Before we get into the depth of the best API automation testing practices, let us start with – what API automation actually is. An API or Application Programming Interface can be defined as a collection or set of functions as well as procedures known as API calls, that are executable by various software applications. Now, coming to API automation testing, it is the mechanism in which a test support application that links API and systematically exercises the functionality thereof, is created for simulating the end user application of the API.
Now, let us discuss the best tried as well as tested practices of API automation testing. The practice generally should involve the following steps in a chronological manner.
Planning the test
Before starting off with the testing as well as writing test codes, one should at first spend a certain amount of time, chalking out strategies about the ways that need to be adapted during testing and more importantly, about the things that needs to be evaluated.
Now, depending upon the complexity of the tests, the process of planning should vary. A thorough design documentation needs to be done as this will make the process of testing much easier along with less time consuming.
Organizing the entire thing
This is the second step of the assessment. You need to organize the evaluation in a proper way so much so that it will have a positive impact on the productivity, efficacy, as well as maintenance of the tests. It helps in the betterment of the software performance. For example, all the tests that are to be conducted for a particular API should be under a single file. Then again, the file in question should be named after the API that is subjected to evaluation. What happens because of this is that it makes easier for the other users to locate all the test cases, and spend the up-front expenditure for ensuring that the foundation is firm as well as clean. While some procedures need to be tested in pairs and groups, there are certain procedures that need to be tested in singles.
Each and every case needs to be self-contained as well as isolated from the dependencies as much as possible, It helps the developers when it comes to copying individual cases into a definite stand-alone application or in the individual unit-test framework of a user.
Setting the Priorities
As and when the test cases are developed, against the popular practice of going straight away to an invalid test, it is important to set priorities. It makes easier for the testers to put more emphasis on the mainline cases at first, before opting for any other issue.
In fact, one should ascertain the test cases that need to be conducted at first. This purely depends upon the instinct of the tester. It is the tester who will have to ascertain which cases that will have to be tested first. Prioritizing the tests will only make the process simpler.
Development
Depending upon the mode of evaluation, it might turn out beneficial for the tester to store the state information in variables that can easily be accessed. If the test breaks when stressed, it is imperative that a proper investigation is done on the machine along with all the variables involved in the tests. During development, it is better to keep all the previous state information handy, particularly if the test case in question deals mainly with arbitrary data.
Configuration
Another very common as well as useful practice of API testing is changing the run-time behavior. As the testing starts, logging out of the system along with the assessment parameters is an imperative. The exact configuration as well parameters can be recreated from a log file. If each and every evaluation case performs its own configuration setup and initialization, it is imperative to evaluate the real life scenarios.
Validation
Validation of the test's behavior is another important practice, though at times, testers tend to ignore it and this leads to false positives and negatives or presence of non-actionable bugs even after testing is completed. When evaluating the test cases, one should assume that it will fail initially and then the real challenge is to prove that it works or does not work in a proper way. If you are planning to hire service of automation testing companies, you must evaluate them to see if they are sufficiently agile or not!
We provide test automation services. If you would like to get your application tested by our certified automation testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
When it comes to testing a particular software, it can be done in two ways – manually and automatically. So 'Which is better – manual testing and automated testing” has always been a hot topic to be debated on, over a cup of coffee or two. Let us discuss the pros and cons of both the types of software evaluation to come to a credible conclusion. May be that will stop this continuous discussion and settle the dust of war to some extent.
Before we start the comparison, let us at first define the two types of evaluation.
Manual Testing
This type of assessment involves evaluating a particular software manually, or in other words, without the use of any automatic tool or any type of script whatsoever. During this type of software debugging, the tester plays the role of the end user and evaluates the software to ascertain as well as identify any loophole, unanticipated behaviour or presence of any bug. The entire process of manual evaluation involves certain stages viz. Unit Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing and finally, User Acceptance Testing. Testers use various types of test plans, test cases, and/or test scenarios to evaluate the efficacy of a software before it is made live. This particular method of software appraisal also involves exploratory testing for exploring as well as identifying the errors or defects (if any).
