Automation testing software has transformed product development cycles in the fast-paced tech industry. A groundbreaking addition to this field is codeless test automation tools that offer unmatched flexibility without programming expertise.
As a result, these tools have gained immense popularity, with their value projected to soar, with an estimated worth of US$2 billion in 2023 and a growth rate of 15.6%, reaching US$8.6 billion by 2033, as reported by Future Market Insights.
However, not all codeless tools are created equal. The initial excitement surrounding their adoption faded when the test automation projects faced scalability issues. In addition, automating applications still under development or update became a maintenance nightmare that required tedious re-recording of entire tests.
Consequently, this has highlighted the need for codeless solutions that address these limitations and offer better functionality, adaptability, and scalability that truly cater to the needs of companies and testers.
Therefore, this blog will explore the five essential features that every codeless automation testing tool should have. Let’s dive in.
5 Features Every Codeless Test Automation Tool Should Offer
#1. Smart Element Locator
Smart element locators solve one of the biggest challenges in test automation: maintaining stable scripts. Whether using coded or codeless automation frameworks, testers often encounter situations when scripts break. However, codeless solutions provide an edge by capturing multiple element locators during recording.
By gathering alternative locators for each element, codeless tools can empower testers to develop robust scripts. If a locator becomes invalid during playback, the tool automatically tries the alternative locators, increasing the chances of script stability.
This approach significantly reduces the maintenance burden and ensures that scripts remain reliable even in dynamic software environments. With smart element locators, testers can confidently adapt to application changes, saving time and effort.
#2. Reusable Steps
Picture this: you’re faced with multiple scenarios requiring the same steps. Take logging into an application, for instance. It’s a common action for numerous tests. However, repeating and recording this step in each test can quickly turn into tedious upkeep.
Imagine the chaos that would ensue if anything changed with the login step. The test author would be left with the arduous task of updating every test containing it. Talk about a time-consuming process!
That’s where codeless tools come into play. They empower authors to record these common steps effortlessly and insert them into any test flow, saving valuable time during authoring, promoting reusability, and simplifying maintenance.
And the best part? When a change occurs in one of these frequently used steps, updating it won’t require modifying every test that includes it, increasing the efficiency of codeless test automation.
#3. Cross-Browser Testing
When it comes to test automation tools, we often encounter browser extensions. However, the software that companies build goes beyond specific browsers’ limitations. Therefore, we must run tests across multiple browsers and devices to ensure comprehensive testing. This can be a daunting task for script authors, as each application contains numerous scenarios that require thorough examination.
A good scriptless test automation tool should allow test authors to use the tests on multiple browsers available and streamline testing by running parallel sessions across various devices. Further, it should also allow test authors to record a scenario on one browser and effortlessly play that recording on any other major browser allowing a seamless and fast cross browser testing.
#4. Custom Code Integration
While codeless tools offer extensive capabilities, they may only cover some possible scenarios. That’s why test authors must have the flexibility to incorporate custom code for the unique edge cases.
Today, testers are exploring models such as the Test Automation Pyramid, which involves exercising actions as web services instead of UI actions. This approach leads to faster and more reliable test scripts.
Therefore, codeless automation testing tools must allow room for testers to bridge the gap between codeless and custom code integration by letting them insert code within tests catering to complex scenarios specific to the Application Under Test (AUT).
#5. Easy Assertions
Recording user actions in an application is a breeze with codeless automation tools. However, validating those actions has always been a challenge. Traditionally, adding assertions in codeless tools required manual work.
The codeless test automation tools make adding assertions in test scripts as seamless as adding navigational steps. Furthermore, there is a need to prioritize this feature since it plays a crucial role in determining the success and accuracy of tests.
An assertion ensures that the test fails whenever the result does not match the expectations. There are two types of assertions: hard assertions and soft assertions.
A hard assertion immediately throws an error when an assertion fails, providing immediate feedback. On the other hand, a soft assertion allows the remaining steps to be executed even if the assertion fails, enabling you to gather comprehensive test results and obtain accurate insights.
Final Word
In conclusion, by incorporating those mentioned five essential features, codeless test automation tools can empower testers to overcome challenges and achieve reliable and comprehensive test results. By embracing these features, organizations can enhance their software development cycles, accelerate time-to-market, and ensure the delivery of high-quality applications to their users.
With the ever-increasing demand for efficient software testing, adopting codeless test automation tools equipped with these essential features is poised to drive significant advancements in the field, changing the way testing is conducted and bringing value to the entire software development lifecycle.
One of the best tools that encompasses these features and more is TestGrid.
With TestGrid, you don’t have to install anything. You can simply login into your account using a browser, and you can access all devices and browsers available. It also provides all the services under one roof- mobile application testing tool, API testing tool, and Performance testing tool so you don’t have to buy licenses from different vendors. So, try TestGrid by signing up for a demo on their website.