About two decades ago, testing was only limited to the desktop. With the rapidly increasing use of smartphones and the internet across the globe, testing has spread across vast platforms. The native and mobile web browser testing is performed more than desktop testing.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_are_Mobile_Web_Applications">1 What are Mobile Web Applications?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_Native_Applications">2 What are Native Applications?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_Hybrid_Applications">3 What are Hybrid Applications?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_browser_testing">4 What is browser testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_difference_between_browser_and_Mobile_Web_browser_testing">5 What is the difference between browser and Mobile Web browser testing?</a></li><li><a href="#When_is_Mobile_Web_browser_testing_required">6 When is Mobile Web browser testing required?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_is_mobile_web_browser_testing_important">7 Why is mobile web browser testing important?</a></li><li><a href="#Best_Practices_For_Mobile_Website_Testing">8 Best Practices For Mobile Website Testing</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="what-are-mobile-web-applications">What are Mobile Web Applications?</h2>



Mobile web applications are web applications that can be accessed via hitting the URL on a mobile browser. The applications are designed using the same code base as Desktop, like HTML, Javascript, and CSS. Compared to desktop and native applications, Mobile Web applications are more primitive in terms of functionality. 



Unlike Native Applications, Mobile web applications do not have to be designed separately for IOS and Android. 



Mobile web applications do not allow users to save data and access any phone-related feature, such as a camera. I.e, using internet banking via a Mobile Web application will not allow you to keep cards or mark any transaction as a favorite. Hence, Mobile web applications are secure to use as well.&nbsp; 



<h2 id="what-are-native-applications">What are Native Applications?</h2>



The applications downloaded on your smartphone before you start using them are known as Native applications. The Native applications are platform-specific. The development of IOS applications is different from that of Android. Native Applications are more secure; they keep most of the data on the device only and not over the internet.&nbsp;



Example of such apps: We all are aware of how online shopping has taken over the world. You can shop anything and everything from online shopping apps such as <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.mShop.android.shopping&amp;hl=en_IN&amp;gl=US" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/flipkart-online-shopping-app/id742044692" target="_blank">Flipkart</a>, etc.



<h2 id="what-are-hybrid-applications">What are Hybrid Applications?</h2>



They are advanced versions of Mobile web applications. Hybrid applications are a blend of native and mobile web applications. These applications can be downloaded and have access to all device features such as camera, contact list, etc.&nbsp; 



<h2 id="what-is-browser-testing">What is browser testing?</h2>



Browser testing is known as hitting the URL on the desktop and launching the site. The exact URL can be used to test across all browsers, and functionality can be accessed. 



<h2 id="what-is-the-difference-between-browser-and-mobile-web-browser-testing">What is the difference between browser and Mobile Web browser testing? </h2>



During browser testing, you need to hit the URL on a browser on a desktop/laptop and access that particular application. 



In mobile web browser testing, you can hit the URL on the browser of your phone and access the application. 



Both the applications do not allow access to features of your devices such as cameras. 



I.e You have to open the net banking of a X bank on a browser. If you are doing ‘browser testing’ &#8211; you will have to start your desktop/laptop and then launch the application. 



In the case of <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-for-automated-mobile-browser-testing-on-real-devices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mobile web browser testing</a>, you will be executing the same step via your phone. You just need to hit the URL and launch the application on the available browser on your phone. 



Mobile browsers have made it very easy to access any site without being dependent on a laptop or desktop. It also allows users to access a website for which native application is not available. 



For example, IKEA India does not have a native application for India, but users can still use their mobile phones and access mobile web applications to view products, place an order, and purchase. 



In short, mobile web applications have made access to all sites a lot easier, convenient, and portable to be used in all regards. You do not have to carry your laptops for applications that do not have native applications, instead just surf on your mobile devices.



<h2 id="when-is-mobile-web-browser-testing-required">When is Mobile Web browser testing required?</h2>



With the massive use of smartphones across the world, it has become easy to access any application at any given point in time. Still there exist many applications which either do not have native apps for it or certain features only work on web or desktop applications. 



In such cases, it becomes necessary to access those features on the mobile web browser or web browser. As mobile phones are readily available, users try to open that particular application on a mobile web browser, instead of signing into their systems and hitting the URL. 



Scenario 1 :&nbsp; Feature not provided by a native application



HDFC bank does not provide the add beneficiary details feature in the Native app, it can be only done through the web platform. In such cases, if a user has an immediate requirement to add a beneficiary, they must just hit the URL on the phone browser and add the beneficiary.&nbsp; 



Scenario 2 : Application does not exist



A mutual fund named ‘Mirae Asset’ does not have its native application. If a user has to check the current status of funds at any instance, they can just log in through a mobile web application and check the funds. 



<h2 id="why-is-mobile-web-browser-testing-important">Why is mobile web browser testing important?</h2>



There are so many different devices readily available in the market today to view a website. Each smartphone comes with various screen sizes and resolutions, operates on different network speeds, and has different hardware capabilities. 