Automated Testing
Automatic S/W debugging, also referred to as Test Automation, involves a process of S/W evaluation, wherein the tester writes down a script and uses any other S/W for evaluating a particular software. Automated evaluation is generally used for simulating certain scenarios that were performed repeatedly, quickly and at the same time, manually.
Besides regressive evaluation, automated evaluation also involves testing applications from perspective of load, performance as well as stress. Technically speaking, automatic evaluation improves accuracy, helps in more time as well as money savings, when compared to manual evaluation.
Now, let us discuss the pros and cons of manual and automated debugging.
Advantages of Manual Testing
- Manual appraisal is a fantastic option when a test case turns “twice a coding milestone'. In these cases, opting for automatic appraisals will result in unnecessary expenses.
- This type of evaluation would allow the tester to perform increased number of ad-hoc or random evaluation. This type of assessment would help in detection of more bugs as well as defects than automated debugging. The more time the tester spends in going through the features of the S/W, the greater will be the odds of identifying real user loopholes or bugs.
Disadvantages of Manual Testing
- Running S/W debugging manually can be at times, extremely time consuming
- Every time the software is modified, the tester has to go through the entire process, rerunning all the tests yet again. This after some time, can get extremely tiresome as well as mundane. This, at the end of the day also causes fatigue to creep into the back of the tester's mind, dropping the perfection level by a considerable extent.
Advantages of Automated Testing
- In case there is a need to run a series of tests repeatedly, automated debugging is the best choice.
- It helps the tester by providing the option of running automation against the codes that time and again changes. This helps to timely catch the regressions.
- This type of evaluation provides a tester the option of running automation in the mainstream scenarios for timely catching regressions.
- This mode of S/W evaluation also helps in relatively larger test matrix (different languages for different Operating System platforms). Another advantage of this type of evaluation is that they can be conducted on different machines simultaneously. Manual tests on the other hand, can be conducted sequentially.
Disadvantages of Automated Testing
- The expenses involved in automated testing is definitely more than manual debugging. Writing down test cases, configuring or writing automatic framework will invariably cost more than running manual evaluation.
- In spite of its number of benefits, one little problem with automatic testing is that it is unable to automate the visual references.
Let us discuss a few other deciding factors relating to automated and manual software testing.
- The tools that are used to determine what is to be automated. If there are any limitations in the tools, the tests are supposed to be manual.
- It is also to be decided if there is considerable ROI with automation. Again, it should be evaluated whether switching to automatic S/W evaluation will yield results that will justify the decision.
Since, majority of companies prefer automated software evaluation, let us discuss a few things about the same:
Things to Automate
Automating everything in a particular software package is virtually impossible. However, there are certain areas that can be automated to make certain transactions less cumbersome as well as faster. Generally, the areas of a package that is dealt by a large number of users (for e.g. Login Form, Registration Form) are automated, so that multiple number of users can have access to these areas simultaneously.
Besides, all the Graphic User Interface items, connections with various databases and field variations and the likes can be tested properly with the use of automated process rather than with manual process.
Time to automate
Automatic software evaluation can be conducted in the following situations:
- At the time of processing huge and critical projects
- During projects that need repetitive testing of the same areas
- When the objectives and requirements do not change that frequently and remain more or less constant.
- While accessing applications with multiple virtual users for load as well as performance appraisal
- While testing a stable software package
You can hire testers from top automation testing companies in India who can help you to test your projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide test automation services. If you would like to hire certified automation testers for your projects, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
The software market is ever-expanding and with that it is being targeted by new applications launched by companies. This has made the development process more complicated and complex. The work of software developers has become consistently aimed towards the fixing of functions, mistakes, errors and bugs so that user experience can be improved. They also have to ensure the smooth performance of the software in varying environments so that it becomes successful. For this, effective techniques for software testing must be deployed by the companies so that effort, time and money can be saved. The size and nature of project determines the method adopted for software testing. But all in all the easy-to-use and flexible nature makes automated software testing extremely popular.
