All software has to be tested before it is made available to users. Testing software is an essential element of the development cycle as it guarantees that the users get a top-quality product that can fulfill the needs that it was designed for.
Test automation is the top priority for every business; consequently, many would prefer to shift from manual testing to automation. Thus, the automation framework for testing is necessary for any software testing system.
The performance of any test automation relies on the application test frameworks. Maintenance and testing costs should be cut down for QA teams that want to improve their processes and provide more ROI from the automation of tests.
This article offers a complete guide to the various test automation frameworks. Let’s talk about the definition of a test automation framework, its significance, the need for automated frameworks, their types, and the most well-known automation frameworks.
Table of Contents
What is an Automation Testing Framework?
A framework for automation testing is an established set of guidelines or standards for preparing and writing effective test cases. The framework comprises various methods and tools designed to assist QA professionals in executing tests more efficiently and effectively.
The framework can include guidelines like coding standards, techniques to process test data and object repositories, methods for storing the results of tests, as well as directions for using external resources.
Testers can write and take notes on tests without adhering to these guidelines. While adopting a framework that is organized provides additional benefits that could otherwise be overlooked. Thus, using an efficient automated testing framework can enhance software quality by discovering bugs early, reducing the time and effort needed to carry out manually tested tests.
Importance of Automation Testing Framework
The use of automated testing frameworks is now a must in modern software development and testing procedures since it allows the reuse of code for different situations and helps create standard test scripts for the entire team. Frameworks can also assist in avoiding human interference, improve the coverage of tests, and increase teamwork.
Automated testing frameworks help run the same test scripts in multiple software versions to analyze and confirm the results. An automated testing framework is essential to a complete Software quality assurance program that addresses every difficulty.
There are many benefits to the use of an automated test framework:
- Code reuse
- Low maintenance cost
- Tests continuously of the code
- Very little manual interference
- More efficient
- Maximum test coverage
- The same strategy is applied across all testing suites.
Why Do We Need an Automation Testing Framework?
At present, the need for automation of tests is increasing quickly, and the whole globe is heading towards automation. There are numerous benefits to the use of automation testing frameworks for design and execution, some of them are as follows:
- Aids in optimizing resource utilization, i.e., making it easier to use various resources to meet the organization’s needs.
- Provides a method of development that is structured to ensure consistency in design and lessen dependence on testing cases.
- Offers a precise analysis of root causes with the least amount of human intervention.
- Reduces the time required to write and execute test scripts.
- Reduces dependence on groups by automatically choosing which tests to run based on tests.
- Modifies the scope of the test dynamically in response to changes in changes to the testing schedule or the system’s conditions.
- Supports simultaneous testing across different devices, browsers, and platforms.
- Eliminates the obstacles with generating reports, local configuration, and error control.
- Companies can implement the concept of testing shift left into practice.
- A significant long-term ROI.
Tips for Effective Test Automation Framework Design In 2023
Establishing an efficient automated test framework can be vital to ensure efficient and reliable software testing. Here are some guidelines for creating a solid testing framework
1) Create clear goals: Before diving into the framework design process, establish clearly defined goals and objectives you want to achieve with your automated efforts. Know what you hope to accomplish through automation, whether expanding the number of tests you run, enhancing the testing speed, or ensuring that regression testing is done.
2) Choose the Best Automation Technology and Tools: Select appropriate tools and technologies that are compatible with the requirements of your project. Be aware of the software type, programming languages, and team knowledge. The most popular automation tools are Selenium, Appium, and Cypress.
3) Modularize the Framework Split your framework for automation into components that can be modularized, including libraries, utilities, tests, and scripts. Modularity can lead to reuse and maintenance.
4) Utilize Design Patterns: Use design patterns such as Page Object Model (POM) or Screenplay Pattern to improve the structure and reliability of your automation program. These patterns assist in separating testing functionality from the interface for users.
5) Data-Driven Tests: Develop your test framework to support data-driven testing, allowing you to test the same test using different input data sets. It improves test coverage and also reduces the amount of redundant tests.
6) Parallel Execution: Ensure the framework can run parallel tests. Parallelization can dramatically reduce the time it takes to execute tests, particularly for test suites with large trials.
7) Logging and Reporting Implement robust logging and reporting methods. Comprehensive logs and reports aid in identifying and resolving problems quickly.
8) Continuous Integration (CI) Integration: Integrate your automation framework with CI/CD pipelines. It allows automated testing to be an element of your development.
9) Version Control: Utilize version control systems such as Git to control the automation of your code. Keep a clear history of your versions and work effectively on your teams.
10) Error Recovery and Handling Scenarios: Create a recovery and error handling mechanism plan within your framework. Determine how your framework will react to unexpected problems during the test’s execution.
