Will automated testing tools make testing easier?
- Ans:Possibly. For small projects, the time needed to learn
and implement them may not be worth it unless personnel are already
familiar with the tools. For larger projects,
or on-going long-term projects they can be valuable.
- A common type of automated tool is the 'record/playback' type.
For example, a tester could click through all combinations
of menu choices, dialog box choices, buttons, etc. in an
application GUI and have them 'recorded' and the results
logged by a tool. The 'recording' is typically in the form of
text based on a scripting language that is interpretable by the
testing tool. Often the recorded script is manually modified and
enhanced. If new buttons are added, or some underlying code in
the application is changed, etc. the application might then be
retested by just 'playing back' the 'recorded' actions, and
comparing the logging results to check effects of the changes.
The problem with such tools is that if there are continual
changes to the system being tested, the 'recordings' may have to
be changed so much that it becomes very time-consuming to
continuously update the scripts. Additionally, interpretation and
analysis of results (screens, data, logs, etc.) can be a difficult
task. Note that there are record/playback tools for text-based
interfaces also, and for all types of platforms.
- Another common type of approach for automation of functional testing
is 'data-driven' or 'keyword-driven' automated testing, in which the
test drivers are separated from the data and/or actions utilized in testing
(an 'action' would be something like 'enter a value in a text box'). Test
drivers can be in the form of automated test tools or custom-written
testing software. The data and actions can be more easily maintained - such
as via a spreadsheet - since they are separate from the test drivers.
The test drivers 'read' the data/action information to perform specified
tests. This approach can enable more efficient control, development,
documentation, and maintenance of automated tests/test cases.
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