Robotic Process Automation: A Quality software robot that mimics human actions. These software robots can be designed and deployed using RPA tools. These tools use predefined activities and business rules to autonomously execute tasks, transactions, or processes across multiple software systems. RPA can deliver the desired results without any human interaction.
Testing Automation: This software testing method uses specialized tools to control the execution of tests. The actual results are compared with the predicted ones. The automation of test results is done automatically without any interaction from the tester. This is an essential step in a development process and is used to add testing that might be difficult to do manually.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Mobile Test Automation (TA) are confusing terms in testing processes. RPA and Test Automation are one branch of the test segment, similar to TDD and BDD. They can be used in planning and communication. This is where the word "automation" seems to be the culprit.
If both terms end in automation, and someone is familiar with any of them, it's easy to assume another one from primitive knowledge. Although both these processes automate the process in some way, their "what" and "how" are entirely different.
This post is intended to help you understand the differences between RPA and Test Automation. It also validates that they work on different scenarios. It is essential to first understand the differences between RPA and Test Automation before we get into the details.
Robotic Process Automation: What Exactly Is It?
Google defines a robot as A machine that resembles a human being, capable of reproducing certain human functions automatically. Surprisingly this definition is compatible with RPA, although it has some slight modifications.
Robotic Process Automation refers to the ability to mimic a user's actions and perform them automatically. This is possible using artificial intelligence and machine-learning algorithms that learn patterns from user actions.
RPA can be achieved using software bots that have different capabilities. These boots are made available by other developers on the internet. The RPA bot converts user actions into tasks and activities performed by the bot without the user's involvement.
RPA requires AI algorithms as it doesn't blindly run tests repeatedly but executes the same actions in different scenarios. Data entry, for example, requires that we perform the same steps with different data but enter the data. RPA can help us achieve this.
Robotic Process Automation doesn't require complex codes to solve the problem. They are executed when the user performs actions on the graphical interface. This is due to RPA's "process" rather than Robotic "Test" Automation.
They are an integral part of business activities like data entry, fetching queries and manipulating data in certain situations. RPA eliminates redundancy and performs repetitive business analyst tasks to ensure efficiency and time-savings.
RPA has Many Benefits
These are the benefits of the RPA:
- High-Efficiency Results: RPA bots are highly efficient at performing their tasks. They are quicker and take less time.
- High-Performance: RPA is a machine-driven process. RPA is similar to machine-specific tasks and can work longer than a human tester.
- Perfect Resource Use: RPA uses resources more slowly and takes up less space when required. This allows for the creation of other processes.
- Cost-Effective Solutions: RPA is cost-effective because manual testers' work hours are not counted. RPA also makes work faster, which can be a cost-saving advantage.
- Highly Secure: RPA is highly secure and each task performed is single. There are very few chances of data theft and information is only shared through secure channels.
- Future Planning: RPA does an error-free job. This allows for high-quality analytics and can be used to plan for future investments and business goals.
What is Test Automation?
Testing Automation is the process of automating repetitive tasks, rather than following business rules. For testers who have been working professionally for a while, test automation is not new. Test cases can become repetitive when you have a large project and many modules.
Repetitive test cases are not only a waste of time and effort for testers but also make the process tedious and error-prone. They can even overlook certain bugs. These repetitive test cases can be automated to reduce costs and allow testers to focus their energies elsewhere.
Contrary to RPA, automation only understands specific commands. For example, a particular syntax will be required to perform a specific action. This syntax can be accomplished by either writing code or using codeless methods. While codeless methods can interpret commands, they will be simpler to understand. They will be easier for you to automate.
Test Automation's Benefits
These are some of the benefits that test automation offers:
- Time-Saver: When the application is under test, the automated tests run the repetitive tests. Manual testing can take up to 100 tests, so it is a waste of time. These tests can be run quickly and easily using test automation.
- Cost Saving: Automating tests can be used to run them all day with the same accuracy. These tests are not charged an hour and can be a cost-saving tool for businesses.
- Quicker Project Delivery: Automation can reduce the time it takes to deliver a project. Testers can concentrate on other tasks while automation handles repetitive tasks. A project can be quickly tested by having the work distributed.
- Increased Test Coverage: Because the repetitive tests are the same, we can add more tests to ensure better software quality. We can thus increase our test coverage without having to delete or skip any test case.
Automation is growing in every industry, from manufacturing to information technology and quality services. Automation has become an integral part of the daily lives of testers and businesses. Automation reduces our costs, saves us a lot of time, and is very accurate. Automation deserves all the attention it receives today. RPA and Automation tests are two such segments that branch from automation.
