#Software testing automation

[softweb-solutions]

5 things to know about AI-driven software testing

In the modern software development landscape, reliance on technology is increasing for efficient and effective software development. The key aspect of software development is software testing, which ensures the applications and systems work as intended. Integration of AI in the software testing process is prevalent and represents a paradigm shift in quality assurance, offering numerous benefits over traditional methods.

In a study titled “Future of Quality Assurance 2023” by LambdaTest, 1,615 software testing professionals from 70 countries illuminate the software testing practices in 2023, including that 78% have already adopted AI.

The importance of AI in testing lies in its ability to streamline processes, reduce human intervention, and contribute to a faster, more reliable software development cycle. Let’s understand AI in test automation and explore the truths about automated software testing.

Understanding AI in test automation

Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and algorithms enhance and optimize the testing process during the software development lifecycle. The purpose of using AI in software testing is not to automate tedious tasks but;

Automate repetitive tasks

Predict and solve complex defects such as code changes, historical defect data, and other relevant factors to understand potential issues and areas of the software.

Generate adaptive test cases based on requirements, specifications, and historical data.

Log analysis analyzes log files and other system data to identify patterns and issues.

Use behavior simulation to imitate user interactions to uncover usability issues, performance bottlenecks, and other problems.

It ensures the improvement of overall software quality and speeds up the testing process. Using various techniques such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and deep learning helps to make efficient decisions, making them faster, more accurate, and cost-effective. It aims to improve the effectiveness of the testing process and deliver higher-quality software products to end-users.

Suggested: The role of AI and ML in test automation evolution

Now, let’s explore the truth about AI in software test automation.

1. AI in software testing for better software quality

Undoubtedly, AI can enhance software quality, analyze data, and identify patterns. AI-driven testing tools can detect defects, vulnerabilities, and performance that can be challenging with manual testing. By automating repetitive tasks, AI contributes to a robust and reliable software product and delivers software faster.

These innovative tools enable swift execution of test cases by giving quick feedback on code changes. It not only reduces time-to-market but ensures new features do not consist of unforeseen bugs in the existing codebase.

2. Minimal maintenance for visual updates and redesigns with AI testing

The purpose of functional UI is to validate the functionality of an application’s user interface. However, functional UI testing can be challenging for web and mobile applications particularly when the testing framework is dependent on the DOM model. Tests utilizing DOM-based element selectors are prone to failure as UI structure and behavior evolve with updates.

AI with computer vision provides a revolutionary capability to perceive and test the functionalities displayed on the screen. Through image-based analysis, AI can identify elements on an application screen and how it is implemented. This eliminates the necessity for DOM-based analysis, minimizing the need for extensive test script maintenance when UI designs change.

3. One-size-fits-all solution is a myth

The adoption of AI test automation solutions is essential for diverse project success. The need for each software project may vary according to its complexity, technological stacks, and requirements. AI-based testing solutions might work well for one project but may not be suitable for another. Therefore, decision-makers, before opting for the solution, must evaluate their requirements and then leverage AI rather than expecting it as a universal solution.

For AI application testing to be effective, specify your project requirements and customize accordingly. The customization includes training of an artificial intelligence model based on content, adjusting the algorithms for a better understanding of the application’s requirement, and seamlessly integrating with the existing tools and project workflow.

4. Increase test coverage and test speed level with AI

Traditional test automation involves manual test case creation for each new feature and application that may take weeks or months to complete. Also, it might create a high level of risk like functionality failure and UI accessibility. As software complexity is rising faster, performing the testing powered by AI has become necessary to validate the quality of the software product right from the engineering team’s ability to design and test script writing.

5. AI-driven testing will not replace human testers

The introduction of AI in software testing raised a common misconception of replacing human testers and diminishing the value of their expertise. The fear emerged from AI’s ability to automate repetitive tasks, speed up the process, and analyze the vast data sets with unprecedented efficiency.

