I am glad to share that a guest post I wrote for The Test Tribe website has now been published.
I was approached by the team to contribute to their valuable and rich content library where they publish articles, how to’s, insights on testing topics, case studies and upskilling posts for their vast testing community.
I wrote about the life of a tester in an Agile Pod and how it might be different from a traditional tester. We follow a typical day of Ted, our protagonist who is a tester in an agile pod team. We see how he spends his day working with his developers, product owner and other stakeholders along with balancing his duties as a pod leader. Read the article here to follow along on his exciting journey–>
It is a great feeling to be acknowledged and appreciated at your workplace, not just for what you do at work, but also for everything you bring along – your passions, your talents and interests beyond your desk – For Being You!
It was an honor to be featured in the ‘Getting to Know You’ session by my CSS Org at Alteryx amongst top leaders and executives and by such a dynamic and talented host, who is an @Alteryx veteran!
The session was focused on my personal as well as professional life, my career journey, my background and my interests work. We talked about my passion for trainings and learning, the conferences I speak at and my blog. The twins got a special mention and loads of adorable comments too! 🙂
It went great and we had so much fun just chatting, with loads of fun questions by the hosts as well as the audience!
It was immensely gratifying and humbling to see how interested people are in my story and how many great words of appreciation came back to me after the talk!
Though the recording is for the internal folks, here is a glimpse of the end-
As always, I am grateful for each opportunity that comes my way to connect with such wonderful people and be given a platform like this to share my story. Thanks @Alteryx!
As we know that web apps are becoming more complex, testing them is also getting equally sophisticated. The stats show that 88% of online buyers are less likely to repeat the orders if the website has bad UI/UX. Hence, it is important to perform thorough testing of web apps to ensure that it has standardized user experience, functions, and security.
For the testing process, there are many automation testing tools available along with manual testing tools. Automation tools help in reducing the risk of making human errors while testing any system and also enhance the accurate consistency of the test results. In this article, we will see more about top web app testing tools to learn in 2023. So, let’s dive in!
What is Web App Testing?
Web app testing, or web testing is a process in the SDLC that ensures that the quality of the software and its functionalities are as per the intended requirements of the clients.
The web app testing process also allows you to find errors at any given time before the app or project is released.
Testing any project is quite important before it is released for users to use it. If it is not checked and tested properly, it might cause a heavy crash of that software and also cost you a hefty money expense.
To make the testing process easier, we rely on web app testing tools – that may be open source (free to use) or commercial (paid tools). There might be pros and cons to using each of these, the decision you make regarding the tools to be used is based on your team’s need, budget and resources.
Pros and Cons of Open Source Testing Tools
Pros
Cons
The primary advantage of having an open-source testing tool is the cost of entry. Open-source tools like Selenium can be used free of cost. If your team is working with a client who is cost conscious, using free tools is an amazing alternative. Another benefit is the flexibility that testers can get by using open-source tools. Some tools have a large user community behind them. And there are some cool libraries too that can be used easily. Moreover, open-source tools also support different languages. For instance, Selenium offers support for different languages like Python, Java, C#, etc.
The foremost disadvantage of open source testing tools is the technical barrier of entry.
Quality is also an underrated con of continuing with different open source testing tools.
If you are the leader of the testing team who does not have any automation professionals, then open source testing tools can develop some problems. In such cases, a commercial testing tool is a better option.
Pros and Cons of Commercial Testing Tools
Pros
Cons
There are various advantages of Commercial testing tools, that is you do not need a robust in-house skill set to start and run. Different commercial tools use in-built workflows that can make striking the ground off much smoother.
Commercial testing tools also have in-built support and documentation that is huge. There is much documentation available in a well-written format which is easy to use for testers.
High team support is also an advantage of commercial testing tools. You can contact the team managing the tool, in case of any emergency arises while using the tool.
The in-built feature of reporting present in commercial testing tools is also considered as their main advantage. However, the custom reporting feature of open source tools is also useful.
One of the main disadvantages of using commercial testing tools is its cost. These tools are prohibitively expensive and users need to pay subscription rates to use them. Either annually or monthly fees have to be paid for using the tool.
These tools are not flexible like open-source testing tools. Hence these tools are only used while testing particular tasks. If you try to test things that are out of the box for commercial tools, it may drastically fail.
Here we will discuss the best tools available for web app testing. These tools will help you find the hidden bugs and process them further until they are removed.
