SAP Test Automation : What it is, Why it Matters, and How?

<p>A Test Log is nothing but a document to keep track of all the tests that are executed. It logs test cases, results, and any issues arising during testing. It helps a tester to stay on top of their work and provides a thorough report of the testing process. </p>



<p>In this blog post, we&#8217;ll dive deep into test logs and show you how to use them like a pro. </p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_a_Test_Log"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is a Test Log?</a></li><li><a href="#Components_of_a_Test_Log"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Components of a Test Log</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Log_Template"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Test Log Template</a></li><li><a href="#Advantages"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Advantages </a></li><li><a href="#Creating_a_Test_Log_Step-by-Step_Guide"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Creating a Test Log: Step-by-Step Guide</a></li><li><a href="#Importance_of_Test_Log_in_Test_Automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Importance of Test Log in Test Automation</a></li><li><a href="#Test_log_example"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Test log example</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_are_the_different_types_of_logs_in_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.1</span> What are the different types of logs in testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_log-in_automation_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.2</span> What is log-in automation testing?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-a-test-log"><span id="What_is_a_Test_Log">What is a Test Log?</span></h2>



<p>A test log is a detailed record documenting the activities carried out during software development or system testing. It is an essential tool for tracking and managing the testing process. The log contains information such as the names and descriptions of test cases, dates of execution, results, and any defects encountered. It summarizes the testing progress, enabling testers to identify patterns or trends in failures and successes. Moreover, a test log helps troubleshoot by providing valuable insights into the steps taken during testing. </p>



<h2 id="h-components-of-a-test-log"><span id="Components_of_a_Test_Log">Components of a Test Log</span></h2>



<p>The generation of test logs following each test must consist of entries that precisely record various aspects of the test and furnish comprehensive and relevant information. A test log comprises multiple components, namely:</p>



<p>1. Date and Time: The log must encompass the date and time of the event, failure, or any other significant issue.</p>



<p>2. A concise description of the event being logged must be furnished. </p>



<p>3. Status: The log must indicate the status of distinct events observed by the team. </p>



<p>4. Contextual Details: Additional details and pertinent information must be provided as and when required. </p>



<p>5. Anomalies and Errors: Details concerning any anomalies and errors identified during testing must be documented in the log.</p>



<h2 id="h-test-log-template"><span id="Test_Log_Template">Test Log Template</span></h2>



<p>Generating a test log report is an important aspect of efficient <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/learn-test-management/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test management</a> and documentation. It facilitates monitoring testing activities, detecting anomalies, and presenting a comprehensive view of the testing procedure to the relevant parties. The following are essential elements to take into account when developing a test log report:</p>



<p>1. <strong>Test Case Information: </strong>Include details about each test case executed, such as the unique identifier, description, preconditions, and expected results. This information helps in understanding the purpose and scope of each test case.</p>



<p>2. <strong>Test Execution Details: </strong>Record the date and time each test case was executed. This allows for easy tracking of when tests were performed and helps identify any patterns or trends in the testing process.</p>



<p>3. <strong>Test Environment:</strong> Document the specific environment in which the tests were conducted. This includes hardware configurations, software versions, operating systems, and browsers This information is essential for reproducing issues and ensuring consistency across testing environments.</p>



<p>4. <strong>Test Results:</strong>  It is important to record any deviations or anomalies observed during the testing process to provide a comprehensive overview of the test results.</p>



<h2 id="h-advantages"><span id="Advantages">Advantages </span></h2>



<p>Let us discuss some of the advantages of using a Test Log:</p>



<ol><li> Provides a record of all tests conducted, allowing for easy reference and progress tracking. </li><li>Helps identify patterns or trends in test results, enabling the identification of recurring issues or areas for improvement. </li><li>Facilitates collaboration among team members by providing a centralized location for sharing test information and findings. </li><li>Allows for better organization and categorization of tests, making locating specific tests or groups of tests easier.</li><li>Enables traceability by documenting the steps taken during testing, making reproducing and debugging issues easier.</li><li>Enhances stakeholder communication by providing a clear overview of the testing process and outcomes.</li><li>Supports <a href="https://www.ibm.com/topics/risk-management" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risk management</a> by highlighting potential areas of concern or high-risk tests that require additional attention.</li><li>Assists in compliance with regulatory standards or industry best practices by ensuring that all necessary tests have been conducted and documented.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-creating-a-test-log-step-by-step-guide"><span id="Creating_a_Test_Log_Step-by-Step_Guide">Creating a Test Log: Step-by-Step Guide</span></h2>



<p><strong>Step 1: Define the Purpose and Scope</strong></p>



<p>&#8211; Identify the purpose of creating a test log, such as tracking test progress, documenting test results, or identifying defects.</p>



<p>&#8211; Determine the scope of the test log, including which tests or test cycles it will cover.</p>



<p><strong>Step 2: Identify Required Information</strong></p>



<p>&#8211; Determine what information needs to be included in the test log. This may include details like test case ID, description, expected result, actual result, status (pass/fail), date/time executed, tester name, and other relevant fields.</p>



