Test Automation Frameworks: Future of Software Testing

With the advent of new technologies and strategies for web applications, the time taken to write and deploy programs reduced tremendously. In such scenarios, nowadays most of the testing is also done by the developers themselves. As a result there were many code based test automation platforms that were brought into the market.

Test automation framework is a common platform for developers to provide an execution environment for test scripts. Every framework has its unique guidelines, procedures and rules for test creation and implementation. There is hundreds of automation frameworks developed over the years by various automation communities. But developers and organizations find it difficult to understand and decide which framework to choose and why.
Not to forget, automation framework is not a tool to perform your tests, but rather its an infrastructure that defines what different systems can do their tasks and how efficiently.
Test Framework Designing
Any proposed test automation platform should provide rules and guidelines that help you to create test cases. The framework should be user friendly and allow the team to get desired results for the tests. Such automated frameworks should improve the quality life of QA professionals by making their testing activities more fun and efficient.
For examples, the following guidelines can be followed in your framework.

• Standards for coding
• Repositories of objects
• Test data methodologies
• saving and storing results
• Any other external assistance

Benefits of Employing Automated Frameworks
So how will you known that automated frameworks is working for you? Well, if your framework provides the following benefits, then b rest assured that you’ve got your framework right on the track.

• Low cost of maintenance
• Consistency in testing
• Creating reusable code
• minimizing manual intervention
• Distinctive Programmability and Shelf Life

Automated frameworks can bring a lot of benefits to your testing life cycle. Many organizations still prefer and run manual tests because they are unaware about properly integrating automated tests in their development process.
Below are test automation frameworks approaches that are widely used in industries.
Data Driven Framework
Data Driven framework is the most used test automation software in the market today. The method follows a process where test cases are built in an excel sheet and then it is imported into the automation testing tool.  Data driven framework allows building positive, as well as negative test cases in one go.
Many a times there might seem a need to have a number of data sets for the same single functionality and running different data manually is very time consuming. In such cases, data driven framework comes as a saver. For e.g. when we want to test multiple fields of forms like login/register/signup etc. we don’t create separate data sets.
Linear Automation Framework
Also known as ‘Record and Playback’, this is one of the simplest frameworks of all. In this framework, the manual tester manually records all the steps including navigation and user inputs, and inserts checkpoints. He can then play back the recorded script in subsequent rounds.
Linear automation framework is the fastest way to generate scripts. You do not require automations experts to perform the tests. The testing tools are very easy to use and understand.
Table Driven Framework
Table driven testing, also known as keyword driven testing, is a framework famous for its use to both manual as well as automation testing. The framework is based on the idea of using data files that contain keywords related to the application that is being tested. These keywords define a set of actions required to carry out a particular function.
Keywords are of 2 types, high-level and low-level keywords.  Hence before you opt for this framework, you first define the set of keywords and then associate them to a set of actions or functions.
Modular Based Testing Framework
The most basic type of automation framework that is used today is the modular based testing framework. In this framework, each business module and functionality is separated out and taken care of separately. Hence it is also called the ‘Test Script Modularity Framework.

Also read : A Beginner’s Guide to iOS Automation Testing

The testing framework requires creating of small, independent scripts that depict the working of the modules, functions and sections under test. This small tests are then clubbed together to create a larger test to construct a bigger module.
Library Architecture Testing Framework
Library Architecture Testing Framework initially works by Linear automation framework, which follows the ‘Record and Playback’ system. At a later stage, the results and identified and grouped together into various functions. These functions are then called from the main script and used in different cases.

Similar to the modular framework, this framework will provide higher level of modularization, which makes maintenance and scalability easier and more cost effective. The only drawback includes that this framework requires a higher level of expertise to analyse the common functions of the test cases.
Hybrid Testing Framework
As the name suggests, hybrid framework inculcates 2 or more testing frameworks from the above list. The best thing about this framework is that it offers you all the benefits provided by different testing frameworks.
Hybrid framework is a component based architecture that will give you reusable components that are designed to be re-used in different aspects. However, some components are designed only for a specific task.
Conclusion
The best approach for implementing a framework is to find the right tool which quickly adapts to your processes. While selecting an automation framework, look for the one that is flexible and supports a wide range of languages and third party applications. This will allow your team to save a lot of time and contribute to their testing efforts.
When you think about implementing the hybrid framework, remember, there are times when there is a requirement of a standard framework for tests. During a situation when there are multiple modules of an application and there are more number of developers involved who encompass their own idea of implementing automation,a single framework is your life saver.