Web Application testing tools
Let’s discuss the list of top web app testing tools that are trending at the current time:
Selenium
It is an open-source web automation testing tool and is the most widely used tool in the modern era of critical testing. Selenium is one of the best tools which automates across different OSs like Mac, Linux, and Windows and also on browsers like Chrome, Firefox, IT, etc.
The test script of Selenium can be written in any programming language like Java, Python, C#, Ruby, PHP, JS, and Perl. This tool also offers record & playback features with a simple browser add-on named Selenium IDE. There’s a POWERFUL Selenium WebDriver that helps you develop more advanced and complex automation testing scripts.
Here are some features of Selenium:
It has multi-browser support
Selenium provides multi-language compatibility
Quick identification of errors and use of quality web elements
Good performance feature
It also provides dynamic web elements for the use
Selenium is open-source and free to use
It is portable, which means it works easily with different OSs
It also has a reusability feature for testing scripts
Katalon Platform
Katalon is a comprehensive automation solution for Web, API, Desktop, and Mobile app testing. With a strong user base of more than 0.5 million, both experienced and beginners test engineers can relish its practical and versatile features for an easy testing process.
Integration platforms: Azure DevOps, BrowserStack, Circle CI, etc.
Supported Platforms: Linux, Windows, MacOS
It also provides a 30-day free trial.
Here are the features of the Katalon Platform:
It is flexible in testing design. Beginners in automation testing can use playback and record functions for making tests quickly. While the experts can use in-built keywords for improved productivity along with advanced scripting capacities.
Easy selenium migration is possible with TestNG/JUnit framework
It can execute powerful tests and has cross-browser automation tests along with CI/CD pipeline integrations.
It supports testing methodologies like Page Object Model Testing, Keyword-Driven testing, TDD/BDD testing, etc.
It reduces test maintenance effort and cost
You also get a centralized report dashboard
Testpad
Testpad tool is a simple and more accessible manual testing tool that is a good option for testing web apps. It prioritizes pragmatism over the process and uses checklists like test planning that can be in the form of various ranges of styles like Agile’s manual testing side, exploratory testing, BDD syntax highlights, and also traditional test case management.
Integration platforms: Jira, GitHub, Pivotal, etc.
Supported Platforms: Linux, Windows, Web apps, etc.
It also provides a 30-day free trial.
Here are the key features of the Textpad tool:
Guest testers are invited by a simple email, and they do not need special accounts to handle the testing process
Simple to use even by non-testing professionals. Everyone can help in the testing process when required
It has drag and drop feature for test plans
There’s an editor that is Keyboard-driven with JS-powered UI
It is a lightweight tool with issue trackers and JIRA
Intruder
intruder is also a powerful error scanner that will assist you to uncover different weaknesses lurking in the web apps and underlying infrastructure. It offers powerful security checks, timely and continuous monitoring, and also it is an easy-to-use tool. Intruder tools will keep your web app safe from hackers.
Integration platforms: GitHub, ServiceNow, Slack, Teams, etc.
Supported Platforms: Windows
It also provides a 14-day free trial.
Here are the features of Intruder:
It has best-in-class coverage of threats that covers over 10,000 security checks
It checks for missing patches, configuration weaknesses, and app weaknesses like SQL injection, Cross-site scripting, etc.
Automatic prioritization and analysis of scan results
Automatic analysis and priority of scan results
It has an intuitive interface, easy to set up and execute your scans
It takes proactive security testing for modern vulnerabilities
AWS, Google Cloud, Azure connectors
API integration is easy with CI/CD pipeline while using this tool
testRigor
This tool assists you to express the tests directly as executable specifications are made in English. Users belonging to different technical firms can develop a full test case, small/medium/complex which converts web, mobile, and API in one test. Test steps are made as per the end-user level instead of just relying on details of XPaths, and CSS Selectors.
Integration platforms: TestRail, Zephyr, XRay, Jira, etc.
Supported Platforms: Windows, iOS, MacOS
It also provides a 14-day free trial.
Here are the features of testRigor:
It has a free-forever public version
Test cases are made in English
Recorder facility for web steps
Unlimited tests and unlimited users
testRigor is the easiest tool to learn automation
Easy integration with CI/CD
Helps in test case management
SMS & Email testing
Web, Mobile, and API steps in the test
Many More
The list is endless with fantastic tools like QA Wolf, TestSigma, and many more.. You can pick the one you like and that fits the needs of your team and project.
