Automated test scripts are a game-changer in software development. They allow you to test your applications faster, more consistently, and with fewer errors than manual testing. But if you’re new to automation, it might feel a bit overwhelming at first. Don’t...
Test Automation
Framework Guide – Benefits of Automation testing
What Is a Test Automation Framework?
A test automation framework is a collection or library of actions that can be used to perform various types of testing, such as unit testing, regression testing, integration testing, smoke testing, and more. Frameworks typically come in one of two approaches: direct code only, which requires developer skills, or no code, which any manual tester can use to build powerful automated tests without any development experience.
Why Use a Test Automation Framework?
Whether you’re a developer or a manual tester, test automation frameworks can be a huge help when it comes to increasing code reuse and portability, reducing script maintenance, saving costs, and more. Depending on your team’s skill background and specific use case, the value from deploying a test automation framework could be almost instantaneous!
Benefits of Automated Testing Frameworks
Each testing framework comes with a code collection, which saves valuable time from having to write or code your own actions. This code collection can be reused for any future testing scenarios. With a few small adjustments, a test automation framework can be set up for additional testing scenarios, reducing costs.
Even with multiple applications, automated testing frameworks can be set up with modules to give you maximum coverage. Automated testing frameworks with modules allow developers and manual testers to focus on particular areas without having to run massive tests, while giving you full test coverage on different aspects of your applications and environments.
Automated testing frameworks make it easy to train new employees. Instead of having a custom code base that may not have any documentation, your team will gain agility when learning how to write test scripts, improving how quickly new team members will be able to contribute to the team.
Cut down on costs by using automated testing frameworks. Self-contained frameworks don’t require the typical software overhead and maintenance that a custom test code base would need. Once implemented, little manual intervention is needed. In addition, future proofing updates will make the framework applicable to new testing needs, saving you time and money.
“Existing tests were taking around 2 days of work, now reduced to around 30 mins per run.”
Types of Automated Tests
Regression Testing
Regression testing is an essential element of software quality assurance. During unit and integration testing, regression testing can help catch defects early and thus reduce the cost to resolve them. It creates confidence that an application is ready for deployment.
Ranorex Studio was originally developed with regression testing in mind. Developers and manual testers can use Ranorex Studio to build out a regression test that will automatically run before pushing any release to production.
Unit Testing
Unit testing checks individual units of code. Developers write and execute unit tests to find and fix defects in their code as early as possible in the development process. This is critical in agile development environments, where short release cycles require fast test feedback. Unit tests are white-box tests because they are written with a knowledge of the code being checked.
Functional Requirement Testing
Functional requirements testing confirms that every feature within the code works with no bugs or errors. This is an automated step-by-step process of confirming the core functionalities of the operating systems across various user inputs. Functional requirement testing assures the testers that the requirement specification has been met and assures stakeholders that the product is developed accordingly.
Functional testing is one of the most important testing techniques when software testing occurs. It is performed with test cases or examples from any possible scenario you could think of, both negative and positive.
Performance Testing
Performance testing gives developers insight into how their application or services will function when placed under a load. Developers can rest assured knowing that when their services or applications are put under load, their application will perform as expected.
GUI Testing
GUI testing is essential for evaluating an application as a whole from the business and/or user perspective. By validating the visual and functional aspects of an interface as well as user workflows, GUI testing helps ensure a positive user experience. Ranorex Studio is the best tool to automate this type of testing. With its low code/no code solution, any developer or manual tester has the power to automate their GUI tests.
Integration Testing
Integration testing combines individual units and tests their interaction. A common type of integration testing is interface/API testing.
An application programming interface (API) is a set of rules that two modules of code use to communicate with each other. Interface/API tests validate this interaction. Because the API rules tend to be very stable in any given application, API tests are good candidates for automation. Interface/API tests are also white box tests because they require knowledge of the code being checked. With Ranorex Studio, developers and manual testers can apply API and interface tests by adding the RestSharp framework to their tests.
An application programming interface (API) is a set of rules that two modules of code use to communicate with each other. Interface/API tests validate this interaction. Because the API rules tend to be very stable in any given application, API tests are good candidates for automation. Interface/API tests are also white box tests because they require knowledge of the code being checked. With Ranorex Studio, developers and manual testers can apply API and interface tests by adding the RestSharp framework to their tests.
