Introduction
Testing becomes critical in the fast-paced world of low code development, where creating a new screen can take just an hour. Traditional testing methods often extend beyond development time, especially with features like drag-click functionality. There's a temptation to skip these time-consuming steps for quicker delivery, but it's essential to remember that low code still involves code, and human errors can occur.
Every IT organization must, therefore, craft a cost-effective test strategy that balances speed and reliability. This strategy should address inherent risks and outline potential consequences, ensuring a pragmatic approach to testing in low code scenarios.
This blog explores the strategies and crucial considerations indispensable in delineating the landscape of low code software testing.
Understanding Low Code: What is it?
Low code, a modern software development approach, transforms the application-building process by minimizing the need for extensive coding. Instead of grappling with complex programming languages, low code test automation platforms provide visual interfaces with basic logic and drag-and-drop capabilities, offering a swift and user-friendly alternative to traditional methods. This simplicity has catapulted the popularity of these platforms, empowering employees to craft solutions without deep coding expertise while upholding robust IT governance and mitigating the reliance on shadow IT.
Despite a prevailing myth, low code test automation platforms extend beyond simple projects. In reality, they excel in effectively managing and streamlining complex, large-scale business operations, establishing themselves as a versatile asset in any business's technological toolkit.
Low Code Test Automation: A Quick Guide
1. Fostering Adoption and Community
Transitioning from manual to automated software testing is crucial for DevOps teams facing increasing demands. However, more than merely having a few team members onboard is required. Successful adoption requires a solution that demonstrates quick value without extensive script building. Opt for codeless testing frameworks to showcase ROI, making test automation accessible and appealing to a broader audience. The goal is cultivating a test automation community with shared goals and best practices.
2. Embracing "Shift Left"
The industry buzz around "shifting left" emphasizes finding and preventing defects early in software delivery. To achieve this, integrate development teams into the testing framework and foster a unit testing culture. Unified tools, shared repositories, and collaborative pipelines break down silos between dev and QA teams, ensuring synchronous work and substantial time savings.
3. Integrating CI/CD into the process
Incorporating Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) into the test automation process is crucial. Ensure a holistic understanding of CI for multiple systems, addressing unit test case involvement and coverage measurement questions. On the CD front, focus on package building, check-ins, and seamless deployment across environments. Establishing a robust CI/CD process, hand in hand with automation champions, is a multi-step journey involving tool selection, community formation, and process maturation.
Remember, successful automation requires champions within the organization. Prioritize simplicity, avoid unnecessary layers, and leverage the right tools and integrations to streamline the testing and deployment process.
Check out: Low Code vs. No Code Test Automation
Navigating Obstacles in Traditional Automation Testing
In the realm of traditional automation testing, several obstacles loom large, impeding smooth operations and efficiency:
- Tool Complexity: Traditional automation tools such as Selenium are often formidable foes, thanks to their intricate coding requirements and the need to establish a test grid. Moreover, the demanding infrastructure prerequisites compound the challenges, making these frameworks cumbersome to wield effectively.
- Maintenance Burden: A significant chunk of automation endeavors is devoured by the relentless demand for script maintenance. Any tweaks or updates in the application compel testers to embark on the arduous task of rewriting test scripts, consuming valuable time and resources.
- Code Intensity: Traditional automation testing is notorious for its complexity and heavy reliance on coding. This complexity frequently leads to approximately half of all test automation projects floundering due to insufficient planning and needing more skilled personnel.
- Test Data Dilemma: The management and upkeep of test data present yet another formidable challenge. Testers must create test data generation scripts, employ version control mechanisms, and implement other strategies to wrangle test data effectively.
- High Coding Skill Prerequisite: Automation frameworks typically demand testers who are well-versed in coding intricacies. However, the reality is starkly different, with many manual testers needing more requisite coding chops. Bridging this skill gap necessitates either upskilling existing personnel or recruiting specialized automation testers, adding further complexity to the equation.
Navigating these hurdles is pivotal to streamlining the automation testing process and ensuring its efficacy in modern software development landscapes.
Importance of Low Code Testing
In response to the complexity and coding intensity of traditional automation testing, low code testing emerges as a compelling solution between test creation and the expertise required for automation testing:
- User-Friendly Approach: Low code testing simplifies automation through intuitive record and playback mechanisms. Test creation becomes accessible to a broader range of professionals as users can automate tests by simply recording on-screen actions.
