Types of Test Automation Frameworks – Choose Right Framework

People need convenience, innovation, safety, design, and more from their products and services in this fast-paced world. This pushes companies to develop and test software at a rapid pace to thrive in this competitive marketplace. To meet these demands in quick time, firms leverage automation technology. That’s where Test Automation Frameworks come into play.

As we all know that manual testing is tedious, time-consuming, and requires a high investment in human resources, and hence to avoid all these issues, automation testing is preferred by organizations. So let’s explore types of test automation frameworks and know how to choose the suitable Test Automation Framework From Scratch, when to use it over manual testing, and how to choose the right one.

Why do You Need a Framework?

A framework is a set of tools and conventions for developing software applications. It provides structure and guidance to help developers create reliable, maintainable, and scalable applications. Frameworks also provide developers with a standard way to organize their code, saving time and effort when building complex applications. Additionally, frameworks often include libraries of pre-written code that can be used to add functionality or speed up development quickly.

What is Manual Testing?

Manual Testing is software testing in which the tester manually executes test cases without using any automation tools. This involves manually assessing the functionality of an application, its features, and other characteristics to ensure that it meets the specified requirements. Manual Testing includes designing test cases, executing them, logging defects, and reporting results.

When should you use Manual Testing?

Manual Testing is an integral part of the software development process. It involves the execution of tests by a human tester to detect defects, bugs, and other issues in the software product.

• Manual Testing should be used when complex functionalities need to be tested or when there is a need for exploratory Testing.
• It should also be used when automated tests cannot be created due to the complexity of the application.
• Manual Testing is also helpful in validating user experience, allowing testers to interact with the application and identify any usability issues.
• Additionally, manual Testing can help identify edge cases and scenarios that may not have been captured in automated tests.
• Manual Testing can also help verify if all requirements have been met and all features are functioning as expected.
• Finally, manual Testing can provide valuable feedback about the quality of the software product from an end-user perspective.

What are Test Automation Frameworks?

Test Automation Frameworks are like blueprints for making automated tests. They help you create efficient and repeatable tests that can be used on different platforms and applications. It also helps you use data-driven Testing and object-oriented programming and connect with other tools like version control systems.

When should you use Test Automation Frameworks?

Test Automation Frameworks help streamline the process of creating automated tests. They provide a structure and set of tools that can be used to create an efficient and consistent approach to automated Testing. Test automation frameworks can be used in a variety of different situations, such as when:

1. The application being tested is complex or requires many tests.

2. There is a need for multiple test environments or platforms.

3. Tests must be run frequently and consistently across different application versions.

4. Tests must be integrated with other development processes, such as continuous integration or DevOps pipelines.

5. Tests require data-driven capabilities, such as parameterization or data-driven Testing.

6. Multiple teams work on the same project and must share test assets and results consistently.

Standard Types of Test Automation Frameworks

Here are the standard types of test automation frameworks which are generally used:

Depending on the need and requirement of the tester, there are specific widely used test automation frameworks with different functionalities which are preferred by the QAs, including:

Linear Scripting Framework:

This framework involves recording and linearly replaying test scripts with no or minor modifications. This is the first-generation testing method for automated software testing and has the most straightforward framework approach. Linear scripting framework is mainly used to test a web application‘s user interface wherein the testers record their step-by-step actions and playback the record tests.

Advantages

• You don’t need to know how to write code, so you don’t need any special skills for test automation.
• This is one of the quickest ways to create test scripts because you can record them in a short amount of time.
• It’s easy for everyone involved in Testing since the scripts are set out in order.
• It’s also a great way to start using automated Testing, especially with a new tool.
• Most automated testing tools will have record-and-playback features, so you won’t need to plan too much.

Disadvantages

• This framework makes it so your scripts can’t be used again. The information is stuck in the test script, which means you can’t run the same tests with different data sets and will have to change it if any of the information changes.
• It’s also tough to keep up with since any changes to the application will take a lot of extra work. And when you’re trying to test more things, this model won’t handle it very well.

