Master Automation Testing - Detailed Syllabus and Guide

There is a new wave of demand for better software products. In order to fulfill this demand, software developers have turned to automation testing as one of their most trusted tools. As a developer, you can test and optimize tech products without spending too much time on basic tasks. 

However, as appealing as it may sound, it is not as easy as it seems to implement it. You should have a good understanding of the testing process. You can learn about it by going through the automation test syllabus in a training program. With knowledge of the automation testing syllabus, you will know about using the proper tools and concepts to get good results. 

Therefore, in order to help you grasp Automation Testing content, I have given you a detailed overview of it below. 

Automation Testing Syllabus

We expect automation support to do the tedious task of testing the software for errors. That is what automation testing does. It helps you keep your software void of any errors when automatically conducting tests. 

However, it is not as simple as it sounds; in my experience, it is only as effective as the instructions you provide. Hence, you must be very careful and understand it thoroughly. This is because it can save you a lot of time by eliminating the human element, which can make mistakes from time to time. What it does is that it links a chain of steps to conduct the same task without changing the original parameter set by you.

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The Automation Testing Syllabus consist the following topics:

I. Foundations of Automation Testing

Understanding the automation testing syllabus will offer you something you should not take lightly. This process of learning what it is and the things it can offer you will give you a much clearer idea about it. This program requires you to master the fundamentals of Selenium, Python, and other vital coding languages. Therefore, I think that you focus on the things that we will discuss further because it will help you achieve a very fruitful career in the future.

Also Read: Understanding the Difference between Validation and Verification

A. Understanding Automation Testing

In order to get a better grasp of what automation testing is, you must first understand what manual testing is. Therefore, to help, I have explained them below in detail:

[A.1] Manual Testing: Well, it is quite explanatory as to what it does; it is when you manually go in and complete the task yourself. It is quite effective in situations when you need to be creative and solve issues as they appear. However, when it comes to testing or doing something else that is repetitive and simple, it can be a waste of your valuable time.

[A.2] Automated Testing: This method is actually quite useful and also very popular in all facets of many industries. You can use it by implementing steps that can then be put on a loop without any interference or supervision. That is why I believe it is the best option to get your menial tasks done on time.

B. Test Automation Tools

Learning from the automation testing syllabus is one side, but understanding how to put it into action correctly is another. To get the desired results, you need to know how it's done right as well. These are some of the tools, which I think you must know for doing a good job. 

[B.1] Appium: This tool is perfect for you if mobile apps are your focus. It is very easy to use, and it helps you complete tasks quickly. The best part about this tool is that it lets you test mobile apps on different devices and platforms.

[B.2] Selenium: Suppose you have to do more human-like tasks and tasks for such processes. In that case, Selenium is a good choice because it is very good at things like filling out forms or interacting with websites. If these use cases match what you need, then learning about it could be helpful for you. You need to know about Selenium WebDrivers and Locators. It will also span the BDD Framework with Cucumber and Selenium Grid.

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II. Test Automation Planning and Strategy

A. Test Case Selection

Selecting which actions need to be automated can be quite difficult. However, there are ways to decipher which actions need it the most. First, I would say you should begin with tasks that are very repetitive and take too much time. They could even be tasks that cover a critical part of the software.

After that, you have to decide which of these actions are of the highest priority and have the most direct influence on the project. The way to do so would be to find out what can impact the basic fundamentals of the program or the one that affects the user experience the most.

In my opinion, if you keep these things in mind when you find the tasks to automate. You will definitely be able to make the most of your time through the automation testing syllabus.

B. Framework Design and Architecture

You can think of frameworks as tools that will allow you to put your tests in order. Moreover, there are many different types of automation frameworks that you can choose from. Among them, a few are Keyword-Drive and Page Object Models; there are also many more.

In my experience, you can even create or design your own frameworks. It is almost like using building blocks that you can rearrange and use any time you see fit. More importantly, designing your own framework makes it easier for you to add tests and or maintain them as well.

In the end, you must remember that using a good frame for automation will still deliver satisfactory results. Therefore, you must always pick a good framework to keep your project running smoothly.

C. Test Data Management

Sometimes, you will have to use different datasets with your test in order to get accurate results. It is almost like playing mix and match with your test and data to determine which one works. The reason you need to do so is that it will help you optimize your software so that it performs well in the real world.

Conducting thorough data-driven testing will help you find errors and issues that others would have gone unnoticed in the final release. To avoid such mistakes, you must run these automated tests with different sets of data.

In my opinion, the best way to do it is by using placeholders with your tests. Therefore, by mastering the automation testing syllabus, you will be able to easily run the same test with different data sets.

III. Test Script Development

A. Scripting Languages and Coding Standards

Being clear and concise with your communication is key to many things. Same with coding, you must learn coding languages like Java and Python, as these are the most commonly used coding languages. However, that is not all; learning a language is one thing, but there are also coding standards that you need to maintain.

These coding standards are rules that you must adhere to while working on a project. They are meant to keep your work neat and basic so that everyone on the team can understand. At the same time, you must also keep track of version changes as well. It is just like saving different iterations of a file in order to help your team keep track of changes in the script over time.

