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The omnipresence of software cannot be ignored. It is synonymous with today’s connected world. Our lives are heavily influenced by software. As a result of our industry&#8217;s rapid growth, we are creating code at a faster pace than ever before. One thing that often gets overlooked amidst all this exponential growth is the loss we are making because of poor quality &amp; code. The purpose of this article is to introduce you to the art of &#8220;clean coding&#8221;, along with some tips and ideas for getting started.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Clean_Code">1 What is Clean Code?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_is_Clean_Coding_Important">2 Why is Clean Coding Important?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Start_Writing_Clean_Code">3 How to Start Writing Clean Code?</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-clean-code">What is Clean Code?</h2> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/What-is-Clean-Code.jpg" alt="Testsigma - Clean Coding for Testers" class="wp-image-23693" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



Clean code is the art of writing code that is easy to read and understand. It also means that the code can be debugged easily. It can be seen as a work of art, simple and written with great care and thought. A clean code has 3 major attributes:



<ul><li>Elegant: Clean code always looks like it was written by someone who cares.&nbsp;</li><li>Efficient: Well Organized &amp; Arranged</li><li>Simple: To understand. Note that simple is not easy, and easy is not simple.</li></ul>



The goal of clean coding might look easy to someone new to programming. However, in a race to go fast, most programmers end up taking shortcuts and technical debt,s leaving your codebase filled with non-clean code.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“It doesn’t require an awful lot of skill to write a program that a computer understands.The skill is writing programs that human understands.”<cite>Robert C. Martin</cite></blockquote>



<h2 id="h-why-is-clean-coding-important">Why is Clean Coding Important?</h2> 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Why-is-Clean-Coding-Important.jpg" alt="Testsigma - Clean Coding for Testers" class="wp-image-23696" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



It is a commonly observed anti-pattern in the software industry to treat testers as second-class programmers. Test code, however, is just as important as production code. A shorter time to market cannot be achieved without clean automation code. This is where clean coding comes in. The goal of clean coding is to write code that can be easily maintained and read by other programmers.



Clean coding practices are important not only for programmers but also for those who work with them. Having a good understanding of what&#8217;s going on within the code will help them ensure that it works efficiently.&nbsp;



The majority of engineers still see code as merely a technical tool for implementing features or fixing bugs. Code can certainly do those things, but it&#8217;s also a means of communicating with others: colleagues and your future self. The majority of our time is spent reading code rather than writing it, so we should optimize code for readability instead of focusing on how fast we can create it. The ability to write clean code is an imperative skill for both developers and testers as it helps them to develop code that is bug-free.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Simplicity is a prerequisite for reliability.”<cite>Edsger W. Dijkstra</cite></blockquote>



<h2 id="how-to-start-writing-clean-code">How to Start Writing Clean Code?</h2>



It is important to be able to use a variety of libraries and frameworks as a test engineer. Nevertheless, what is going to move you forward is learning such pillars of this profession. Clean code is what separates professional programmers from amateurs. In order to get started with clean coding as a tester, here are a few tips &amp; strategies:



1. Writing Meaningful Variable Names: As uncle bob says, you should name a variable using the same care with which you name a first-born child. Variable names should be such that they are:



i. Intent revealingii. Context revealingiii. Easy to rememberiv. Searchablev. Non-abbreviatedvi. Free from typos and spelling mistakes



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/v80KQZoxVwyPJUtz2sMDLvo7RBKl1fc-CmgJYHExW61sGast1B66LvZunsouAcNAVhdkS85qP3bgXM1xgYVlmKFJjBtY04bVCRxJ9ms-87sodTFeDuWiiLo_24DHWYsowD7t7YrGE8IKBUPdfobyx6uh5ccnaORCTkt8Te97xBKwdOmubk4-9wxhoAfvHVF94CQYzJAcDQ" alt="Testsigma - Clean Coding for Testers" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



In addition to variable naming, these guidelines apply to the names of test scripts, test suite markers, method names, etc.