AI-driven testing tools do not replace testers, but they augment their capabilities. It automates the repetitive tasks and frees them to focus on more intricate work, allowing them to create testing scenarios that demand human intuition, understanding of user behavior, and strategic thinking. Artificial intelligence can execute thousands of test cases and deliver feedback at the same time. It still relies on human testers to interpret results, make strategic decisions, and provide the necessary understanding of complex test scenarios.

AI-powered tools for software testing

Healenium

Healenium is a software testing platform that utilizes AI and ML algorithms to optimize and automate the testing process. Some of its key benefits are:

Minimizes maintenance time of test automation code

Improves CI pipeline stability, reducing the testing stage failures

Enhances efficiency in your test automation

Suggested: Explore test automation with Healenium

Report portal

ReportPortal is an open-source, AI-powered test automation reporting platform designed to enhance the visibility and efficiency of software testing processes. Some of its benefits are as follows:

Automated decision-making

Real-time analytics

Test results visualization

Transparency of test failure reasons

Tracking key metrics and KPI

Testrigor

An executable specification engine designed to allow anyone on your team to build, maintain, and understand tests created and executed in plain English.

Maximize productivity

Build test automation 50 times faster than its competitors

Quickly achieve test coverage with minimal maintenance

Test case generator

It is an in-house AI tool created by an expert QA team of Softweb Solutions. This integrates with project management platforms efficiently. Some of its benefits include:

Improved quality assurance

Faster turnaround times

Reduced manual efforts

Scalability

Conclusion

Various industries have started using AI in test automation. Companies are leveraging AI technologies to streamline their testing processes, reduce manual efforts, and improve the speed and accuracy of test execution. It enables testers, developers, and software professionals to cope with the challenges that were once thought to be impossible. Do you want to improve your software testing process? Elevate your software quality with our AI-powered QA testing services. Contact our experts for automated testing as a service.

Originally published at softwebsolutions on June 17, 2024.

[ideyalabs]

Enhancing Software Testing with AI: A Game-Changer for the Future

The Significance of QA in Software Development

Introduction:

In the ever-evolving world of software development, ensuring that applications and systems run seamlessly is critical. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing quality assurance (QA) automation by improving efficiency, accuracy, and reliability. In this article, we'll explore how companies are leveraging AI in QA automation and delve into the latest technological trends that are reshaping the landscape.

The Emergence of AI in QA Automation

Why AI in QA Automation?

AI in Quality Assurance (QA) Automation offers several compelling advantages, making it a valuable addition to the software development process. Here are the key reasons or advantages for integrating AI into QA Automation

• Enhanced Efficiency : AI streamlines QA processes, reducing the need for manual intervention and accelerating testing.

• Improved Accuracy : AI algorithms are proficient at identifying potential issues, ensuring comprehensive test coverage.

• Cost Savings : By predicting vulnerabilities and addressing them proactively, AI saves both time and resources.

• Real-time Feedback : Integration with Continuous Integration and Continuous Testing (CI/CT) allows AI to provide rapid, real-time feedback.

• Simplified Communication : Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms simplify test documentation and facilitate effective communication among team members.

How is AI technology integrated into the QA process?

AI technology is integrated into the quality assurance (QA) process to enhance its efficiency, accuracy, and overall effectiveness. It serves several specific functionalities within QA, addressing various aspects of testing and validation. Here's how AI is integrated and the specific functionalities it serves in the QA process.

Specific functionalities it serves:

1. AI-Driven Test Case Generation: Algorithm Proficiency : AI algorithms have evolved to become proficient at generating test cases. They do this by analyzing the application's code and comprehending its functionality.

Reducing Manual Effort : The reliance on manual test case creation is reduced, as AI can automatically generate test cases.

Comprehensive Test Coverage : AI identifies potential issues within the application, which helps in achieving comprehensive test coverage, ensuring that various aspects of the software are thoroughly tested.

2. Predictive Analytics for Bug Detection: Machine Learning Models : Predictive analytics in AI relies on machine learning models to identify vulnerabilities, bugs, and areas of concern within the codebase.

Proactive Approach : This proactive approach allows companies to address potential issues before they escalate into major problems, ultimately saving time and resources.