<p><strong>Step 3: Choose a Format</strong></p>



<p>&#8211; Decide on the format for your test log. It can be a spreadsheet (e.g., Excel), a document (e.g., Word), or even a specialized testing tool with built-in logging capabilities.</p>



<p><strong>Step 4: Create Columns and Headers</strong></p>



<p>&#8211; Set up columns in your chosen format to accommodate all the required information identified in Step 2. </p>



<p>For example, if you are using Excel, you can create columns such as &#8220;Test Case ID,&#8221; &#8220;Description,&#8221; &#8220;Expected Result,&#8221; and &#8220;Actual Result&#8221; to organize and track the necessary information.</p>



<h2 id="h-importance-of-test-log-in-test-automation"><span id="Importance_of_Test_Log_in_Test_Automation">Importance of Test Log in Test Automation</span></h2>



<p>Here are some major reasons why the test log is crucial in test automation:</p>



<p>1. Provides detailed information about the test execution process, including the test case status, test environment, and test data. </p>



<p>2. Enables testers to trace back to the source of an issue, facilitating faster debugging and fixing. </p>



<p>3. Helps testers generate accurate and comprehensive reports, improving stakeholder communication. </p>



<p>4. Allows for better collaboration among team members, as everyone can access the same information.</p>



<p>5. Enhances the reliability and consistency of the testing process, leading to better-quality software products. In conclusion, the test log is a critical component of test automation tools that facilitates efficient and effective testing.</p>



<h2 id="h-test-log-example"><span id="Test_log_example">Test log example</span></h2>



<p>Here we are considering a test log generated by an automated test case in test automation tool <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a>. </p>



<p><strong>Step-1</strong></p>



<p></p><p style="padding-bottom:30px">To begin, access the Testsigma platform and register a new account. Once successfully registered, create a new project and a New Test case. Proceed to write Test steps for execution in the test case. Below is an image depicting the test steps formulated for verifying invalid credentials on a travel site login page.</p>



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



<p></p><p style="padding-top:30px"><strong>Step-2</strong></p>



<p></p><p style="padding-bottom:30px">Upon successful execution of the test cases, the test results reveal a state of &#8220;Passed.&#8221; One must navigate to the Logs bar by clicking on it to access the test logs. Referencing the given image below, the details can be observed. Clicking on the Logs icon provides access to the Test logs.</p>



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



<p></p><p style="padding-top:30px"><strong>Step-3:</strong></p>



<p></p><p style="padding-bottom:30px">In the final stage, a log list is presented to provide a detailed overview of all the processes that have occurred in the backend. Testsigma facilitates recording step-by-step processes, enabling the display of a complete list.</p>



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



<br><h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary">Summary</span></h2>



<p>Maintaining a Test log is essential for documenting and monitoring testing procedures. Testsigma, an automation platform, simplifies this process. Testsigma operates at 5x speed and is a fully-managed, Cloud-based test automation platform. </p>



<p>Automate your tests for web, mobile, desktops, and APIs, 10x faster with Testsigma, with easy-to-traverse test logs</p>



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



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-different-types-of-logs-in-testing"><span id="What_are_the_different_types_of_logs_in_testing">What are the different types of logs in testing?</span></h3>



<p>The different types of logs in testing include system logs, application logs, and test execution logs. System logs capture information about the operating system and hardware, application logs record events within the software, and test execution logs document the details of test runs, such as pass/fail status and error messages.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-log-in-automation-testing"><span id="What_is_log-in_automation_testing">What is log-in automation testing?</span></h3>



<p>Log-in automation testing refers to automating the testing of log-in functionality in software applications. It involves creating scripts or using tools to simulate user log-ins and validate their success. This type of testing helps ensure that log-in processes work correctly and efficiently.</p>

What is a Test log? A Complete Guide

Salesforce Test Cases Template with Best Practices

Test Efficiency How It Differs From Test Effectiveness

Test Efficiency: How It Differs From Test Effectiveness?


<p>Appium is a well-known mobile automation tool for automating native, hybrid, mobile web, and desktop apps. The appium community has come up with a major release in recent years, appium 2.0.0, and has made some considerable changes in making appium a platform where drivers and plugins can coexist independently.</p>



<p><em>In this blog, we will see how we can create an executable file for the appium server.&nbsp;</em></p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_are_executable_files"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What are executable files?</a><ul><li><a href="#Why_do_we_need_executable_files_for_the_appium_server"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.1</span> Why do we need executable files for the appium server?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Installing_Appium_2nbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Installing Appium 2:&nbsp;</a><ul><li><ul><li><a href="#Operating_System"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_3">2.0.1</span> Operating System:</a></li><li><a href="#Pre-requisite"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_3">2.0.2</span> Pre-requisite:</a></li><li><a href="#Installation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_3">2.0.3</span> Installation:</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Starting_Appium"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Starting Appium:</a><ul><li><a href="#Installing_Drivers"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> Installing Drivers:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Starting_Appium_via_exec_file"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Starting Appium via exec file:</a><ul><li><a href="#Pre-requisite-2"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.1</span> Pre-requisite:</a><ul><li><a href="#Pkg"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_3">4.1.1</span> Pkg:</a></li><li><a href="#Installing_Pkg"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_3">4.1.2</span> Installing Pkg:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Steps_to_create_an_executable_file"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.2</span> Steps to create an executable file:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Conclusion:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-are-executable-files"><span id="What_are_executable_files">What are executable files?</span></h2>