2. Meaningful Commit Messages: Commit Messages are like an audit trail of your coding effort. When multiple programmers work on the same branch or repository, it is very difficult to track code changes if the commit messages are not meaningful. A meaningful commit message typically takes a few minutes to write. However, spending just a few more minutes to do your work well really pays off in the long run.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PZKYbOSegkqEERowzAX4f8YSkGD2-3UsG6FmRUxumWWgIeQBWvhnB2McIdmwXPyQD4Yz2Eey8btxjZA6kHlY06OOz_BCQfCpiiSU8YFtyhvGwbrTNfe1BEh-FgJ8US6PaqdYIkKqu7Iz7OMsLgr5n1aUXwqnOSbI3sgOdTIvBXBqvH9PMTCxnZkVLBV1Vy7w0qLvirz_Ww" alt="Testsigma - Clean Coding for Testers" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



3. Write Fluent Assertions: If you have some experience with writing test script code, you would have already used normal assertions to apply checks in your script. Assertions can, however, be made more readable by being fluent. In a more readable and convenient manner, Fluent Assertions describe assertions naturally in a human-understandable way.



There are assertion libraries available for the most popular programming languages today, including C#, JavaScript, Java, Python, Ruby, and many more.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hjoKTpcGOgOcKnRvlD2TXFa4-t9JJZeh7hD2JlSdEN_gPJh5qXo5uCbul0TDPDGfQRjnxkUgEUk35eYg6sCyQXHtjdP0AedE42DV9x2BaJWlnBzI9t0-kBG57hSxGotOaLD4v45mugFhQnX-l9xSSImAgb0Auj9FHY23I7WywYMrkA1-cWpCeyeQ4NAKiKfnwK6VBVwrKQ" alt="Testsigma - Clean Coding for Testers" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



4. Using AAA Pattern for arranging test script code: A better way to organize test scripts is by following the AAA pattern. AAA stands for Arrange, Act, Assert.i. Arrange: During the Arrange part, you define all the preconditions needed for your tests. You set up the input values, the mocked dependencies, and everything else needed to run the test.ii. Act: The Act part is where you eventually call the code to perform the main action for the test.&nbsp;iii. Assert: Finally, the Assert part, where you check that everything worked as expected. You can use the fluent assertions explained in the previous point here.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/testt.png" alt="Testsigma - Clean Coding for Testers" class="wp-image-23704" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



5. Meaningful Exception Handling (try; catch; finally): One of the biggest mistakes that programmers do is to put Exception-Handling blocks on every method leaving most catch blocks empty. It is important to provide enough meaning to determine the cause and location of an error. Throwing custom errors message and appropriate information makes code cleaner and helps to avoid checking for status values throughout the code.



6. Meaningful Documentation: Any application is as good as it’s documentation. The same applies to test applications and solutions. Most <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test automation</a> projects never get extended or collaborated on because of no or very poor documentation.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qqUCaWkYe5ZYSwEpoCTAQ32cSe0I6fdzsPiDI7C7cMGLmrBVdo6dlVsEu6pf71y4BavSYK3Pn_EUR-2T6ro7PZaxMvu4ahK6E_XutVndnvN6RSCi3erZIxBFY9DJFlN2JwcZ4V2F-5dkTDINEiArVvbq-gfieC_tfB3qYloXxK2hNKBuDbACjnyl6fQsUJbKLYPn2F8FLw" alt="Testsigma - Clean Coding for Testers" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



Make sure to document information related to:



1. Context2. Build steps3. Test selection markers4. Backlog tasks, etc.5. Script Meta Data:i. Author nameii. ALM test idiii. Bug id (if blocked)iv. Reason for skip (if skipped)



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Clean code always looks like it was written by someone who cares.”<cite>Robert C. Martin</cite></blockquote>



I hope this article helped you learn more about clean coding and how to start your clean coding journey. If you want to dive deep into this topic, I recommend you to check out the popular book <a href="https://www.amazon.in/Clean-Code-Robert-C-Martin/dp/8131773388" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clean Code</a>.



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Read more articles by QA Expert, Rahul Parwal:



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/software-testing-tips/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A to Z of Software Testing: Terms, Tips, &amp; Advice for Newbies</a>



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/most-common-myths-around-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4 Most Common Myths Around Test Automation</a>



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/open-source-for-testers-what-where-who-why-when-and-how-5w1h/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Source for Testers – What, Where, Who, Why, When, and How- 5W1H</a>

Introduction to Clean Coding for Testers

It is 2023, and technology continues to advance at a rapid pace; the field of software testing is constantly evolving. From automation to artificial intelligence, the future of software testing looks very different from what it has been in the past. Software testing is critical for any development of high-quality, reliable software. However, testing has become increasingly challenging as software becomes more complex and user expectations rise.&nbsp;



In this blog, we will explore the various trends and developments shaping the future of software testing and how these changes will impact how we approach quality assurance in the software industry.