3. Continuous Integration and Continuous Testing (CI/CT): AI Integration : Integrating AI into CI/CT pipelines is a game-changer for software development.

Automated Testing : AI algorithms can execute tests in parallel, ensuring rapid feedback and real-time identification of bugs.

Accelerated Development : By automating testing at each development stage, CI/CT with AI accelerates the entire software development lifecycle.

4. Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Test Documentation: Extracting Insights : NLP algorithms extract valuable insights from test plans and logs, making it easier to understand and interpret test results.

Improved Communication : This simplifies communication among team members and stakeholders, enabling them to pinpoint issues more efficiently.

5. AI-Driven Test Maintenance: Automated Updates : AI-based tools detect changes in the application's functionality and automatically update test scripts.

Reducing Manual Work : This automation significantly reduces the burden of maintaining test suites, which is often a time-consuming task in QA.

6. Automated Visual Testing: Human Vision Simulation : AI in automated visual testing simulates human vision, allowing it to identify visual anomalies in applications.

Enhanced User Experience : This ensures a polished user experience by automatically detecting issues like UI glitches or layout problems.

7. Test Data Generation: Realistic Data Sets : AI algorithms can generate diverse and realistic test data that mimics real-world scenarios.

Enhancing Accuracy : This enhances the accuracy of test results as the test data closely resembles what the application is likely to encounter in the real world.

8. Virtual QA Assistants: Chatbots and Virtual Assistants : Equipped with AI, chatbots and virtual assistants can answer common QA-related queries, guide team members, and even execute simple testing tasks.

Accessibility : This makes QA more accessible to all stakeholders, regardless of their technical background, as they can interact with these virtual assistants.

9. AI-Enhanced Performance Testing: Real-World Simulation : By doing so, they can identify performance bottlenecks and optimize application performance, ensuring that the software can handle real-world usage effectively.

Identifying Bottlenecks : By automating testing at each development stage, CI/CT with AI accelerates the entire software development lifecycle.

In conclusion, AI in QA automation is revolutionizing the software testing process by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and overall software quality. Each of these AI-driven components contributes to a more streamlined and effective QA process, ultimately leading to better software and improved user experiences.

Emerging Tech Trends in AI QA Automation

• AI in Security Testing: With the growing threat of cyberattacks, AI is used to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in software security.

• AI in Mobile App Testing: As mobile applications gain prominence; AI ensures their functionality and performance across various devices and operating systems.

• AI in Cloud-Based Testing: With companies shifting to cloud-based infrastructure, AI aids in testing the scalability, reliability, and compatibility of cloud-deployed applications.

• AI in Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Testing: RPA is integral to business processes, and AI validates the functionality of bots and automated workflows.

Disadvantages of AI in QA Automation

While AI in QA automation offers numerous advantages, there are also certain disadvantages and challenges associated with its implementation.

Here are some of the disadvantages of AI in QA automation:

1. Initial Implementation Challenges: • Setting up AI-driven QA processes can be complex and require significant initial investments in terms of infrastructure, tools, and training.

• Organizations may face resistance from team members who are unfamiliar with AI technology and may require time to adapt to the new workflows.

2. Dependency on Data Quality • AI in QA heavily relies on data for training machine learning models and making predictions. If the data used is of poor quality, biased, or unrepresentative, it can lead to inaccurate results.

• Ensuring high-quality, relevant, and up-to-date training data is essential for the success of AI-driven QA.

3. Ethical and Privacy Concerns: • AI algorithms may inadvertently perpetuate biases present in the training data, which can lead to unfair or discriminatory outcomes in testing.

• Data privacy and security concerns arise when sensitive information is used for testing, and it must be handled with care to avoid breaches or compliance issues.

4. Limited Human Judgment and Creativity 5. Maintenance and Updates 6. False Positives and Negatives 7. Integration Challenges 8. Costs of AI Implementation 9. Skill Gap 10. Overreliance on AI

It's essential for organizations to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of AI in QA automation and implement strategies to mitigate potential drawbacks. A well-balanced approach that combines AI's strengths with human expertise can lead to effective and efficient QA processes.