- Minimal Coding Requirement: One of the primary benefits of low code testing is its reduced dependency on coding skills. This accessibility enables a broader pool of professionals to participate in testing.
- Self-Healing Scripts: Low code automation tools offer self-healing capabilities, dynamically adapting to minor application changes. This functionality notably decreases the necessity for manual script modifications and upkeep.
- Automated Test Data Generation: Leveraging AI capabilities, low code testing platforms automate test data generation, enhancing efficiency and accuracy while minimizing manual input.
- Scalability and Maintenance: Low code automation is highly scalable and adaptable to various release schedules, including daily, weekly, or continuous integration systems. This flexibility streamlines maintenance efforts and ensures alignment with evolving testing needs.
- Improved Time-to-Market: By reducing testing time by up to 90%, low code platforms expedite the development cycle, enabling faster time-to-market for software products.
- Comprehensive Device Coverage: Low code testing facilitates testing across multiple browsers, devices, and resolutions, ensuring thorough cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility checks.
- Cost Efficiency: Transitioning to intelligent low code test automation typically results in substantial savings. This reduction stems from minimized code maintenance complexities and decreased reliance on specialized coding resources.
- Mitigation of Technical Debt: Low code testing mitigates technical debt, encompassing the costs of maintaining and fixing application code. Simplifying test maintenance and updates minimizes complexities and reduces the long-term costs of code upkeep.
Who Utilizes Low Code?
Individuals without extensive coding expertise can leverage low code testing techniques to construct software for diverse purposes, including creating mobile and business applications. This accessible approach caters to technical and citizen developers, empowering them to meet market demands for growth, streamline processes, and drive digital transformation.
Benefits of Low Code for Business Owners:
Implementing low code delivers prompt and tangible benefits for business owners. Here are the key advantages:
1. Increased Agility:
Facilitates quick and easy development and deployment of new apps, enhancing organizational agility to respond promptly to evolving business needs.
2. Prevention of Technical Debt:
Mitigates the risk of technical debt by providing a structured environment for application development, reducing the likelihood of poor coding practices.
3. Reduced Costs:
Minimizes the need for specialized programming resources, leading to lower development costs, and automates repetitive tasks, further reducing costs.
4. Enhanced User Experience:
Enables business owners to craft tailored apps that enhance the user experience, aligning with specific user needs.
5. Faster Time to Market:
Accelerates the app development process, allowing organizations to swiftly introduce new products and services to market.
6. Improved Decision-Making:
Provides real-time data and insights, empowering business owners to make informed, data-driven decisions that enhance overall business performance.
7. Access to New Technologies:
Plays a pivotal role in enterprise modernization, facilitating efficient system and process updates. Allows seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning, ensuring competitiveness in the dynamic digital landscape.
Embracing the Low Code Culture:
Now is the opportune moment if you still need to embrace the low code culture. However, this transition may pose challenges unless accompanied by adequate measures. Incorporating a new platform requires educating your team on its functionality, potentially necessitating organizational restructuring.
Read: A Guide to Performance Testing in Low-Code, No-Code Environments
Streamlining the Low Code Automation Testing Process
Low code automation testing represents a contemporary approach to software testing, utilizing low code platforms to simplify and accelerate test creation, management, and execution. Here's a streamlined overview of the typical low code automation testing process:
Establish Test Objectives: Begin by defining the key objectives of your tests and assessing the application's flow that requires testing.
Choose a Low-Code Test Automation Tool: Select an appropriate low-code automation tool tailored to your project's requirements. Look for tools offering intuitive interfaces with record and playback functionalities, empowering testers to develop test scripts efficiently, regardless of their coding proficiency.
Develop Test Scenarios: Create a comprehensive plan outlining the various test scenarios and aspects of the application to be tested.
Record Tests: Utilize the visual interface of your chosen low code automation testing tool to construct test scripts effortlessly. These tools often offer automatic script creation capabilities and aid in configuring test data.
Execute Tests: Run tests on demand as needed, based on your project's requirements.
Analyze Results: Evaluate the results of each test step, highlighting their pass or fail status, to monitor progress and identify any issues effectively.
Schedule and Maintain: Utilize self-healing capabilities to minimize maintenance efforts, intervening only when necessary. Easily schedule tests at predefined intervals, ensuring consistent and automated quality checks.