To meet these challenges, the future of software testing must be focused on these critical areas:&nbsp;



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Rise_of_AI_and_ML_in_Testing">1 Rise of AI and ML in Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Improving_Web_Accessibilitynbsp">2 Improving Web Accessibility&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Supporting_Mobile_Devicesnbsp">3 Supporting Mobile Devices&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Expanding_Test_Coverage">4 Expanding Test Coverage</a></li><li><a href="#Increased_Focus_on_Security_Testing">5 Increased Focus on Security Testing</a></li><li><a href="#More_Agile_Testing_Practices">6 More Agile Testing Practices</a></li><li><a href="#Improved_Collaboration_Between_Testers_and_Developers">7 Improved Collaboration Between Testers and Developers</a></li><li><a href="#Increased_Use_of_Cloud-Based_Solutions">8 Increased Use of Cloud-Based Solutions</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">9 Conclusion:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-rise-of-ai-and-ml-in-testing">Rise of AI and ML in Testing</h2>



The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is having a significant impact on the software testing industry. One of the most significant impacts of AI and ML on testing is test automation. These technologies are providing new ways to automate tests that were not previously possible.



AI and ML can also help to improve the accuracy of test automation by reducing false positives. False positives are a significant problem in test automation because they can cause tests to fail unnecessarily. By using AI and ML, it is possible to reduce the number of false positives and improve the overall accuracy of test automation.



Another area where AI and ML have an impact is the area of regression testing. Regression testing is retesting software after changes have been made to ensure that the changes did not introduce new bugs.



Traditionally, <a href="https://testsigma.com/regression-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regression testing</a> has been a time-consuming and expensive process. However, AI and ML are providing new ways to automate regression tests so that they can be run more frequently and at a lower cost.



The rise of AI and ML is also having an impact on the way testers interact with software. Testers can now use these technologies to interact with software in new ways. For example, AI and ML can be used to test the software by providing input in the form of natural language. This allows testers to give input to the software more naturally, which can help improve the accuracy of tests.



AI and ML can also be used to generate reports on the results of tests. These reports can help testers identify areas where the software needs further improvement.



<h2 id="h-improving-web-accessibility">Improving Web Accessibility&nbsp;</h2>



Software Testing is about finding bugs and ensuring that the software is accessible to all users. This includes users with disabilities, who may use assistive technologies such as screen readers to interact with web applications. To accommodate these users, testers must pay close attention to accessibility issues during the testing process.&nbsp;



Web accessibility refers to making websites usable by people with disabilities. This includes people who are blind or have low vision, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and those with physical or cognitive impairments. &#8220;Making websites accessible is important for ethical and business reasons,&#8221; says Dan Trichter, founder of <a href="https://www.accessibilitychecker.org/guides/ada-compliance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Accessibility Checker</a>.



In <a href="https://webaim.org/projects/million/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">WebAIM&#8216;s </a>report on digital accessibility, it was found that 96.8% of the top 1 million websites had detectable accessibility errors. Although this number is slightly improved from the 97.4% found in the 2021 report, it still leaves many websites with potential barriers for users with disabilities.



The WCAG (or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) provides a set of standards that can be used to make websites more accessible. Some guidelines include providing text alternatives for non-text content, ensuring that content is readable and understandable, and ensuring that web pages are navigable using keyboard-only input.&nbsp;



Several steps can be taken to make a website more accessible.



One crucial step is to ensure that all content is available in multiple formats so that users can choose the format that best suits their needs. For example, the text should be both HTML and PDF; images should be available in standard and high-contrast formats; video should be captioned or transcribed.



Another critical step is checking colour contrast ratios to ensure that text is legible for low-vision users. The WCAG recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for standard text and 3:1 for large text.



