10 Awesome Tips to Become a Better Automation Tester

Automation Testing is the pinnacle dream for every tester!

Our goal is all set towards becoming Automation testers. Yet, only a handful of us genuinely succeed in realizing that dream.

Here are several direct tactics that will guide you on your journey to becoming an outstanding Automation tester you’ve always envisioned.

10 Procedures To Be an Expert Automation Tester

Let’s dive in.

Procedure #1: Understand the Essentials of Testing

Automation Testing is a niche branch in testing that demands a slightly more technical acumen. Grasping what you’re testing and why is crucial. The “how” differentiates Automation Testing from Manual Testing.

Procedure #2: Start Early

Don’t wait for an Automation project to land on your lap before you begin. There are countless open-source tools out there. Download one onto your personal computer and experiment.

You can use widely used platforms like Gmail.com, Amazon.com, or even standalone applications such as Microsoft Office or Calculator. Any will do.

Procedure #3: Familiarize Yourself with the Core Coding Principles

Get acquainted with the fundamental coding ideas in a language of your preference. Once you grasp the data types, variables, operators, conditional statements, arrays, and functions, you can smoothly apply this apprehension to any coding language. Spend at least a week to fully understand these theories.

Procedure #4: Navigate the Initial Obstacles

The first program or test you formulate will unquestionably be baffling, regardless of your level of understanding. Embrace it as the practice of transforming your manual test to a different format. It might seem daunting in the beginning, but there’s no need to fret.

Procedure #5: Don’t Get Intimidated

As a newcomer, you may find the automation tests or programs to be overly technical and think that you will never grasp or create something similar. Keep in mind that this is a common feeling. For example, consider the task of inputting a username on the Gmail.com log-in page in a manual test case.

For a manual test case:

Enter “swatiseela” in the “Username” field on the Gmail.com page.

When translated into VBScript for an automation test in QTP, it becomes:

“Browser("Gmail: Email from Google").page("Gmail: Email from Google").
WebEdit("Email").Set "swatiseela"”.

As depicted, the differences are negligibly few. The way you reference the username field on the webpage varies. Each automation test step is carried out by a machine; therefore, writing precise directives free from confusion is paramount. As opposed to just asking to “enter the value”, you mention the exact names of the objects on the page as labelled by the developer. Once you comprehend this translation, automation becomes straightforward.

Procedure #6: Learn through Observation

This is my personal policy when interacting with a new tool. Every tool aims to cater to the user, hence, all features should be reachable from the menu. Initiate at the “File” menu and advance through to the “Help” menu, taking a quick look at each item. Usually, the names of the menu and submenu can unveil their function. Click on an item if you need more clarity.

If further guidance is needed, explore the help file. This method helps you acquaint yourself with the tool and the IDE independently, assess what would be beneficial for you and attain knowledge without depending on others.

Procedure #7: Leverage Help Files

Despite online tutorials and forums being handy, the help files accompanying the tool stand unmatched. Think of every automation program you write as an open book exam and let the help file be your primary approach whenever you meet obstacles.

Procedure #8: Practice Regularly

Stay patient and set aside time for coding practice. Keep in mind, testing involves confirmation and validation. Ensure every test has clear pass and fail criteria laid out. Your automation tool should not only perform data entry, but it should also interpret and present the findings as pass or fail.

Procedure #9: Aim for Improvement

Once a problem has been solved and a program crafted, contemplate improving it. Is there a way to make the code more easily readable? Can you achieve the same outcome with fewer lines of code? Can components be reused? Can the number of variables used be dwindled? Is your program memory efficient? Is there a way to boost its execution speed? Ask yourself these questions and work continuously to polish your skills.

Procedure #10: Keep an Open Perspective

While Automation Testing can be exhilarating and might evoke a sense of eminence amongst testers, we must realize it isn’t always the ideal approach. There are instances when following the manual path is the superior choice. Be game about it and remember, as testers, our main objective is to assure quality, irrespective of the testing technique adopted.

Conclusion

I trust this article has addressed some of the queries that budding Automation testers might have had. If you choose to pursue Automation Testing and have any more questions, feel free to reach out in the comments.

Do you passionately agree or disagree with any points in this article?