B. Test Scripting Techniques

With a proper syllabus for Automation testing, you will be able to figure out how to properly write scripts. These methods will help you be clearer and more accurate with what you want the outcome to be. More importantly, you must also focus on doing the necessary checks that will determine whether your scripts pass or fail. 

That is why you must use assertions and verifiability, as they will help examine your script and give you what you expect. Among all these things, you must not forget about synchronization and wait times. However, I believe with time and proper guidance, you will be able to make the most of it.

C. Page Object Model Implementation

When you work on a project and go through different iterations, it can be difficult to track all the tests. That is why you must POM is so important because it lets you separate and organize. It even makes it easy for you to manage and even go back to any previous iterations if necessary.

Hence, I think that it is important for you to learn how to create different classes to highlight various parts of the software. More importantly. It makes your scripts much easier to understand. Once again, having a proper grasp of the automation testing syllabus can be a big plus if you are part of a larger team.

IV. Test Execution and Reporting

A. Test Execution

Once your script is good to go, it is time to see it in action. To do so, you must use a web browser like Chrome or Edge. Similarly, you are also free to choose any platform you like; it could either be Windows or even Mac. After deciding on these details, you must then integrate your scripts in CI or Continuous Integration Pipelines.

Doing so will help you automatically integrate your tests whenever there is a code change. However, it is also very common to face execution failures and other issues. With the knowledge of the automation testing syllabus gained in a training program, you will know how to overcome these failures and exceptions.

B. Test Reporting and Analysis

Now that you have done the tests. The next steps are to report and analyze them. This means you need to make detailed test reports that show how well your test worked. In these analyzes, you must mention which test passed and which one failed.

But wait, you are also required to recognize the outcome and decide what led them to succeed or fail. This will give you a clearer understanding of which part needs more focus. Also, I think that using visual methods such as graphs and charts is the best because they are clear and simple to comprehend.

 V. Advanced Automation Concepts

A. Test Parallelization and Distribution

When you have a lot of work, you can use these strategies to get your advanced work done quickly. It will allow you to do many tasks in parallel to get a faster and better outcome. This comes in handy when you may have to work on different computers and setups. 

However, I think through the automation testing, you can easily spread all your tasks across multiple environments. If you do this properly, you will be able to share resources quite easily. 

B. Mobile and API Automation

We cannot forget about mobile devices, though, right? They also need testing as well. However, you can do these tests with tools like Appium and optimize apps for tablets and phones. These APIs are like bridges between your software that make it easily accessible on various platforms.

That is why I think you should automate your API testing Frameworks like REST assured. This is because every API responds in various ways. So. You must pay attention to things in case they ever go wrong.

VI. Continuous Improvement and Maintenance

A. Test Maintenance Challenges

Keeping your tests running smoothly through various software iterations is not as simple as it seems. This is because if you have a flaky test, it can easily crumble when you use it in a different software.

Hence, I recommend that you comprehend and complete an understanding of the syllabus of automation testing. It will help you keep your tests up to date and also allow you to create new ones with new feature sets.

B. Test Automation Best Practices 

You must remember that developing software is teamwork. Hence, you need to follow certain rules for better results. These rules include things like maintaining consistent coding practices. Such rules will ensure legible and readable scripts. 

In my opinion, regular code reviews will help you understand which parts need more work in order to keep things running smoothly. More importantly, you must implement everything you have learnt in your automation testing syllabus. 

Conclusion

I think you should never forget that technology is always changing, and you must also change with it. That is why it is important to keep learning as much about the automation testing syllabus as possible. This is because it will also prepare you to take on any challenge that comes your way. 

Moreover, automation testing is such an exciting thing to do; with so many tools and concepts, it is very hard to pass over. Therefore, if you are interested in learning more about the syllabus of automation testing, I would recommend you get in touch with StarAgile. Their automation testing training helps you with real-world expertise in this specific domain.

Also Read: Software Testing Strategies

 FAQs 

Q1 - Is Automation Testing Coding? 

Of course, languages like Java and Python are necessary to do automation testing. These scripts implement repetitive actions in the testing process. Doing so helps testers to accomplish more standard and accurate outcomes. However, it can be easy to forget that coding is only half the process. You can also use a number of tools and frameworks to help you get your tasks done quicker. 

Q2 - What Are the Topics Covered in Automation Testing?

The syllabus for automation testing contains various segments. You will grasp the introduction to automation testing along with different tools for testing. You will be able to better choose the test cases and frameworks. You will also come to know about scripting methodologies, test modelling, and reporting. More importantly, it also covers mobile and API testing for easy improvements and maintenance of automation. 

Q3 - Is Automation Testing Easy?

Automated testing may not be as easy as it seems. It demands some level of coding knowledge, testing tools, and effective testing techniques. Also, when you learn and practice the automation test syllabus, you can be more effective in testing. Moreover, the time and energy that are dedicated to learning automation testing yield immense returns. You can get this ROI in the form of less time and effort. It also results in less manual testing as well as superior software testing quality.