Finally, it is important to test websites using a variety of assistive technologies, such as screen readers, to ensure that users with disabilities can access all content.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-supporting-mobile-devices">Supporting Mobile Devices&nbsp;</h2>



The proliferation of mobile devices has created new challenges for software testers. In the past, testing was primarily done on desktop computers. Testing on a wide range of mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, and wearables, is necessary today. This is because mobile devices have different screen sizes, resolutions, and input methods (like touchscreens) than desktop computers. As a result, testers must adapt their workflows to accommodate these differences.&nbsp;



There are several ways to test on mobile devices.&nbsp;



One popular method is to use <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/responsive-design-testing-checklist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">responsive design</a> to create websites that can be accessed on any device. This approach allows websites to automatically adjust their layout and content to fit the screen size of the device being used. 



Another popular method is to use separate URLs for mobile and desktop versions of a website. This allows developers to create different versions of a website customized for each type of device.



Mobile devices also present new challenges in terms of web accessibility. For example, it can be difficult for users with disabilities to interact with content on a small screen. Again, testers must pay close attention to accessibility issues when testing on mobile devices.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-expanding-test-coverage">Expanding Test Coverage</h2>



As software applications become more complex, testing all potential inputs and outputs is increasingly difficult. Testers must prioritize their work to focus on the most critical test cases. One popular approach is risk-based testing, which involves prioritizing tests based on the risks associated with a particular feature or functionality.



Another popular approach is exploratory testing, which allows testers to quickly gather data about the application under test without following a set of predetermined test cases. This approach can be beneficial when testing new features or unfamiliar applications.



It is also important to note that not all tests need to be executed manually. In some cases, it may be possible to use automated tests to expand test coverage. Computerized tests are especially well-suited for tasks that are repetitive or require a large number of test cases.&nbsp;



However, it is essential to remember that automated tests can only partially replace manual testing. This is because computerized tests can only check for the specific conditions they are programmed for.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-increased-focus-on-security-testing">Increased Focus on Security Testing</h2>



As the number of cyberattacks continues to increase, it is becoming increasingly important for software testers to focus on security testing. Security testing is a process of assessing the security of a software application and identifying potential vulnerabilities. Several different approaches can be used for security testing, and it is often necessary to use multiple techniques to assess the security of an application comprehensively.



One approach is penetration testing, which involves using various tools and techniques to attempt to break into an application. Penetration testing is used to identify both technical and non-technical vulnerabilities.&nbsp;



Another popular approach is code review, which involves manually reviewing source code to identify potential security issues. Code review can be beneficial for identifying vulnerabilities that may be obscure when testing the application itself.



In addition to these specific approaches, keeping security in mind throughout the software development process is essential. This includes ensuring that secure coding practices are used and that all team members are aware of potential security risks.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-more-agile-testing-practices">More Agile Testing Practices</h2>



As the software development industry continues to move towards agile methodology, it is becoming increasingly important for testers to adopt agile testing practices. Agile testing is a process of testing software in short, iterative cycles. This type of testing is well-suited for projects using an agile development methodology.



One of the benefits of agile testing is that it allows testers to adapt to changes in the software quickly. This is because agile testing is typically done in short cycles, so new features can be tested as soon as they are implemented. In addition, agile testing also allows for more frequent feedback from testers.



This is because agile testing cycles are typically shorter than traditional waterfall cycles. As a result, testers can provide immediate feedback to developers, which can help improve the final product&#8217;s quality.



Another benefit of agile testing is that it can reduce the overall cost of testing. This is because agile testing cycles are typically shorter than traditional waterfall cycles. In addition, agile testing also allows for more efficient use of resources. Agile testing typically involves smaller teams of testers who work closely together. Agile testing can help reduce the overall testing cost while still providing high-quality results.



<h2 id="h-improved-collaboration-between-testers-and-developers">Improved Collaboration Between Testers and Developers</h2>



One of the challenges that testers have traditionally faced is communication with developers. This is because developers often have a different perspective on the software than testers do. In addition, developers may only sometimes be aware of the potential impact of their changes on the software. Thus, it can be difficult for testers to communicate effectively with developers.



To improve communication between testers and developers, it is important to ensure a good understanding between the two groups. One way to do this is to ensure everyone is on the same page from the beginning of the project. This can be done by having a clear definition of what the project entails and what the goals are.&nbsp;



In addition to communication, collaboration is also vital for practical testing. Testers and developers must work together to ensure that the software is effective and meets all requirements. One way to improve collaboration is to use a tool that allows for real-time collaboration between testers and developers. This tool can improve communication and allow for more effective cooperation between the two groups.