System Load Testing
A load test is a type of performance test that checks how systems function under a heavy number of concurrent virtual users performing transactions over a certain period of time. In other words, the test measures how systems handle heavy load volumes.
Security Testing
Security testing checks whether sensitive data is properly encrypted. It verifies SSL and session management as well as database and network configuration testing, checking that users have the minimum authorization needed to access data and ensuring that protection is in place against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) and other types of attacks.
Types of Frameworks
Data-Driven Framework
A data-driven framework separates data from the scripts and stores the data externally. This can be a good framework when testers want to test the same feature or function regularly but with different sets of data. Because the data is not hard-coded in the scripts in this framework, it makes it easy to introduce new data to the framework. Any user or organization can take advantage of built in data-driven testing with Ranorex Studio. The Ranorex Studio IDE supports CSV, Excel, simple embedded, and SQL data sources as well as the ability to parameterize at any level of the test, without a single line of code.
Linear Automation Framework
In a linear automation framework, the steps are written and carried out in sequential order. It’s also sometimes called record and playback. The tester records each step and plays the script to automatically conduct the test.
Linear automation frameworks can be a good option if you have a small application or function. In addition, this test doesn’t require complicated code, so it’s a good option for when you need to complete a test fast.
Ranorex Recorder is the perfect tool for a testing framework that uses linear automation. It’s great for teams of manual testers or teams with simple web-based or desktop-based applications.
Modular Based Testing Framework
Modular based testing frameworks divide the application into different units, functions, or sections based on desired criteria and test them separately. A test script is created for each module, and the modules are put together in one larger test script.
Modules can be reused without fixing the whole test case, so this type of framework makes maintenance easier and cost effective.
Ranorex offers drag and drop Recording Modules that help any team or organization maintain their test cases and test modules.
Library Architecture Testing Framework
Based on a modular framework, library architecture framework is one in which the tester identifies similar tasks in the scripts and groups them into functions. In other words, common objectives are identified. These common functions are then kept in a library and can be used in the automated testing whenever they are needed.
The Ranorex Studio IDE can support a library architecture testing approach. With the flexibility of renaming aspects of the test, modules, and elements, any user can build their tests with the library architecture testing framework in mind.
Keyword-Driven Framework
In keyword-driven frameworks, the focus is keywords. Keywords are stored in a step-by-step way with the object they are associated with. Once the table is set up for the keyword-driven framework, scripts are written so that they prompt the necessary actions associated with the keyword.
Keyword-driven frameworks are reusable and don’t require strong scripting knowledge. They can also be built with or without a specific application. The flexibility of naming tests, modules, and elements within Ranorex Studio gives any user the power to create a keyword-driven framework to help them maintain their tests.
Behavior-Driven Development Framework
Have a project where many teams are working together and not everyone has a technical background? A behavior-driven development framework may be a good choice as it doesn’t require the use of any programming language. It also provides a way to improve communication between all team members. Ranorex Studio has a built in no-code record and playback solution that requires no setup, making it the perfect tool for a manual testing team of any organization.
Hybrid Testing Framework
Hybrid testing frameworks combine other frameworks, which can help leverage the advantages of different frameworks and minimize the disadvantages. A common combination is a keyword-driven framework and a modular testing framework. With the flexibility of adding any framework from the built Nuget library integration, Ranorex Studio tests can be turned into hybrid testing frameworks. This allows developers to expand their testing capabilities while not leaving Ranorex Studio. The Ranorex Studio API library can be integrated into Visual Studio, allowing for maximum flexibility and customization of tests.
How to Choose the Best Automated Framework for You
1. Determine Who Is Going to Use the Framework
Think about the team and their background and skill level. The best framework should be able to support the strengths of the current team in order to ensure the best ROI after implementation.
A developer-heavy team will want a framework with an easy to use code base and little to no need for infrastructure, as well as a focus on functional and unit testing. A team of manual testers will need an easy-to-use framework that they can interact with in a UI without the need to worry about code or adding other frameworks; their main concerns will be GUI and regression testing. Ranorex Studio is a perfect fit for both of these team types.