<ul><li>Executable files contain a set of encoded instructions, which execute sequentially once the user clicks on them.</li><li>Executable files are available in all operating systems but with extensions pertaining to that OS. While .exe is the Windows extension for executable files, the macOs executable file does not have any extension.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-why-do-we-need-executable-files-for-the-appium-server"><span id="Why_do_we_need_executable_files_for_the_appium_server">Why do we need executable files for the appium server?</span></h3>



<p>The <a href="https://github.com/appium/appium-desktop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">appium desktop</a>, which is basically a GUI for the appium server was used to start/stop the server in appium 1.x. Moreover, the node runtime comes bundled with Appium Desktop which allowed users to use appium without having to install npm or node. But it is no longer compatible with appium 2.0+. And to overcome this, creating an executable file for the appium server is one of the easiest solutions. Apart from this, below are the benefits of having an executable file for the appium server:</p>



<p><strong><em>Easy distribution:</em></strong></p>



<ul><li>Users do not have to worry about having node or npm as a pre-requisite to install appium.&nbsp;</li><li>Once the executable file is built, the same can be used to start the appium on any machine and on any operating system.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<p><strong><em>Easy to start the server:&nbsp;</em></strong></p>



<ul><li>Appium server can be started with just a click on the executable file.&nbsp;</li><li>No need to run commands from the terminal to start the appium server.</li></ul>



<p><strong><em>Easy to deploy:</em></strong></p>



<ul><li>Allows easy deployment on target machines i.e., if you want to install appium on any cloud server, you can simply deploy the exec file.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-installing-appium-2"><span id="Installing_Appium_2nbsp">Installing Appium 2:&nbsp;</span></h2>



<h4 id="h-operating-system"><span id="Operating_System">Operating System:</span></h4>



<ul><li>Mac os</li></ul>



<h4 id="h-pre-requisite"><span id="Pre-requisite">Pre-requisite:</span></h4>



<ul><li>We are going to use the node package manager to install appium, so make sure you have the node set up on your machine. If you do not have the node, please download it from the below link:<ul><li><a href="https://nodejs.org/en/download" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">https://nodejs.org/en/download</a></li></ul></li><li>I am using node version 16.20.0.</li></ul>



<h4 id="h-installation"><span id="Installation">Installation:</span></h4>



<ul><li>To install appium 2, please use the below command:<ul><li>npm i -g appium@next</li></ul></li></ul>



<h2 id="h-starting-appium"><span id="Starting_Appium">Starting Appium:</span></h2>



<ul><li>Once appium is installed, you can start the server by mentioning “appium” in the terminal.&nbsp;</li></ul><br>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1600" height="245" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-112.png" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" class="wp-image-29808"/></figure>



<br><ul><li>As I mentioned before, with appium version 2, we need to install the drivers separately. However, this was not the case with appium 1, i.e.<em> </em><em>When we installed Appium 1. x, all available drivers would be installed at the same time as the main Appium server. This is no longer the case.</em></li></ul>



<h3 id="h-installing-drivers"><span id="Installing_Drivers">Installing Drivers:</span></h3>



<ul><li>To find the list of available drivers, use the following command.&nbsp;<ul><li>appium driver list</li></ul></li></ul><br>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="990" height="316" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-111.png" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" class="wp-image-29806"/></figure>



<br><ul><li>To install a specific driver, use the following command.<ul><li>appium driver install &lt;drivername&gt;&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul><br>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1298" height="172" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-109.png" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" class="wp-image-29802"/></figure>



<br><ul><li>Now, when you start appium, it starts the server along with the installed drivers.&nbsp;</li></ul><br>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1600" height="292" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-110.png" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" class="wp-image-29804"/></figure>



<br><p><em>Note: </em><em>By default, appium creates a hidden directory called </em><em>.appium</em><em> inside your user home directory. This will be the location of all the appium drivers that we install. In my case, it would be: “/Users/vikramramalingam/.appium”.</em></p>



<h2 id="h-starting-appium-via-exec-file"><span id="Starting_Appium_via_exec_file">Starting Appium via exec file:</span></h2>



<p>In order to create an executable file for the appium server, we need a command line interface called “<a href="https://github.com/vercel/pkg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">pkg</a>”.</p>



<h3 id="h-pre-requisite-1"><span id="Pre-requisite-2">Pre-requisite:</span></h3>



<h4 id="h-pkg"><span id="Pkg">Pkg:</span></h4>



<ul><li>A node.js package that can convert your Node.js app into executable files.</li><li>Another advantage of using pkg is, it creates executable files for several target machines at once.</li></ul>



<h4 id="h-installing-pkg"><span id="Installing_Pkg">Installing Pkg:</span></h4>



<ul><li>You can install pkg using the below command:<ul><li>npm install -g pkg</li></ul></li></ul>



