The reliability of mobile apps, software, and web applications is critical to success. Ideally, testing should cover every aspect of the UI or system, including inputs and data flows. Performing the number of tests necessary to ensure the quality of an application can take a lot of time. One way of making the process more efficient is incorporating codeless testing tools and automation into the development process. Let’s take a look at what codeless automation involves, the benefits it provides, and how it can enhance your current testing processes.
Codeless Test Automation 101
Codeless test automation tools allow users to set up and execute tests without writing a single line of code. This is great news for developers committed to following the DevSecOps model, which integrates testing early in the development cycle to help root out security vulnerabilities.
What Is Codeless Test Automation?
Low-code test automation tools typically consist of a graphical user interface (GUI) where users can design tests using drag-and-drop features. Most codeless test automation platforms have built-in templates and intuitive workflows to help users adapt to using the platform as they set up and execute tests.
How Does Codeless Testing Work?
The use of no-code automation means that there’s no need for users to have an extensive technical background to set up tests. That means everyone, from business analysts to product managers, gains the ability to contribute to the quality assurance (QA) process by using scriptless test automation.
Let’s look at some of the critical features of codeless tests:
- Visual scripting: The visual interfaces provided by codeless automation tools allows users to create test cases in different steps and actions using assembly blocks. Actions can include clicking buttons, verifying the presence of certain elements on a web page, or entering text into a field.
- Recording: The top codeless automation tools have a recording feature that records a tester’s actions and turns them into scripts. This lets users replay scripts automatically when they must repeat the same actions.
- Reusability: You can set up tests to accept parameters, allowing reuse for different test environments and scenarios.
How It Differs from Traditional Testing
There’s quite a difference between traditional testing and codeless test automation. To conduct manual testing with traditional tests, you must have knowledge of programming languages like Java or Python. In addition to coding skills, users also need a deep understanding of various programming concepts, test frameworks, and application architecture.
Users do not need to write code to create tests. Instead, they work through a visual interface containing form-based inputs and other elements for test creation. Once you construct a script, the testing platform automatically generates test scripts containing the information input through user interactions.
The setup and execution of an auto testing tool are much quicker than writing manual tests, allowing you to get tests up and running more quickly. You can use the same GUI to build tests and make changes when needed.
Test automation platforms come with reusable components, allowing you to replicate testing procedures for different scenarios and environments. Codeless test automation is best suited for less complicated processes and regression testing.
Key Benefits of Codeless Test Automation
Codeless test automation provides a range of advantages that streamline the testing process, making it more accessible and efficient. By leveraging a user-friendly interface and eliminating the need for extensive programming knowledge, codeless automation empowers a broader range of team members to contribute to test creation and execution.
- Lower technical barrier: The user-friendly nature of codeless automation platforms allows individuals without programming knowledge to participate in test creation and execution.
- Quicker test creation and deployment: Codeless automation allows for faster test building and execution versus writing manual tests from scratch. This makes for a shorter development cycle, leading to a quicker marketplace release.
- Fewer costs: Traditional testing can consume a lot of time. The efficient nature of codeless automation means less labor is required, which lowers project costs associated with managing test suites.
- Smaller learning curve: Using a GUI to set up tests makes it easier for users to learn how to create and manage automated tests.
- Increased maintainability: Codeless automation platforms come with features that adjust tests based on GUI changes. This lowers the need for human oversight, which is known to introduce the possibility of manual errors.
Common Use Cases for Codeless Test Automation
Codeless automation works best in more straightforward scenarios where speed is critical. In addition to regression testing, below are some examples of when you might want to implement codeless test automation.
- Smoke testing: With smoke testing, you conduct preliminary checks to ensure an application’s basic functionality. You can quickly set up smoke tests using auto testing tools, which is very helpful in CI/CD environments that require quick feedback on build stability.
- Acceptance testing: User acceptance testing (UAT) ensures that a system or application meets all business requirements and is ready for release.
- Cross-browser testing: Cross-browser testing ensures that an application works across different browsers and devices.
- Mobile application testing: Codeless testing simplifies creating and running tests on different mobile devices and operating systems to ensure the app functions similarly in other mobile environments.
- Exploratory testing: Exploratory testing accommodates a tester’s need to change their strategy mid-stream based on testing results. Codeless testing simplifies setting up and executing new tests to explore different aspects of an application.
How to Implement Codeless Test Automation in Your Organization
One of the best things you can do for your organization is invest in tools for testing and automation that cover all possible test processes. Ideally, these tools should meet the needs of both technical and non-technical users. Let’s look at some best practices for using codeless automation.
- Define clear objectives about what you wish to accomplish with your codeless automation tool.
- Provide training and education to users whom you expect to have some involvement in the creation and execution of tests.
- Integrate your codeless platform into your current CI/CD and development processes.
- Start with simpler test cases, then scale up your use of automation to accommodate more business areas.
- Organize tests using clear naming conventions, setting up meaningful suites, and maintain updated documentation. Categorizing test cases makes it easier to scale up testing later and keep them maintainable.
- Review your automated testing results regularly to identify trends, recurring issues, and possible areas for improvement.
Let Ranorex Help
Whether you’re a beginner looking for a user-friendly platform or a team scaling up complex test scenarios, Ranorex Studio offers the tools you need. From codeless test creation to advanced scripting, Ranorex supports your testing journey at every stage. Request a free trial today.