Data-Driven Framework:

This framework allows the tester to segregate the test script logic and data by storing it in an external database such as XML, CSV, Excel spreadsheet, text, etc. The best feature of this type of framework is that it reduces the number of scripts required to cover all the test cases, and it can modify test scenarios with code based on the data used. The data-driven framework has a drawback: a combination of external data sources may crash software tools and complicate manual Testing.

Advantages

• Tests can be done with lots of different sets of info.
• You don’t have to use the same data every time, so you can quickly check how things work in different scenarios.
• This means you don’t have to write as many scripts, and you won’t need to keep changing the data each time you change the script.
• Doing more tests faster will save you loads of time!

Disadvantages

• You’ll need an experienced tester who knows a lot of programming languages to use this design the right way.
• They have to find and organize the sources of data from outside and write code (make functions) that link the tests easily with those sources. It takes a lot of time to get a data-driven framework ready.

Keyword-Driven Framework:

In this type of framework, tables on a spreadsheet determine the action of a test script based on the assigned keywords. This framework offers the same benefits as a Data-driven framework with the added advantage that the user doesn’t need extensive coding knowledge. The framework is also application independent, i.e., not dependent on the application, programming languages, or automation tools. The main disadvantage of a Keyword-driven framework is that the initial investment of time and money is high.

Advantages

• It is necessary to possess a limited amount of scripting knowledge.
• A single keyword can be utilized in numerous test scripts, thus making the code reusable.
• Test scripts can be created without relying on the application being tested.

Disadvantages:

• Setting up the framework can be expensive and complicated. You need to figure out what keywords you want to use and create object libraries.
• You also need someone who knows how to do test automation well. It can take a lot of work to keep track of all the keywords when trying to make your tests bigger.
• You have to keep building out the object libraries and keyword tables.

Modular Testing Framework:

This framework divides the application under test into isolated modules that can be combined to make larger test scripts. The modular testing framework breaks down a user’s interaction with the application into smaller tests and recombines them to achieve specific goals. It is scalable and comes with a high level of modularization, resulting in more accessible and cheaper maintenance.

Advantages:

• If you make any changes to the application, you won’t have to worry about the rest of the application.
• You need to fix the module and its related test script. This makes creating test cases easier since you can use the same test scripts for different modules.

Disadvantages:

• The test script has all the data already typed in, so you can’t use different data sets.
• You need to know how to code to get the framework ready.

Hybrid Testing Framework:

This framework combines more than one of the above-mentioned frameworks to leverage the strengths of each. Hence it combines benefits from all its associated frameworks and avoids weaknesses. Most of the test automation frameworks that are developed for modern software development cycles are hybrid.

Advantages:

1. Flexibility to choose between Data-driven and Keyword-driven frameworks, depending on what you need for your test.
2. You can use the exact keywords, functions, and test data for multiple tests.
3. It’s easier to make changes since you only have to update one place instead of all the individual test cases.
4. Tests written with a hybrid framework are usually more understandable than those written with just one type of framework.

Disadvantages:

1. Setting up and maintaining a hybrid framework can be more complicated than using just one framework.
2. Team members might need extra training to use the hybrid framework properly.
3. It could also cost more money to develop and maintain it, and debugging problems with it may be more challenging than with just one.

To be effective, these types of test automation frameworks should possess some key elements such as:

• It should be easy to maintain and reusable
• Should be scalable to future needs
• Have reliability and consistency
• Have high efficiency
• Should have maximum test coverage

Can Test Automation Frameworks replace Manual Testing?

Nope, automation frameworks can’t take the place of manual Testing. While they can reduce the time and energy needed for regression testing, manual Testing is still essential. Automated tests may not be able to pick up on specific problems that a person has to find through exploratory Testing or other kinds of manual tests.

Scenarios, where test automation frameworks can replace manual Testing, include:

1. Regression testing of stable and frequently executed test cases is necessary to ensure the accuracy and reliability of software.
2. Data-driven Testing with large data sets is also essential, as it allows for a thorough evaluation of the system’s performance.
3. Additionally, test cases that require repetitive execution with multiple sets of data should be automated to reduce time consumption and minimize potential human errors.