<h3 id="h-steps-to-create-an-executable-file"><span id="Steps_to_create_an_executable_file">Steps to create an executable file:</span></h3>



<ul><li>Create a new node js project using the below command<ul><li>npm init</li></ul></li><li>Add appium and pkg as a dependency<ul><li>npm install &#8211;save appium@2.0.0-beta.71</li><li>npm install &#8211;save pkg@5.8.0</li></ul></li><li>Create an index.js file and add the below code, which will start the appium server:</li></ul>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code><styled-code>
const {asyncify} = require('asyncbox');
const appium = require('appium');

if (require.main === module) {
  asyncify(appium.main);
}

module.exports = appium;
</styled-code></code></pre>



<ul><li>Pkg looks for an entry point to the application in the package.json file, so add bin and mention index.js.</li><li>Pkg has options such as targets, assets, and outputPath.<ul><li><strong>targets: </strong>Specify the format for which you want to build your output. For example, I am generating an exec file for node version:node16, Os: macOS, and Arch: arm64. If we don&#8217;t specify the target, Pkg generates an exec file for Windows, Linux, and macOS by default.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>assets: </strong>Asset is where we need to add all the required dependencies. For the appium server, we need to add the axios.cjs path as assets Apart from that I have also added files related to the sharp module, as I was getting errors for the same.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>output path: </strong>Path where the exec file should be placed.&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul>



<p>After doing the above, the package.json file should look like this:</p>



<styled-code>{

 &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;appium&#8221;,

 &#8220;version&#8221;: &#8220;1.0.0&#8221;,

 &#8220;description&#8221;: &#8220;Project to create exec file for appium&#8221;,

 &#8220;bin&#8221;: {

   &#8220;appium&#8221;: &#8220;./index.js&#8221;

 },

 &#8220;scripts&#8221;: {

   &#8220;start&#8221;: &#8220;node ./index.js&#8221;,

   &#8220;test&#8221;: &#8220;echo \&#8221;Error: no test specified\&#8221; &amp;&amp; exit 1&#8243;
},

 &#8220;license&#8221;: &#8220;ISC&#8221;,

 &#8220;dependencies&#8221;: {

   &#8220;appium&#8221;: &#8220;^2.0.0-beta.71&#8221;,

   &#8220;pkg&#8221;: &#8220;^5.8.0&#8221;

 },

 &#8220;pkg&#8221;: {

   &#8220;targets&#8221;: [
     &#8220;node16-macos-arm64&#8221;
   ],
   &#8220;assets&#8221;: [
&#8220;./node_modules/axios/dist/node/axios.cjs&#8221;,&#8221;./node_modules/sharp/build/**&#8221;,&#8221;./node_modules/sharp/vendor/**&#8221;
],
   &#8220;outputPath&#8221;: &#8220;dist&#8221;

 }

}</styled-code>



<br><ul><li>Then give the below command to create an exec file for the appium server<ul><li>pkg package.json</li></ul></li><li>You can ignore the warnings on running the above command and once it is over, in the dist folder, you can find the appium server as an exec file. Double-click on it to start the server.</li></ul><br>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1600" height="269" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-113.png" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" class="wp-image-29810"/></figure>



<br><ul><li>One important thing to consider before packaging is that, when we try to start the server, appium by default fetches the npm version on the machine and checks if the npm version is compatible to start the server. Because of that, if you try to start the appium server using the exec file we have just created in a machine that does not have npm, it will throw the below error.&nbsp;</li></ul><br>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1294" height="162" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-114.png" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" class="wp-image-29812"/></figure>



<br><ul><li>To overcome this problem, go inside the appium folder which is present inside the node_modules folder of the project’s working directory, and search for the below methods and comment them out. This will stop appium from looking for the npm version on the target machine.&nbsp;<ul><li>getNpmVersion()</li><li>checkNpmOk()</li></ul></li><li>After doing the above, run the command again to create an executable file, and this time, you will be able to start the server on machines that do not have npm.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<p>It took me some time to figure this out. And having written this article, I hope it will help you get through the process of creating an executable file for the appium server with ease.</p>



<p>All said and done, I would also like to tell you about a <a href="https://testsigma.com/low-code-test-automation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">low-code test automation platform</a> for web, mobile, APIs, and desktop applications &#8211; Testsigma.&nbsp; I, along with my team, at Testsigma, am working on some interesting innovations in the field of test automation and would definitely like you to check it out here: <a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://testsigma.com/signup</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-conclusion"><span id="Conclusion">Conclusion:</span></h2>



<p>Creating an executable file for the appium server not only helps you with starting/stopping the server but also with easy installation and distribution.</p>



<p>Happy Testing!!</p>


Creating an executable file for Appium Server


<p>Imagine you&#8217;re a chef cooking up a delicious meal for your guests. You&#8217;ve planned out your ingredients and recipe, but before you start cooking, you need to make sure your kitchen is organized and all the kitchen tools and accessories you need is within reach. This is where test implementation comes in, the crucial stage of software testing where the test plan is put into action. Just like a chef, the test manager should ensure that everything required for testing is ready and testers can start testing.</p>



