In this article, we will focus on what NLP is all about and how it is useful for Smart Test Automation. 



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_NLP">1 What is NLP?</a></li><li><a href="#Smart_Test_Automation">2 Smart Test Automation</a></li><li><a href="#What_does_NLP_with_Smart_Test_Automation_look_like">3 What does NLP with Smart Test Automation look like?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_NLP_for_smart_test_automation">4 Why NLP for smart test automation?</a></li><li><a href="#Tools_that_use_NLP_for_Smart_Test_Automation">5 Tools that use NLP for Smart Test Automation</a></li><li><a href="#When_not_to_use_NLP">6 When not to use NLP</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">7 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="what-is-nlp">What is NLP?</h2>



Natural Language Processing (NLP) refers to a branch of Computer Science, or in more simple words, let us say it refers to a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI).



It is a process with which computers are able to understand the text and the spoken words in the same way as human beings can.



NLP describes the process of making the interaction between human languages and computers possible.



This technology has been around for years and is now being used by several people on a daily basis. We all must have come across NLP in some way or the other in our daily lives.



Alexa, the Amazon voice service is an example of a solution based on NLP. Siri, the voice assistant by Apple and Google Assistant also use this technology.



Some other examples of NLP include:



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Spell Check</li><li>Voice text messaging</li><li>Spam filters</li><li>Autocomplete</li></ul>



<h2 id="smart-test-automation">Smart Test Automation</h2>



The world is changing very quickly and we must be ready to change with it. Big will not beat the small anymore. It&#8217;s actually the fast beating the slow.



In recent years, there have been a lot of changes happening in the testing world too. Earlier, the testing was done manually, which was a slow and time-consuming process. But, today we are using more <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank">automation</a> techniques to test better. 



We are opting for such a change in order to get better quality faster which would help in delivering a better product at a greater speed. In short, we are now looking for smarter solutions. Smart is something that has intelligence.



Let me explain with a simple example. Earlier we were using cell phones which typically were used for texting and making calls. Then came the era of smartphones which drastically changed the usage of phones. The Smartphone was just another mini computer.



So, Test automation can be called smart when it lets you do something better while you put in less effort.&nbsp;&nbsp;



For example, to explain better, we can say going scriptless could be a feature of&nbsp; ‘Smart test automation’ if it lets your team automate your tests faster.&nbsp; 



Organizations need smart test platforms that are self-aware and self-adaptive to support throughout the complete application life cycle. Smart test automation platform needs to carry test automation along with performance, security and compatibility testing needs



Let&#8217;s move forward with a few more additional features that would boost test automation.



1. Smart Element locators 



Smart Test Automation tools like Testsigma helps the testers in easy test maintenance with smart element locators (also known as UI identifiers) by employing a dynamic locator strategy. It ensures that the functional tests stay strong even if the product undergoes some structural changes.



2. Modifications with Redo



With Record and PlayBack tools, easy editing of recorded tests is not possible.



If there is even a slight change in the application flow, the tester needs to re-record the test steps from the beginning. This is again a time-consuming process.&nbsp;



Modifications can be easily done when it comes to NLP-based test scripts. Testers can easily add the test steps at the beginning, end, or anywhere between without a redo.



3. Conditional waiting



Wait commands are essential for executing test scripts and help identify and resolve issues related to time lag.



NLP based test automation tool, Testsigma has a set of Conditional Wait statements which helps to add waits based on user-defined conditions:



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>Wait until the current page is loaded completely
Wait until the element ui identifier is clickable
Wait until the element ui identifier is selected
Wait until the element ui identifier is visible etc.</code></pre>



4. Conditional flow and control structures



Control flow or flow of control is blocks of code we create to control the direction we take through the code. It is common in programs to take a different direction based on the data. 



Let&#8217;s take the example of a login screen. If the credentials provided i.e., username and password are valid, we log them in. If not valid, we don’t. This is defined as flow control.



Imagine the same set of features available in a tool without the added complexity.



With Testsigma, you can either loop on a whole Test Case with a set of parameters(data-driven approach) or loop on a subset of Test Steps. This is very useful if we want to simply repeat a step multiple times with/without an available Test Data set.



5. Cross Browser Support



With Smart Test Automation tools like TestSigma, automated tests can be run on thousands of real Device/OS/Browser versions combo and also local physical devices.



<h2 id="what-does-nlp-with-smart-test-automation-look-like">What does NLP with Smart Test Automation look like?</h2>



Using NLP in Smart Test Automation, the tests are carried out in natural understandable language. The use of NLP in test automation minimizes the test creation time. It is done in a format that is intuitively easy for anyone to quickly adapt and use.



There are several tools like TestSigma that use simple plain English to automate tests. The changing UI elements are maintained by AI.



NLP-based tests can accommodate changes anytime and can easily be edited(if required). NLP makes it easier to automate all of your test cases and tightly integrates them with your dynamic delivery pipeline while optimizing the user experience.



<h2 id="why-nlp-for-smart-test-automation">Why NLP for smart test automation?</h2>



There are many benefits that can be gained by using NLP for Smart Test automation.



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Low Learning Curve. Since the tests are written in natural language, it is not mandatory for a tester or anyone from the team to have programming knowledge in order to go through it.</li> <li>Since the test cases are created in natural language which does not need to be learnt. The time spent on test creation is reduced.</li> <li>And similarly, the test cases become easier to maintain as well.</li></ul>



<h2 id="tools-that-use-nlp-for-smart-test-automation">Tools that use NLP for Smart Test Automation</h2>



Tools like <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Testsigma</a> use NLP in Test Automation in a way that complex automation can be done easily in plain natural language that can be understood by all. With a minimum or no amount of training, complex automated tests can be written with no coding involved



In addition to plain natural language test creation, Testsigma also offers some additional features that make your test automation smart. These features include:



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Possible Failure Detection – Affected Test Cases</li><li>Test Management Capabilities(Requirements, Test Suites, Test Case priorities etc)</li><li>Automatic Bug Reporting(JIRA)</li><li>Shared Object Repository</li><li>State Management</li> </ul>



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Another such example of a smart test automation tool is ‘<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.indiumsoftware.com/uphorix-platform/" target="_blank">uphorix</a>’. 



Features include:&nbsp;



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>Low code automation</li><li>Intelligent scripting</li><li>Swift compatibility</li><li>Native Test Data generator</li></ul>



<h2 id="when-not-to-use-nlp">When not to use NLP</h2>



There are some disadvantages to the use of NLP in test automation:



NLP should not be used in scenarios where your project requirements are not fulfilled by all the functionalities the tool can offer via NLP. In such cases check if customization is allowed in other languages. Or go for another tool that lets you automate according to your project requirements



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



From cars that drive themselves to the minuscule devices that can detect cancer cells to a neural network that can help spot Covid-19 in chest x-rays and many other ways, AI is transforming our world and everything in it.



In such circumstances, can testing and QA stay away from its virtues? There is plenty of scope in this field with some use cases like built-in intelligence in tools and IDEs, prepackaged content to be delivered. 



The extensive usage of Natural Language Processing to auto-generate smart, interactive, self-healing test suites is merely the prelude and the path ahead is propitious.

Smart Test Automation using NLP What you should know

Smart Test Automation using NLP: What you should know?

A few years back, “codeless testing” was interchangeably used with the “record-and-replay” functionality of the automation software. Today, the advancements in <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/codeless-testing" target="_blank">codeless testing</a> have <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/selenium-vs-scriptless-test-automation/#:~:text=Scriptless%20test%20automation%20tools%20can,users%20know%20scripting%20and%20programming." target="_blank">widened the gap</a> between the terms and gave them<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/scriptless-automated-testing-is-not-the-same-as-record-and-playback/" target="_blank"> separate and clear meanings</a> in the IT industry. Therefore, it becomes a confusing question when we talk about these two terms today. 



The thought of when should enterprises choose codeless automation for testing and when to go for other methods still remains a complex question and more cluttered than ever. This post will point out several methods that can help you decide which way to go while starting a project or setting up a whole enterprise. 



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Codeless_Testing">1 What is Codeless Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Advantages_of_Codeless_Testing">2 Advantages of Codeless Testing</a></li><li><a href="#When_Should_You_Choose_Codeless_Automation">3 When Should You Choose Codeless Automation?</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Development_and_testing_are_not_synchronized">3.1 1. Development and testing are not synchronized</a></li><li><a href="#2_Rising_Issues_with_code-based_test_automation">3.2 2. Rising Issues with code-based test automation</a></li><li><a href="#3_Short_on_time">3.3 3. Short on time</a></li><li><a href="#4_Low_on_monetary_resources">3.4 4. Low on monetary resources</a></li><li><a href="#5_UI_tests_are_the_priority">3.5 5. UI tests are the priority</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">4 Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Suggested_Readings">5 Suggested Readings</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-codeless-testing">What is Codeless Testing?</h2>



Codeless testing is a type of software testing that requires no code writings from the testers. Instead, it relies on <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/natural-language-processing-nlp-based-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural language processing</a>, <a href="https://www.zaptest.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">drag-and-drop UI elements</a>, <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/best-scriptless-testing-tools-for-angular-based-applications/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence, self-healing capabilities etc</a>. It depends on the <a href="https://testsigma.com/codeless-automation-testing-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">codeless testing tool</a> you are using. 



For example, instead of writing a selenium script with browser instances, we can directly write navigate to URL to just access the intended web address. 