Keeping all these differences, it becomes very important that a website is tested thoroughly before it is launched on different platforms. 



The graph below shows the result of a survey performed by <a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/779/mobile-internet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Statistica</a> in 2020 on the increase of usage of mobile data across years. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/juWLhswQjMNPpGrHwIZSKG_ndV4SyfCc_K5EMk1FTHbiPVqAvN54ubW_Nvc93vxcz-oKAA5Mh61kCoqv656kAKHyQBXfQT1OT69Jt-kr5YnFK-Vj5sds6zlKk3FLFktJFwHpJuS1" alt="mobile web browser testing"/></figure>



All types of testing need to be performed on mobile web browsers to ensure an application is behaving the same across all browsers and has a uniform UI. 



1. Compatibility testing: This testing is done to ensure that the application works in a similar way on each device regardless of the phone/tab used. It is impossible to test each phone available in the market but we can test on the targeted device before launching a web application in the market. Targeted devices are decided based on most used phones by targeted customers (potential users).



Most of the time, this is repetitive testing where the same test cases are executed on multiple devices. Thus, this type of testing is also considered as a good candidate for automation. If you are thinking about implementing automation &#8211; you should look for a tool that lets you easily automate the test cases and execute them on many devices at once. 



The setup should not be complex for you.&nbsp; And here I’d also like to tell you about <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-mobile-app-testing" target="_blank">Testsigma (a mobile testing tool)</a>, because it has really done some good work and innovation in order to simplify the mobile testing needs. 



<div class="cta-banner-v2">
<div class="title-with-description ">
Automate Browser tests over 2000+ Real Devices on Cloud with Testsigma. No coding needed.

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<a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" class="cta-btn-v1" rel="noopener">Try for free</a>
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2. Test how user-friendly an application is: Google search engine gives high priority to websites in comparison to desktop apps. Google ranks applications based on how user friendly it is. Hence, the more user-friendly the application is the faster and easier the user will be able to find it.



3. Testing helps in finding latency time of an application: Users prefer to use mobile phones over desktop when they are looking for any query, booking flight/movie ticket. The reason behind being the speed and convenience of using mobile phones. So, to provide users with instant access to your website, it is vital to test the responsive time of your app. The faster the application better the user experience.



4. Testing Improves Website’s Look &amp; Feel



Device-specific testing can ensure an attractive look and feel for your site across mobile phones. The look and feel of any application is the first impression that attracts users. The application should be designed in such a way that it compels users to revisit the site again. It also aids business as users to recommend sites to others by their experience. 



5. Ease of Application access:



A mobile-friendly website should be designed in such a way that it can easily be accessed via any browser across multiple mobile phones, including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc. <a href="https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2015/02/finding-more-mobile-friendly-search" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Google uses mobile-friendly</a> features of<a href="https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2015/02/finding-more-mobile-friendly-search" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)"> websites as a ranking</a> factor. Thus, a responsive mobile view of the website will help you rank higher in the search engines and divert more traffic to grow your business.







<h2 id="best-practices-for-mobile-website-testing">Best Practices For Mobile Website Testing</h2>



To make mobile web testing successful and efficient, it is always good to follow the mentioned practices. 



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>All business requirements and stakeholder expectations should be tested thoroughly to achieve maximum output from the testing process.</li><li>Make a checklist for the targeted devices and mobile browsers, that you want to test for the responsiveness of your website.</li><li>Prioritize browser testing based on usage, market demand, highest traffic.</li><li>Perform testing on browsers that are not frequently used by users.</li><li>Plan a strategy that maintains the rules and standards to ensure quality and consistency by all.</li><li>Validate each screen size and navigation flow to ensure any UI issue is not missed.</li><li>Validate Performance testing on various network speeds and internet connections to measure the scalability and adaptiveness of the website.</li></ul>



With the convenience of using mobile phones over laptops, the focus of users has shifted from desktop applications to web applications. For the business to thrive, the mobile web application must be designed in such a way that it is easy to access and simple to use. The tester must test it from all aspects to make it user friendly.



Now, Testsigma supports inspection as well as execution of your mobile test cases without any kind of setups at your end. 



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<div class="title-with-description ">
Automate your tests for Web, Mobile, Desktop and APIs on Cloud with Testsigma. No setup required.

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<a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" class="cta-btn-v1" rel="noopener">Try for free</a>
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Mobile browser testing what is it and when is it done

Mobile Browser Testing – What is it and When is it Done?

Quality Assurance VS Quality Control (QA VS QC): What’s the Difference?

How Application of Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Business

During the multiple phases of the software development life cycle(SDLC), multiple types of testing are performed depending on the stage of development. Each <a href="https://www.elluminatiinc.com/software-development-life-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stage of the SDLC</a> has different requirements and objectives for the testing to fulfill. The testing phase starts with unit testing, followed by integration testing, system testing, system integration testing, acceptance testing, and regression testing.&nbsp;



During each testing phase, if something does not work as per the requirements, the defects detected by the testers are raised and assigned to the developers to fix. Once defects are fixed, they are retested by testers to ensure it works as desired. This is called retesting. But isn’t it the same as regression testing? They are not. Let us discuss regression testing vs retesting in detail in this article and understand all about regression testing vs retesting.