<p>In this article, we will discuss what test implementation is and its pros and cons in detail. Let&#8217;s get started.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><ul><li><a href="#What_is_Test_Implementation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">0.1</span> What is Test Implementation?</a></li><li><a href="#Responsibilities_of_a_Test_Manager_in_the_Test_Implementation_Phase"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">0.2</span> Responsibilities of a Test Manager in the Test Implementation Phase</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Implementation_and_Test_Automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">0.3</span> Test Implementation and Test Automation</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Disadvantages_of_Early_Test_Implementation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> Disadvantages of Early Test Implementation</a></li><li><a href="#Advantages_of_Early_Test_Implementation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Advantages of Early Test Implementation</a></li><li><a href="#Major_Tasks_Involved_In_Test_Implementation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Major Tasks Involved In Test Implementation</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a></li></ul></div>
<h3 id="h-what-is-test-implementation"><span id="What_is_Test_Implementation"><strong>What is Test Implementation?</strong></span></h3>



<p>Test implementation is a process of organizing and prioritizing tests and creating test data. Sometimes, if necessary, it also involves preparing test harnesses and creating automated test scripts.</p>



<p>During this stage, the Test Analyst or Test Manager makes sure that all the prerequisites are handled to initiate the test execution. They then implement the test designs as test cases, test procedures, and test data, which are then executed to verify the functionality of the software.</p>



<p>It is crucial to choose the right tests and execute them in the right order. Also, this is vital while using risk-based strategies, where testers prioritize tests based on the risks and problems.</p>



<p>If you are following the <a href="https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/829/3787/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">IEEE829</a> standard, then you must define the below parameters too,</p>



<ul><li>Test inputs</li><li>Expected test results, and</li><li>Steps to follow for each test process</li></ul>



<p>These will be documented together, and test data will be stored in database tables, flat files, etc.</p>



<h3 id="h-responsibilities-of-a-test-manager-in-the-test-implementation-phase"><span id="Responsibilities_of_a_Test_Manager_in_the_Test_Implementation_Phase">Responsibilities of a Test Manager in the Test Implementation Phase</span></h3>



<p>Another important part of the implementation phase is that the Test Manager should ensure that the testing team is ready to execute the test design.</p>



<p>The following are some of the responsibilities of a Test Manager in this phase:</p>



<ul><li>Ensuring that all the test procedures are organized and available to testers.</li><li>A guideline of who will execute what test cases, when, and test data for testing.</li><li>Finalizing the timeline of test execution</li><li>Ensuring that the tools to be used by testers are in place</li><li>Ensuring that the test environment for executing test data is in place</li><li>Are the test cases documented and reviewed?</li><li>Ensuring that the test environment is configured to the guidelines</li><li>Preparing a schedule for test execution, describing the order for execution of manual and automated tests.</li><li>Checking for constraints like risks and priorities</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-test-implementation-and-test-automation"><span id="Test_Implementation_and_Test_Automation"><strong>Test Implementation and Test Automation</strong></span></h3>



<p>Test implementation is not just about manual testing. It involves creating automated testing scripts as well. Automated testing should be properly implemented to ensure a good ROI (Return on Investment).In this stage, the Test Managers define the priority and the execution order of the manual and automation tests. Not just that, even the acquisition of tools required for testing, like automation testing tool, test data generation tool, framework, and more, is done in this stage.</p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:30px"><a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> is a powerful test automation platform that lets you automate web, mobile, and desktop apps and APIs in one place. It allows you to create test cases in plain English statements as it supports <strong>Natural Language Processing</strong>. This makes editing, removing, or updating the test cases at any stage very easy.</p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/image_f1855eb8fb739a48289f4b0c8e435912_2000.png_1748948267.png" alt="Testsigma"/></figure>



<p><p style="padding-top:30px">The following are some of the <a href="https://testsigma.com/features">features of Testsigma</a>,</p></p>



<ul><li>It is a no-code platform, so no coding skills are required for testing. You can create test cases using NLPs.</li></ul><br>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/image_6c6ab8cbfc26693ac18bfe6e0a4dadfe_2000.png_1748948264.png" alt="Testsigma - Test Automation Platform"/></figure>



<br><ul><li>With Testsigma, you can <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/roi-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">achieve a good ROI</a> quickly.</li><li>It is also available as an <a href="https://github.com/testsigmahq/testsigma" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">open-source</a> and free version.</li><li>You can perform cross-browser testing, <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-api-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">API testing</a>, UI testing, integration testing, regression testing, end-to-end testing, and more in one place.</li><li>It makes testing 10x faster than traditional testing methods.</li><li>If you go for the Testsigma Cloud version, you can start with test automation in 2 minutes without the need to install anything on your end.</li><li>Easily create and maintain tests on the cloud.</li><li>Extended customer support via chat, email, phone, and community.</li><li>Offers third-party integrations with multiple tools like Jenkins, CircleCI, and more.</li></ul><br>



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<h2 id="disadvantages-of-early-test-implementation"><span id="Disadvantages_of_Early_Test_Implementation">Disadvantages of Early Test Implementation</span></h2>