Final words
There are many web app testing tools present in the market that can greatly change the effectiveness and efficiency of the testing process. These tools ultimately offer a huge range of features and expertise that allows you to conduct comprehensive testing and ensures that the reliability and quality of your web app are not compromised.
Selenium is a well-known tool amongst testers as it is versatile and robust to use. The ability to automate the browser functions and support various programming languages makes it an easily flexible and suitable tool in many scenarios.
Moreover, tools like TestComplete, Appium, SoapUI, etc., are worth considering and depend on your particular testing needs. The final choice of picking any web application testing tool will depend on your needs, budget, and expertise. By using any of these top tools, one can streamline the testing process, search for bugs, solve them, and finally deliver high-quality web apps which provide a beautiful user experience.
<This is a Guest Post by Colin Rooney>
<Author Bio: Colin Rooney is a Technical Consultant at a reputed web development company. He has expertise in developing enterprise level web applications in various domains such as PHP, Laravel, magento and React JS. He loves to share his bylines through blogs. You can find his blogs on many famous websites.>
Agile software development has become the modern gold standard in programming and tech innovation. Known for its dynamic and flexible methodology, Agile is rooted in customer satisfaction, consistent delivery, teamwork, and the capacity to adapt to changes.
However, central to the Agile methodology is a component that often goes unappreciated – testing.
No matter how elegant or efficient the code is, thorough testing is necessary for it to succeed. This post will dive into the critical role of testing within Agile, demonstrating how it aligns with programming & source control best practices, such as using Git, implementing effective web development strategies, and leveraging Azure. By exploring various testing strategies, we aim to shine a light on enhancing your software development process for success.
Understanding Agile Testing
Agile testing is a critical part of the Agile methodology. Unlike traditional testing methods, it is integrated into every stage of development rather than being a separate phase. This approach ensures that issues are identified and resolved quickly, facilitating a smoother development process.
The key principles of Agile testing include:
Continuous Testing: Test early; test often. Agile testing happens continuously throughout the development process.
Team Involvement: Everyone on the Agile team participates in testing, not just designated testers.
Feedback and Improvement: Agile testing thrives on feedback, adapting, and improving as the project progresses.
Unlike traditional testing methods that usually occur after coding is complete, Agile testing runs concurrently with development. This continuous, intertwined process allows for rapid adjustments, reduces bug accumulation, and ensures that the final product aligns more closely with user needs. Agile testing’s essence is flexibility, frequent communication, and adaptability, instrumental to successful software development.
Agile Testing Strategies
Navigating the dynamic waters of Agile software development requires robust, adaptable testing strategies. These methods facilitate quality assurance, swift error detection, and effective communication, all while keeping the user’s needs at the forefront.
While the software development process is going on. It is necessary to test various functions of the software repeatedly. Repeated testing ensures that the software is working in an intended manner and bugs (if present) are eliminated.
Many software development companies use smoke testing to find if the project is ready for end users’ use or if are there any more necessary changes in the software.
When in-depth testing is done, the chances of solving even the smallest bugs increase. In this article, we will understand what smoke testing is, along with its benefits, risks, and when to use this technique. So, let’s dive into this together.
What is Smoke Testing?
Smoke test, aka, confidence testing, is a process to know the functionality, stability, integration ability, and efficiency of the project under development.
One can also call this process verification testing as the test checkers for errors with the software build. This technique generally involves multiple tests that testers can conduct manually or use automated test methods.
Testing different software components can enable the testers to discover breaches in the code issues without using more valuable assets. Smoke testing also helps the QA team to determine whether the software is ready to release or might require additional development and testing work.
Why is Smoke testing required?
Smoke testing is a process that is performed in the phase of software when it is released to the QA and testing team. Consider a situation where an eCommerce app is deployed in the testing phase, but when the tests are going on, it is found the user is not allowed to log into the app to proceed and perform different tasks; or one can say- the user is blocked from using the app because he/she is not able to perform basic login activities.
Then there is no meaning in performing detailed and exhaustive testing of other major modules of the app. First, the development team has to solve the issue where users cannot log in to the app. Such issues are determined and solved first while performing smoke testing.
Here are some prime reasons why smoke testing is used while developing software or an app:
Smoke testing finds major issues in the app in the beginning only
It helps in reducing the efforts and time of the QA team that could be wasted if the project is not stable
With smoke testing one can make early identification of the defects
It increases the stability of the software or app developed
It has been a while since I have made it to an in-person event. So, this one was extra special.