Regression Testing:



<a href="https://testsigma.com/regression-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regression testing</a> checks if code changes affect existing features. It confirms that the application still functions correctly after updates. It includes functional and non-functional tests and is not done on new modules.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Read all about <a href="https://testsigma.com/regression-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regression Testing</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Retesting:



Retesting, also called <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/confirmation-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">confirmation testing</a>, ensures that previously identified defects are fixed correctly. It involves re-running failed test cases to verify they now pass.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Read all about <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/retesting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Retesting</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>







<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Regression_Testing_vs_Retesting_Differences">1 Regression Testing vs Retesting Differences</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">2 Conclusion:</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">3 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Is_Retest_done_after_Regression_test_What_comes_first_Retesting_or_Regression_Testing">3.1 Is Retest done after Regression test, What comes first Retesting or Regression Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_difference_between_Retesting_and_Sanity_Testing">3.2 What is the difference between Retesting and Sanity Testing?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="regression-testing-vs-retesting-differences">Regression Testing vs Retesting Differences</h2>



Let&#8217;s explore the key differences between Regression Testing and Retesting in software testing:



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/slH2WelOaROSYHXoze7fX8A.png" alt="regression testing vs retesting differences" class="wp-image-8564" width="576" height="499" /></figure></div>







<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Regression Testing</td><td>Retesting</td></tr><tr><td>Purpose</td><td>The primary purpose of regression testing is to ensure that recent code changes have not adversely affected existing functionalities. It involves running previously executed test cases to verify that new code modifications haven&#8217;t introduced new defects.</td><td>Retesting is focused on verifying that a specific bug or issue reported earlier has been fixed correctly. It involves running test cases related to the particular issue to confirm that it no longer exists.</td></tr><tr><td>Scope</td><td>It encompasses many test cases, not just those related to recent changes. The goal is to check the overall integrity of the software after any modifications.</td><td>It is narrowly focused on a specific defect or issue and involves re-executing only the test cases directly related to it.</td></tr><tr><td>Automation</td><td>Automation is commonly used for regression testing because it involves running many test cases. Automated test suites help efficiently execute these tests whenever there are code changes.</td><td>Automation can be used for retesting, but it&#8217;s only sometimes necessary, especially for one-time verifications of specific issues. Manual testing is often sufficient for retesting.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Plan</a></td><td>It is typically part of the overall test plan and is executed at various stages of the development cycle, such as during integration testing, system testing, and even post-release maintenance.</td><td>Retesting is usually planned and executed when a specific defect is reported. It may only be explicitly mentioned in the test plan if necessary to verify the fix.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/what-is-test-case/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Cases</a></td><td>Test cases for regression testing cover a wide range of functionalities and scenarios to ensure the overall stability of the software. They are not limited to specific defects.</td><td>Test cases for retesting are specific to the reported defect. They are designed to replicate the conditions that triggered the issue initially.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



In summary, while regression testing and retesting are important aspects of <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/software-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software testing</a>, they serve different purposes and have distinct scopes. Regression testing is a broader practice aimed at ensuring overall software stability, often automated while retesting is a focused verification of specific bug fixes, typically done manually or with fewer test cases.



<h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion:</h2>



In conclusion, &#8220;Regression Testing vs Retesting&#8221; illustrates two vital yet distinct facets of the software testing process.



Regression Testing is a method that ensures the stability and functionality of a software system during modifications. It involves passed and failed test cases and can be performed manually or with automation tools. While it ensures business continuity and detects potential side effects, optimizing can be time-consuming and challenging. Retesting, on the other hand, is a specific practice that re-executes failed test cases to verify defects, enhancing product quality and reducing verification time.



Understanding the disparities and advantages of these two testing approaches is essential for maintaining software integrity and delivering high-quality products to users. The choice between regression testing and retesting hinges on the goals and priorities of the testing phase within the software development lifecycle.



<h2 id="frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



<h3 id="is-retest-done-after-regression-test-what-comes-first-retesting-or-regression-testing">Is Retest done after Regression test, What comes first Retesting or Regression Testing?</h3>



Yes, retesting is done after regression testing. Retesting is done after a software release to ensure that the new features function properly, but regression testing is done before the software is released to ensure that the new features work properly, while regression tests are conducted to determine if there are any earlier issues in the software.



<h3 id="what-is-the-difference-between-retesting-and-sanity-testing">What is the difference between Retesting and Sanity Testing?</h3>



Retesting entails testing a specific software functionality. It is not good for automation because the test case varies every time. If a defect or problem is discovered in the code, it is merely a portion of the testing process.



Sanity testing is performed to ensure that each function performs as intended. Only one component of the entire system is subjected to sanity testing. The primary goal of the testing is to ensure the system’s stability.