Conclusion

AI is reshaping the QA automation landscape, optimizing testing processes, reducing human intervention, and enhancing software quality. Staying current with the latest technological trends in AI QA automation is essential for competitiveness in the dynamic software development industry. By incorporating AI into your QA practices, you can streamline your processes, deliver higher-quality software, and delight your end-users.

Remember, AI in QA automation is not merely a trend; it's a transformative force that has the potential to revolutionize the way we build and maintain software systems. Embrace it and witness your software development endeavors thrive in the age of AI.

[lesedisechaba]

Introducing our Software Test Automation Services, designed to elevate your testing game and deliver exceptional software quality. Don't wait, start your automation journey now! Contact us today to learn more about our Software Test Automation

[abathurofficial]

Abathur

At Abathur, we believe technology should empower, not complicate.

Our mission is to provide seamless, scalable, and secure solutions for businesses of all sizes. With a team of experts specializing in various tech domains, we ensure our clients stay ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Why Choose Us? Expert-Led Innovation – Our team is built on experience and expertise. Security First Approach – Cybersecurity is embedded in all our solutions. Scalable & Future-Proof – We design solutions that grow with you. Client-Centric Focus – Your success is our priority.

[precisiotech]

Automated Testing vs. Manual Testing: Which One is Right for Your Project?

Achieving high-quality, reliable software stands as a fundamental requirement in software development. Successful testing functions as an essential tool to discover faults and build performance capabilities that create better user experience outcomes. Two main testing methods dominate the field: automated testing and manual testing. The process of quality software assurance uses different testing approaches that demonstrate their own advantages as well as weaknesses according to specific project requirements and scenarios. We will explore the specifics to determine which testing process works best for your system development efforts.

1. What Is Manual Testing?

Manual testing involves a human tester manually executing test cases without using automation tools. Key Characteristics:

The methodology focuses its efforts on user interface together with usability and experience testing.

Human-centered applications where selection requires discretion include ad hoc testing and enumerative testing as well as examinations that need human evaluation.

Human performers are required during this approach; thus, it demands substantial time.

2. What Is Automated Testing?

Software performing automated testing executes test cases through workflows and helpers. Key Characteristics:

Efficient for repetitive and regression testing.

Users must spend money on tools along with developing custom scripts for testing.

Reduces human error.

3. Advantages of Manual Testing

Human Intuition: Software testing professionals can detect kernels through their human cognitive ability that automated tools cannot match. The observation and evaluation of visual elements runs more efficiently through human operatives instead of advanced tools.

Flexibility: This method suits exploratory testing specifically because there are no pre-determined scripts available.

Low Initial Investment: Running this approach does not need tool purchases or applications to develop automation frameworks.

Adaptable for UI/UX Testing: Running this approach does not need tool purchases or applications to develop automation frameworks.

4. Advantages of Automated Testing

Speed: Executes repetitive tests much faster than humans.

Scalability: The system proves most effective for extensive projects that need constant system updates.

Accuracy: When performing recurring actions, automated systems minimize the chances of human mistakes.

Cost-Efficient in the Long Run: Once established and implemented, the system demands costly investments but ensures continuous development expenses decrease over time.

Better for CI/CD Pipelines: Such testing technology connects various development pipelines that support agile and DevOps methodologies.

5. Disadvantages of Manual Testing

Time-Consuming: The manual performance of repeated tests leads to delayed completion of projects.

Error-Prone: Large applications contain tiny bugs that human testers commonly fail to detect.

Not Ideal for Scalability: The process of increasing manual testing needs additional testers to avoid cost escalations.

6. Disadvantages of Automated Testing

Initial Costs: Organizations must provide high financial resources to procure testing tools together with developing programming constructs.

Limited to Pre-Defined Scenarios: These testing approaches work poorly for handling exploratory or ad hoc testing.

Requires Maintenance: Test scripts need frequent updates when application changes occur.

Not Suitable for UI/UX Testing: Struggles with subjective user experience evaluations.

7. When to Use Manual Testing

Small Projects: The testing method proves beneficial at a low cost for small applications and provides quick assessments.