Benefits
Saving time- The testing process is actually sped up resulting in the shortening of the lifecycle of testing along with saving a lot of time. Scripts can be easily run in the night which gives you night shift and day shift. Moreover, you will be able to run scripts on multiple platforms as well as multiple machines at the same time. But the major advantage is the running of the scripts that is a hundred times faster when compared to manual tester. So no more deploying teams of professionals for testing and investing of more resources as well as time. This helps you to save both resources and time. In fact you can target many user interfaces simply by reusing the scripts.
More effective utilization of manpower- This evaluation helps you apply your time along with skills elsewhere. Automation allows for the execution of most regression as well as functional testing unattended. If compared with manual testing, manually just new feature validation can be carried out but automated evaluation may be used for regression as well. Other areas like security as well as performance can be showered with more attention if you can relegate the testing responsibilities.
Repeated testing easily conducted- Some specific tests have to be administered repeatedly sometimes, so that all bases can be covered. Since generally the projects have complex nature repeated testing manually results in a lot of effort to be put in there. In fact bugs along with glitches are hard to find in case of manual evaluation but in this once the tests are configured according to some parameters, the tests can be administered over and over again.
Cross-platform applications tested quickly- For applications to be successful each must be compatible with the major devices as well as operating systems. So cross-platform applications are developed by major companies these days. So a web application developed should run on web browser like Opera, Chrome, Firefox as well as Internet Explorer. To make sure all the functionality and features of it are supported by major operating systems along with web browsers the testing team must put in lots of efforts as well as time. However, automation of testing process ensures that the performance evaluation can be done easily.
Increasing coverage- With this kind of evaluation the coverage scope increases drastically. Same tests can be done on multiple configurations. With more configurations you can reap more benefits. Each and every feature of your application is covered by regression suites, even those which may have been tough to manually accomplish according to the size of your application. The identical automation code can be reused with just some minor modifications.
Precision along with accuracy- After a few rounds of manual evaluation, the entire process tends to get boring and attention span starts to wane, leading to mistakes. Using tools will lead to the same tests being performed perfectly as well as results being checked every time.
Utilization of tools cannot act as substitutes for testers themselves; rather they help the testers perform the job better. In fact, sometimes there can be no substitute for manual evaluation. But having a strategy for test automation outlines the parts which are perfect for manual evaluation and which are suited for automation. This helps you enjoy the benefits of both the worlds. You can hire testers from top automation testing companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We have a large team of certified automation testers. If you are looking forward to outsource automation testing services, please get in touch with us. We will be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.
QA engineers often find it more challenging to test a mobile application in comparison to evaluating desktop and web application. In comparison to other applications, mobile apps also have a smaller footprint on the virtual machines. At the same time, the app needs to run flawlessly on a wide variety of mobile operating systems and devices. Along with the performance and efficiency of the app, the testing strategy also needs to consider its hardware configuration and screen size for different handheld devices. Therefore, more and more enterprises are automating mobile app testing process to avail a number of advantages. In addition to increasing productivity and efficiency, mobile application testing automation can further reduce the testing time and cost.
Top Five Advantages of Mobile Application Testing Automation
1) Reduces Testing Time and Cost: Most organizations automate application testing to save both time and cost. Unlike to conventional and manual testing methods, the test automation tools evaluate an app’s quality more rapidly and efficiently. The automated test scripts can be executed several times to identify all flaws, errors and bugs in the app. Also, the tools can evaluate each feature and functionality of the mobile application without requiring any additional time. Each enterprise has to initially invest in test automation tools and framework. But these tools can be used to evaluate mobile apps over a longer period of time, and thus get higher ROI.
2) Address Specific QA Challenges: Often QA engineers face many challenged when evaluating the quality of a mobile app. The look, feel, features and performance of the application also need to be tested for different handheld devices and operating systems. Some of the test automation tools allow QA engineers to test both native and hybrid apps without putting any extra time and effort. These tools further identify all flaws that affect the functioning of the mobile app on different operating systems.
3) Easy to Carry Out Several Tests: Unlike desktop and web applications, the mobile app must be tested by QA engineers more thoroughly. The testing professionals also have to run a variety of tests to evaluate the app’s quality and performance. Along with usability, interface, compatibility, services and low level resource testing, the QA engineers also have to run operational, performance and security testing. As they have option to choose from several test automation tools, the testing professionals can carry out the required tests without any manual effort or intervention.
