Testing is a major part of the Application Development Life Cycle (ADLC). It helps in eliminating the defects and issues early from the product and helps in delivering quality products to the end users. With the increased demands from the businesses to deliver the product as early as possible to the market it is necessary to automate the tests for fast feedback on the builds. Traditional test automation approach requires a test automation engineer to write scripts for test automation using programming concepts and expertise.
As programming expertise is required for writing the test automation scripts, companies face challenges to create stable, maintainable and robust automation frameworks due to lack of skilled personnels and changing technology demands. To overcome these challenges Codeless testing tools were created that enables the testers and developers to write automated test scripts without writing code. It is estimated that the global codeless testing market to be valued at US $2 billion in 2023. The demand for codeless testing is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.6% from 2023 to 2033 and will be valued at US$ 8.6 billion by 2033. [Source].
What is Codeless testing?
Codeless testing is a new approach in test automation where a tester can automate the tests and develop test scripts without actually writing the code. Using the codeless testing tools, they just need to select the appropriate option from the tool for interacting with the web elements and perform assertions.
This makes the life of a tester easier as they don’t have to be technically proficient to perform automated testing of the application under test. These codeless testing tools use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concepts that help testers to create and modify the test manually. The coding part is handled by the tool, thus allowing testers without any programming knowledge to automate the tests easily.
Advantages of Codeless testing
The main advantage in using codeless testing is matching the pace with the development cycle and improving the testing processes. In my experience, I have witnessed that most of the teams’ lack behind when it comes to test automation due to time constraints, their involvement in other tasks like production issues resolution, support, etc.
Test Automation though important, however, it is pushed back due to other priority items on the board. With codeless testing test automation can be done quickly as it offers the following advantages –
No Programming background required
With codeless testing tools, even a manual tester can contribute to test automation as there is no requirement of having programming knowledge experience previously. These tools are also easy to learn and implement.
User Friendliness
With the User friendly User interface and features of the codeless testing tools. It becomes very easy for a non technical person to automate the test. Codeless testing tools also come with predefined videos and product tours that help the testers learn to use the tools easily.
Early Test Automation adoption
Using codeless test automation tools, test automation can be done quickly. As there is a UI in place for test creation, testers just need to select the appropriate option for their tests. This speeds up the test creation process as they don’t have to write code and coding logic.
Faster Regression Test Cycles
Running regression tests is a painful job for manual testers. Also, running the same tests manually again and again increases the chances for human errors and might result in critical bug leakage to production. With Codeless testing tools, regression tests can be automated and run multiple times giving more time to testers to work on other important tasks.
What is Low Code, No Code and Codeless testing?
In this modern era, with business demands and competition all over the world, the primary focus of every business is to release their web or mobile applications to the market as early as possible. Hence, development and testing needs to be faster than before. Automated tests are preferred by almost every organization as it helps in making the testing life cycle faster and efficient.
Technologies like Low Code, No Code and Codeless testing have gained more importance in the software development process.
Low Code Test automation
Low Code testing tools help the testers to perform test automation without manually writing the code. There is no requirement of test automation framework knowledge for using these tools. However, some basic programming knowledge is required for operating the tool. Using these tools, product managers, business analysts, etc. who are not that technically proficient can contribute and participate in the testing process and get involved in the Application Development LifeCycle (ADLC). Examples of such tools are Parasoft, SOATest, TOSCA, pCloudy, etc.
No Code and Codeless testing
Ideally, No Code and Codeless testing refers to the same thing. These tools don’t involve the use of extensive coding in test automation. These tools don’t need prior programming and coding experience. Using the User Interface and drag and drop tools testers and developers can easily create test automation scripts. Examples of such tools are Selenium IDE, Katalon, etc.
How does Codeless testing work?
The following are the two approaches that make the way for efficient working of codeless testing tools –
Record and Playback approach
Test Flow diagram approach
Record and Playback approach
As the name suggests, the tester, using the codeless testing tool, manually records all the steps of the test scenario he wants to automate and under the hood the codeless testing tool generates the code for test automation. Once the test steps are recorded, appropriate changes can be made manually using the tool. Once the test is created, it can be played back multiple times when required. Katalon and Selenium IDE are some examples of Codeless testing tools.
Checkout our earlier blog Everything you need to know about the Selenium IDE: Tutorial
where we have discussed Selenium IDE in detail.
Test Flow diagram approach
In this approach, a structured test flow diagram is developed by the testers for automating the tests. On execution the test scripts run automatically based on the actions provided in the test flow diagram. Test flow chart tool is an example of such codeless testing tool.
How to choose Codeless testing tool?
There are multiple Codeless testing tools available in the market currently. The following points can help you choose the best tools as per your requirement –
Scripting language support
Which programming language is supported by the tool for generating the testing script. It should support the language that the development and testing teams are familiar with.
Platform Support
Check if the tool supports multiple Operating Systems like Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.
Support for Web, API and Mobile automation
Since most of the businesses today need web as well as mobile applications. Hence it should be checked that the tool has the capability to test Web, API and mobile automation.
Cost
This is the most important factor that impacts the decision whether to go ahead with the tool or not. Costs like License, Support, Pro features, etc should be considered while choosing commercial tools. In case the team chooses to go ahead with an Open Source Tool, check if the project is actively maintained, the popularity of the project. It also needs to be checked if there are any pro features which need to be paid for.
Usability
This refers to how easy the tool is to learn and use. It also shows if the tool is robust, stable and efficient for use. It should also be checked that the tool is able to automate complex scenarios easily and not just only the simple ones.
How to get started with Codeless testing?
Codeless testing tools are of great use when it comes to automating the Regression, Smoke and Sanity Tests. As these tests are repetitive, it involves lots of time, once these are automated the testers can focus on complex scenarios. The following points can be kept in mind as while working with Codeless testing tools –
Automate the repetitive and time-consuming tests first
Automating the repetitive and time-consuming tests will help the testing team save their time and use it for other priority tasks. Also, it will help bring in efficiency and quality in the test life cycle.
Start with Small tests
It is always recommended to begin small whenever you are starting with a new tool. It is a good idea to define and run some simple tests and make sure they run successfully. Gradually moving towards the complex and large test scenarios can be planned later.
Combining Codeless, Code based and Manual exploratory tests
To get better return on your investments, a combination of codeless, code based and manual exploratory tests can be used in the testing life cycle. This can help cover most of your testing scenarios in minimum time with fast feedback.
Advantages of Codeless testing on cloud
Test from anywhere
As the tool is available in the cloud, we can start testing from anywhere. Only one time setup and configuration is required after which we can just login and start writing and executing the tests as the test cases and scenarios can be accessed from anywhere.
Reduced Costs
With the tool available in the cloud, costs related to hardware, physical setup, etc are saved. We only need to pay as we use the tool.
Scalability and Performance
Scalability is another benefit from the cloud and along with it, the machine and its performance can be upgraded anytime as per the requirement.
Availability and Security
Availability is another strong point from clouds point of view. It can be ensured that the tool is available all the time at your fingertips. Security is another feature as it is managed by cloud platforms, so it can be ensured that all the test cases, data, etc are safe in the cloud.
Conclusion
Codeless testing tools are a boon for the manual testers with less or no coding knowledge, as they don’t have to be technically sound while using these tools. There is no requirement for having prior programming knowledge for using these tools. By using UI and predefined components, testers can design and automate test cases that can help in increasing the test coverage, faster test execution and good collaboration with the team and stakeholders. However, it has its own limitations that need to be carefully considered and understood before going ahead and using it for test automation.
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