<p>The following are some of the drawbacks of implementing the tests early,</p>



<ul><li>When an Agile software development life cycle is used for software development, then the code might undergo multiple changes between consecutive iterations. This will make the entire test implementation ineffective.</li><li>Not just the Agile life cycle, using an iterative software development lifecycle will also affect the code between iterations.</li><li>The above scenarios will make the predefined tests obsolete and might require continuous maintenance.</li><li>Even while using a sequential life cycle like the Waterfall model for product development, if the project is not managed properly and if the requirements keep changing later, then early test implementation is ineffective.</li></ul>



<p>Hence, the Test Manager must consider the below factors before the test implementation process,</p>



<ul><li>Identify the type of Software development life cycle used for product development</li><li>Features that require testing</li><li>Define how frequently the requirements may change in the later stages of the project lifecycle</li><li>Possibility of code changes between two iterations</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-advantages-of-early-test-implementation"><span id="Advantages_of_Early_Test_Implementation">Advantages of Early Test Implementation</span></h2>



<p>Early test implementation is a good practice. Let&#8217;s discuss some of the advantages of early test implementation,</p>



<ul><li>Concrete test cases provide practical examples of how the application behaves.</li><li>Also, domain experts find it simple and easy to verify concrete tests rather than non-concrete business rules.</li><li>It helps identify any weaknesses in software specifications.</li><li>It further promotes collaboration between testers, developers, and other members of the project team.</li></ul>



<p><em>Note &#8211; If you&#8217;re wondering what a concrete test case is, a concrete test case is a specific test scenario with predefined input values, expected results, and execution steps.</em></p>



<h2 id="h-major-tasks-involved-in-test-implementation"><span id="Major_Tasks_Involved_In_Test_Implementation">Major Tasks Involved In Test Implementation</span></h2>



<p>The following are some of the major tasks involved in test implementation,</p>



<ul><li>Develop and prioritize test procedures.</li><li>Prepare <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-harness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Harness</a></li><li>Create test suites from test procedures.</li><li>Prepare test data for test execution.</li><li>Finalize, implement, and prioritize test cases.</li><li>Create automated test scripts. Using a powerful test automation platform like Testsigma, you can create test steps using simple language or use Java to test certain scenarios that might require coding.</li><li>Set up the test environment and verify that everything is configured correctly.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary">Summary</span></h2>



<p>Test implementation is a critical stage in the software testing process. The implementation of tests early in the development process can help detect bugs early, which can save time and resources while improving overall quality.</p>



<p>So, just like how a well-organized kitchen sets the stage for a successful meal, proper test implementation sets the stage for a successful software release.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></span></h2>



<div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1752750514445"><strong class="schema-faq-question">How do you implement software testing?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Test implementation is the process of prioritizing and organizing tests. The implementation of software testing involves several steps, like planning the tests, designing test data, creating test cases, prioritizing the tests based on risks, finalizing the timeline for testing, test execution schedule, acquisition of testing tools, and so on.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1752750524950"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What is the implementation and testing phase?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">The implementation and testing phase is a stage in the software development life cycle (SDLC) where the software testing plan is created, implemented, and executed. This helps ensure that the application meets the requirements and works as intended.</p> </div> </div>


Test Implementation in Software Testing - An Overview

Test Implementation in Software Testing – An Overview

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Database Testing: What it is, Why & Best Practices


<p><em>A clean test script is a good test script.</em></p>



<p><em>But a well-maintained test script is the best.</em></p>



<p>And while developers work hard to add/update application features, the well-maintained test scripts pick out tiny mistakes that slip into the code. You can turn to <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automation testing</a> to fix the mistakes in the software, but what if the test cases themselves are wrong? Maintenance testing helps here. It keeps the tests up to date, ensures AUT quality, and increases overall test coverage. Both manual and automation tests require regular maintenance. And for this blog, we will focus on the latter and discuss all the possible scenarios you can implement to maintain your automation tests.</p>



<p>Here’s our take on test maintenance and why you should think sincerely about implementing it for your business.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Test_Maintenance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Test Maintenance Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_is_Test_Maintenance_Crucial_to_Software_Development"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Why is Test Maintenance Crucial to Software Development?</a></li><li><a href="#Types_Of_Maintenance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Types Of Maintenance Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#Confirmation_Maintenance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> Confirmation Maintenance Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Regression_Maintenance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.2</span> Regression Maintenance Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#How_Do_You_Maintain_a_Test"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> How Do You Maintain a Test?</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Maintenance_Techniques_Approaches"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Test Maintenance Techniques/ Approaches</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_Some_Best_Practices_for_Test_Maintenance"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> What are Some Best Practices for Test Maintenance?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_Main_Challenges_of_Test_Maintenance"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> What are the Main Challenges of Test Maintenance?</a></li><li><a href="#How_Does_Testsigma_Make_Maintenance_of_Automated_Test_Cases_Easy"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> How Does Testsigma Make Maintenance of Automated Test Cases Easy?</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">10</span> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</a><ul><li><a href="#When_should_maintenance_testing_occur"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">10.1</span> When should maintenance testing occur?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_importance_of_test_maintenance"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">10.2</span> What is the importance of test maintenance?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-test-maintenance-testing"><span id="What_is_Test_Maintenance_Testing"><strong>What is Test Maintenance Testing?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Test maintenance is the process of repairing test cases so they stay updated with continuous code changes. </p>