Regression Testing vs Retesting-Differences and Examples

To improve the quality of a software product built by developers, software testing is the key. Testing is essential to ensure that the end product delivered is stable and works according to the required specifications. As software testing plays a significant role in the delivery of the final product, it is necessary to consider that the testing process must involve accurate, exhaustive test cases and firm test strategy.



Test coverage has a huge impact on what is received as an end product. Efficient and apt test coverage covers all minute points &amp; areas, that many times go neglected. Complete test coverage should include scenarios on latency, speed, security, and usability. Hence, organizations always look for testers who can comprehend testing with precision and effectiveness. 



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Common_TestnbspAutomation_Mistakes_QA_Teams_Tend_To_Make">1 Common Test&nbsp;Automation Mistakes QA Teams Tend To Make</a></li><li><a href="#1_Identifying_what_can_be_automated_and_not">2 1. Identifying what can be automated and not</a></li><li><a href="#2_Not_providing_proper_training_to_team_membersnbsp">3 2. Not providing proper training to team members&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#3_Lack_of_Supervision">4 3. Lack of Supervision</a></li><li><a href="#4_Not_paying_heed_to_your_Return_on_Investment_ROI">5 4. Not paying heed to your Return on Investment (ROI )</a></li><li><a href="#5_Automating_large_tasksnbsp">6 5. Automating large tasks&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#6_Use_of_Record_Playback_tools_for_scripting">7 6. Use of Record &amp; Playback tools for scripting</a></li><li><a href="#7_The_tool_is_chosen_just_because_it8217s_open-source">8 7. The tool is chosen just because it&#8217;s open-source</a></li><li><a href="#8_Other_common_test_automation_mistakesnbsp">9 8. Other common test automation mistakes&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_basic_principles_to_achieve_success_while_automating_a_process">10 What are the basic principles to achieve success while automating a process?</a></li><li><a href="#Tips_for_QA_team_members_to_achieve_a_good_success_rate_in_automationnbsp">11 Tips for QA team members to achieve a good success rate in automation&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Tips_for_QA_Team_Leads_to_achieve_success_in_automation">12 Tips for QA Team Leads to achieve success in automation</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">13 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="common-test-automation-mistakes-qa-teams-tend-to-make">Common Test&nbsp;Automation Mistakes QA Teams Tend To Make</h2>



<h2 id="1-identifying-what-can-be-automated-and-not">1. Identifying what can be automated and not</h2>



For a tester, understanding what areas to automate and how it will help the organization is the basic rule of thumb for the success of test automation. If a tester fails to understand the primary goal of automating a process and what benefits it will bring to the organization, it would be a waste of money.



If you have no experience with automation, it’s difficult to decide which tasks to automate and which ones to execute manually. But it’s also a mistake going in without a plan. You need to have a clear understanding of automation and how it will affect daily tasks, cost and time in the long run.



<figure class="wp-block-embed-wordpress aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-testsigma-blog"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="uGk4PZpoY7"><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/when-to-choose-test-automation-framework-over-manual-testing/">When to Choose Test Automation Framework Over Manual Testing</a></blockquote><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="&#8220;When to Choose Test Automation Framework Over Manual Testing&#8221; &#8212; Testsigma Blog" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/when-to-choose-test-automation-framework-over-manual-testing/embed/#?secret=suCVZQefX0#?secret=uGk4PZpoY7" data-secret="uGk4PZpoY7" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div><figcaption>How to determine which framework is right for your organization? </figcaption></figure>







<h2 id="2-not-providing-proper-training-to-team-members">2. Not providing proper training to team members&nbsp;</h2>



Organizations often fail to understand that making a change is easy, but making people accept the change and live with it is really very hard. This is where businesses struggle. They adopt automation without taking their team on board and don’t understand their employees who make or break the deal. 



There are two critical phases where you need to ensure your team is with you:



1. &nbsp; Training and adaptation



2. &nbsp; Testing and implementation of the automated solution



The introduction of any tool requires proper training of the tool to the members who will be using it. It should not be rolled out to the organization and asked to do hit and trial. The tools should be made familiar with a bunch of people and then once they are well versed with it they should train others.



The best way to do this is by offering training. Before enacting your automation strategy, <a href="https://www.visme.co/teams/training-and-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">create a training document</a> and have multiple meetings and workshops. It’s also helpful to host a testing session to ensure your staff fully understands the automated processes. 



<h2 id="3-lack-of-supervision">3. Lack of Supervision</h2>



Supervision is not limited to managing your staff and their roles during automating a project. Supervision also includes managing the entire project along with the automation process. Failure to manage your automated processes results in losing control of the project and impacts sales adversely. Supervisors should always monitor the automated process activity to ensure all processes are successful and if something goes wrong, they should be the first one to know and get the issue fixed.