4) Option to Use Open Source Test Automation Tools: Often an organization has to invest some amount of time, money and effort to automate its mobile application testing. Along with hiring skilled QA engineers, it also has to buy several test automation tools according to specific needs of the project. However, each enterprise has option to choose from a number of efficient test automation tools that are open source and free. The open source tools further reduce the overall cost of automating mobile application testing. Further, the test scripts and tools can be used across different application formats, in addition to being modified easily for future projects.
5) Avail Benefits of Mobile Cloud Computing Environment: Many reports have highlighted how the web-based mobile environment provided by Cloud computing is effective in reducing overall project development time and cost. The environment further enables QA engineers to deploy, test and automate a variety of mobile applications without any hassle. At the same time, the environment is effective in meeting quality requirements, while focusing on the common challenges faced by QA engineers. As the data and test are stored on the web, the QA engineers have further option to use more efficient scripting language, access live environment through modem and bypass the network. An organization can automate mobile app testing to avail the distinct advantages of the web-based mobile environment, while meeting the latest industry standards.
However, the mobile application testing automation strategy of an organization must identify the key QA challenges like variation in mobile operating systems and devices, selection of right test automation tools, and the latest trends and standards. The right mobile application testing automation plan can further get higher ROI to the enterprise in the long run.You can hire certified automation testers from top automation testing companies India who have proven expertise of handling automation testing projects as well to save you on the time and costs.
We provide automation testing services. If you would like to get your application tested by our certified automation testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
A constant increase is noted in the number of enterprises opting for automation testing. Each organization also has option to use a wide variety of tools and programs to effectuate its test planning, execution and analysis. Further, software testing can be automated either partially or fully to reduce the human efforts and intervention. At the same time, innovative automation testing tools can be used to set up a test environment, input the test data, and gather test results. Unlike conventional and manual testing methods, the test automation tools are effective in testing large scale projects where a huge amount of information is processed quickly and repeatedly. If you are yet to automate your software testing, it is a good idea to understand how automation testing will get you enhanced productivity, efficiency and ROI.
7 Amazing Benefits of Automation Testing
1) Saves Both Time and Cost: Each enterprise has to explore option to address the time constraints related to software testing. The QA engineers also have to put additional time and effort to manually evaluate all features of a large scale project. As automated testing is carried out by tools and programs, the testing time is reduced substantial. Further, regression testing can also be done without any hassle whenever any new feature is added to the application or code is changed. The reduction in the time and resourced required for regression testing also contribute towards reducing the overall project cost.
2) Easy to Implement: An organization can adopt automation testing without putting any extra effort. Once it defines its requirements, it becomes easier to design the test system and choose customized testing tools. Further, the scope of automation testing can be enhanced according to the characteristics and requirements of a specific project. Along with the volume, complexity and availability of information, the scope of testing can further be optimized according to frequency and repetitiveness of the test cases.
3) Facilitates Regression Testing: An organization can save both time and resources by automating repetitive tasks like regression testing. Normally, regression testing is carried out for each new release of an application, system or product. Also, regression testing is done whenever new features are introduced or existing features are changed. So the multiple releases of the application require the test cases to run several times. An organization can set up an automation testing environment to quickly execute regression testing on each release of the software application.
4) Optimize Software Quality: In comparison to manual testing methods, automation testing is more effective in improving testing quality. Along with testing a large volume of data within a shorter span of time, the testing tools are further effective in identifying all errors, bugs and flaws in an application. The detection and prevention of the defects can also be done without requiring any manual intervention. As the automated test cases can be executed repeatedly, it becomes easier for QA engineers to test all features and functionality of the application several times. At the same time, an organization can avail the advantages of automation testing to adopt test driven development approach without any hassle.
5) Enhanced Coverage: The QA engineers often require more time to test each feature and functionality of an application manually. But the automation testing tools make it easier for them to test each feature and functionality of the application simply by creating a test suite. The test suite can also be customized according to the size and requirements of the project. So it becomes easier for an enterprise to enhance the testing coverage without investing any addition time and resources.