<h2 id="advantages-of-codeless-testing">Advantages of Codeless Testing</h2>



Codeless testing brings a lot of advantages along with it, some of them are mentioned below:



<ul><li>Saves Time: Codeless testing eliminates the requirement of learning and implementing the code in complex automation testing frameworks. Hence, a lot of time is saved in learning and constructing the test cases with codeless testing.</li><li>Involves People from Diverse Teams: Since there is no coding involved, the test cases are easily understood by non-technical people. They can then contribute in their own way for better quality tests such as suggesting changes or sometimes constructing a few scenarios themselves.</li><li>Extremely low maintenance: Codeless test automation requires very little maintenance work from the test automation engineers. On the contrary, with scripted test automation, they often struggle with the frequent changes done in the software.</li></ul>



And there are a lot more of this. But scripted testing has its own advantages too and therefore deciding when should enterprises choose codeless automation for testing becomes a topic for discussion.



<h2 id="when-should-you-choose-codeless-automation">When Should You Choose Codeless Automation?</h2>



Whether you are a startup, a small enterprise, or a big organization, every project you work on brings its own challenges and careful planning. Therefore, to deal with it, you need to be sure of the top points that will help you decide when to choose codeless automation and when to stay away from it. The following points will help you understand.



<h3 id="1-development-and-testing-are-not-synchronized">1. Development and testing are not synchronized</h3>



Development and testing are two pillars of SDLC and should go hand in hand. With methods allowing faster software development, testing might get a bit unsynchronised with it. 



For example, sometimes testing lags behind one release cycle and sometimes two. This gap might increase in the future if remedial steps are not taken. One such step is to use codeless test automation. With codeless automation for testing, things move faster and the gap is narrowed with faster testing cycles.



<h3 id="2-rising-issues-with-code-based-test-automation">2. Rising Issues with code-based test automation</h3>



Code-based test automation comes with its own challenges. The most popular one being the team’s skills you would require to commit the tasks. Code-based test automation needs a team that knows specific programming languages and framework knowledge on which testing will be done. 



Sometimes, more than one technology is finalized based on the team’s knowledge and experience that are not compatible with each other. Such a situation may take additional time to resolve. When such issues start to arise commonly, codeless testing is the way to go for enterprises.



<h3 id="3-short-on-time">3. Short on time</h3>



Sometimes, you don’t need to go deep into the technicalities while deciding when should you choose codeless automation for testing. Just weighing both the methods on the amount of time they take from the start to end is enough if time is the only factor holding your judgment. 



Codeless testing is faster to write tests and is easier to learn by the engineers. If you are having trouble matching the project deadlines frequently, codeless testing is the best option to choose.&nbsp;



<h3 id="4-low-on-monetary-resources">4. Low on monetary resources</h3>



When time is not the deciding factor, money is. Startups and small enterprises have to spend their money meticulously on each resource. Automation testing is one of the prime factors that can consume a lot of money or time. 



Since automation testers are few (considering the knowledge of programming) and the demand is high, they sometimes aim for higher salaries which costs the company extra money. Sometimes, you need to train the automation testers on a new programming language or framework which can cost extra money to the company too. 



On the contrary, codeless test automation neither requires highly skilled automation testers nor do they require a lot of training. Codeless test automation tools just require monthly or annual subscriptions fees for the maintenance of their infrastructure.&nbsp;



The difference in costs involved in both the situation is also very large. For example, the national average salary for an automation engineer in the United States is 83000 USD. 



Codeless test automation tools such as <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank">Testsigma</a> can satisfy all your testing requirements with advanced analytics and reporting features and run 10 parallel tests for half that price (around 41000 USD). 



Bottom line: when you are short on monetary funds and the project requires testing, codeless test automation should be the call for rescue &#8211; of course, other project requirements for test automation should be met too.



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<h3 id="5-ui-tests-are-the-priority">5. UI tests are the priority</h3>



The goal of UI testing is to guarantee the correct working of the visual components of the software. Sometimes, that is the utmost priority as you may be releasing software with just the UI changes. 



Codeless test automation therefore would be the best option when such scenarios arise. Although if code-based <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/regression-testing" target="_blank">regression tests</a> are fulfilling the purpose, you can choose to avoid codeless automation. But for a fresh test suite, codeless works best when it comes to the user interface.



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



Codeless test automation is the new kid in the automation world that is more effective and simplified than its parents. But it still is in the learning phase. Definitely, it comes with certain limitations and is not 100% perfect. This may be one of the reasons that organizations think about when should enterprises choose codeless automation for testing. 



There may be some limitations to the codeless test automation which can make you wonder, if, you as an enterprise,&nbsp; should choose codeless automation for testing. 



For instance, Selenium has an issue with the scalability of the application. Selenium allows the objects to be defined on a single locator only that demands a lot of time when we are maintaining the tests.&nbsp; 



In this post, I tried to clear the air that can help you resolve the confusion. As far as tools are concerned, there are a few <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/best-codeless-automation-testing-tools-in-2021/" target="_blank">codeless test automation tools</a> available that are different in one thing or another (as most of the tools are). Choosing a tool is not a textbook process. 



As this post highlighted the points that can help you in determining the choice of automation method, the tool that solves that problem is the best choice. 



I hope that by the end of this post, you will have certain parameters in your hand through which it would become a simplified process. For any comments and suggestions, we welcome your comments below.



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



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/codeless-testing-when-is-testsigma-recommended-tool-for-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Codeless Testing: When is Testsigma recommended tool for you</a> 



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/best-codeless-automation-testing-tools-in-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best Codeless Automation Testing Tools in 2023</a> 



<a href="https://testsigma.com/codeless-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modern Codeless Test Automation: Myths And Facts</a> 



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/advantages-of-using-codeless-test-automation-tools-an-exhaustive-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benefits of Codeless Test Automation Tools</a>

Codeless testing When should enterprises choose codeless automation for testing

When Should Enterprises Choose Codeless Automation for Testing?

“If you have bad tests, automation can help you do bad testing faster.”— James Marcus Bach



Organizations are spending on automation for better software quality and a good ROI(Return on Investment) with time. This has to be understood that when we are creating automation frameworks and scripts, we cannot expect an immediate ROI. Since the time, money, and energy outweigh the immediate returns. When the test automation is used diligently, over a period of time organizations start receiving the ROI.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Test_Automation_Solution_to_Maximize_Testing_ROI">1 Test Automation Solution to Maximize Testing ROI</a></li><li><a href="#Maximize_ROI_by_Scriptless_Automation_Solution">2 Maximize ROI by Scriptless Automation Solution</a></li><li><a href="#How_these_Solutions_can_Help_You_Maximise_Your_Testing_ROI">3 How these Solutions can Help You Maximise Your Testing ROI?</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Quicker_Test_Automation">3.1 1. Quicker Test Automation</a></li><li><a href="#2_An_Amalgamation_of_Business_and_Technical_People">3.2 2. An Amalgamation of Business and Technical People</a></li><li><a href="#3_Saving_Costs">3.3 3. Saving Costs</a></li><li><a href="#4_Risk_Reduction">3.4 4. Risk Reduction</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">4 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="test-automation-solution-to-maximize-testing-roi">Test Automation Solution to Maximize Testing ROI</h2>



We can achieve this by choosing correct test cases and test automation tools, using them to automate repeating activities like regression testing and not one-time runs. The generic formula of ROI is: ROI % = ( (Income – Investments) / Investments) * 100



When we are talking about automation we need to take into account the automation income and expenses as:



Automation ROI % = ((Income from automation – Investments on automation) / Investments on automation)* 100



We can understand from the above formula that if we are successful in the below two tasks, we can increase the ROI:



1. Increasing the income: This means the gains by adopting automation testing i.e., saved costs, increase in quality, save time, etc. If we can increase these gains we can increase the ROI.



2. Decreasing the Investments: This means the time, cost, and energy that is put into the automation testing. In this case, the investment can be lowered easily. Hence, the ROI can be increased immediately, without waiting for a certain time period as in conventional automation testing.



When the testing team writes the automation scripts using a programming language, it takes quite a chunk of testing timelines. However, today the software needs to be delivered as quickly as possible with great quality.



Here, a scriptless automation solution is beneficial for all the stakeholders. Because this is the only way to decrease time-to-market and provide the best quality possible in <a href="https://www.pagerduty.com/resources/learn/what-is-ci-cd-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CI/CD environments</a>.



In this article, we will discuss how <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/scriptless-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scriptless automation solutions</a> can help you improve your testing ROI. To that effect, some points that we will discuss are as given below:



<h2 id="maximize-roi-by-scriptless-automation-solution">Maximize ROI by Scriptless Automation Solution</h2>



1. It helps in quicker test automation



2. It supports amalgamation of business and technical people and skills



3. Scriptless testing tools help saving costs immensely in terms of time, skills, resources, and sometimes even space



4. Risk-reduction is an important feature of these solutions.



And then we will also discuss how to translate these into implementable steps.







<h2 id="h-how-these-solutions-can-help-you-maximise-your-testing-roi">How these Solutions can Help You Maximise Your Testing ROI?</h2>



<h3 id="h-1-quicker-test-automation">1. Quicker Test Automation</h3>



The most time exhaustive activities during test automation are:



1. Writing test scripts



2. Running test cases



3. Maintenance of test scripts



In conventional test automation, there needs to be a script in place for all the activities – test scripts, reports, test data, cross-browser tests, logs, and test evidence.



Even if the automation engineers are experts in their craft, all these activities are bound to take time. Time is the most precious commodity when we are talking about software deliveries.



In the case of scriptless tools, testing teams need not create the whole framework from scratch. All their testing needs are already covered in the testing solution created by experts.



The shift-left testing enables advanced test case creation even before the application is developed. The testing can start immediately when the smallest piece of software is available. Tools like Testsigma support the shift-left testing approach for faster and early test case creation.