<h2 id="4-not-paying-heed-to-your-return-on-investment-roi">4. Not paying heed to your Return on Investment (ROI )</h2>



Investment in automating a process is not limited to license purchase only, it may require much more investment such as :



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Cost of implementation and installation</li><li>Extra tools and services</li><li>Hiring specialized staff</li><li>Running cost</li></ul>



For more insight on it,&nbsp; please refer to the link below:&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.thoughtworks.com/insights/blog/when-to-automate-and-why" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.thoughtworks.com/insights/blog/when-to-automate-and-why/</a>



<h2 id="5-automating-large-tasks">5. Automating large tasks&nbsp;</h2>



It’s a common perception, first to automate larger tasks. But, practically it is always better to automate smaller tasks first and focus on larger tasks later.



If you start automating the larger tasks first, it is going to be difficult and time-taking to complete. You also risk making serious errors and disrupting your whole process. Hence, it may lead to a loss of money.



What if you’re bogged down with multiple large projects. If automating them is the only solution, reorganize and prioritize these tasks into smaller chunks. Automate some parts of the task which you think are repetitive and work independently on the other parts. 



<h2 id="6-use-of-record-playback-tools-for-scripting">6. Use of Record &amp; Playback tools for scripting</h2>



Record and playback tools generate complex scripts that are difficult to understand and maintain. Record and play features should only be viewed as a way to generate skeletal scripts. It should not be used as a final step in automated script creation. When automation is newly introduced in any organization, many testers depend on record and playback for creating test scripts, as they are not well versed with the automation process and methodology. Effective and Efficient Automation Testing requires good knowledge of the system and the creation of simple scripts. When testing scripts are simple, they are easy to understand for everyone in the team. Such scripts are also easy to maintain and update for testers that are well aware of the module.



<h2 id="7-the-tool-is-chosen-just-because-it-s-open-source">7. The tool is chosen just because it&#8217;s open-source</h2>



Nowadays, Open source tools are being widely accepted in the market. But, selecting an open-source tool as it would be cost-saving should not be the only tool selection criteria.



Open-source tools require you to be well versed with technical skills. If any issue crops up while handling the tool, you won’t be able to get the support over the phone or mail from the vendor.&nbsp;



Open-source tools attract users as they have no licensing fees but they also come with some limitations. Some have limited functionality and may not give you all the features you need, so be very clear about what you require and how the tool will help you to automate your desired requirement.



Many organizations end up using both open-source and commercial tools together since the commercial tools can fill in any missing functionality that the open-source tools don&#8217;t have, and often add value on top of the open-source tools.



The article&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Many organizations end up using both open-source and commercial tools together since the commercial tools can fill in any missing functionality that the open-source tools don't have, and often add value on top of the open-source tools. The article&nbsp;Reluctance To Abandon Automated Tests And Switch To Scriptless Automation Testing discusses&nbsp;why new user-friendly scriptless automation testing tools are still a second thought.
 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/reluctance-to-abandon-automated-tests-switch-to-scriptless-automation-testing/" target="_blank">Reluctance To Abandon Automated Tests And Switch To Scriptless Automation Testing</a> discusses&nbsp;why new user-friendly scriptless automation testing tools are still a second thought. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped"><ul class="blocks-gallery-grid"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img loading="lazy" width="4454" height="1144" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Testsigma_Easy-scripting.jpg" alt="Testsigma_Easy Scripting" data-id="7683" data-full-url="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Testsigma_Easy-scripting.jpg" data-link="https://testsigma.com/blog/8-top-test-automation-mistakes-and-tips-for-qa-teams-to-avoid-them/web-3/" class="wp-image-7683"><figcaption class="blocks-gallery-item__caption">Write simple reliable tests in Testsigma</figcaption></figure></li></ul></figure>



<h2 id="8-other-common-test-automation-mistakes">8. Other common test automation mistakes&nbsp;</h2>



The most common test automation mistakes which organizations tend to make while indulging in the fresh setup of automation process are:&nbsp;



<ol><li>Not understanding the benefits of automation</li><li>Not setting automation goals</li><li>Using automation to improve a bad process</li><li>Automating larger tasks as opposed to automating time-consuming tasks</li></ol>



Before you implement your automation strategy, understand these test automation mistakes and prevent making them. 



<h2 id="what-are-the-basic-principles-to-achieve-success-while-automating-a-process">What are the basic principles to achieve success while automating a process?</h2>



Some simple tips can be kept in mind while implementing automation:



1. Keep things simple. Do what is required. You should not overdo things to make it look fancy and complicated.



2. Doing simple things does not mean automating an easy process. It means you should take baby steps to achieve your automation goals. You may start automating with a simple feature, but it may happen that the final implementation of automation turns out to be complex.



3. The team should be cross-functional. You should not restrict the automation job either only with the testers or only with the developers. Each of the disciplines has to step into each other’s shoes to achieve automation of the project. This approach gives everyone an in-depth knowledge of the project and also the ability to tackle any technical issues that may arise.