<p>Often, businesses have codes that keep changing as new updates get added to the application. Test maintenance ensures that your test script, manual or automation, stays up to date with the changes in code. With regular test maintenance, your business will save costs and time with high-quality tests by your side. For example, if the identifying attribute of a UI element (Id or class or Xpath) changes, even the test needs to accommodate that change to avoid failure.</p>



<p>There are multiple tools you can use for test automation. Some of those tools have features that reduce the test maintenance time, like Testsigma. Testsigma supports self-healing. It automatically detects the changes in the attributes of web elements and updates them so that tests don’t fail. Keep reading, and you will learn how Testsigma keeps your test cases up-to-date with the changes made in the code.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-is-test-maintenance-crucial-to-software-development"><span id="Why_is_Test_Maintenance_Crucial_to_Software_Development"><strong>Why is Test Maintenance Crucial to Software Development?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Test maintenance is crucial because it lowers the time and cost of writing tests. With test maintenance, you don’t need to keep working on new tests; add/delete the information from the existing ones. It simplifies testing, consistently maintains test quality, and improves automation testing scripts to run complex tests.</p>



<h2 id="h-types-of-maintenance-testing"><span id="Types_Of_Maintenance_Testing"><strong>Types Of Maintenance Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p>When working on maintaining tests, there are two types of maintenance testing every tester needs to work on:</p>



<h3 id="h-confirmation-maintenance-testing"><span id="Confirmation_Maintenance_Testing">Confirmation Maintenance Testing</span></h3>



<p>This maintenance testing type checks the modified code. While conducting this type of maintenance testing, you need to monitor every small and big modification in the code to ensure there are no functionality or downtime issues. Read more about <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/confirmation-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Confirmation testing</a></p>



<h3 id="h-regression-maintenance-testing"><span id="Regression_Maintenance_Testing">Regression Maintenance Testing</span></h3>



<p>This type focuses on testing the existing functionality and comes after the confirmation maintenance testing phase. It checks the complete software after the code change to ensure the existing functions do not encounter any issues. It is called <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/automated-regression-testing-challenges-agile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regression testing</a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-do-you-maintain-a-test"><span id="How_Do_You_Maintain_a_Test"><strong>How Do You Maintain a Test?</strong></span></h2>



<p>To maintain a test, you can keep changing the script to follow the code changes. Just monitor the modifications in the code and change the data/steps in the test script accordingly. But do you think this is a feasible way to maintain a test? What if a major release influences multiple areas of the application, and you would need to change every test script manually? The process seems tedious and highly time-consuming, and even prone to errors. And manually maintaining the scripts is not the right approach in the long term. But whatever your case, manual or automation, here are some of the best practices for you to follow when maintaining a test is not a one-man&#8217;s job.</p>



<h2 id="test-maintenance-techniques-approaches"><span id="Test_Maintenance_Techniques_Approaches">Test Maintenance Techniques/ Approaches</span></h2>



<p><strong>1) Using Reusable Test Modules Approach: </strong>Every feature or functionality consists of multiple components. To maintain test scripts properly, you need to break down your tests into smaller, reusable functions or modules. This way, when any changes occur to the software application, you would not need to update multiple tests, you would just have to update the part of the script that needs to be changed.</p>



<p><strong>2) Page Object Model (POM) Approach: </strong>This design pattern facilitates the separation of test script functionality from the user interface. Because each component or page has its own class, maintenance is made simpler. The only tests that would require updating in the event of UI changes are the page object classes.</p>



<p><strong>3) Centralized Test Data Management: </strong>Instead of hard-coding data in test scripts, a best practice is to keep the test data in separate files or formats like CSV, Excel, or JSON. This way, if the test data needs to be changed, you would only need to update the data files instead of modifying the test code itself.</p>



<p><strong>4) User Version Control Systems: </strong>It is easier to keep track of changes and roll back to earlier versions when test scripts are stored in a version control system like Git. This is also important when multiple members are working on the same test suite because it checks that everyone is on the same page.</p>



<p><strong>5) Regular Review and Refactoring: </strong>Just like developers are advised to always regularly review and refactor the application, the same applies to QA teams as well. The test scripts need to be regularly refactored to avoid redundant steps and to generally improve the structure of the test scripts.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>6) Using Automated Test Maintenance Tools: </strong>It is easier to detect when tests break because of code changes when test automation is integrated with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. Also, test management tools like TestRail or Jira can be used to track, organize, and maintain test results.<gwmw style="display:none;"><gwmw style="display:none;"></gwmw></p>



<h2 id="h-what-are-some-best-practices-for-test-maintenance"><span id="What_are_Some_Best_Practices_for_Test_Maintenance"><strong>What are Some Best Practices for Test Maintenance?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Below are some simple steps that make test maintenance easy:</p>