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<h3 id="h-2-an-amalgamation-of-business-and-technical-people">2. An Amalgamation of Business and Technical People</h3>



These solutions are designed keeping in mind the inclusion of technical and non-technical people. Which is quite the opposite of what we have seen till today.&nbsp;



Testing by business analysts and other non-technical stakeholders? Yes, it is possible, very easily. If you know the application workflows, you can write the test cases, this is the only eligibility you require.



Also, the software people are enabled to communicate better with the business people, which enhances clarity amongst them. This results in supercharged development and testing cycles.



<h3 id="h-3-saving-costs">3. Saving Costs</h3>



A very important feature here is that they save costs in multiple other areas as compared to code-intensive tools for test automation. Let’s see how.&nbsp;



i. Saves costs in terms of skill requirements: With scriptless test automation, the tester/team member need not have any prior programming skills. This reduces the need for training and the time and money associated with it. The project need not hire experts for a specific automation tool, which leads to saving money again.



ii. Saves costs in terms of time spent: As we have seen earlier, with scriptless automation tools we need not build a test automation framework from scratch using programming languages/scripts. Having to do anything that is code-related requires more time, and when code is moved out of the picture, that time is saved.



iii. Sometimes saves cost in terms of space requirements: Some of these solutions help reduce space requirements by providing cloud for test automation, test execution. Because it is cloud, it is highly scalable too. You can reduce or increase your requirements and pay according to what you use.



The cloud services are also provided for <a href="https://testsigma.com/cross-browser-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cross-browser testing</a> by providing cloud-based device labs. So, you don’t need to invest in setting up in-house device labs.



<h3 id="h-4-risk-reduction">4. Risk Reduction</h3>



Going scriptless helps us to create, execute and maintain the test scripts easily and quickly. This in turn leaves the QA team with valuable time for other important activities like – exploratory, negative, and ad-hoc testing.



This results in uncovering the potential bugs which were hidden during automation test runs. This will help the team to attain a high-quality software delivery which is the ultimate goal of all the stakeholders involved.



Read in detail about &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/scriptless-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scriptless Test Automation</a>



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



Calculation of ROI is dependent on several factors and therefore it is crucial to select the accurate pointers while calculating it for <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automation testing</a>. However, one thing is for sure – the selection of a correct scriptless test automation solution is beneficial for all the stakeholders- marketing, business, development, testing.



Eventually, it will result in a quality product delivered quickly which is the sole purpose of everyone involved.&nbsp; A test automation solution like&nbsp;<a href="https://testsigma.com/">Testsigma</a>&nbsp;is a brilliant choice since it is AI-based, uses NLP for test case writing, requires no prior knowledge of coding, supports parallel testing, and integrates with third-party tools easily.



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Scriptless Test automation solution: How to use it to improve your testing ROI?

How to Use Scriptless Automation Solution to Maximize Testing ROI

No code automation testing: When to use and when not to use

No Code Automation Testing: When to Use and When Not to Use

If you&#8217;ve been performing on-premise testing in your organization, you know the rules already. But for the uninitiated, on-premise testing is a form of testing where testers perform tests on local machines, systems, or devices set up at an office. As the name suggests, it happens on-premise.&nbsp; 



On-premise testing comes with a lot of responsibility. From the maintenance and monitoring of the machines and software to upgrading and installations — you&#8217;ll need all hands on deck. 



Moreover, on-premise testing is quite expensive and requires more effort. We&#8217;ll talk more about it in this post. Let&#8217;s understand the pros and cons of on-premise testing.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Benefits_of_On-Premise_Testing">1 Benefits of On-Premise Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Challenges_of_On-Premise_Testing">2 Challenges of On-Premise Testing</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Overcome_the_Challenges_of_Testing_On-Premisenbsp">3 How to Overcome the Challenges of Testing On-Premise?&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#The_takeaway">4 The takeaway</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="benefits-of-on-premise-testing">Benefits of On-Premise Testing</h2>



1. More control: While performing on-premise testing, organizations have more control over configurations, setup, hardware, and software. They&#8217;re free to plan their upgrades or operational maintenance without involving any third-party businesses.



2. Data security: Since all the tools and machines are deployed within the premises — data is quite secure. The security and data storage infrastructure has to meet certain security compliances and standards; only then, the infrastructure is good to go for testing.



3. Cost-effective if test scope is limited: If you&#8217;re looking to test internal apps or apps/websites with very few users or intend to run limited test scripts — you can go for on-premise testing with a spare system or two. As the requirement is low, you&#8217;ll need not more than a few systems and devices. For certain situations that don&#8217;t require scalability, on-premise testing can be cost-effective.&nbsp;



<h2 id="challenges-of-on-premise-testing">Challenges of On-Premise Testing</h2>



On-premise testing offers its own set of limitations; let&#8217;s see what they are.



1. Creation: First things first — to perform on-premise testing, you&#8217;ll have to create and configure an environment for testing. It involves setting up a data center that meets security compliances and other factors like physical components, virtual elements, storage management, physical infrastructure, etc. All of these require a lot of capital. 



Besides, for the test creation itself, you&#8217;ll need plenty of testers and engineers who have to regularly upgrade their skills to learn the latest trends and technologies for performing tests. 



Apart from that, you&#8217;ll have to manually create test environments and configure devices, machines, software, etc., to meet those requirements. Honestly, this is not time-effective at all if you&#8217;re aiming for efficiency and speed. 



2. Maintenance: When you talk about on-premise testing, remember that there are plenty of costs (often hidden costs) involved because the devices and machines need regular upgrades. And you know it — maintaining a horde of tools, systems, servers, and software is no joke! The following are some of the costs involved in maintenance.



i. Devices: As per <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/245501/multiple-mobile-device-ownership-worldwide/" target="_blank">Statista</a>, there are around 14.91 billion smartphones in 2021, and the same study proves that there will be an increase of 3.7 billion devices in the following three years. That&#8217;s a considerable number, and to perform tests on numerous devices, especially the newer ones — you&#8217;ll have to purchase new devices.



And these are just smartphones alone; the device pool gets larger if we consider laptops, tablets, etc. Scalability comes at a price. While this is expensive, discarding older devices also leads to a lot of dire wastage.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/H_hDwO_4Z-ZWFSY4MYuFBxa-PEDk-KCeAePx8eRT9hG2bjoO5H7f66-qIHH_wcn9Oi8QS4mK_y7sd1Cch7rEC6DolI_HZMkbT5X-5SJ9LQl2K5m7eHuZHtxTb7MbEjsyGIVkVVrU" alt="increase of smartphones "/></figure>







ii. Software: Every device requires regular software updates, and they have to be configured for performing tests. If you configure a test environment and run into any errors, those will reflect in your test efficiency. For this — you&#8217;ll need to put in plenty of time and effort, and yet, you may not fetch desired results because the process is taxing.



iii. Testing on all versions: If you&#8217;re not testing across a wide range of devices — your testing is incomplete. For instance, let&#8217;s discuss serious numbers. As per Statcounter&#8217;s <a href="https://gs.statcounter.com/android-version-market-share/mobile-tablet/worldwide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">survey</a>, Android 5.1 Lollipop and 6.0 Marshmallow are still in use. And this is just Android; if we consider other operating systems and their versions — it&#8217;s a much more massive pool of devices that you&#8217;ll have to perform tests on.



Based on which version of operating systems or browsers your users consume content on, you have to plan your testing. You have to test your product across various devices and versions of the OS to ensure it works as intended. For that, you have to constantly maintain, configure, acquire new devices, install operating systems, and at an organizational level, this is really expensive.







<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/n58LsUsovboFMK_gTQ0hpVrpKoSiP7mXtqPxsm_Mxhj-iztO9Fg5jhJckfGCknzr78Qx3znHsOJ0SBAj0z4IK1so8dTAfhUcc0H9nU7lNhmp5mVbNITBdJIy9zd7ma0lF7-WlJSQ" alt="Mobile &amp; Android Market Share"/></figure>



3. Infrastructure: Apart from the maintenance costs, you&#8217;ve got to count the infrastructure costs too. Let&#8217;s check what they are.



i. Space: For on-premise testing, machines are stored in one primary location or spread across various locations based on the nature of the business. This may require virtual and physical storage spaces, data centers, etc. When there is an increase in elements like devices, systems, software, etc. — the space has to be increased.



ii. People: With on-premise testing, you&#8217;ve got to set up a dedicated team of people that includes DevOps specialists, testers, developers, the IT team, and anyone involved to maintain, upgrade, install, and monitor the tools. It is a significant overhead cost because on-premise testing needs constant maintenance. With the evolving technology and software development, this team has to learn new skills and constantly update themselves with the latest technologies, which is not always practical.



iii. Accessory management: Everything is set up in-house. So, you know what that means — apart from buying and upgrading devices, purchasing accessories like cables, additional support devices is another mammoth of a task. To upgrade, repair, or buy a new version every time is not a cost-effective or scalable solution. Besides, if your organization is spread across different locations, you&#8217;ll have to purchase and manage these elements for various locations.



iv. Running tests manually isn&#8217;t time-effective: With on-premise testing, most of the times tests are run manually. This isn&#8217;t time effective because you&#8217;ve got to wait for each test to end to run another one, no matter how many devices or machines you have in place. Tests cannot be scheduled in advance, based on priority. Also, since manual tests, unlike <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">automated tests</a>, aren&#8217;t run in parallel, you&#8217;ll lose out on time, which increases your time to market. Besides, it requires more staffing. For teams that have agile and DevOps culture, on-premise testing is not advisable.