4. Take your time to understand the application which you want to automate. Design it well to avoid technical mistakes.



5. Keep asking for feedback frequently from clients and testers to ensure the right product is being built.



6. Apply proper coding standards and practices. The design should be simple, try to keep the tests independent of each other. Consider factors like “maintainability” of the test suit.



7. Automation for a team is not just the implementation and maintenance, but it also includes the integration of the automated suite to Continuous Integration(CI). It requires testers to learn and adopt new skills, new tools, and technologies. 



<h2 id="tips-for-qa-team-members-to-achieve-a-good-success-rate-in-automation">Tips for QA team members to achieve a good success rate in automation&nbsp;</h2>



<ol><li>Each individual is responsible for their work product and its quality.&nbsp;</li><li>You should be responsible for your work, how to do, what to do and when to do. Team lead should not tell you what to do, every single day.</li><li>You should never hesitate in communicating, asking questions no matter even if you feel it is irrelevant, raise concerns, red-flags or issues as soon as they arise.</li><li>&nbsp;You should keep yourself updated and never stop learning.</li></ol>



<h2 id="tips-for-qa-team-leads-to-achieve-success-in-automation">Tips for QA Team Leads to achieve success in automation</h2>



<ol style="padding-bottom: 10px"><li>Establish strong processes and train your associates in such a way that they can work independently with minimum or no supervision</li><li>Consider the team’s opinion on timelines, schedules, effort estimations, and planning.</li><li>You should be approachable to the team for any type of communication.</li><li>Be a team player and share responsibilities.</li></ol>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" width="3001" height="828" data-id="4652" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Shift-Left-Testing_Testsigma.jpg" alt="Scriptless Test Automation_Testsigma" class="wp-image-4652"/></figure>
</figure>







<h2>Conclusion</h2>



In a competitive market, where the client demands high-quality products with fast-paced delivery, automation surely helps, if chosen wisely. Before automating any process, understand the requirement well, find out the limitations, list down all requirements that can be automated.



Once the requirements are thoroughly understood, then comes the crucial part of tool selection. While selecting the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/select-right-automation-testing-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Once the requirements are thoroughly understood, then comes the crucial part of tool selection. While selecting the right test automation tool, always focus on return on investment, time-saving on the process, cost-saving and overall benefits it brings to organizations. (opens in a new tab)">right test automation tool</a>, always focus on return on investment, time-saving on the process, cost-saving and overall benefits it brings to organizations. 



You should not just run behind automation and think it would create magic and help in faster delivery of the product. Wisely select the areas of automation, have a clear test strategy and test plan. Start automating a smaller module, everyday repetitive activities and focus on larger modules later to avoid the common test automation mistakes we are likely to make.



To excel in the world of automation, you should keep <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="You should not just run behind automation and think it would create magic and help in faster delivery of the product. Wisely select the areas of automation, have a clear test strategy and test plan. Start automating a smaller module, everyday repetitive activities and focus on larger modules later. To excel in the world of automation, you should keep upgrading your&nbsp; testing skillsets, taking challenges and never giving up. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/top-20-websites-for-online-automation-testing-courses-and-certifications/" target="_blank">upgrading your testing skillsets</a>, take up challenges and never give up!

Few mistakes to not make in test automation_Testsigma

8 Top Test Automation Mistakes And Tips For QA Teams to Avoid Them

<a href="https://theagileadmin.com/what-is-devops/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DevOps</a>, as a solution to implement Agile, is being used worldwide for over a decade now. It lets teams automate all redundant development and Ops related tasks. Thus, it helps teams achieve the main goal of Agile &#8211; quick and frequent releases. But, the one process that has still lacked proper attention is the quality of the releases.



The concept of <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="DevTestOps (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/devtestops" target="_blank">DevTestOps</a> was introduced to put a special focus on continuous testing for each step of the development process along with DevOps. DevTestOps ensures that along with Development and Operations related tasks, the feedback on quality is continuous and given the importance it deserves.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_DevTestOps">1 What is DevTestOps?</a></li><li><a href="#How_is_DevTestOps_different_from_DevOps">2 How is DevTestOps different from DevOps?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_need_of_using_DevTestOps_How_continuous_testing_enables_DevTestOps">3 What is the need of using DevTestOps? How continuous testing enables DevTestOps?</a></li><li><a href="#Myths_about_DevTestOps">4 Myths about DevTestOps</a></li><li><a href="#Best_Practices_to_follow_in_Continuous_Testing_for_successful_DevTestOpsnbsp">5 Best Practices to follow in Continuous Testing for successful DevTestOps&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Continuous_Testing_For_Enterprises_Tools_Available_in_the_Market">6 Continuous Testing For Enterprises: Tools Available in the Market</a><ul><li><a href="#Below_are_a_few_tools_that_can_be_considered">6.1 Below are a few tools that can be considered:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Suggested_Readings">7 Suggested Readings</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="what-is-devtestops"><a href="https://testsigma.com/devtestops" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">What is DevTestOps?</a></h2>



As per the DevTestOps Manifesto 2018:



“The goal of DevTestOps is not to silo “Test” from Dev and Ops, but simply to raise the visibility of testers and testing as integral parts of the DevOps quality culture”



DevTestOps is a combination of DevOps and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="DevTestOps is a combination of DevOps and Continuous Testing. The process involves testing early, testing often and testing throughout the software delivery pipeline. It highlights the key role of the tester in the development of the product along with the Ops professionals. Devtestops ensures continuous feedback of testers to developers throughout the stages of product development, thus reducing business risk and the possibility of finding defects at later stages. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/continuous-testing-at-the-speed-of-agile-and-devops/" target="_blank">Continuous Testing</a>. The process involves testing early, testing often, and testing throughout the software delivery pipeline.