Exploratory Testing: Testing this approach benefits projects whose scripts have not been defined yet or need evaluation for newly added features.

Visual and Usability Testing: Performing assessments on interface components together with design features.

8. When to Use Automated Testing

Large Projects: Handles scalability for projects with frequent updates.

Regression Testing: Program testing becomes more efficient through automation since automated assessments perform multiple tests following each update process.

Performance Testing: The system performs efficient capabilities to conduct load testing and stress testing.

Continuous Development Environments: Agile progression and DevOps implementations need automation as a core requirement.

READ MORE- https://www.precisio.tech/automated-testing-vs-manual-testing-which-one-is-right-for-your-project/

[qualityassurance11]

Best Practices for Successful Automation Testing Implementation 

Automation testing is an essential part of modern-day software development that accelerates delivery, reduces manual work, and improves software quality. But success in automation testing is not assured, it should be achieved by proper planning and execution along with proper compliance of best practices. 

In this blog, we will talk about key actionable strategies and best practices to ensure the successful implementation of automation testing in your projects. 

1. Start with a Clear Strategy 

Jumping straight into automation testing without a clear strategy will not always yield the desired results. Define the following: 

Objectives: Define the goals of the automation, whether it is about shorter test cycles, improved test coverage or eliminating human error. 

Scope: Set the areas of your application for automation and focus much on areas that have a high impact like regression and functional testing. 

Stakeholders: Get early involvement from the development, QA and product teams to avoid misalignment regarding expectations. 

A well-formed strategy helps guide the way and make sure everyone involved is aligned. 

2. Prioritize the Right Test Cases for Automation 

One of automation testing’s biggest mistakes with it is to use automation for everything. Rather than that, shape your test cases to that of: 

Are monotonous and time-consuming. 

Wherein critical for application functionality 

Have stable requirements. 

Some of these tests are regression tests, smoke tests, data-driven tests, etc. Do not automate the exploratory or highly dynamic tests that often get changed. 

3. Choose the Right Automation Tools 

The effectiveness of your automation testing initiative highly relies on appropriate tools selection. Look for tools that: 

Support the technology stack of your application (e.g., web, mobile, APIs). 

Give the flexibility to expand your project. 

Offer extensive reporting, reusability of scripts, and run across browsers. 

GhostQA is one example of a codeless platform that works well for teams across the skill set. GhostQA can let you focus on what matters and Auto Healing reduces your maintenance to enforce. 

4. Build a Strong Automation Framework 

An automation framework is the backbone of your automation testing process. It helps in standardization, reusability and scalability of test scripts. So, when you start designing your framework, make sure to leave some room for these features: 

Modularity: Split test scripts into reusable components 

Data-Driven Testing: Use Data-Driven Testing to separate test data from the scripts to provide flexibility. 

Error Handling: Install anti-malware solutions to prevent potential threats. 

A good framework streamlines collaboration and makes it easier to maintain your tests. 

5. Write High-Quality Test Scripts 

A good test script decides the reliability of your automation testing. To ensure script quality: 

When naming scripts, variables, or methods, use meaningful and descriptive names. 

For adaptability, you should leverage parameterization instead of hardcoding these values. 

Set up appropriate error-handling procedures for handling unforeseen problems. 

Do not add anything unnecessarily, the more complexity, the more difficult it is to debug and maintain. 

Tools such as GhostQA minimize the efforts put behind scripting providing no-code possibilities allowing even non-technical users to write robust tests. 

6. Regularly Maintain Your Automation Suite 

Even though automation testing is a great way to ensure quality in applications, one of its biggest challenges is keeping the test scripts updated with application changes. Keeping your test suite effective and up to date, regular maintenance. 

Best practices for maintenance include: 

Frequent Reviews: Conduct periodic audit of the test scripts to ensure that they are not outdated. 

Version Control: Utilize version control systems to maintain history of your script modifications. 

Auto-Healing Features: GhostQA and similar tools can track UI updates and modify scripts to reflect changes with little to no human intervention, minimizing maintenance costs. 

Take good care of your automation suite so that it doesn't become a liability. 