<h2 id="how-to-overcome-the-challenges-of-testing-on-premise">How to Overcome the Challenges of Testing On-Premise?&nbsp; </h2>



Are you wondering if there&#8217;s a solution or a solid alternative to on-premise testing? If yes — cloud-based testing is your solution. Cloud-based testing, as the name suggests, is a form of testing where end-to-end testing happens on the cloud. This means all your infrastructure, maintenance, storage, and device management are implemented by a cloud provider.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lRiURpwZds1ysVehsF9tT6eE1KcuZe5dfp-ZqU5DfOHfQ4ONX0w27-huhjj8K6R0Wqf75pAVgYp-SF_tqQxowYudgkq85xEY-KWq2dGkaknw5Pw0G6DsBQXqCMq6L36QsjyRGs8J" alt="Getting Started with Cloud Testing"/></figure>







1. Scalability: A cloud-based tool offers scalability. The subscription models are designed for you to pay for what you use. Based on the project requirement, you can scale up or down without investing much in buying new devices, software, storage, etc.



2. Cloud-based device labs: Several cloud-based tools either come equipped with real devices or support cloud-based device labs. You can access thousands of devices with tools such as Testsigma, Sauce Labs, Browserstack, etc., to test your product.



 These tools maintain, upgrade, and update devices with both latest and older versions of OS, browsers. All you&#8217;ve got to do is test your product on them. It&#8217;s a lot like plug-and-play.



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3. Remote accessibility: Remote working is now the norm. If your teams include people from various geographical locations, cloud-based tools are of massive advantage.



 A cloud is always up and running — your teams can access it from anywhere, any time, and work in collaboration whenever required. This is in stark contrast with on-premise testing, where the team has to be physically present at a physical location.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZVAO0Y7OKQzJSReB74HA2Advn_Oq17zJ3L_MMmM3sr4rsRzuEzVpgqfiQRIbF-k2xEocQpRwMSXcFf10xuai0x3tsGHv0LVo6x916wy1hwRoPnUjAGkVjawp1ldQWf-fg95l-_ju" alt="Meme "/></figure>



4. Parallel test execution: Cloud-based test automation tools support parallel test execution, which means you can parallelly execute multiple tests in multiple environments. Apart from significantly reducing the time, this also enables faster feedback cycles. With this, you can match the DevOps speed seamlessly.



So, if anything, cloud-based testing is collaborative, time-saving, more efficient, and maintenance costs are much lower too. To understand more about cloud-based testing from a tester&#8217;s perspective, we recommend reading this <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/cloud-based-testing-a-testers-perspective/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">post</a>. 



<h2 id="the-takeaway">The takeaway </h2>



Cloud-based testing is crucial if you&#8217;re all set to embrace the digital transformation. It&#8217;s here to stay and for you to stay ahead of the game with the least operational overheads and be more agile and flexible — the cloud is the way to go.



A cloud-based test automation tool like <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank">Testsigma</a> can help you get there. This codeless test automation tool can be integrated with CI/CD tools and communication platforms. It comes with a fully-loaded test lab and 1,000s of real devices with various browser-OS combinations.



 You can start testing from day one, and the best part is it&#8217;s powered by AI, which auto-heals and maintains 70% of your test cases. Furthermore, this tool supports cross-browser testing, regression testing, mobile, and web app testing. 



If you&#8217;re finicky about analytics — Testsigma&#8217;s customizable analytics dashboard lets you track the progress and productivity of the project and the team.



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Does this sound like something you&#8217;d like to try out? Testsigma is giving away a 21-day free trial. Jumpstart your journey <a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">here</a>.

Cloud Testing How to overcome the challenges of testing on premise

Cloud Testing: How to Overcome the Challenges of Testing On Premise?

<a href="https://www.marketquest.biz/report/88124/global-automation-testing-market-2021-by-company-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">MarketQuest</a> (2021) predicts automation testing to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.8% for the next five years. Globally, organizations across banking, retail, automotive, healthcare, etc., amongst others will embark on automation. 



That brings us to the crux of our conversation — codeless test automation. What is it, and why do we need it? In the past, it was always important for testers to learn to code and keep updating their skills for performing automation tests. 



In all honesty, it wasn&#8217;t always practical or simple, but with codeless test automation &#8211; test automation that does not require learning to code &#8211; testers can now focus on what&#8217;s crucial: shipping efficient products. Also, teams with agile or DevOps culture are more collaborative, and testing isn&#8217;t a tester&#8217;s responsibility alone; developers, product managers, testers work together in ensuring a high-quality product. 



For such a work environment, codeless automation testing is of great value. Before we explore codeless automation testing in detail, we recommend reading: <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/software-testing-trends-2021-what-can-we-expect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Software Testing Trends </a>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Advantages_of_Codeless_Test_Automation">1 Advantages of Codeless Test Automation</a></li><li><a href="#Additional_Advantages_of_Using_Tools_for_Codeless_Test_Automation">2 Additional Advantages of Using Tools for Codeless Test Automation</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="advantages-of-codeless-test-automation">Advantages of Codeless Test Automation</h2>



If you&#8217;ve been wondering whether to make that shift to a codeless test automation tool, allow us to dig deeper and explain their advantages.&nbsp; 



Time-saving: Primary and yet the best advantage of using codeless automation testing is it is time-saving. As testers don&#8217;t have to spend their time coding or <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/automated-functional-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">learning</a> to code — you can start with codeless testing from day one.



Speed: One of the best advantages of moving to codeless automation testing is the speed at which you can manage your development pace. Codeless automation testing, by default, offers a user-friendly interface that lets testers learn it quickly. 



Since there is no need to write any piece of code — testers can write test cases that are often aided by AI, therefore enhancing both performance and the speed of testing.



For instance, <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> — a codeless automation testing tool lets you write automated tests at 5x speed. All you&#8217;ve got to do is write tests in simple English. Another tool, <a href="https://www.perfecto.io/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Perfecto</a>, supports parallel test execution, and you can run several tests in multiple environments. 



Almost all codeless test automation tools offer parallel test execution, which significantly reduces time and effort because you can perform multiple tests in multiple environments.



Simple to <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/ux-testing-ux-lessons-learned-from-my-real-life-experiences-part-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">learn: Codeless automation testing</a> is user-friendly. What we mean is, you can start automating your projects right from the day you sign up for the tool. Testers can take a quick product tour, configure, and start testing. 



High-quality: Codeless test automation enables faster feedback cycles and faster time to market as it reduces the software development time. Since you&#8217;ll execute tests at a rapid pace in a highly controlled environment, you&#8217;re more in control when it comes to efficiency. 



That said, faster feedback will always lead to fewer bugs or errors — so, you&#8217;re shipping high-quality apps or websites.&nbsp;



Also Know: <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/why-test-automation-tools-are-important-for-new-work-style/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Importance of test automation tools</a><gwmw style="display:none;"><gwmw style="display:none;"></gwmw></gwmw>



<h2 id="additional-advantages-of-using-tools-for-codeless-test-automation">Additional Advantages of Using Tools for Codeless Test Automation</h2>



Most codeless automation testing tools come with features such as AI, scalability, amongst a few others that give these tools an extra edge. Let’s take a look at some of the best advantages of using codeless test automation tools.



CI/CD Integrations fit like a glove: For teams with agile and DevOps culture — codeless automation testing tools are of major advantage. You can expedite testing and plan your product launches faster. CI/CD integration ensures all the changes or updates are regularly made.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AwYt8Yqw5-PsVs_qj14EvXa_nzfk8K-Ui74WRmexBkDUYyqGBURZ-NEGunWP6vmVi_cbF2uywhVd9C3QKdj5THvQeeHPD-_zb8pfQZMoCWrHQZILwfbdk0VcuNZpQjirxq5mHE4" alt="Advantages of Codeless Test Automation Tools"/></figure>







Plus, if there are any bugs, they can be caught in earlier stages. Tools like <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a>, <a href="https://www.leapwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Leapwork</a>, <a href="https://www.ranorex.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Ranorex Studio</a> offer CI/CD integrations with tools such as Bamboo, Jenkin, CircleCI, etc.



Scalability is a pro-point: If you ask any tester out there, they&#8217;ll tell you how taxing it is to upgrade a traditional automation testing tool. For instance, if you were to upgrade or maintain the Selenium grids, it&#8217;s not only expensive but also less efficient. Besides, it&#8217;s not scalable. 



However, most codeless automation testing tools are cloud-based. They&#8217;re quite scalable, and you can scale a cloud up or down based on your project requirement. 



Larger automation scope: With codeless automation testing, the automation scope is high. Codeless <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/can-ai-driven-test-automation-enhance-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">automation testing</a> tools are designed to test multiple apps from the same platform.



 For instance, you can perform tests on mobile apps (iOS, Android, native, and hybrid), desktop apps, web apps, virtual apps, etc., simultaneously.&nbsp; 







As we test various interfaces within these apps, we can increase the scope of test automation from one app to multiple apps based on our requirements. Apart from scaling the testing process, you can evaluate risk areas with a codeless testing platform and test them thoroughly.



Fewer efforts on regression testing: Regression testing is time-consuming, and it&#8217;s best to automate it. As per <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://theqalead.com/topics/2020-software-testing-trends-qa-technologies-data-statistics/" target="_blank">QA Lead</a>, around 78% of organizations globally automate their regression testing. 



Since regression testing is monotonous and repetitive, QA engineers can significantly decrease their efforts and focus on other aspects of testing such as exploratory or acceptance testing. 



Codeless automation testing tools like <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank">Testsigma</a> and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.leapwork.com/" target="_blank">Leapwork</a> enable you to write regression tests in plain English. Besides, you can run regression tests parallelly with other tests or even schedule them based on your project priority. 



To know more about how to automate regression testing effectively, read this <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/how-to-best-automate-regression-testing-effectively/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">article</a>. 