DevTestOps highlights the key role of the tester in the development of the product along with the Ops professionals. DevTestOps stresses that the continuous testing framework should be integrated with the CI/CD pipeline. It lays most importance on the continuity of testing feedback to developers throughout the stages of <a href="https://artkai.io/services/product-strategy-consulting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">product development</a>, thus reducing business risk and the possibility of finding defects at later stages.



In the <a href="https://kruschecompany.com/agile-software-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agile testing and development methodology</a>, all members of a cross-functional Agile team are equally responsible for the quality of the product and the success of the project.



Hence, testing of an agile project is done by the whole team, not just designated testers or quality assurance professionals but also team members whose primary expertise may be in programming, business analysis, and database or system operation.&nbsp; 



Below image clearly depicts how testing can be included in different stages of a DevOps process.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="https://danashby.co.uk/2016/10/19/continuous-testing-in-devops/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Tv1Y-4LFiC6I97wudGjfsRlGp_xZPSpKPS3MRugAu_QjTARCwALnPSEJkeMcweLaEUa7UmqYSgtdgZTo7iDS9ZtscVJCoYuMJEgZZx5-fUv3yQRkw_de5yFiMiMLNElhzuAlG5Fb" alt="stages of a DevOps process"/></a></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><figure></figure></figure></div>







<h2 id="how-is-devtestops-different-from-devops">How is DevTestOps different from DevOps?</h2>



DevOps automates most of the manual operations in the <a href="http://forbytes.com/blog/agile-software-development-life-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software development life cycle(SDLC)</a> which leads to faster delivery of the product. DevOps is successful but there are possibilities of missing critical bugs, scenarios and business requirements in the product as continuous testing is not performed.



To eliminate the possibility of missing defects, functionalities and business risks, DevTestOps idea was brought forward in which Continuous Testing was implemented as a major part of the software delivery pipeline.



Let us discuss about Continuous Testing.&nbsp;



The word ‘continuous’ means the code is continuously developed, delivered, tested and deployed. The testers identify possible scenarios based on requirements, create and execute test cases from the beginning of the software delivery pipeline and shares feedback with the development team, on the business risk involved.



It is an uninterrupted execution of automated tests while being part of the software delivery process, facilitating immediate feedback based on the business changes associated with the product and mitigating risks before they proceed to the next SDLC stage.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GYzT4r1NzO-M4fiH2MP-1Jw7v-0NAhFUmmC-K_AXXKbvcRI0xRbISFe0NTB9h1MYVXu-K4VxqaBw7PzYQZWnV4buQAMz6_7rYPqRnvQ8K7D6mW9vDyQxqnRuoQaRynhNb8WOM4vb" alt="continuous testing 
"/><figcaption>The goal of continuous testing is to test early, test often. (Image Source: http://www.professionalqa.com/) </figcaption></figure></div>



Continuous Testing helps in testing the code through the software development cycle which reduces the gap between testers, developers and the operations team. The end-to-end automation of tests helps to integrate QA into DevOps processes to maintain continuity and thereby address the overall challenges of quicker development cycles.



The scope of Continuous Testing is pretty huge with validation of the functional and non-functional requirements of the product. It involves API testing, unit, integration and system testing of the software all done under a simulated environment with test automation.



<h2 id="what-is-the-need-of-using-devtestops-how-continuous-testing-enables-devtestops">What is the need of using DevTestOps? How continuous testing enables DevTestOps?</h2>



DevOps is enabled when continuous integration is implemented along with continuous delivery and continuous deployment. And thus, to enable DevTestOps &#8211; continuous testing needs to be integrated to already implemented setup of continuous integration + continuous delivery + continuous deployment.



With DevTestOps, testers also play a vital role throughout the process of development, delivery and deployment by enabling testing feedback at each step through continuous testing.