7. Address Flaky Tests 

Flaky tests—tests that pass or fail randomly—are a common issue in automation testing. They reduce trust in test results and take up time when debugging. To address flaky tests: 

Dig deeper into what might be the underlying causes — timing problems or dynamic elements. 

Use explicit waits instead of static waiting in tests to make them aligned with application behavior. 

Prefer smart detection-based tools (GhostQA, to be precise) to eliminate the chances of flaky tests. 

This translates into flourish as flakiness and is the most significant impact in strengthening confidence in your automation framework. 

8. Ensure Cross-Browser and Cross-Platform Compatibility 

Most modern applications work across many browsers and devices, so cross-compatibility testing is a necessity. Your automation testing suite must: 

Add test cases for popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. 

Testing across different operating systems on mobile (e.g., iOS/Android). 

GhostQA abstracts cross-browser and cross-platform testing so you can verify functionality in several types of environments without repeating yourself. 

9. Leverage AI and Smart Automation 

AI is revolutionizing automation testing with better efficiency and lesser maintenance cost. Next-generation tools like GhostQA powered by AI offer: 

Auto-Healing: Automatically adjust to any changes made to the app;such as modified UI elements 

Predictive Analysis: Showcase areas with the most potential high risk to prioritize tests. 

Optimized Execution: Run just the tests that yield the most performance insights. 

Use AI-Powered Tools as these can help you to increase the efficiency and accuracy of your testing. 

10. Monitor and Measure Performance 

To measure the effectiveness of your automation testing, you should track key metrics that include: 

Test Coverage: Number of automated tests covering application features. 

Execution Time: Time taken to execute automated test suites. 

Defect Detection Rate: Number of bugs detected in automation testing 

Flaky Test Rate: Frequency of inconsistent test results. 

Consistent assessment of these metrics helps in discovering the areas of improvement in your automation efforts while also exhibiting the ROI of the same. 

Conclusion 

So, the right approach of selecting the right tool and plan properly will help to do a successful automation testing implementation. This could be achieved by adopting best practices like prioritizing test cases, maintaining test scripts, making use of the AI-powered tools and collaborating with other stakeholders in the process. 

Tools like GhostQA, which come equipped with codeless testing, auto-healing features, and user-friendly interfaces, empower teams of both technical and non-technical backgrounds to streamline their automation processes and devote their attention to shipping quality software. 

[fugu-in-f]

I've got Dr. doofenschmirz ass naming conventions for my test automation, like

yes of course, the taggening branch goes in the fixenator development suite, why do you ask?

[yethiconsulting]

UI Automation Testing: Reducing Manual Efforts and Boosting Accuracy

Introduction:

UI automation testing is a powerful method for reducing manual testing efforts while improving test accuracy and coverage. By automating repetitive tasks, QA teams can focus on more complex testing, leading to faster release cycles and higher software quality.

Automating Repetitive Tasks:

Manual UI testing can be time-consuming and prone to human error. Automating repetitive tasks—like form submissions, button clicks, and navigation—frees up testers to focus on more critical, exploratory testing. Tools like Selenium and Cypress allow you to automate these tasks, ensuring consistency across test runs.

Increasing Accuracy and Consistency:

Automation eliminates the variability introduced by human testers, ensuring the same steps are executed each time, thus improving the reliability of your tests. Automation also enables parallel testing across multiple browsers and devices, enhancing test coverage.

Faster Feedback with CI/CD Integration:

Integrating UI automation testing into CI/CD pipelines ensures that tests run automatically after each code change, providing faster feedback to developers. This helps catch bugs early in the development cycle, reducing the risk of costly errors.

Conclusion:

By automating UI testing, teams can significantly reduce manual efforts, increase accuracy, and accelerate development timelines. This leads to more reliable software and more efficient testing processes.