AI saves the day: Codeless automation testing tools come integrated with AI or ML. As per <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/blog/software-testing-trends-2021-what-can-we-expect/" target="_blank">Software testing trends</a> for 2021, at least 38% of global organizations have introduced AI or ML in their testing efforts. The growth is staggeringly high because AI or ML combines human intelligence and computer intelligence to accelerate development, reduce errors, and automatically handle processes. 



<a href="https://www.mabl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Mabl</a> — a codeless testing tool is powered by AI, which helps auto-heal; it quickly identifies even the most minute changes. With this tool, you can test modern frameworks like VueJs, React, and Angular too.&nbsp;







<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XCKkjmaSKXQehyqjuu6_TdJ9klPzYNnhHJlQnMiUAtNREMBSQdpbPmEka7C9-fknIhe82cC9ii4Gd41nHuFsEjerDvegedC0ZU392Wf6C6JIzJAuyBlaPzmlewCldERXwr9yDBxD" alt="Mabl"/></figure>



In <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank">Testsigma</a>, AI manages 70% of test cases and gets rid of flakiness after every update or build. You&#8217;re building efficient products — just the way you planned. 



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Real-time reports &amp; analytics: A thumb rule when picking a codeless automation testing tool is to go for one that offers customizable reports and analytics dashboard. From tracking the progress and performance of your test suites to monitoring team progress — these dashboards come in handy. Discovering bugs or false negatives is also possible with reports and analytics dashboards. 



Besides, most tools suggest <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/working-from-home-tips-and-tricks-for-the-testing-community/">tips on improving productivity </a>or test case scenarios, which are quite beneficial. Most of these tools come with a superior bug management system. Every time they spot flakiness, bugs, or error patterns, they&#8217;ll notify the teams so you can fix them pronto.&nbsp; 



Built-in Integrations: Most codeless automation testing tools come with built-in integrations that make life easier. Equipped with test management tools, project templates, communications, test-case libraries, object repositories, etc., — a lot can be performed from one platform. No additional set-ups or configurations are required.&nbsp; 



Test reusability: A sustainable form of testing includes test reusability. It&#8217;s cost-effective, time-saving, and a sensible way forward. Most codeless testing tools support reusing test steps across projects; in fact, they support reusing test steps within various versions of operating systems too. 



These tools are generally intelligent enough to prioritize test case reusability and suggest or automatically manage and update test cases to reduce manual efforts. Some common steps or test cases can be increased into the test flows later, making it a flexible process. 



It all happens on the cloud: Cloud-based tools are the future, and if you&#8217;re not shifting to them, you&#8217;re not fully embracing digital transformation. Most codeless automation testing tools are cloud-based, due to to which your maintenance costs are cheap — no need to maintain and upgrade physical tools or systems. 



A cloud is secure and scalable — you&#8217;re more in control as you get to decide what and how much to use. If your project requirement has changed, you can scale up or down based on that requirement. You pay for what you use. Cloud is also up and running 24*7, and remote teams can access it from anywhere, any time. 



Some cloud-based automation testing tools come with real devices that you can start testing on. You can fetch real-time reports and get a fair idea of how your end users may interact with your product.&nbsp; 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/dyPu782zDMjcN1GeEVSvMCtZjlKSoU2R7kz523bPexenLMl4rbh3PaDgbuucZAGe7_BjvFQckOxciXNkHhxjAhDLUHuJJu2wD7fIomWAFntGdukik5_f4jz4QKvJxiiAMoK5xRMX" alt="Testsigma"/></figure>



Those are some of the best benefits a codeless automation testing tool can offer. If you are looking for one, we recommend checking out Testsigma. Our automation testing tool comes with thousands of real-time devices with various browsers and OS combinations in its cloud. 



Offering end-to-end testing solutions, Testsigma follows shift-left and supports data-driven testing. In addition, we offer a fully loaded test lab for you to manage your test executions better, and if you&#8217;re keen on plugging in your devices for testing, you can do that too.&nbsp; 



Don&#8217;t just take our word for it, though — try it out yourself. Testsigma is giving away a 21-day free trial. Sign up <a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">here</a>.

Advantages of using codeless test automation tool An exhaustive list

Benefits of Codeless Test Automation Tools – An Exhaustive list

How to speed up your software releases cycles with Testsigma

Software Release Life Cycle – How to Speed Up With Testsigma

Geolocation Testing: Test Website from Different Locations

<a href="https://adevait.com/blog/remote-work/adopting-agile-the-latest-reports-about-the-popular-mindset" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Most software development organizations now follow agile scrum methodology.</a> In most cases, they divide their work in sprints &#8211; a repeatable fixed time-box during which all tasks for a deliverable are planned and executed. After each sprint, the target is to complete as many planned tasks as possible and come up with a deliverable.  



A user story is the smallest unit of work in an agile framework. A user story is further divided into tasks to be taken up in a sprint. A recommended approach for considering a user story complete is when the corresponding feature that was being developed, is tested and automated too. 



When all of these activities for a story are planned for a sprint, the test automation comes to be known as ‘insprint test automation’.



As is obvious, the basic need for successful implementation of in-sprint test automation is speed. So, you also need to look for an appropriate tool that will help you achieve it. When looking for a tool for insprint test automation, you need to make sure that most of the features in your tool let you achieve your <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank">test automation</a> results quickly and efficiently.



Ability to create test cases quickly: When test automation is implemented, the activity where a majority of the time is spent in test case creation or automation of test cases. Hence, the most crucial feature to look for is &#8211; how your tool enables you in speedy test case creation. 



The best way to ascertain this is to give a tool a try and automate a few end-to-end test cases or the type of test cases that you need to automate. This will help you to ascertain the usability of the tool and its compatibility with your team members. If you have a team that is trained in some tool already, then you might want to choose that same tool. In case, you are building a team from scratch and you want a tool that does not require much training, then you should go for a tool that lets you and your team create test cases easily.



Support for speedy test execution: There is no point in having a good number of automated test cases that take a lot of time to execute. If infrastructure is a bottleneck then your focus should be on executing high-priority test cases first and then the other ones later. 



But if the infrastructure is not an issue then you should use a tool (for insprint test automation) that can offer you speedy test execution as a feature. A couple of&nbsp; features that can help you there are &#8211;&nbsp; schedule test runs, parallel test execution, and good infrastructure (that is where cloud-based tools help),&nbsp;



Support for shift test:&nbsp; Shift left means that you are able to start automation of test cases even before development is completed. For insprint test automation, this is a blessing because it means testers can automate the test cases while developers work on development. It helps meet the goals of insprint test automation better.&nbsp;



Support for quick reviews: Quality is not just the responsibility of a tester. But, it is the responsibility of the whole team. So, it makes sense to get all the automated test cases reviewed by the team or stakeholders. 



This ensures that the automated test cases cover all important requirements and are created to satisfy all testing needs. When more perspectives are involved, it also means more thorough testing.&nbsp;



Thus, having a tool that allows other team members (even non-technical ones if possible) to review the test cases and provide them input will prove beneficial.



Easy and swift test case maintenance: The need for maintenance of already automated test cases comes up when features/functionalities in your application change. And that is why the second-most time-taking activity during test automation is test maintenance.&nbsp;



Thus, to meet the requirement of insprint test automation, it is essential to choose a tool that comes with features that make test maintenance easy.



Some features that you should be looking for easy maintenance are:



1. Self-heal: Certain tools come with features to automatically heal your test cases in case of minor changes in your application, like in XPath of elements. This feature certainly can help you to save a great amount of time.



2. Easy readability: Of course, the test cases will be easy to maintain for anyone if they are easy to read too. Here, it’s important to follow certain standard practices for test case creation to enhance readability. Focusing on this feature, certain tools are available that let you automate test cases in simple English for example, our own tool Testsigma. When test cases are written in simple English they give your test case readability a real boost.



3. Easy to understand for new team members: If you choose a tool that also has a big <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/automated-functional-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">learning</a> curve, then it might not be easy to understand for new team members. In such cases, you can choose to hire people who are already trained in the tools you use or you can choose to use a tool that has a low learning curve.



4. Easily editable: This is more to do with the UI, when you are working on a test case for maintenance, the major work is done during editing it. So, the IDE in use for test case creation should be easy to use and navigate for editing.



5. Easy and Quick to debug: Easy maintenance is only possible if the test cases are easy to debug. Some IDEs support step-by-step debugging while some others let you take screenshots/video recordings of the failures. If your application is majorly UI-based then having a video recording available for failures would be a good feature to have.



 Good Support team or a good, supportive, responsive community: Having dealt with test creation and maintenance, the next feature your tool needs is a good support team or a good, supportive, responsive community. Think about it, what if you are in the process of automating a test case, all set to meet your sprint deadlines and suddenly you see your test case failing without any understandable reason. 



You go to the support of your tool or its community and ask a question. But then you don’t get an immediate response. You wait till the end of the sprint but you don’t get a solution and the sprint ends without marking the story complete. 



That means you were not able to meet your insprint test automation targets too. Thus, a good support team can be the deciding factor for the success of your insprint test automation. Of course, after you have taken care of the aspects of test case creation and maintenance on time.



 Easy integration with different tools that you already use: Software development teams can end up using a variety of tools to achieve success in the highly competitive markets today. It also means that there could be multiple tools being used for multiple tasks that are performed during the SDLC. 



Insprint test automation is usually implemented by teams that would have already implemented CI/CD and bug reporting tools. Thus, the support of integrating your tool into all these tools can make a big difference in the ease of achieving the results of insprint test automation. 



Thus, when you go about choosing a tool to implement insprint test automation, do check out the tools that can be easily integrated with it.