Though, a very busy week (or perhaps month 😛 ) left little time to prepare for my talk, I was excited for the day and to present in person, network and meet people at the conference. And the day matched my expectations!
It was really fun presenting to such an engaged crowd and I was amazed at the response and feedback I received during and after the session! There were some great discussions, very keen participants sharing their own stories & experiences and many fantastic comments by the delegates.
My Topic was – “Keep the Wheels of Continuous Testing in Motion”
The event was also a great platform to meet people and teams from esteemed organisations. I spent time chatting with very talented people and made some great connections.
I also took this opportunity to dust off my Sketch notes pad 🙂 I made sketchnotes for some interesting sessions of the day.
Test Automation in Digital World, Vadeesh Budramane, AlgoshackAccelarate DevOps for Data Science / BI , Sripad Hebbar, InfobloxDevOps Test Strategy using Browser Stack, Narendra Babu
I thank 1point21GWS team for having me as a part of this esteemed speaker panel.
I am always grateful for opportunities like this and always look forward to more such days!
Digital development and customer experience run parallel with each other. Thus, businesses across the world majorly focus on customer satisfaction as it is the only key to success. The way businesses are operating has changed drastically in the past few years. However, it is the one thing that will not change is the customer impact. It means if your product or service doesn’t appeal to your audience, then you must focus on improving them. There is no doubt that marketing will help you to some extent, but you will not go too far. Significantly when it comes to software testing, customer experience is still a priority. It is the base of the testing strategy that guides the testers and developers to make it the best.
Customer-Centric Testing Approach
The customer-centric testing approach revolves around prioritizing the user experience over rigid specifications and aims to automate exploratory testing to enhance speed and scalability. In this approach, the main focus is on understanding and meeting the needs and expectations of the customers.
This customer-centric testing approach goes beyond traditional testing methods that solely rely on predefined test cases and requirements. Instead, it embraces a more adaptive and dynamic approach that allows for continuous feedback and improvement.
By continuously monitoring and analyzing the user experience, testing teams can proactively identify areas of improvement and make data-driven decisions to enhance the overall user satisfaction. By leveraging machine learning and AI, organizations can scale their testing efforts while ensuring a high degree of accuracy and efficiency. The intelligent algorithms can process vast amounts of data and provide actionable insights, enabling testing teams to optimize their testing strategies and prioritize their efforts based on the most critical areas affecting the user experience.
Key Aspects of Customer Experience
Customer experience plays a vital role in strategizing software testing. To understand how, let’s have a look at the following points.
1- Trends in social media
Businesses nowadays should be transparent for an effective communication flow with the customers. A wide range of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. provides you with direct feedback. Furthermore, you can easily expand your target audience and improve customer loyalty.
2- Human approach
Every growing business focuses on improving customer behavior. It also helps in understanding the current and upcoming demands. Gathering information such as requirements, customer behavior, cultural behavior, etc. prompts innovation to bring new ideas.
3- Regular improvements
Just gathering feedback from the customers will do nothing. As an organization, you must respond to them. The task of creating a positive impact becomes easy when you start solving the doubts and problems. This feedback will lead the testing and development team to know where they lack and rectify the issues smoothly.
I am glad to announce that I will be speaking at the 7th World Test Engineering Summit happening in Bangalore this month! And, this will be my first in-person conference since 2020, so I am even more excited for it!
The event will deliver in-depth content targeted at architects, developers, testers, integrators and managers by offering lectures and technical session to share expertise on the latest technologies, trends, tips and techniques. It is a great opportunity to present, learn, and challenge modern testing technologies and strategies!
This conference is split into two days with the first day being focused on Quality Assurance, Microservices and Serverless while Day 2 will focus on Agile Testing, Test Automation and Technology.
Check out the topic of my talk and the details on 23rd June.
Topic : Keep the Wheels of Continuous Testing in Motion
Description : Continuous testing is the way toward continuous delivery. Software teams must strive for continuous improvement of their continuous testing strategy. The key there is to embrace the continuity.The constant pressure of ‘speed to market’ needs testing to evolve and adapt. The factors that can help to keep the wheel of continuous testing in motion are both external and internal. Testers look outwards for priorities, collaboration and transparency; while they look inwards to reimagine processes, templatize lightweight documentation and recreate their own way of life in the testing world! Let us discuss ways we can plan, strategise and conduct software testing that befits continuous software delivery.