<h2 id="h-increased-use-of-cloud-based-solutions">Increased Use of Cloud-Based Solutions</h2>



Cloud-based solutions is becoming increasingly popular in the software testing industry. Cloud-based solutions offer several benefits over traditional on-premise solutions. For example, cloud-based solutions are typically more scalable and offer pay-as-you-go pricing models.



One of the most significant benefits of cloud-based solutions is that they offer a more scalable solution than traditional on-premise solutions. On-premise solutions typically require a considerable upfront investment in hardware and software. They are also often challenging to scale up or down as needed. Cloud-based solutions, on the other hand, can be easily scaled up or down as needed. This makes them a more flexible solution for businesses that have fluctuating needs.



Another benefit of cloud-based solutions is that they offer a pay-as-you-go pricing model. With on-premise solutions, businesses typically pay for the hardware and software upfront. They also have to pay for ongoing maintenance and support costs. With cloud-based solutions, businesses only have to pay for their resources. This can save companies a significant amount of money over time.



“Cloud-based solutions can also be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows businesses to work from anywhere in the world. On-premise solutions are often tied to a specific location. This can make it difficult for businesses to work from multiple locations,” adds Imran Ali, co-founder of <a href="https://www.glasseshut.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Glasses Hut</a>.



Cloud-based solutions offer many benefits over traditional on-premise solutions. These benefits include increased scalability, pay-as-you-go pricing, and the ability to work from anywhere in the world.



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



In conclusion, the future of software testing is bright, with many exciting developments on the horizon. From automation and artificial intelligence to the increasing importance of security and accessibility, the way we approach software testing is constantly evolving. As the field continues to grow and change, it is essential for professionals in the industry to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments and to adapt their testing strategies accordingly. By embracing the future of software testing, we can ensure that our software is of the highest quality and meets users&#8217; needs worldwide. New challenges and opportunities are emerging all the time. Being aware of the latest trends in the industry will help you stay ahead of the curve.



&#8220;While you can automate some of your tests, there are many instances where it will make sense. You should set up automatic testing if it works for a certain aspect of your software. That will give you quicker feedback on the software and allow you to make changes as needed,&#8221; says Oliver Adams, a tech writer at <a href="https://academicbrits.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Academicbrits</a> and <a href="https://phdkingdom.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">PhDKingdom</a>.

The Future of Software Testing

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The testing industry is blooming exponentially with new trends, tools, and patterns popping up constantly. Many of these new patterns claim to increase the productivity of testers and testing. Nevertheless, not all patterns increase productivity. Often, testers unconsciously fall into such anti-patterns. This article covers some common anti-patterns during <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/understanding-agile-testing-framework/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agile testing</a>, along with some tips and ideas on countering them.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y7rO41D_EpXrKw0I-yabuctY-jJkwtvYPTm2LIFpKe44nOHGl4BJmxEPeOw2Dh2fR2llNNMOX5yi5U9__PD3Vi3XmhZE2Fj6TLjkWroY_Qbc4gydkQsRTp5c54qXW0gwmPnAW8BsqGG23K5Ew5-1As4W6UmaCydZkjLjVns7xsyLmrmADa41UU86QY8E7uNrKvFle1oQ1g" alt="A picture containing glass

Description automatically generated" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Anti-Pattern">1 Anti-Pattern</a></li><li><a href="#Not_Documenting_Things">2 Not Documenting Things</a></li><li><a href="#Over_Emphasis_on_GUI_Tools">3 Over Emphasis on GUI Tools</a></li><li><a href="#Restricting_Efficiency_to_Test_Automation">4 Restricting Efficiency to Test Automation</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-anti-pattern">Anti-Pattern</h2>