Easy and Quick to Track: Sometimes while you are making changes, some bad commits go into your test automation code too.So, a tool that comes with a feature for tracking these changes would also make it easy to rectify any errors on time and would help achieve insprint test automation better. Another important feature for good tracking is good reporting, so you need a tool that will provide you with useful reports on time.&nbsp;



Support for future enhancements: The world of technology is fast-paced, and new technologies and techniques are introduced frequently.If by any chance, you decide to update any of the technology stacks you use for development, you should be sure that your test automation tool of choice would support it. An obvious need to be ready for the future isn’t it?



Easy and Quick to set up: This might not be directly related to insprint test automation, but quick setup does let you save time and Start other activities sooner. This is one aspect that you can look at while choosing a tool for test automation. 



<h2 id="in-sprint-test-automation-with-testsigma">In-sprint test automation with Testsigma</h2>



<a href="https://testsigma.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Testsigma, a cloud-based test automation platform for web and mobile apps</a> is specifically designed to help you achieve insprint test automation with ease.&nbsp;



Some Testsigma features that help you are:



1. Test case creation is done in simple English2. Parallel test execution that can be scheduled. Supports integration with multiple cloud device labs with thousands of real devices and browsers for exhaustive cross-browser testing.3. Cloud that can be scaled up and down according to your testing needs.4. Supports Shift left5. Features for easy maintenance like self-heal and reporting affected resources before they make your test cases fail.6. Support review and collaboration with the complete team7. Very Easy to Learn8. Supports integration with most of CI/CD and bug reporting tools9. Highly customizable reporting10. 24&#215;7 support team11. Platform agnostic &#8211; lets you automate for web, iOS, and Android from the same place.12. Cloud-based, hence you need to just signup and start automating.



Very affordable. You can check the pricing here: <a href="https://testsigma.com/pricing">https://testsigma.com/pricing</a>



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Insprint Test Automation what features should your automation tool have

Insprint Test Automation – what features should your automation tool have?

It’s very common to have a handful of issues when deploying a software change to production because you are replacing a working version of your software or application with the one having the desired changes. Your testing team might have thoroughly tested the new version of the software, but still, the doubt of whether it will work as intended or not is always there.



So, let’s peek into some of the worthy methods that you can incorporate to reduce the risk of missing bugs before deploying to production.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Automating_as_much_as_you_can">1 Automating as much as you can</a></li><li><a href="#Deploying_the_same_way_all_the_time">2 Deploying the same way all the time</a></li><li><a href="#Deploying_in_small_batches">3 Deploying in small batches</a></li><li><a href="#Setting_a_clear_protocol_for_deploying_to_production">4 Setting a clear protocol for deploying to production</a></li><li><a href="#Controlling_the_impact_of_testing_on_users">5 Controlling the impact of testing on users</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-automating-as-much-as-you-can">Automating as much as you can</h2>



It is always better to keep the mundane repeatable tasks for computers as they are better at dealing with them as compared to humans. With automation, you need not worry about missing any steps while deploying a change, such as creating a folder or giving permissions to some of the files.&nbsp;



All you have to do is, invest some hours in creating a script and just run the script again when you want to deploy a change. With a range of automation tools at your disposal, such as <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Testsigma</a>, <a href="https://www.jenkins.io/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Jenkins (opens in a new tab)">Jenkins</a>, <a href="https://www.terraform.io/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Terraform (opens in a new tab)">Terraform</a>, etc., you can have all your scripts in version control, which keeps everyone updated regarding the change, when it was applied, and the reason why it changed in both deployment and infrastructure pipelines.



With automation, deployments become a seamless, smooth affair where you can easily move forward and backwards without any hassles. Deploying and reverting a deployment becomes as easy as clicking a button and can be done even by non-technical people.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-deploying-the-same-way-all-the-time">Deploying the same way all the time</h2>



If you want to avoid any unfavourable surprises in the real environment, you need to deploy the same way all the time. In order to achieve this, you need testing environments similar to production. 



This does not mean that you need the same data everywhere as it can be expensive and associated with several security-related risks.&nbsp; It simply means that your configuration in <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing environments </a>should replicate the production environment in every possible way.



Also, this method proves to be cost-effective because, during deployment, surprises are kept to a minimum and thus reduces the risk of leaving out bugs in production too.



<h2 id="h-deploying-in-small-batches">Deploying in small batches</h2>



Deploying in small batches reduces the time to get feedback on the changes and makes it easy to mitigate the key issues on time. But the thing which is of top concern is how small should your deployment batches be, and what should be the frequency of deploying them. 



The solution is &#8211; You should treat deployment like coding. Do not wait for it to be complete. &nbsp;As soon as you have something which is ready to be deployed, do it.



By increasing the number of times you deploy, you can accelerate the feedback process. When you keep deploying the changes frequently, you don’t have to wait until you have a lot of changes to deploy. As a result, it will be easier to find or locate what’s wrong and will help reduce the risk of <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/a-testers-guide-to-deal-with-missed-bugs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">missing bugs</a> in production.



<h2 id="h-setting-a-clear-protocol-for-deploying-to-production">Setting a clear protocol for deploying to production</h2>



Before you begin deployment, you must know answers to some of the key questions such as are all the features complete and functional as expected, are you rolling out the features all at once or in pieces, do users need to manually update the software or make any change from their side.



It is crucial to set a clear protocol for deploying to production in order to reduce the risk. The deployment protocol should include –&nbsp;



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>&nbsp;Ensuring that features’ definition of done is met</li><li>The feature works according to the documentation</li><li>All feature functionalities should have been thoroughly tested. If some part needs manual testing then that should be done before deployment.</li></ul>



In addition to these, it should include every other check that your code should pass through before it is considered safe to be deployed to production. The protocol helps ensure that only the working code and complete features are getting deployed to production and bugs are being kept to a minimum.



<h2 id="h-controlling-the-impact-of-testing-on-users">Controlling the impact of testing on users</h2>



Users are the lifeblood of organizations, especially SaaS-based products. So, their experience should be the topmost concern for organizations. The testing that you do in production should not break the production environment.



Here are a few ways to control the impact of testing on users –



<ul><li>Using <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/canary-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canary testing</a>, which includes introducing a small amount of code change and see if it is working as expected</li><li>Controlled test flights to visualize how users interact with the changes made in the UI</li><li>Synthetic users for capturing metrics that give an idea of what the real users would experience while executing specific actions in your product without any need for the real users to go through those user paths</li><li>Scheduled maintenance window – Before conducting load tests on the production system, you can notify the users that the system would be down for some time. This way, users will be able to plan their tasks and can avoid a bad experience.</li></ul>



Without users, there is no usage, no business, and no revenue. Hence it is crucial to properly control the impact of testing on users. By now, you might be aware of the risks involved in the deployment process. It is crucial to deploy new code to fix the issues and introduce new features to keep your customers happy and hooked to your product. By following the guidelines mentioned above, you can significantly avoid the most common risks involved in the deployment.



Testsigma, a comprehensive, cloud-based, <a href="https://testsigma.com/ai-driven-test-automation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI-driven test automation tool</a>, allows organizations to implement continuous deployment in DevOps.&nbsp; Every code commit can pass through the automated testing phase and then automatically gets released into the production environment. It saves a significant amount of time and effort. Get into the groove of easy and smooth deployment with Testsigma without compromising on the quality and security of your software.



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How to reduce the risk of missing bugs before deploying on production?

How to Reduce the Risk of Missing Bugs in Production?

The software will never be bug-free. But, it&#8217;s important to minimize the number of bugs such that the impact on functionality and user experience of an application is minimized. Bugs could come up due to different reasons, in this article, we will discuss them from the perspective of software errors. These are the errors that also need attention during the testing phase.



We can divide the errors during software development into two sections for easy understanding:



<ol><li>Software errors</li><li>Testing errors</li></ol>



Let’s understand each of them in detail below.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Software_errors">1 Software errors</a></li><li><a href="#Testing_errors">2 Testing errors</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">3 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="software-errors">Software errors</h2>



User interface errors



The user interface of an application comprises functionality, intuitive use, messages, page redirects, ease of use, ease of remembering the UI, etc. A few of the errors which can be faced due to a poorly designed UI are: 



i. Functional errors



They are functionality related issues or errors. These software errors are usually uncovered during functionality testing, mostly can be present as: 



Difficult/ confusing functionality: If the user is unable to understand or perform a function on the application, then it should change. The UI is meant to be intuitive and easy for the user.&nbsp; 



Non-performance of the intended function: The software is unable to perform the function as intended, then this is an error.&nbsp;



Example: An e-commerce website is unable to process the payment part. Then such a website is of no use to the customer, and this is a functional error. 



Incorrect manuals and user guides: They should not boast about the application and should clearly and concisely mention what the application does. This will eradicate the chances of a misled user, who is unable to perform a task successfully on the application. These errors are caught during software documentation testing.&nbsp; 



ii. Information/ content related errors: These errors can cause wrong information to be conveyed to the users. These errors come up during the UI testing of a software application.



On-screen information for users: The information which is required by the user should be available on the application screen itself. A user will not want to consult the user guide for every other function. 



Showing activity during long tasks: The application should display the activity/progress bar when a long task is being executed. Otherwise, the user will assume that the screen got frozen.&nbsp;



For example, a user has submitted a form, and the progress bar is showing no progress or activity then the user will get confused if the form has been submitted successfully or not. He may think that the software got stuck and a system restart is needed.



Spelling mistakes: You may think that wrong spellings are not a big deal, but they are. They look unprofessional and leave a bad impression of the application. 



Precise messages: The error/ dialog boxes should have short and crisp messages, no one wants to read long verbose messages while performing a task.



