Top 10 Features of Automation Testing

Automation testing is rapidly changing the way businesses create software. It replaces manual testers who had to spend hours in front of computers carefully executing and re-executing individual test steps to find bugs in the programming or fatal flaws in the design. Automation software has streamlined the testing process to make it more effective, more productive, and far less time consuming for businesses. This creates an infinitely better ROI for you.

However, any automation testing software will not do the trick. They are not all created equal. There are 10 specific features of automation testing you should expect from the software that performs this vital task for you.

1. User-Friendly for People of All Levels of Experience

This is an absolute must. People of different experience levels may be required to perform testing and the automation software needs to be intuitive for all to use. Otherwise, it becomes ineffective and largely unused within your organization.

2. Support for a Variety of Testing Frameworks

Your audience will access your materials from a wide variety of frameworks. Your automation testing needs to account for people who will be using mobile, Internet, and desktop applications, and more. Comprehensive automation testing features leave no stones unturned and no frameworks untested.

3. Testing for Cross-Browser Compatibility

Just as people have their preferred devices of choice, they also have personal preferences for browsers. Which is why it is essential for your software to conduct testing for compatibility with all browsers as well.

4. Data Driven Testing and Extensive Reporting of Results

The testing software is only as good as the results it delivers. The more detailed the results and test reporting the more valuable the software happens to be. Look for software that offers extensive reporting and provides mountains of data related to your test results.

5. Support Major Scripting Languages

One of the features of automation testing that is an absolute must is that it allows you to test in the scripting languages you work with. Common languages include:

JavaScript

Jscript

VBScript

Python

CSS

PHP

Perl

Ruby

Does the software you are considering work with all these scripting languages and more?

6. Absolute Reliability

It should go without saying, but you need to trust your automation testing software to do its job all the time and every time. Consider social support and reviews to assess the reliability of software before you buy.

7. Error Recovery Testing

Part of the normal life cycle is recovery. To fully test your product, it is essential to include error recovery testing as part of the testing process. Only use tools that provide you with this specific type of testing for your products.

8. Object Identification, Mapping, and Recognition in Any Environment

Accurate object identification is critical for providing meaningful tests. The more clearly defined your objects are, the more specific the testing, debugging, and code maintenance becomes across multiple platforms.

9. Database Testing

Databases are more important today than at any other point in the history of a business. Testing these databases is equally critical to ensure there are no problem areas for database connectivity, query execution, retrieving data, and disconnecting from the database.

10. Outstanding and Available Technical Support

Technical support is a bigger challenge than anyone would hope in the automation testing industry. Make sure the software you choose for automation testing not only offers technical support but also offers it at times that are convenient for you.

Once you find automation testing tools that offer all these features, and more, you’ve found the software that will work to meet your business needs.