As testing is implemented at each stage and most of the processes are automated, it has led to below improvements:



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">The defects are detected at an early stage hence are easier to fix, ultimately resulting in timely delivery of the product.</li><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">It shortens the regression cycle from weeks to hours by just automating the process.</li><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">The developers and testers work together with leading to a better understanding of the module and increasing the quality of the product exponentially.</li><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">The tester gets a chance to perform all kinds of testing during the phase of product development.</li><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">The tester becomes an equal owner of the product as a developer.</li><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">Automated build and deployment accelerates the process and avoids any human error and dependency.</li></ul>



<h2 id="myths-about-devtestops">Myths about DevTestOps</h2>



<ol><li>Continuous Testing requires 100% automation. As we all know 100% automation of an application is impossible hence many scripts are run manually in the process of continuous testing.</li></ol>



<li>Large organizations do not benefit from continuous testing as they have huge development and QA teams which make coordination difficult.
Continuous testing, since its inception, has been revolutionary for both testers and developers. Developers are moving closer to customers to shape the user experience according to their changing needs, whereas testers are now closer to the developers and business analysts, taking part in the SDLC from the early stages.</li>



<li style="padding-bottom: 5px">It is expensive.</li>



Yes, it is a one-time investment but once the team is equipped with functionality, return on investment is tremendous due to:



<ul><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">Better code quality as no commit goes untested.</li><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">Developer receives immediate feedback about the product from the tester which helps in finding the root cause and easily fixing the bugs in less time.</li><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">Since bugs are detected early hence the cost of fixing is less.&nbsp;</li><li style="padding-bottom: 5px">Almost no human mistake as most of the process is automated.</li></ul>



<h2 id="best-practices-to-follow-in-continuous-testing-for-successful-devtestops">Best Practices to follow in Continuous Testing for successful DevTestOps&nbsp;</h2>



<ol><li>Adopt more test automation: Do not focus only on automating the test case but also the repetitive process. It helps in saving a lot of time.</li><li>Integration of tool: Selection of the tool should be done wisely to make testing effective, faster and easier</li><li>Transparent communication: Communication and understanding between all the teams should be very effective. It avoids confusion and yields good productivity.</li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/performance-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Performance testing</a>: It should play a vital role during the delivery cycle to avoid any crash issue which may result due to high volume user inflow.</li><li>Perform Multilayer testing: All types of testing such as integration, API, GUI, database testing should be incorporated during the delivery cycle and maximum testing types should be automated.</li></ol>



<h2 id="continuous-testing-for-enterprises-tools-available-in-the-market">Continuous Testing For Enterprises: Tools Available in the Market</h2>



Multiple types of testing can be covered in DevOps such as unit, system, integration, end to end, performance, security, cross-platform, multiple platforms, responsive, and API testing. There are multiple continuous testing solutions in the market. These are tools that automate one or more test activities right from planning, requirements, creating a build, test execution, defect logging, and test analysis. 



As a thumb of rule, look for tools that enable easy automation and also support integration to continuous testing.



<h3 id="below-are-a-few-tools-that-can-be-considered">Below are a few tools that can be considered: </h3>



<ol><li style="padding-bottom: 20px">Selenium: It is an open-source tool, used for most of the functional test automation, supports a wide range of browsers and operating systems. However, there are many limitations and challenges using Selenium, as it requires technical knowledge and mobile automation cannot be done.</li></ol>



<li style="padding-bottom: 10px">Testsigma: Testsigma aims to improve automation and testing speed by a slew of features. The test creation is very simple, easy and quick as tests can be created in simple English. You would feel like you are not automating but just writing test cases. 

Test maintenance is further simplified by using AI and ML technologies in the backend that try to fix errors in a build due to changes in elements. Not only this a range of browsers and devices are hosted on the cloud and your test cases run on them in parallel. It also integrates with all majorly used CI/CD tools.</li>



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<li style="padding-top: 20px">Eggplant: This is a scriptless automation tool that uses image-based technology. It provides cloud-based service and test lab which ensures 24*7 access to the team. Eggplant can be used across all platform desktop, web and native.</li>







<li>Watir:&nbsp;It is an open-source tool used for web automation and continuous testing, based on ruby language.</li>







<li>Tosca:&nbsp;It is a model-based test automation tool, used widely across all platforms, and has embedded business intelligence. This tool automatically scans the AUT(Application Under Test) script and loads into the software with minimal manual steps. Business intelligence helps the tool in suggesting certain critical tests which help the team identify the trouble areas, and thus reducing the risk.</li>







<li>Rational functional tester: One of the pioneer tools in the automation industry which supports functional, data-driven, API, performance and regression testing. The tool requires knowledge of .net and java scripting to automate the process.</li>







<li>Appium:&nbsp;It is used for mobile testing. It is a kind of wrapper on selenium. This tool requires a sound knowledge of a testing framework for its implementation.</li>



A flawless DevTestOps environment can be put together when the testing team works closely with the Dev team and seeks support for continuous release and deployment through DevOps. Hence, for an organization that is looking for a solution to release high-quality products into the market without delay DevTestOps is the solution to go for.



<h2 id="suggested-readings">Suggested Readings</h2>



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/devops-principles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Devops Principles: Benefits And How to Implement it?</a> 



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/devops-life-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DevOps life Cycle | Phases Explained with Example</a>  



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-do-agile-and-devops-interrelate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How do Agile and DevOps Interrelate</a>

What is DevTestOps | Role of DevTestOps in Continuous Testing

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