In your everyday life, you would have observed, read, and heard about common patterns for approaching and solving problems efficiently. The term anti-pattern, however, is often unfamiliar to many. An antipattern is a pattern that is often thought of as a standard solution to a problem, but often has negative consequences or is counter-productive in the long run.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gUnjJbfwXSKnfg0J_Uwv_B-h2J3Xawu4H5ZsMhZl3IybRX4sOi8fEGtsk0RRbKtefY1eUdpMMJdgK_rR3nrDdsgB3jG1Ty0lOIKLptODkX8K4al9PwZxS6t9jB8NSSEbZp_uJrpoj3G8VaO9q6dgmEQaam7lfmuel7UU50K5HK9vTAP0bUJf2u6HQ7OlGlpuKgK_Zeb4EQ" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



In order to help you better understand this concept, here are a few examples of common anti-pattern during agile testing:



1. Measuring with surrogate or proxy measures.i. For example, measuring the number of tests added by a tester to measure their productivity.ii. The use of proxy measures to measure progress is often founded on incorrect assumptions and biases.iii. Such measures are only used because they are easy to count.2. Using tools or practices in the wrong context.i. An example would be using email communication, where using chat would have been more convenient and efficient.ii. Any tool or practice is merely a heuristic for solving a particular problem.iii. A sapient use (the use of skill and care) and understanding of the context/purpose are essential.iv. If all you have is a hammer, everything will look like a nail.



Now that we understand what an anti-pattern is. We&#8217;ll discuss three common anti-patterns that most testers encounter:



<ul><li>Not Documenting Things</li><li>Over Emphasis on GUI Tools</li><li>Restricting Efficiency to Test Automation</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-not-documenting-things">Not Documenting Things</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jt_PlqxxRT0-x2UWRkFm64KUPqsEhjKyKU3ZX9Gol1ajQrt00p00mLiW6HSU7_xztZPNaFzLVoZhwh5CnT9EgN-b8rGq1U07CGXi-9h5O1-SluAcRjoCrn1ZLBsCvMVSJJ8NAEgHfcCwzgFlJD542vi-4_SvABrxlFJKk6KAnYNiTrwFNEelkLy0iyVPaH4taRNpeXy5Q" alt="desc" width="400" height="400" /></figure></div>



In the industry, it is a common misconception that Agile means no documentation. It&#8217;s true that Agile emphasizes building working software over &#8220;comprehensive documentation&#8221;. Nevertheless, not documenting things, at all, is one of the biggest productivity traps. It is true that we do not need overly comprehensive documentation of the entire software. Nonetheless, documenting creates a local cache about yourself that ultimately helps you be more productive, and these caches are easily retrievable from your <a href="https://www.workstreams.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">workflow management platform</a> for team use.



If you have ever worked in a distributed team, you are familiar with the common practice of members asking for information via chat messages or emails. These formats are often short-lived and flow down the system instantly. People often have to repeat the same or similar information when someone else asks for it. Furthermore, this creates reliance on people for project information and degrades the rollout/transition experience when someone leaves the team.



When documentation is done, it can be used as a local cache to share information that people would have otherwise gathered from you. Every time a document is read by someone, you instantly save the time you had originally invested in creating it. The returns on this investment will also compound over time, just like any other investment.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/luA8HQ7am8-lORKLaDvqd_4PbHuIuWaDaIjAs0dsIL23BQNfpFKjLj2T1X--8mmlhb5qtmXY8_yWOKTGS9JC_jjEjjerck9vFLtlPjOJP2EMk2lwqYyM3afsg7vY1AsMR5a5ezJgZ5b4ElyEW-QxToGoy5GDWk1vhB_2Hxttw6wWu3O7VOD-C8rZlRmj-WFGGU0jvlj1dA" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



In other words, whenever you share information that isn&#8217;t documented, make sure it is documented. I consider documenting my work to be one of my most important productivity secrets. Depending on the context, I try to move important and persistent information to either of these:



<ul><li>Wiki</li><li>Readme</li><li>Test Notes</li><li>FAQ Doc</li><li>Flow Chart Documents</li><li>JIRA, etc.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-over-emphasis-on-gui-tools">Over Emphasis on GUI Tools</h2>



It is easy to visualize information when using GUI tools because they simplify complexity. Testers typically use GUI tools to generate data, filter data, run tests, and so on. There are, however, some limitations associated with GUI tools, such as:



<ul><li>Platform dependent</li><li>Distracting</li><li>Less Verbose</li><li>Requires more space &amp; memory</li><li>Slow</li></ul>