11) Cross-platform and cross-browser testing: Ensure your framework can be tested across various platforms and browsers. It is vital for testing web applications. LambdaTest is one of the best tools to perform cross-browser testing. LambdaTest, an AI power test execution and orchestration platform, allows businesses to run tests over 3000+ test environments, including real device cloud. It speeds up test automation by up to 70% reduces time to market.
12) Test Data Management Use strategies in effectively managing test data. Tools can create, load, and manage test data in various situations.
13) Scheduled Maintenance: Set aside time each week for the maintenance and upkeep of your automated framework. As your application grows, you should update your tests and framework accordingly.
14) Instruction and documentation: Training your team members on how to utilize the automation framework efficiently. Keep documentation on framework usage and the best methods.
15) Application Performance Testing Integration: Integrate tools for testing performance, such as Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, etc., within your framework for automation to test the performance of your application when it is under stress.
By following these suggestions and best practices, you can develop an effective and robust testing automation framework to speed up your testing and enhance your software’s quality.
Popular Examples of Automation Testing Framework For Effective Test Design In 2023
There’s no surprise! Numerous automated testing frameworks are readily available due to the increasing demand for these frameworks. We’ve outlined them below, along with their features. Check it out if it could aid you in automatizing testing.
1) Selenium
Selenium is an open-source software solution that makes web browsers more efficient. It lets developers create scripts communicating on websites that mimic human behavior, like clicking buttons, filling in forms, and moving between pages.
Selenium is widely employed for testing web applications and is compatible with various programming languages, such as Python, Java, C#, and Ruby.
Selenium has been in use for some time in the world of automation. Testers who use the Selenium framework can speedily complete tests by automating routine test cases. Selenium helps with stable, bug-free release deployment workflows when integrated into the CI/CD pipeline.
Eye-catching Features of Selenium:
- Supports various browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Edge.
- Supports various programming languages, such as Java, Python, C#, Ruby, and others.
- Integration with various tools, including JUnit, TestNG, Maven, Jenkins, and others.
- Parallel testing is supported It means that several tests can be conducted simultaneously.
- Allows recording and playback tests using Selenium IDE.
- The program is highly customizable. i.e., Extensions and plugins can be added.
- An active and large community of developers and users makes finding solutions for issues and getting help much easier.
2) Cypress
Cypress is a free, easy-to-use, feature-rich, and user-friendly test-a-thon framework for web-based applications.
Cypress is a comparatively new player in automated testing and has recently seen significant growth. The framework is an automated testing tool popular with the developer community. The applications can be tested swiftly without difficulty, efficiently, and quickly within their browsers.
Eye-catching Features of Cypress:
- It provides fast, consistent, and reliable results for test execution due to its design.
- It provides a clear error message explaining why the script did not work.
- Access to a range of elements natively allows you to conduct Cypress tests rapidly.
- It offers a user-friendly API that does not require any initial setting.
- Tests can be performed using various methods such as integration, end-to-end API, component, and Unit testing.
- Provides well-organized support documentation, i.e., extremely useful to begin.
- Offers a variety of automation tools to use when investigating.
3) Playwright
Playwright is a cross-browser automated framework developed by the Microsoft team for end-to-end testing. It is growing in popularity. Most users put it on the top of their list of automated testing frameworks.
It utilizes the Node.js module that automatizes Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit browsers through an API that is a single. You can perform Playwright tests using Node.Js, JavaScript, and TypeScript.
Eye-catching Features of Playwright:
- Supports parallel testing across a variety of browsers.
- Supports many selectors and associated techniques like Text selector, CSS selector, XPath chooser, react selector, etc.
- Modern frameworks such as React, Angular, and Vue.
- Easy integration with CI/CD tools and also supports binding to language Docker images are available.
- Because it understands what you write in your TypeScript and JavaScript code, there is no need to set a setting to enable TypeScript language support.
- It offers a variety of debugging options that make it developer-friendly.
4) WebdriverIO
Widely acclaimed and considered to be one of the top testing platforms, WebdriverIO supports both Chrome dev tools as well as it supports the WebDriver protocol. It is a free and open-source progressive automation framework built upon a Node.js base.
WebdriverIO can automate any app that uses modern web frameworks, such as React Polymer, Angular, and Vue.js, as well as native mobile applications that are available on Android and iOS.
Eye-catching Features of WebdriverIO:
- All major browsers are supported.
- Easy and quick installation.
- Supports page object patterns.
- WebdriverIO along with WebDriver Protocol. WebDriver Protocol can be used to perform testing across browsers.
- The Chrome-based automation system can be used through Chrome DevTools Protocol. Chrome DevTools Protocol.
Wrapping Up
When selecting a top-quality test automation system, it’s common to become confused. Keep in mind that not all frameworks will suit your business the most. Be aware of your current needs and future potential when selecting the framework.
No matter which framework for automation testing you choose, it is recommended to test your tests using the real cloud of devices to take into account the real-world scenarios experienced by users.