[gopinadhreddy]

QA & SOFTWARE TESTING - SPARK TECHNOLOGIES

As a world-class IT services provider with years of experience across various sectors globally. Spark Technologies delivers the business IT solutions you need to enhance efficiency, add value, and reduce costs. We design, develop, implement, manage, and optimize access to systems and information, addressing your business processing, application, and infrastructure needs.

click here for more

[softweb-solutions]

Docker is a powerful tool that can help you improve the efficiency, scalability, and security of your Selenium testing. Learn more about the benefits of using Docker for Selenium testing and how to get started in this blog post. 

[el-ffej]

Just imagine what it's like for software developers.

yesterday for April Fool’s my workplace had a short training article on recognizing computer-generated faces from real ones and one of the tricks mentioned was “count the teeth” and I just wanted to say that it’s both ironic and kind of horrifying how society has unwittingly cycled right back to IF YE MEET A MAN ON THE ROAD, COUNT HIS FINGERS LEST YE DEAL UNKNOWING WITH A FAE 

[simplythetest]

Why I Love Get By Text

I have a confession: I've been writing browser tests lately, and my preferred approach to locators is becoming get by text or get by label.

I am aware that some of you might want to throw some full wine bottles at me now. But I stand by it.

Over the course of my career as a test automation specialist, I've worked with a bunch of web applications for which I automated browser tests. One of the most critical aspects of writing browser tests is finding good locators to hook into in order to drive the application. Naturally, since there are plenty of options there are also plenty of opinions on what kind of locator strategies to use. Typically these follow some kind pattern like this;

Use id attributes that are permanent, if you can. If you can't, then

Use data-testid or other custom attributes specifically for automation if you can. If this isn't an option then

Use class attributes, which tend to be stable. If you can't do this, then

Use CSS properties to specify elements. And if all the above aren't options, then

Use text or xpath locators or something and hope for the best.

Generally patterns like this are a good heuristic for identifying locators. However, the nature of front-end web applications has gradually changed over the past decade. Most front-ends are now generated through frameworks and not through hand-written HTML, CSS and JS. A result of such frameworks is that elements aren't always able to be directly manipulated by developers, and you need to rely on the capabilities of the framework. Browsers (and computers more generally) have gotten faster and more efficient. And lastly, tooling has evolved greatly for browser automation. Selenium WebDriver is a web standard now, and there's lots of other tools that can be used.

Based on all this progress, one would imagine that there's been progress on how to choose or use locators well with modern and maybe less-modern web apps and pages. One would be, I think, disappointed to find out there hasn't been much progress here. Finding and maintaining locators is pretty similar to how things looked many years ago. Front-end developers still hesitate to add custom attributes for testing sometimes. Newer web frameworks dynamically create elements, so id attributes are either not present or not reliable enough for automation. No one understands CSS, still.

What to do based on this state of affairs? I've been using Playwright lately for browser automation, and Playwright provides a getByText() method for finding elements. I started using it out of convenience at first and, well, I'm convinced it's a good approach. Why? Because - frankly - it works well.

The thing about text in web applications, whether that be labels next to inputs or placeholder text, is that it's actually fairly stable. Most buttons with the text Submit will continue to have the text Submit for a long time. And if the text does change on an element it is straightforward and obvious to update your tests. Plus, text doesn't tend to go away: moving from Angular to React to Vue to Svelte still means your Name field has a label of "Name" that end users will see.

One big objection to using text is localization internationalization, which can be a valid point. However, if your web app has five options for language, does that mean the logic and workflows change as well? They might, but if they don't, you can likely test one language and still feel confident in the test results. If you can't use text-based locators, then you'll have to evalutate your strategy anyway.

I am a big fan of the adage "What's the simplest thing that could possibly work". When it comes to finding elements by text, this advice seems to hold true.

[gqattech]

GQAT Tech’s QA Arsenal: Powerful Tools That Make Quality Assurance Smarter

In this technology-driven age, delivering high-quality software is not an optional function but a necessity. Clients now expect us to produce digital products— apps, websites, etc.-- that are made quickly and error-free. The best way to achieve this is with a quality assurance (QA) process and effective tools to adapt to their needs.

The GQAT Tech QA team calls their QA efficient and effective tools combined, and their QA arsenal productive platforms, automation, tools, and proven processes. These testing tools and approaches can help a QA team find bugs more quickly, decrease hands-on effort, and allow more test coverage depending on the software project.