An effective low code automation tool seamlessly manages test automation from start to finish, addressing concerns related to execution, monitoring, scheduling, and maintenance.
Also read: Tips to Creating An Effective Automation Test Planning Strategy
Choosing the Right Low Code Test Automation Platform for Your Business
Preparation is Key:
Before diving into demos and trials, outline realistic use cases. Ensure a mix of customer-facing and internal apps, simple and complex solutions, and critical and optional projects to compare low-code testing platforms comprehensively.
Key Features to Consider:
1. Security:
Verify that the platform aligns with enterprise requirements for both B2C and B2B apps. Prioritize identity management, secure encryption, and user rights management to enhance workflow control and data security.
2. Integration Options:
Evaluate how well the platform integrates with your existing systems, focusing on simplicity for users to access and utilize data from various sources, both internal and external.
3. Cross-Platform Capabilities:
Ensure the low code solution is compatible with your customer's and employees' diverse devices and platforms. Look for the ability to develop one deployable app across multiple platforms.
4. Notifications:
Opt for platforms with robust notification services to promptly alert your IT team to any app issues.
5. Intuitive Interface:
Prioritize simplicity with drag-and-drop functionality and user-friendly tools. Involve developers and business users in testing to ensure ease of use for everyone.
6. Custom Development Tools:
Seek platforms that allow developers to incorporate custom code, offering a head start on complex projects while leveraging templated solutions.
7. Scalability:
Consider your organization's growth prospects and ensure the chosen platform seamlessly scales alongside an expanding workforce.
Check: A Comprehensive Guide to Cross-Platform Mobile Test Automation Using Appium
How HeadSpin's Cutting-Edge Testing Features Facilitate Seamless Low Code Test Automation for Organization
1. Real User Monitoring (RUM):
HeadSpin provides real-time monitoring of low code applications by tracking user interactions and behavior.
RUM capabilities help organizations understand how end-users are experiencing their low code software, ensuring a seamless user experience.
2. Performance Testing:
HeadSpin's advanced testing tools enable comprehensive performance testing for low code applications.
It helps organizations identify and address performance bottlenecks, ensuring low code solutions can handle the expected load and deliver optimal performance.
3. Network Condition Testing:
HeadSpin's extensive global device infrastructure allows testing low code applications under various network conditions, including low bandwidth and high latency scenarios.
This ensures the application remains functional and responsive even in less-than-ideal network environments, catering to a diverse user base.
4. Device Compatibility Testing:
HeadSpin supports testing low code applications across various devices and operating systems.
Organizations can verify that low code test automation tools work seamlessly on different devices, enhancing accessibility and user satisfaction.
5. Automated Testing for Low Code Platforms:
HeadSpin offers automation capabilities tailored to low-code environments.
Automated testing ensures faster and more reliable testing cycles, allowing organizations to keep up with the rapid development pace of low code platforms.
6. Security Testing:
HeadSpin includes robust security testing features to identify vulnerabilities in low code applications.
Security testing helps organizations address potential threats and ensure their low code solutions meet security standards.
7. Cross-Browser Testing:
HeadSpin supports cross-browser testing for low code applications.
This ensures consistent functionality and appearance across different web browsers, providing a reliable experience for users with diverse browser preferences.
8. Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics:
HeadSpin provides detailed reports and analytics on the performance and quality of low code applications.
Empowering organizations with insights for informed, data-driven decisions to optimize and enhance their low code solutions.
Also check: Test Automation Design Patterns - A Comprehensive Guide
What's Next?
Gather insights from your development team before embracing low code/no-code platforms. While these platforms empower citizen developers, your enterprise development staff remains crucial for the success of your technology landscape. When building your technological stack, prioritize providing your development team with the tools they prefer and require.
Low code testing tools can transform your company, optimizing efficiency and increasing outputs. Foster a culture of collaboration and celebrate each success as it unfolds throughout the organization.
The HeadSpin AI-driven testing Platform is a pivotal link between business users and IT, streamlining work management and significantly expediting digital transformation. Through HeadSpin's low code software testing capabilities, business users gain control over their digital requirements, while IT leaders maintain a secure and scalable platform, facilitating perfect digital experiences.
Originally published at - https://www.headspin.io/blog/a-step-by-step-guide-to-low-code-test-automation