<ul><li>Build a clear and accessible test maintenance design where team members can easily communicate. You can achieve this by meticulously planning the test cycles and utilizing all the resources available to you. For example, if a tester worked on a test script for a certain feature, keeping everyone in the loop and being open to adapting changes to the test plan will help your team in maintenance testing.</li><li>Use a standard template for all test cases during automation</li><li>Try to create reusable tests or use a tool that supports reusability</li><li>Add testing as a critical part of SDLC during the development itself. This means adopting the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-does-testsigma-support-the-shift-left-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shift-left testing technique</a> and going for CI/CD approach.</li><li>Write test cases and scripts with maximum coverage in the first instance, so you won’t have to keep adding new data for every small code change.</li><li>Run regular technical reviews of your test cases/scripts every month/quarter to find missing cases.</li><li>Add test steps that focus on what users will see and experience rather than going deep to the code level because sometimes, even when the program is right visual elements are missing on the page.</li><li>Keep updating changes on the go in your tests as you change your code.</li><li>To save time and get more work done, go for a no-code test automation tool, such as Testsigma, that comes with a lot of features to reduce test maintenance time. We will talk more about it in the sections below.</li></ul>



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<h2 id="h-what-are-the-main-challenges-of-test-maintenance"><span id="What_are_the_Main_Challenges_of_Test_Maintenance"><strong>What are the Main Challenges of Test Maintenance?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Here are some of the common challenges you might encounter while working on test maintenance:</p>



<ul><li>Your team might find it difficult to manage the cost and time of maintaining the tests if they are not equipped with the right tools and knowledge.</li><li>It becomes challenging if you do not find a test automation tool that can analyze false positives/flaky tests.</li><li>Poor or delayed communication between the developers and testers can compromise the test maintenance process and make it difficult to keep the tests on track with the code changes.</li><li>Your team will come across issues with testing tools that do not have the capability to detect GUI objects and the changes thereafter.</li><li>There might come situations where there is a skill gap in testers/developers to understand the requirement and maintain the tests either manually or using tools.</li></ul>



<p>And all these challenges might be difficult to surpass, but with the right tool like Testsigma, you can lower or even eliminate some of them.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-does-testsigma-make-maintenance-of-automated-test-cases-easy"><span id="How_Does_Testsigma_Make_Maintenance_of_Automated_Test_Cases_Easy"><strong>How Does Testsigma Make Maintenance of Automated Test Cases Easy?</strong></span></h2>



<p>By now, we know that maintenance testing is extensive but possible. But what if we told you that it need not be as stressful? It is possible with the help of a feature called Self-healing. Testsigma supports the self-healing of test cases. </p>



<p>Here are some ways in which Testsigma makes maintenance of automated test cases easy:</p>



<p>1. Self-healing: As mentioned earlier, Testsigma&#8217;s self-healing feature is a game-changer. It uses <a href="https://testsigma.com/ai-driven-test-automation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI-powered automation</a> to determine any changes made to web elements in the source code and resolves them on its own, preventing the test cases from failing. This means that even if there are minor changes in the web application, the test cases will continue to function without any manual intervention.</p>



<p>2. Reusability: Testsigma allows you to create reusable test cases, which can be used across multiple projects and releases. This not only saves time and effort but also ensures that the test cases are consistent and reliable.</p>



<p>3. Easy Maintenance: Testsigma&#8217;s intuitive interface makes it easy to maintain test cases. The platform allows you to update test cases quickly and efficiently, ensuring that they remain up-to-date and relevant.</p>



<p>4. Collaboration: Testsigma allows multiple team members to work on the same test cases simultaneously, making it easy to collaborate and ensure that the test cases are accurate and reliable.</p>



<p>5. Comprehensive Reporting: Testsigma provides comprehensive reporting, which helps you identify issues and areas that require attention. The reporting feature also allows you to track progress and measure the effectiveness of your test cases.</p>



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<p></p>



<h2 id="h-conclusion"><span id="Conclusion"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span></h2>



<p>Developers keep changing the code regularly. New features come up, UI undergoes changes, and users request modifications &#8211; many such activities require code changes. With these changes, the tests need to be modified too. This is when maintenance testing comes into the picture. With regular test maintenance &#8211; automated test cases can help catch bugs on the latest code too. Thus, test maintenance can take a lot of time if not managed well. A part of the problem can be solved by choosing a test automation tool that supports test maintenance. Testsigma is one such tool with features such as:</p>



<ul><li>Easy-to-edit test steps</li><li>Self-healing test cases</li><li>Reusable test steps</li></ul>



<p>Not only this, Testsigma is a low-code test automation tool that makes your test authoring 10x faster. And lets you automate tests for web, mobile, Desktop, and APIs from the same place.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions-faqs"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-when-should-maintenance-testing-occur"><span id="When_should_maintenance_testing_occur">When should maintenance testing occur?</span></h3>



<p>Maintenance testing should occur after deploying and delivering the application to the end users. It is a sort of customer service that listens to user queries and fixes the issues encountered by them.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-importance-of-test-maintenance"><span id="What_is_the_importance_of_test_maintenance">What is the importance of test maintenance?</span></h3>



<p>The importance of test maintenance lies in saving time and cost. It helps to keep tests up-to-date with every source code change and eliminates the need to write new test cases in such situations.</p>


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