Benefits of Test Automation Framework Architecture

A test automation framework provides numerous benefits, leading to improved quality assurance processes and greater confidence in the product being released to customers.

1. This framework makes testing more accessible and more efficient. It automates tasks, so you don’t have to do them manually, saving time and energy.
2. It also has a set of functions and libraries that can be used repeatedly, making it easier to keep track of tests.
3. Plus, the framework provides organized test results to identify any issues or track your progress quickly.
4. It helps speed up the testing process so everything gets done faster!
5. The framework lets different teams work together more efficiently, making sharing and using the same test materials simpler.
6. The framework gives you one place to manage and keep track of tests, so it takes less work to make changes or updates.

How to determine which framework is right for your organization?

Every team and every project has requirements for test data management, test behavior specification, error handling, reporting, etc. Before finalizing the ideal framework for your organization, you should ask these questions to yourself:

1. Does the application have a complex flow? Have a look at the testing requirements.
2. What is the user experience like, and consider the technology used in the application?
3. Determine the costs associated with each framework.
4. Can your team easily plug into one of the frameworks? Evaluate the skill set of your team within the organization.
5. What guidelines will give the desired results of the automated tests?
6. Which tools would be ideal for your organization before designing an approach that fulfills all the requirements?
7. What is the technical proficiency of the people who will maintain test automation?
8. What types of reporting are expected from the automation?

It is best to create a scorecard to assess several parameters, including scripting, integration, reports generated, usage, etc. while evaluating multiple tools. Test automation frameworks will establish the guidelines to achieve the desired goals of automated tests. But a qualified and proficient test automation professional should be involved in considering the design and implementation of automation frameworks or the selection of software tools.

So what’s next?

In today’s modern software development methods, test automation frameworks have a vital role to play. Even small/medium enterprises are looking forward to reaping the benefits of automation frameworks to meet the demand for their products & services. They are very much prepared for its need in the future.

Test automation can make software testing more efficient, accurate, and fast. But it can be difficult to switch from manual Testing. That’s where Testsigma comes in – an advanced AI-driven cloud-based test automation solution made for Agile and DevOps teams.

Testsigma makes it super easy to switch from manual to automated Testing without knowing a lot of coding. Its user-friendly design and excellent features make it the perfect choice for Agile and DevOps teams who want their tests to go faster. Testsigma gives you everything you need for continuous Testing, like reusable test assets and easy-to-read reports. Plus, since it’s cloud-based, you can access your test data anytime, anywhere. So why wait? If you’re looking for a unified test automation solution to help you reach your goals, give Testsigma a try today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Framework is in Demand for Automation Testing?

Many people now want to use test automation frameworks like Selenium, Appium, and TestNG. But which one you need depends on the type of technology your project uses and what kind of Testing you’re doing.

Testsigma is a cloud-based test automation platform that uses AI to make Testing easier for Agile and DevOps teams, no matter what technology they use. It has many features that make it an excellent choice for companies who want to speed up their testing process. Check out https://testsigma.com/ to learn more about Testsigma and all its cool features!

What are the Main Components of the Test Automation Framework?

The main components of the test automation framework are:

1. Test Automation Tool: A test automation tool is software for executing automated tests.

2. Test Environment Setup: The setup includes all the hardware and software required to run automated tests.

3. Test Scripts: The test scripts are the actual code that will be executed by the test automation tool.

4. Test Data: Test data feed input into the AUT during Testing.

5. Results Analysis: After running automated tests, it’s crucial to analyze the results

Is Selenium Framework Automation?

Selenium is a tool that lets you test web apps and automate tasks like filling out forms, clicking links, and navigating pages. It works on lots of different browsers, languages, and operating systems. You can also use it to create scripts that run on multiple platforms.

Selenium isn’t a framework itself, but it can help you create frameworks for automated Testing – these are called “Selenium frameworks,” and they give you a structure for writing tests, organizing data, and managing resources like drivers, config files, and results.

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