Now, let's look at what a QA Arsenal is, why it is important, and how QA will help your business produce better software.

What is the QA Arsenal?

The "QA Arsenal" refers to the collection of tools, frameworks, and strategies at GQAT Tech that the QA team employs to provide quality testing to clients.  The QA Arsenal is like a toolbox, where everything a tester needs to complete the project is in the toolbox. 

It includes:

Automation testing tools

Manual testing techniques

Defect tracking systems

Performance testing platforms

Mobile and web testing tools

CI/CD integrations

Reporting and analytics dashboards

What Makes GQAT’s QA Arsenal Unique?

We do not use tools haphazardly. We use the most appropriate tools based on the client's type of project, technology stack, service timeline, and quality. The QA Arsenal is designed to offer flexibility and therefore considers: 

Web apps

Mobile apps

Embedded systems

IoT devices

Enterprise software

Whether functional test, compatibility test, API test, performance test, GQAT Tech utilizes a custom mixture of tools to ensure that it is reliable, secure, and ready for launch.

Tools Included in the QA Arsenal

Here are some common tools and platforms GQAT Tech uses:

🔹 Automation Tools

Selenium – For web application automation

Appium – For mobile app automation

TestNG / JUnit – For running and managing test cases

Robot Framework – For keyword-driven testing

Postman – For API testing

JMeter – For performance and load testing

🔹 Defect & Test Management

JIRA – To log, track, and manage bugs

TestRail / Zephyr – For test case management

Git & Jenkins – For CI/CD and version control

BrowserStack / Sauce Labs – For cross-browser and device testing

How It Helps Clients

Using the QA Arsenal allows GQAT Tech to:

Detect Bugs Early – Catch issues before they reach end-users

Save Time – Automation reduces time spent on repetitive tasks

Test on Real Devices – Ensures compatibility across systems

Generate Reports – Easy-to-read results and test status

Integrate with DevOps – Faster release cycles and fewer rollbacks

Improve Product Quality – Fewer bugs mean a better user experience

Real Results for Real Projects

GQAT Tech’s QA Arsenal has been successfully used across different domains like:

FinTech

Healthcare

E-commerce

Travel & Transport

EdTech

AI and IoT Platforms

With their domain expertise and knowledge of tools, they help businesses go faster, mitigate risks, and build customer diligence.

Conclusion

Building a great QA team is essential, but having them equipped with the right tools makes all the difference. GQAT Tech’s QA Arsenal provides their testers with everything they need to test faster, smarter, and more comprehensively.

If you are building a digital product and want to ensure it is released in the real world, you need a testing partner who does not leave things to chance. You need a testing partner with a battle-tested QA arsenal.

💬 Ready to experience smarter quality assurance?

👉 Explore GQAT Tech’s QA Arsenal and get in touch with their expert team today!

[timberviewgolfclub1]

StaidLogic is an Information Technology Solutions and Services provider, helping organizations improve productivity by enabling digital and cloud transformation and by enabling process optimization with an unparalleled degree of agility.

[fugu-in-f]

it's fucking terrible garbage

a corporate build-it-yourself comedy of errors

a pointlessly large aggregation of stuff that does not work and stuff that companies rebuild that does not work

oh my god if it builds a table and there's a clickable link in a table cell, it's not actually a table cell in the middle of the table, that's a table header and that table cell does not exist

sometimes it makes its own browser subtabs and sometimes it opens its own browser page as subtabs and then you've got three instances of Salesforce nested inside your Salesforce webpage

its search features sometimes just gives up when you're searching for a specific string or number

its duplicate rules checking is arcane and asinine

oh, you loaded a page too fast? waow, component error

its permission hierarchy is incomprehensible - have a role and a permission and a permission set and a permission set group and no these do not overlap how you think they do

I test this shit for a living and I'm incrementing violent decades and maybe it's just all my terrible programmers writing garbage on the platform, but it's awful and I hate it

what the fuck is a salesforce. we're briefly alive for a few violent decades