It can be a productivity anti-pattern to place too much emphasis on GUI tools. Often, command-line interfaces are more effective for quick, basic, and quirky tasks. Having fluency with the command line improves your flexibility and productivity as an engineer in both obvious and subtle ways. CLI tools have their own benefits in the long run. Often, operating system commands, shell scripts, keyboard shortcuts, etc., are capable of doing heavy-lifting GUI tasks quickly. It is usually more convenient to work with CLI terminals when you have constrained devices that do not have enough space or are restricted from using GUI tools.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9Sdq2YLxRhfeurbV3UoUNiu_q6xHNkqwKByBT9wgkx8Bh_KiOWmak8EMJ7buS1Dhv_AgAavl5mjRrObmO5jKZzuoEVy7nUqEwfZm4sKHIzfiGmKMf4YlheJGW8lK-00iqV6EY8EpOFBc1YUM8UaphvIRDcnvcK3zK2nmZG8DlBvKrdO-AUhj_rWWmCv2WCRrOIIJ1R__gg" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



Want to learn about more about CLI &amp; CLI Utils? Here are some references:



<ul><li><a href="https://github.com/jlevy/the-art-of-command-line" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Art of Command Line: Master the command line, in one page (github.com)</a></li><li><a href="https://github.com/learn-anything/command-line-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Awesome Command Line Utilities (github.com)</a></li></ul>



<h2 id="h-restricting-efficiency-to-test-automation">Restricting Efficiency to Test Automation</h2>



Testing efficiency is often associated with the automation of test procedures or the execution of tests via automated test scripts. However, the use of tools can improve efficiency in all aspects/phases of testing. The use of tools can greatly enhance testing efficiency if they are used intelligently. There is a wide range of possibilities for automation in various test activities, such as:



<ul><li>Test Environment Setup</li><li>Mocking Component Behavior</li><li>Test Data Preparation</li><li>Test Build Generation</li><li>Micro Utilities / Scripts</li><li>Text Fillers</li><li>Monitoring</li><li>Test Environment Cleanup</li></ul>



Automating your day-to-day tasks is possible in a variety of ways, and the examples above are only a few. Any task that&#8217;s repetitive or lacks creativity should be considered for automation whenever possible. Most of the time, you will find already available tools or similar ideas to build your own tool to enhance your testing efficiency.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/V_O2ZcrfAadTDQaSAL8frI1l3HHmZKAyRtJ11zjK_dbPC4OfkrDES9cydmci1Ec7WsOEj4Lu4ySwmUh7ywHmaSvkygJCH1W8Ey6gdpYAAQ-1L0TtS2bDtrgP1dbbDX5Fd9Q6vW2n2J7XpAoceeDthbQYV6vjMNpnX38FKPHs-PbrY3fAz1qqBQ6X1k5w6JDfIo6jO97P1A" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



Moreover, small utilities, macros, micro tools, and extensions can enhance your testing efficiency as well. A few examples of such small tools and extensions are listed below:



<ul><li><a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/session-manager/mghenlmbmjcpehccoangkdpagbcbkdpc?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Session Management</a>&nbsp;– Save Tabs with Project / Purpose. One Click Opener.</li><li><a href="https://bugmagnet.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Bug Magnet</a>&nbsp;– Exploratory Testing Assistant</li><li><a href="https://gofullpage.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Go Full Page</a>&nbsp;– Save your Pages (Full)</li><li><a href="https://fakefiller.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Fake Filler</a>&nbsp;– Free, Fake, Random Form Filler</li><li><a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/exploratory-testing-chrom/khigmghadjljgjpamimgjjmpmlbgmekj" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Exploratory Testing Extension</a>&nbsp;– Note Taker</li><li><a href="http://www.uxcheck.co/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">UX Check</a>&nbsp;– UX Guidewords / Heuristics</li></ul>



Testsigma too supports a lot of such add-ons supporting various <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automation</a> actions and data generators powered by the Testsigma Team and the Community. Checkout the Testsigma add-on marketplace here: <a href="https://testsigma.com/addons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma Addons Marketplace</a>



<button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://github.com/testsigmahq/testsigma" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Try out Testsigma Open Source</a></button>



For all our visual readers, I have summarized this entire article in the form of this <a href="https://xmind.app/m/hZYNxi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mind map</a>.

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