Test automation has become a critical aspect of software development in recent years. As software applications become more complex, it is no longer feasible to rely solely on manual testing to ensure quality. Test automation provides an efficient and effective way to test software applications, reducing the likelihood of human error while saving time and money.
One popular approach to test automation is the use of the test automation pyramid. The pyramid is a way of conceptualizing different levels of testing, each with its own focus and level of granularity. The pyramid consists of three levels: unit testing, integration testing, and end-to-end testing.
Unit testing forms the foundation of the pyramid. These tests have a limited scope and are designed to ensure that isolated code units function as expected. Unit tests should assess a single variable and not rely on external dependencies. The Dev team should execute pre- and post-commit tests in this pyramid layer, and tests happen to be dev-triggered. Virtual devices like simulators and emulators for virtual devices are highly recommended for these tests. It is sufficient to execute these tests on virtual devices as it provides the required feedback with log/debugging information. Moreover, testing with virtual devices is both faster and more cost-effective.
Integration testing is the second step of the software testing pyramid. Integration tests verify the interaction of code with other codes in the application, which generally comprise the overall software. These tests check how a code interacts with external components such as external services (APIs), databases, web services, and similar elements. Integration tests ensure that the software communicates efficiently and retrieves accurate data to perform as expected. Integration tests are generally slower than unit tests due to the necessity of interaction with external sources. They also require a pre-production environment to run. The right balance of virtual and real devices for running tests in integration testing is essential.
End-to-end testing is the apex of the test automation pyramid, checking the enormous bulk of code (the entire application). It uses a test environment and data to simulate real-world functionality. The ideal method to approach end-to-end testing is from the end-users perspective. Testers might consider facts like different ways an end-user might engage with the app, what they would do to achieve their objectives with the app, and what might go wrong. The aim is to develop a test based on such actions. End-to-end testing is typically fragile and may have unreliable external dependencies like integration tests. Real devices more closely resemble the application on an end-user's smartphone, as real users report issues on real devices and not virtual ones.
The benefits of the test automation pyramid are numerous.
- Time and cost savings are achieved by eliminating human error for accuracy and the ability to reuse, repeat, and scale application tests to meet software requirements.
- The comprehensive testing at different levels of the automation pyramid leads to increased test coverage and improved quality of software.
- Early detection of defects results in quicker resolution and reduced overall cost.
- Better collaboration between developers and testers is achieved due to early and continuous testing throughout the development lifecycle.
- Developers can catch and fix issues early in the development cycle, resulting in a faster feedback loop.
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