Dialog box layout: There should be consistency in the layout, capitalization, style, spacing, buttons, etc. of the dialog boxes.&nbsp;



iii. Wrong redirection



The redirection of the links on the website should be thoroughly checked. It will leave a really bad impression if the user clicks are redirected to an unintended page. Example: The user clicks on the ‘home’ icon and she stays on the same page, additionally there are no other links to move back to the home page. This is a really bad UI error.



Error handling



Failure to handle errors appropriately may result in absurd results, which we certainly want to avoid. We can anticipate and correct an error by using the below conditions:



Overflow condition



It occurs when the arithmetic calculation results in a value that is way too large for the software program to handle.



Example: divide by zero, multiplication of 2 large numbers, etc. 



Error condition



The impossible values should be identified and removed from the program, otherwise, they will result in error conditions.&nbsp;



Example: A program performs a task when the value of the boolean variable is ‘True’ and another task when the value of the boolean variable is ‘False’. 



But when ‘NULL’ is passed the behaviour of the program is unknown, hence we should make sure that the boolean variable has value either ‘True’ or ‘False’, nothing else. Also, if there is a condition when NULL is the outcome, it should be handled gracefully.



Error flags



Programmers usually pass an ‘Error Flag’ in the function to keep track of the success or failure of the function. It is advisable to always check this value of the flag before using the returned value from the function. Otherwise, it may result in the processing of garbage data and erroneous results.



Hardware error



We focus on software so much that we forget about the hardware failures. If the hardware gets disconnected or stops working then we cannot expect correct output from the software.&nbsp;



Example: Printers and other hardware devices return bits of information that something is not right. 



Calculation errors



Software programs after performing a calculation may fetch wrong results, for any of the below reasons:



Incorrect logic: This can happen when a wrong formula is used for calculation. Another example is when there is a typo error by a programmer and the whole logic changes due to a change in formula/operation.



Incorrect arithmetic operator order: Precedence of the operators should be kept in mind while dealing with arithmetic operators. 



Example: 2+5*4, the result of this will vary according to the operator precedence. Programmers may assume that the operation will execute from left to right and the answer will be 28. However, multiplication has higher precedence and it will be executed first, so the result is 22. 



Truncation and round-off errors: When dealing with floating numbers, the value may get truncated or rounded-off and will lead to precision errors.



Control flow errors



Control flow decides where the program’s control will move next, this is described using the control statements. Control flow-related errors may arise when the flow of the program is changed abruptly.



Example: Stack overflow error, exception handling issues, blocking/unblocking the interrupts in the program.



<h2 id="testing-errors">Testing errors</h2>



This section explains the possible errors a tester can make during the software testing process. We can never catch all the possible bugs in the program, there will always be a few which will be left undetected. 



However, we always look forward to achieving as much test coverage as possible so that the maximum number of bugs are detected and fixed.&nbsp;



Still, we may face the below-mentioned errors while performing software testing.



i. Data handling errors



The test data file contains bad data, and you weren’t aware of it during the testing process. The test results received will be awkward and concerning, and it becomes difficult to find the root cause of the error in this case. 



ii.&nbsp;Verification of fixes



&nbsp;Usually, the developers fix only the issues which are mentioned in the defect report. It is the responsibility of the tester to test related functionalities as well, to make sure nothing else is broken.



Example: A field value consisting of the customer&#8217;s name was accepting blank values, although the field is mandatory. The developer has fixed it, during testing the field is not accepting blank values, but it is accepting numeric values now. 



Such instances happen and the tester should use her vigilance while testing. Therefore, regression testing is so important after defect fixes.



iii.&nbsp;Hardware issues



These are the testing issues posed due to wrong/unavailable hardware.



Example: While reading a file, the file is corrupted and we receive a&nbsp; ‘Resource not available’ error. Now, this hardware issue is affecting the testing process indirectly. 



Another example can be when we are sending data through Connect: Direct channel and the network is not working properly, in this case, the data transfer will not happen and we will not be able to test end-to-end.



iv.&nbsp;SSL certificate issues



During testing – if the website does not have a valid SSL certificate we may receive an SSL certificate error. In this case, we can accept the risk and continue for testing purposes. But, on production – a valid SSL certificate is a must. So, you can buy a valid&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cheapsslshop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SSL certificate from CheapSSLShop</a>.



v.&nbsp;Defect slippage



This is the most daunting error a tester may commit, but it happens! It may happen due to any of the below reasons:



<ol><li>Correct expected results not known</li><li>Inattentiveness</li><li>Difficult test steps</li></ol>



vi. Bug reporting



The bugs need to be found out, reported, fixed, and verified, every step holds its value. We should report the bug with proper evidence, reports, and steps to reproduce. The report should be correct and if it has huge data then highlight the wrong results for readability.



vii. Automation related errors



Incorrect element locator: If the Xpath, id, name, etc. used in the automation script are incorrect, then it would result in wrong test script steps. The script will not find the required element and eventually will fail.



Automation tools like <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Testsigma</a>, provide a Chrome extension to automatically detect the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/element-locators-automated-testing/#:~:text=An%20element%20locator%20is%20what,it%20needs%20to%20interact%20with." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">locator of an element</a> with just a click. Thus, these errors can be easily avoided. 



Iframe: When the selected element is in a different frame, we will receive an error- ‘element not found’ even by using the correct locator. So, to resolve this we need to shift the control to the iframe, where the element is located. Testsigma makes it easy to switch the iframe and windows, to read the documentation visit <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://support.testsigma.com/support/solutions/articles/32000028123-how-to-identify-and-handle-iframes" target="_blank">here</a>. 



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Wait time: It is important to use the correct wait time for every element in test scripts. Since, if the element is not visible after the wait time elapsed, the test script will fail.



viii. API testing



NULL entries



When the API is tested for expected inputs they work fine, but sometimes there are NULL values sent in the fields. Then during integration testing, such NULL values cause trouble. Hence, the API should be tested for NULL values as well, with appropriate error messages being sent to the application. 



Invalid API responses



The field size of the partner application and the API should be the same otherwise the API response will be counted as invalid.



Caching errors



Data like images are usually cached on the partner application. However, if real-time data is cached then this results in erroneous results.



Coding practices



Standard coding practices should be followed by the programmers, else the non-standard coding practices will result in errors. Example: returning NULL values as output.



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



During testing, if we ensure proper test coverage then we can eliminate critical and major defects effectively. A quality application/software is imperative for business growth and user acquisition. Therefore, the testing should work on understanding the business requirements thoroughly and writing test cases accordingly.&nbsp;



More test cases do not mean better testing, we require good requirement coverage for effective testing. Additionally, there should be good risk coverage so that the business’s important features are tested in-depth. Proper bug reporting, defect retest, regression tests, verification of fixes, etc. all are important steps towards high-quality software. 



PC: <a href="https://unsplash.com/@emilep?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Emile Perron</a>

Software Testing Errors to look out for (with examples)

Data is powerful. Businesses globally adopt data-driven techniques to make highly informed and mindful decisions. Creating a culture of relying on data adds immense value and lets us interpret data into real, actionable insights. But more than anything, data offers clarity. According to <a href="https://www.ciodive.com/news/data-driven-companies-revenue-coronavirus-covid19/578159/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">CIO Dive</a>, data-driven organizations have at least a 58 percent of chance to meet their revenue goals in comparison to non-data-driven organizations. But we are here to talk about how you can leverage data to understand how much testing is enough for your application.



We&#8217;ve all heard of <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-data-driven-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data driven testing </a>and its benefits. But, some data-driven techniques can help us understand if we&#8217;ve carried out sufficient testing. 



Based on that, we can discover if and when our products are ready for launch. This article will discuss those data-driven techniques and how we can achieve software reliability using them.&nbsp;



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#How_Much_Testing_is_Enough">1 How Much Testing is Enough?</a><ul><li><a href="#Ask_the_Right_Question">1.1 Ask the Right Question</a></li><li><a href="#Define_Your_Project_and_Testing_Requirements">1.2 Define Your Project and Testing Requirements</a></li><li><a href="#Do_Not_Trap_Yourself_In_Is_it_Enough_Question">1.3 Do Not Trap Yourself In ‘Is it Enough’ Question</a></li><li><a href="#Understand_the_Testing_Scope">1.4 Understand the Testing Scope</a></li><li><a href="#Make_the_Right_Decision">1.5 Make the Right Decision</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Data_Driven_Techniques_Measure_How_Much_Testing_is_Enough">2 Data Driven Techniques: Measure How Much Testing is Enough?</a><ul><li><a href="#When_the_build_breakage_is_trivial">2.1 When the build breakage is trivial: </a></li><li><a href="#When_all_the_involved_parties_sign_off_the_stories">2.2 When all the involved parties sign off the stories: </a></li><li><a href="#When_the_code_freeze_is_effective">2.3 When the code freeze is effective: </a></li><li><a href="#When_all_the_blockersbugs_are_addressed">2.4 When all the blockers/bugs are addressed: </a></li><li><a href="#When_the_test_coverage_is_high">2.5 When the test coverage is high: </a></li><li><a href="#When_the_find-rate_of_critical_bugs_is_low">2.6 When the find-rate of critical bugs is low: </a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Final_Words">3 Final Words</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs">4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</a><ul><li><a href="#How_do_you_know_when_to_stop_testing">4.1 How do you know when to stop testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Is_it_possible_to_test_100_of_the_software">4.2 Is it possible to test 100% of the software?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Suggested_Readings">5 Suggested Readings</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="how-much-testing-is-enough">How Much Testing is Enough?</h2>



You know your application requires testing, but where do you stop once you start the process? Do you continue performing the different types of testing as and when you feel the need? Or do you document your testing requirements first and begin your application testing journey?



