Not all software tests will be a fit for automation, and not all automated tests will be a fit for codeless automation. So what are the limitations to codeless automation, and how can your organization get started with this concept? Jonathan Zaleski, Senior Director of Engineering & Head of Applause Labs at Applause, answers this question.
In today’s digital world, the speed at which organizations build and deploy software can be a competitive advantage, or it can be what sets them behind. Enterprises know this. They also know that the speed and agility of their software development life cycle (SDLC) must be balanced with other priorities, like quality testing and security.Â
With multiple priorities to manage, organizations are turning to new technology like codeless test automation to resolve challenges, improve efficiencies and remain digitally competitive. In fact, a recent surveyOpens a new window highlighted that 53.5% of respondents plan to purchase a codeless test automation tool. But where should you get started with your no-code journey?Â
Defining Codeless Test Automation
To get started, it’s important to have a good understanding of what codeless test automation (also known as low-code/no-code test automation) actually is.Â
Codeless test automation products enable users with no programming abilities or background to create scripted tests via a user interface. There’s no need to write code for test scripts, which displaces the burden that often falls on developers to create and manage automated tests.
Learn More: Performance or Functional Testing: What Should Your DevOps Team Choose?
Codeless Test Automation Challenges
Codeless test automation tools are helping organizations overcome a variety of challenges, including:
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- Skill shortages: SDETs (software development engineers in test) are in high demand and in short supply. Their skill sets are also unique, and therefore not cheap. Even when they can be hired by a QA team, they often don’t last long as they are good candidates to get poached by development and engineering teams to write code instead of test it. Codeless tools democratize software testing, allowing those without programming expertise to get the job done so that SDETs can focus on higher-priority and more complicated code and tests.
- Time: Developing, testing and deploying software quickly has become a business-level priority. Although traditional test automation is certainly known for its speed, it also takes time to build test automation code at the outset. Codeless options make this process very quick and easy, with code being created in mere minutes instead of hours.
Three Ways To Get Started
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- Start Simple: The best way to get started with codeless test automation tools is to start with something simple and repeatable. Smoke tests and regression tests are a great way to start. Additionally, these tests will be independent of other tests.
- Modularize the process: Instead of creating long end-to-end tests that are unique, reuse all or portions of existing tests to further expedite the authoring process. Adjust test modules to make them more applicable and useful across the board.
- Start with planning: If developers know automation is going to be used within the SDLC, they can make software automation-friendly, with static data and identifiable elements in the code built-in from the start, creating an easier overall process for codeless automation to be added in.
Learn More: A Roadmap for No-Code Success: How To Automate Without the Heartbreak
Putting It All Together: Industry Use Cases
Financial Services:
As more and more banking and investment services move online, the user experience flows need to be right every single time. Not only are financial services applications highly sensitive, but a single digital error can cause distress for the user and cause them to be hesitant to use the service again in the future.
The need to get the user flows right the first time and every time makes financial services apps great for codeless test automation. With a codeless test automation product, an internal user can record an action like a login flow and have the resulting test created automatically. It would also be repeatable with a codeless tool so that it updates along with changes in the user experience, ensuring that nothing breaks down the line and end-users are always served with a seamless experience.
Retail:
Similar logic applies to retail applications. As consumers have turned even more to already oft-used digital shopping options during the pandemic, mobile apps have become a main source of revenue for retailers.
Like financial services, retail brands need to ensure that users can login successfully to browse and shop for what they need. Retailers also need to provide a usable checkout experience each and every time. If a user encounters an error while checking out or after they provide their payment information, they may turn from the retailer and to a competitor for all future purchasing needs.
Codeless test automation can help ensure that login, browsing, adding to cart and checkout flows work and work well every time for customers. These are the most important flows for a retail app and need to work consistently to prevent revenue loss and disgruntled customers. Automating the tests for these flows through a codeless approach makes the process much easier and gives retailers the peace of mind that their experiences deliver.