6) Reuse and Maintain Test Cases: Each enterprise has to invest initially in customized automation testing tools and programs. But the initial investment will help it in reusing and maintaining the automated test scripts in the long run. The automated test scripts can be used to evaluate the features and performance of different versions of the same application, regardless of the changes in the user interface. Also, the scripts can be standardized to incorporate the changes required to test applications of similar nature.
7) Essential for Agile Development: Many organizations are adopting agile development methods to boost productivity and efficiency. But many experts have highlighted how complete testing automation is essential for adopting agile development. Also, agile development intends to change the test objects constantly, enterprises must choose the right testing tools to evaluate the functionality of the current sprint. So automation of component and unit testing, along with system and integration testing is essential to avail the advantages of agile development.
However, an organization must make and implement a comprehensive strategy to avail the advantages of automation testing. The test automation strategy also needs to be monitored and evaluated constantly to achieve preset objectives without investing any extra time and effort. You can hire certified automation testers from top automation testing companies who have proven expertise of handling automation testing projects as well to save you on the time and costs.
We provide automation testing services. If you would like to get your application tested by our certified automation testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
A mobile phone is not just a medium for communication anymore- it has made a huge transition from that to become a personal gadget that has multipurpose uses. With technological advancements in smartphones and tablets, mobiles apps have become quite complex. When evaluating mobile apps that are data-centric, multiple challenges arise which have to be addressed by the test engineers; the challenges include increasing diversity of device technologies, features and platforms. Major non-functional and functional intricacies associated with app behavior can be tackled with mobile testing automation.
The main challenges of testing mobile applications center around device input method, screen resolution, network limitations and operating systems. To tackle these challenges organizations should plan the strategy for testing very carefully and an effort should be made for choosing just the most important devices and minimize amount of handsets to be tested. During the testing real handsets should be used which are then connected to actual operators accessed through the web. Using automation tools also helps as you can write testing scripts for execution for countless times or on many devices.
For mobiles, testings may be of various types like behavioral, environmental, complete ecosystem and performance testing.
With environmental testing it may be a good idea to use real devices instead of emulators as they might not be able to replicate real devices. To understand changes in application behavior switching networks is a good thing that will help you identify performance bottlenecks. You should also install auto application over the air in the testing suite which will verify the upgrade as well as successful installation on target platforms. When the automation is being executed, events like receiving SMS, emails or calls and battery low indicators should be simulated or handled by the process.
For behavioral testing orientation evaluation should be included in the automation strategy; this is due to the fact that screen orientation feature is now supported by most devices. The strategy in this case must always include “no network” scenario simulation on devices. Great automation systems should simulate different location attributes automatically. The tool for behavioral evaluation should be able to differentiate between user events which are done by end-users and system events which are the result of codes written by application developers in the application.
In case of performance testing, a good practice is collecting battery, memory as well as CPU analytics continuously during the testing phase. The information collected becomes useful for addressing and identifying of problem areas if any. Application responsiveness is another important requirement as users are not left wondering if the UI gives prompt response to inputs. The performance of UI navigation should be up to the mark and effective with fast transitions. Use performance analytics tools for checking of memory usage and performance of mobile applications easily. You will get information related to CPU cycles, memory usage, etc with help from these tools.
Ideal or complete test ecological system should contain clearly defined result and test protocol. Protocols for failure should be defined by scripts or tools along with related proofs, reasons and other related information. Another important as well as recommended practice is device management so that your devices can be managed as well as categorized according to varying parameters. Test case management should also be provided which will store, execute, organize as well as view the test cases along with the results reports. It should also report crucial app statistics for evaluation of overall stability of the application.
With mobile testing becoming even more complex with each passing day, you need to be extremely careful while adopting the perfect automation for evaluation. Ideally test automation for mobile may be a conglomeration of various types of testings if you want to be ahead in matter of mobile testing strategies. The test may be complex but implementing various components will ensure that the end result is worth it. You can hire certified automation testers from top automation testing companies who have proven expertise of handling mobile automation testing projects.
We provide automated web testing services. If you would like to get your application tested by our certified automation testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
Now, let us discuss the best tried as well as tested practices of API automation testing. The practice generally should involve the following steps in a chronological manner.