2. Think About Scale
Does the framework need to be scalable or adaptable for different apps? Before purchasing a new framework, understand what applications will need to have test automation and what the top requirements will be for application growth. Ranorex Studio can help to establish a framework that will scale with desktop, web, and mobile applications, all while saving your team time and your organization, money.
3. Consider Complexity
Complexity could apply to framework or types of tests or testing that will need to be performed. Less complexity of a framework will ensure your team can grow due to the framework being easy to teach. More complexity of tests or testing will expand the requirements for a framework and ensure the best test coverage.
Consider a framework that is both easy to use and can be managed simply through a single UI. Ranorex Studio offers the benefits of both. The record and playback functionality is easy to learn and teach. Testsuites can be managed all within the single Ranorex Studio IDE with no need for maintenance outside of a quarterly version update.
4. Look at Your Budget
When deciding on an automated testing framework, keep your budget in mind. Although there are free frameworks out there, they may have unforeseen costs that are not readily apparent that show up in charging for support, or the level or skill to troubleshoot an issue that would be easier to fix in other frameworks. While other automated testing frameworks may be a larger investment upfront, getting things right can save your team more in the long run.
The true value of a testing automation framework is in the long-term use and execution of the tests that, once manual and time-consuming, are now automatically and easily executed from the framework. The value of Ranorex Studio can be recognized almost immediately. Teams can easily start building automated tests with no other infrastructure necessary.
Find the Right Test Automation Framework with Ranorex
Ranorex can help you find the right test automation framework for your needs. Contact us today to find the solution you need, or download a free trial of Ranorex Studio and get started now.
Automate testing for any desktop, web or mobile technology
Whether you are testing a legacy desktop application or a native app for the latest mobile devices, a single Ranorex Studio license includes the technologies that you need. To read more about Ranorex Studio’s support for a specific technology, click one of the links below.
Increase quality and shorten release cycles
Designed for different skills, roles, and needs, Ranorex functional test automation lets QA teams function at their best.
Achieve test automation goals
When the whole team is responsible for quality, it is important that everyone can contribute to test automation. As Ranorex Studio supports keyword-driven testing, you can ensure that each person’s skill is put to the best use.
Benefit from day-one productivity
Minimize the learning curve. Easy-to-use tools and a built-in methodology enable testers to create modular automation scripts that are efficient and maintainable, regardless of programming expertise.
Keep maintenance low
Since short release cycles produce software that is continuously evolving, updating automated tests can require considerable effort. The Ranorex studio object repository enables you to easily manage all your UI elements in one place.
Accelerate the feedback loop
Monitor the impact of software changes on the system by integrating automated testing in your CI/CD environment. Trigger your smoke tests for every code change. Run your full regression suite in parallel or distributed on a Selenium Grid and get results in a fraction of the time.
Free up resources
Build stable, reliable automated tests that provide fast feedback from testing and have a low maintenance cost – freeing you from repetitive, low-level manual tests to perform more challenging verification of your application – so that your team can deliver high-quality applications to end-users.
Foster collaboration
Ranorex Studio is built for collaborative teams, with a shareable object repository, reusable code modules for keyword-driven testing, support for source control providers Git, SVN, and TFS, and even a “Magic Merger” tool that reduces merge conflicts.
Exceptional training and support
Our help resources
Professional support
A Ranorex Studio license includes access to our expert support team as well as software maintenance. Need help deciding if Ranorex Studio is the right solution for your test automation goals? Our knowledgeable sales team will assist you through a “proof of concept” evaluation. Ranorex Studio also offers value-add services to ensure your long-term success.
Flexible training options
Gain valuable test automation skills in the way that best fits your needs. Watch live and on-demand webinars that cover topics from getting started through best practices. Or, connect with one of our training partners to learn more about onsite and online training. A certification program is available for testers to demonstrate their expertise with Ranorex Studio.
Valuable learning resources
The Ranorex Help Center is your one-stop shop for mastering test automation with Ranorex. In addition to our detailed user guide, you will find tips for best practices, release notes, FAQs, “how to” screencasts, the Ranorex user forum and more. The tools you need for success are just a click away!
Selenium WebDriver can be a powerful tool for developers who want the convenience of Ranorex Studio with the features of Selenium. To test out Selenium WebDriver for yourself and see how Ranorex Studio can transform your automated testing, contact us for your free trial today.