Are you planning to switch from manual testing to automated testing? Want to get started with Automation Testing? If the answer is yes then this blog will serve as your guide in the automated testing journey.

What is App Automation Testing?

App Automation Testing is a process of running test cases in mobile applications automatically without any human intervention. The automated tests involve pre-determined measures and evaluations through automation tools, scripts, and software to measure the application’s performance on popular mobile operating systems such as Android, iOS, and Windows. As opposed to manual testing, it replaces human activity through scripts and even AI-ML-driven test bots. The exploratory testing methods can be made conclusive in a shorter period, and it gives the tester sufficient time to maintain the test scripts while increasing the overall testing scope.

What are the steps to start with automation testing?

When shifting from manual to automation testing, it is crucial to assess whether the test cases you have planned can be automated. Here are a few deciding factors to help you determine when it will be best to proceed with automated testing:

  • Need to conduct multiple and parallel tests across various device types, models, and versions.
  • Want to rapidly test on a highly scalable app with complex infrastructure, requiring in-depth and extensive testing.
  • Have a tight and exhaustive timeline for development, and release and the App releases soon!
  • Limited resources and workforce.
  • Need to assess a critical function with high precision, which is not possible on manual testing.

5 Steps to get started with Automation Testing

Following the outlined steps will help you automate testing:

  1. Scoping of automation requirements: The automation requirement should be pre-determined to help decide on the resources and time to invest during the early stages of implementation. Automate as much as you can but be aware that it does not apply to all cases. Be open to the idea that testing accuracy still depends on the strategy and getting the method right.
  2. Setting the objectives: Set a clear and practical goal on what you aim to achieve with automated testing. Is it obtainable with the target timeline and distinguished test cases?
  3. Determining the test cases to automate: Some specific test cases appear to require manual testing. The tedious and complex ones, we usually leave to automation. Examples of tests to be automated:
    • Performance Testing – Many types of performance tests require deep analysis of the app’s functionality when it is used in different circumstances such as Load, Stress, Spike, and Volume Testing.
    • Functional Testing – These types of tests are usually done before releasing the app and check basic functionality. The urgency to check if the app meets the user requirements could be time-consuming if executed manually.
    • Compatibility Testing – Automation testing is best to support rapid assessment and test compatibility across diverse elements such as Devices and Networks.
    • Regression Testing – The nature of these tests includes criticality on troubleshooting and code changes that sometimes affect the app’s functional and non-functional features. Make the process trouble-free by automating.
  4. Choosing the appropriate tools, framework, and language: Tool, framework, and language are the key elements to make automation testing convenient. Hence, deep analysis is needed. Otherwise, the testing experience can be chaotic. Common considerations to make while choosing all three:
    • Software type – Is your app going to be used on mobile or web? App Automation frameworks are in place to accommodate different software types.
    • Programmers’ Capability – Tools work more efficiently when the user has superior knowledge and experience in writing, programming, and executing the scripts.
    • Type of Automation Testing Tool – There are open-source tools and then there are commercial automation tools. While open source is the top choice of testers, commercial tools come with premium features and dedicated support and are more suitable for enterprises.
  5. Selecting the right Infrastructure: Ensuring that all the device brands and models and OSs are available in your setup is important so that you don’t miss out on testing comprehensively before releasing to customers. If your app works on other connected devices such as Smart TVs, Set-top-boxes, and car system control then it’s vital to ensure that all devices are available. You can use 3rd party device clouds, setup one for yourself, or go with a hybrid approach where customization and availability go hand in hand.

Which automation testing framework should I go for?

As mentioned earlier, choosing the right framework is important before you start testing. There are a lot of frameworks available for testing apps, but here are the top open-source frameworks widely used for automated mobile testing include:

  • Appium automates native, mobile web, and hybrid applications in IOS, Android, and Windows. It accommodates testing on multiple devices.
  • Calabash is an open-source Acceptance Testing system that permits testers to write and execute tests for iOS and Android Apps
  • Espresso is an open-source testing framework for Android devices. It supports testers to write scripts and automated tests for the Android UI.
  • XCUITest is an open-source testing framework for iOS devices. XCUITest can be used in native apps automated testing.

Which app automation testing tool should I use?

The BEST tool might not always mean that it is the RIGHT tool. It is a common practice to automatically select the top-rated platforms in the market without adequately evaluating their suitability with your requirements. So, here is a checklist to help you identify the right tool.

  • Understand the brief – Knowing the project requirements provides room for QA testers to understand the following steps to accomplishing the end goal initially.
  • Align your QA needs and demands – Create a QA checklist and review with the team if automation testing is required before proceeding with the assessment and shortlisting tools process. No one wants to waste time and money with an unfitting game plan!
  • Generate criteria and comparative analysis of the tools – it will aid expediting the evaluation process. The main factors for consideration are as follows:
    • The application and its technology stack
    • Testing requirements
    • Insight presentation and report
    • Additional automation feature- if any
    • License and subscription packages of the tools

Example of Test Automation

So how does an automation test script look like? Here’s a quick example of a script that tests whether the Bluetooth was switched on:

Step 1: Launch Settings

Step 2: Click Connections

Step 3: Click Bluetooth

Step 4: Toggle to Switch ON Bluetooth

Step 5: Check if Bluetooth is enabled

Step 6: Close Settings

# In the example mentioned below, Bluetooth is enabled from Settings using Python code with Appium.

# Creating driver and launching settings app on device

desired_caps = {

“appium desired capabilities”

}

driver = webdriver.Remote(“{appium_url}”, desired_caps)

# Perform actions

connection_button.click();

bluetooth_button.click();

toggle_option.click();

if bluetooth.text == ‘On’:

assert True

else:

assert False

# Close driver

driver.quit()

I want to Start Automating App Testing. What’s next?

App automated testing sure has some limitations like the heavy starting expenses and limited flexibility. Still, the advantages of using it might help as an immediate response to make testing trouble-free, yielding a higher accuracy rate. Also, this type of testing matches the fast-paced industry of apps, certainly helping shorten release cycles and bring about a faster time-to-market.

MOZARK offers an App testing platform that will help you automate App testing. Get started today by booking a free demo call.

Written By

Anmol Chaturvedi