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is a software that provides a suite of applications to manage the core processes of a business. These processes include finance and accounting, human resources, supply chain, procurement, manufacturing, and customer relationship management. ERP systems are designed to automate and integrate core business processes, providing all information at a single source for easy decision-making.
ERP systems come in different types, and they can be classified based on an organization’s needs, budget, and preferences.
Types of ERP Systems
On-Premise ERP
This type of ERP system is installed on the organization’s in-house servers and hardware. It is maintained and handled by the organization’s IT department. Although it provides greater control over the system, the cost of implementation, hardware, and maintenance is usually high.
Cloud-Based ERP
The software is hosted on a cloud server, and organizations access it via the Internet. They only pay for the software features and modules they need, and the providers generally take care of the hosting, maintenance, and updates. Cloud-based ERP is more affordable than on-premise ERP and is gaining popularity due to the low initial investment and the ability to access data in real-time, from anywhere in the world.
Hybrid ERP
This type of ERP system is a mix of on-premise and cloud-based ERP. The organization can use on-premise implementation to handle sensitive data within the organization, while it puts less sensitive modules on the cloud.
Open-source ERP
An open-source ERP system is a software that is available for anyone to use, customize and distribute. In Open-source ERP, an organization can modify the code to suit its specific business needs. It’s free and provides greater flexibility, but the downside is that the organization must be equipped with IT expertise to handle the system.
Future Trends of ERP
1. AI and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing ERP systems by enabling predictive analytics, machine-to-machine communication, and automated decision-making.
AI and ML algorithms can analyze large datasets and provide insights into areas such as demand forecasting, supply chain optimization, and predictive maintenance.
By automating routine tasks and decision-making processes, businesses can reduce costs, improve accuracy, and free up their employees to focus on more strategic tasks.
2. Integration with IoT
ERP systems are also integrating with the Internet of Things (IoT) to create smarter supply chains and manufacturing processes.
IoT devices such as sensors, beacons, and RFID tags can collect data in real time, enabling businesses to track inventory levels, monitor production processes, and optimize delivery routes.
By integrating ERP with IoT, businesses can create a truly connected and intelligent supply chain that can predict and respond to changing market conditions.
3. Cloud Deployment
With cloud computing gaining momentum, businesses are shifting towards cloud-based ERP solutions to reduce infrastructure costs, improve scalability, and facilitate remote accessibility.
Cloud deployment allows businesses to access ERP systems from anywhere and at any time, enabling employees to work remotely and collaborate more effectively.
It also provides better security measures than on-premise solutions since data is stored on cloud servers and is protected by multiple layers of security protocols.
4. Mobility
With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, employees are no longer tied to their desks and can use their mobile devices to access ERP systems.
Mobile ERP solutions offer real-time access to data, allowing employees to stay informed of critical business processes such as inventory, sales, production, and delivery status.
Mobile ERP solutions also provide push notifications and alerts, enabling employees to take immediate action on any issues or opportunities.
5. Customization
Customers are increasingly demanding personalized experiences, and businesses are responding by customizing their products and services to meet these demands.
ERP systems are also becoming more customizable, allowing businesses to tailor their solutions to their specific needs. Customization can include adding new modules, integrating with third-party applications, and configuring workflows to suit specific business processes.
Customization enables businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors and provide unique value to their customers.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is clear that there are multiple trends that are coming onto the surface such as cloud deployment, mobility, AI and ML, integration with IoT, and customization are all major trends that are shaping the future of ERP systems. By adopting these trends, businesses can gain a competitive edge, optimize their operations, and provide exceptional customer experiences.
Yes, it has been silent here for a few months now. So, here is a quick update on where I have been all this while!
I have been busy delivering the biggest project of my life 🙂 My hubby Rajesh and I are glad to announce the arrival of our twins Amay (boy) and Arya (girl). I am currently on my maternity leave and taking the time to recover as well as tend to my tiny humans who stake the claim to the entirety of my days at the moment 🙂 I am trying to soak up every moment of this glorious time! I will get back to work in a couple of months. So, conference speaking is on the back-burner for now and so is blogging.
Meanwhile, I am looking forward to collaborating with guest authors for some interesting posts up here. I have had some request emails and am currently reviewing those. If you have something in mind you would like to write about, do reach out to me here or on Linkedin.
testwithnishi 