated framework?

An automation framework is not a single platform but a collection of tools, processes and libraries to aid up the testing of software or application. It provides reusable modules, test cases and data to conduct testing faster and more accurately.

Why is an automated framework useful?

Test automation is not only used for aiding the testing process but also to add authenticity and accuracy to the final product. It offers the benefit of reusing the code in various scenarios, helps the team to write down the test script in a standard format, handles all the issues and a lot more.

Some of the other uses of automated framework include:

• Creating and maintaining test strategies that are focused to the product
• Maintaining the test code easily and using it whenever required
• The URL or Application testing process becomes more accurate
• Continuous testing of coding and delivery is gained on time

There are various automation frameworks with their own features and style of working. Have a look at the types:

1. Linear Automation Framework

The linear Automation framework is the primary framework for the testing of small applications. This framework is also termed as a Record and playback framework. The tester does not need to be a coder because there is no need to write custom code. But the data is hardcoded in the test script; that means the test cases cannot be re-run with multiple sets. In this type, creation, and execution of test script are done individually for each test case.

2.Modular Driven Framework

In this Framework, the tester can create test scripts module wise by breaking down the whole application into smaller modules as per the client requirements and create test scripts individually. The major benefit of this framework is that it ensures the division of scripts that leads to easier maintenance and scalability. You can write independent test scripts. However, the modular driven framework requires additional time in analyzing the test cases and detecting reusable flows.

3.Behavior Driven Development Framework

Behavior Driven Development framework creates a platform which allows Developers, Testers, business analyst, etc., to participate actively. It also increases collaboration between the tester and the developers on your project. The exciting thing about this framework is, you can use non-technical, natural language to create test specifications on this behavior-driven testing. But to work with this framework, sufficient technical skills as well as prior experience in Test driven development is required.

4.Data-driven Testing Framework

Generally, Test Data is read from the external files like Excel Files, Text Files, CSV Files, ODBC Sources, DAO Objects etc. The external files are loaded into the variables inside the Test Script. The data-driven framework permits to create test automation scripts by generating different sets of test data. It reduces the number of scripts required that leads to testing of multiple scenarios using less code. Highly experienced testers are required with knowledge in various programming languages to understand the framework and utilize it to the core.

5.The Keyword-Driven Testing Framework

Also known as table-driven, this framework is suitable only for small projects or applications. The automation test scripts performed are based on the keywords specified in the excel sheet of the project. The code can be re-used while using keyword driven testing but the initial cost of setting up the framework is high, time consuming and tedious.

6.The Hybrid test Automation Framework

Hybrid Framework is so called because it is used to combine the benefits of Keyword Driven and Data-Driven frameworks. This framework leverages the advantages of all kinds of related frameworks. Tests are fully scripted in a Hybrid Testing Framework thus increases the automation effort.

Conclusion

All the test automation frameworks have the importance of their own. Every framework can be effectively used to perfectly handle the code and conduct testing quickly. The choice of framework can be made as per your project requirements, time and budget. Test automation frameworks boost productivity with standardization. By adopting the framework, you can ensure maximum test coverage in your development process. To know more about software testing, get in touch with our experts.