We have the answer for you in the below points. These will help you understand how much testing is enough for your project:



<h3 id="ask-the-right-question">Ask the Right Question</h3>



As a tester, you must come up with the right queries to understand the project scope and its testing requirements, if it would have API calls, UI needs, integration of modules, payment gateway, cart functionality, or more. Upon understanding what the application will actually have, you can ask your testing team to proceed with the particular test cases and scenarios.



<h3 id="define-your-project-and-testing-requirements">Define Your Project and Testing Requirements</h3>



Similar to the above point, defining your project and testing requirements beforehand is a sure-shot way of knowing how much testing you would need to perform. As you start to document test cases and keep adding to them, you will understand how much test coverage the project precisely needs.



<h3 id="do-not-trap-yourself-in-is-it-enough-question">Do Not Trap Yourself In ‘Is it Enough’ Question</h3>



Often, testers doubt themselves and keep asking if the testing is enough or do they continue to keep doing it. But breaking out of this trap shouldn’t be a huge concern once you have properly defined your testing requirements. Simply run all the tests and perform final Regression testing before calling it a day.



<h3 id="understand-the-testing-scope">Understand the Testing Scope</h3>



It is almost similar to documenting and sticking to the test coverage when new features or updates make an entry. Once you are clear about the scope of testing, you can re-run the same test cases to execute regression and also when upgrades are rolled out.



<h3 id="make-the-right-decision">Make the Right Decision</h3>



What does ‘enough’ mean to you? It is subjective, and that is why finding the perfect balance between too little and too much is critical. All of this starts with making the right decision and ensuring that your testing efforts match the testing requirements that do not waste resources, time, and money in abundance.



<h2 id="data-driven-techniques-measure-how-much-testing-is-enough">Data Driven Techniques: Measure How Much Testing is Enough?</h2>



<h3 id="when-the-build-breakage-is-trivial">When the build breakage is trivial: </h3>



Most agile teams and continuous integrations strive to ensure build breakages don&#8217;t happen. When a developer pushes new code to the existing source code repository, the software may not perform as intended. 



For instance, if your code had no errors in the past 10 days and is now running into errors with every code push, it means the code isn&#8217;t tested enough.&nbsp;



In a nutshell, we can assume the build is broken if the build process doesn&#8217;t move further, smoothly, for reasons such as bugs, compilation errors, or that a developer is pushing code without testing it enough. 



A solid way to avoid build breakage is by ensuring the build is accurate before checking in. In case of any errors, it&#8217;s recommended to fix the errors locally before integrating the changes with the source code. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/i65T7nw6yo38cIYyw-kHbXLKL4YXqlPU4tyXkMOHZHtD1edFjFQ7z_IZ5-btyJhg8T0IGOISWQWEmJ1KeE60EWukT2NxvSV5-hW4t4woPBSZCJ3fVxIQFuBXxTJklQxEt1E-Z_sF" alt="Data Driven Techniques" /></figure>







As per Parabuild CI, build breakage can be avoided if we avoid code check-ins beyond 5 pm. Parabuild calls it <a href="https://www.parabuildci.org/support/articles/continuous_integration_build_breakage_patterns.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">&#8220;Five O&#8217;clock Check-In&#8221;</a> Pattern and its studies suggest that a developer&#8217;s critical and analytical skills often dip after 5 pm or towards the end of the day. 



Further, this research also proves that if we avoid code pushes after 5 pm, it brings down build breakage by 20% to 50%.



However, if the software isn&#8217;t encountering any errors, despite small code changes, it means the build breakage is insignificant, and that the software has been thoroughly tested.&nbsp;



<h3 id="when-all-the-involved-parties-sign-off-the-stories">When all the involved parties sign off the stories: </h3>



Agile teams work as per their pre-decided schedules and plans. Their core objectives include transparency and involving all the respective stakeholders before a project takes off.&nbsp;



For that reason, agile teams chalk out epics and stories as they offer a broad understanding of the requirements in both short-term and long-term scenarios. 



Stories are written from the user&#8217;s perspective and they give a clear picture of the requirements while epics are a collection of these stories. When the stories are signed off by all the stakeholders, for instance, the QA team, developers, product managers, and any other involved teams, it means enough testing has been carried out.



<h3 id="when-the-code-freeze-is-effective">When the code freeze is effective: </h3>



Code freeze literally means we cannot modify or edit the code when the code is frozen. This is done to effectively eliminate the chances of unintentionally introducing any bugs before the software goes live. 



There are cases when developers push code even after the code is frozen. Even a few insignificant, last-minute code changes before the release can lead to a build breakage.&nbsp;



The developers might have tested out those features on their machine, but we don&#8217;t know how these changes reflect in the software when the new code is integrated. 



This means the code freeze is ineffective and the entire code has to be tested again. Particularly to detect faulty behaviour and to understand which elements are causing breakage when integrated.



Things to consider for an effective code freeze



<ul><li>We should confirm there are no new bugs before going ahead with the code freeze. New modifications and bugs can hinder the smooth functioning of our software, and we should address any issues and fix even the smallest vulnerabilities before a code freeze.</li><li>We should perform a stringent security test that will help us discover any insecure elements or areas of the software.</li><li>If we&#8217;ve faced any bugs in the previous stages, it&#8217;s best to check for similar patterns or bugs. Move forward with the code freeze only after validating the features, functionalities, and quality of the software.</li></ul>



These key things can lead to an effective code freeze, thereby ensuring stable software.&nbsp;



<h3 id="when-all-the-blockers-bugs-are-addressed">When all the blockers/bugs are addressed: </h3>



To move forward with the project, it&#8217;s crucial to close all the blockers bugs. Blockers can come in various forms that include technical issues, backlogs, environmental errors, rapid changes in priorities or stories, too many external dependencies, hidden complexities, or complex tools. 



Teams can address blockers by keeping a track of them using project management frameworks like Kanban, Wrike, etc.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/alVcH2dB9_R2qc5DFxsdOhuBEyFYG5_ANx2zQqqDA7dQ_uLiy9UtedJHMscgrFk0Ix-JSURcvLEItG2XQ0yQQ8q2j4U16cgPrkwTdBo_eOmNSVtvQdTVLhaWqL6uAtyfDKq8BwWM" alt="bug track - Kanban project management frameworks" /></figure>







<h3 id="when-the-test-coverage-is-high">When the test coverage is high: </h3>



Test coverage is a metric that determines how much testing is done on the software, which is under testing. This metric helps us gather important information such as the total number of tests that have passed, failed, and executed, the number of test cases, and if the software is thoroughly tested.&nbsp;



Maximum test coverage can be achieved with the following:



<ul><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/what-is-automation-testing-why-automated-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Automation testing</a> tools</li><li>By performing thorough unit tests</li><li>Code reviews</li></ul>



A good rule of thumb is if your test coverage is high, it means the software under test went through maximum testing. But, this metric should not be used independently or it can create more confusion than it is useful. To know more, read here: <a href="https://www.thoughtworks.com/insights/blog/are-test-coverage-metrics-overrated" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Are Test Coverage Metrics Overrated?</a>



<h3 id="when-the-find-rate-of-critical-bugs-is-low">When the find-rate of critical bugs is low: </h3>



Often we encounter errors during production, regression, or acceptance testing. In an ideal scenario, we should find and fix any critical bugs or defections before our software goes into production.&nbsp;



The find rate of the bugs can be tracked based on the number of bugs found during the pre-production testing phase against production. This will help us measure our bug find rate, and if the rate is low or reducing, it means enough testing has been performed.



<h2 id="final-words">Final Words</h2>



Automation testing ecosystems can offer the right amount of test coverage and reduce build breakage, provided we choose the right tool. Testsigma increases test coverage through its <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://testsigma.com/automated-data-driven-testing" target="_blank">data-driven testing system.</a> 



Powered by AI, Testsigma&#8217;s automation testing tool makes it very easy to create test cases and improve your test coverage. It provides an in-depth summary of test results, which helps in tackling the bugs better.



This codeless testing tool is fully cloud-based. Besides, whenever any code changes are made, AI suggests which affected areas should be prioritized for testing. While this helps you identify the affected tests easily, you can also avoid failures that are similar to these tests.&nbsp;



Our tool sends out in-depth reports via email, Slack, and other communication platforms, for you to collaborate and fix any bugs with your team. Since it&#8217;s cloud-based, remote teams can access it from anywhere, anytime. Read about the simplicity of data-driven testing with Testsigma <a href="https://testsigma.com/data-driven-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">here</a>.



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



<h3 id="how-do-you-know-when-to-stop-testing">How do you know when to stop testing?</h3>



There is no quantifiable way to know that you have completed all your testing requirements. But if the application contains very few errors, regression is over, user acceptance testing is complete, and no new features are being added, you can stop your testing efforts till anything new comes up.



<h3 id="is-it-possible-to-test-100-of-the-software">Is it possible to test 100% of the software?</h3>



Practically, it is impossible to test any application completely. You might be able to reach a very near point where the software has no identifiable issues, and the users are also content with its working. But otherwise, because the area of possible inputs is too huge to completely use in testing a system.



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



<a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-data-driven-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Automated Data-Driven Testing Tool for Agile teams</a>



<a href="https://testsigma.com/data-driven-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All you need to know about Data-Driven Testing</a>&nbsp;



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/top-benefits-of-data-driven-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top Benefits of Data-Driven Test Automation</a>&nbsp;



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/scenarios-when-data-driven-testing-is-useful/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scenarios When Data-Driven Testing Is Useful</a>

Data driven techniques: How to measure when testing is enough

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