RPA is about automating business processes. It mimics tasks and actions while considering different scenarios using artificial intelligence. Robotic automation testing function requires specific rules and focuses only on testing software. Although they may sound similar, they are very different in their work and foundation.
RPA and automation are essential for building high-quality products and improving business performance. Each has its own set of benefits and disadvantages. The team must decide which one best suits their needs. RPA is essential for improving business processes and making them more productive, while test automation is crucial for building high-quality products.
The Difference Between Robotic Process Automation and Test Automation
Test Automation
Repetitive test cases are automated through test automation. Only the product and its features can be automated by test automation. Test automation requires programming or coding knowledge.
Automation is used in testing across multiple environments (QA, Production Performance, UAT). Only a limited number of people can use test automation (e.g. Developers and testers).
You can use test automation with restricted software environments. Selenium, for example, is only compatible with web applications. Automation of tests can help reduce execution time.
Robotic Process Automation cannot be performed using test automation tools. Software is required to use test automation tools.
The purpose of test automation tools is to verify that an IT application performs according to the specified specifications. "Selenium" are some of the most popular test automation tools.
Robotic Process Automation
- RPA automates a repetitive business process.
- RPA can be applied to both the product and other business processes.
- RPA allows you to drag and drop the task. Programming knowledge is not required.
- RPA does not require a single production environment.
- RPA can be used by all members of the team.
- RPA can be used in a variety of software environments.
- RPA automates tasks such as data entry, loan processing, and form-filling.
- RPA assists in reducing the number of human workers.
- RPA tools can be used as basic testing tools. These tools aren't as effective as test automation tools.
- RPA tools will be used to help achieve business goals.
- A lot of RPA tools also have an AI engine that can process data like a human.
Some of the most popular RPA tools include Blue Prism, Automation Anywhere and UiPath, NICE, and UiPath.
Read More: The Difference between Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence
Robotic Test Automation: Why?
Software testing is a way for firms to feel confident in making changes to SAP and other critical enterprise applications faster, more significantly, and more frequently. Robotic Test Automation technology makes it possible to tackle regression testing problems in a new and more efficient way.
Accelerate Value Delivery
Robotic Test Automation gives you the confidence to deliver anything, from large transformation projects like upgrades and cloud re-platforming to more regular releases at a faster speed. This makes regression testing much more efficient and effective, which removes a major roadblock from rapid realization of value.
Realize Coverage
RTA allows you to test almost everything every time, unlike the risk-based testing that can compromise your results. RTA builds a comprehensive regression test library that covers all technical interactions, so you don't have to compromise test volume with acceptable levels of risk.
No More Test Scripts
It takes a lot of time and effort to create and maintain test scripts, whether you use Word and Excel for manual testing, automation testing process or more traditional automation tools.
Regression testing in SAP is usually done late in the change process. Waiting for integrated systems slows down QA and increases the likelihood that errors aren't fixed in time or that the deployment date slips. Regression testing can be done with Testimony even before transports leave Development. This saves time and money.
What is the secret to it?
Robotic Test Automation monitors SAP code-by-system, uncovering deep technical interactions and execution pathways. This information is used to create an automated regression test library. When changes are made to SAP, the observed behavior is replicated automatically in an updated SAP system. This highlights any unexpected or divergent outcomes.
Robotic Test Automation Technology: Key Features
Robotic Test Automation technology teaches how SAP systems are used and interact with other systems. This eliminates the need to perform steps like end-user recording and business process discovery, test script creation, maintenance, and data management.
Server-side Instrumentation
RTA is based upon server-side recording of real users operating live systems. This provides insight into more behavior and deeper system interactions than standard client-side automation tools.
Beyond UI
Traditional tools for test automation tend to limit themselves to the UI level. It doesn't matter if what goes in and comes out is correct. RTA allows for a more thorough approach to the validation of operations and interactions that go beyond the UI (e.g. Batch jobs
Comprehensive automation
RTA eliminates the need for manual labor in regression testing. Because it can capture actual user behavior, creating comprehensive test libraries is easy. An array of "bots" replicate that behavior to verify the effect of any change.
No test data management
RTA helps you get rid of one of the most difficult aspects of testing - test data management. The self-contained test libraries are based on user behavior. They can be easily reused in a system updated with Production.
Multi-variant process analysis
RTA allows you to avoid the temptation of only testing idealized business processes or those more likely to cause problems. You can use its server-side capture technology to regression test multiple paths to the same result.
Scale easily
RTA allows you to scale regression testing as your system changes easily. You can record for a shorter time to create a smaller test library or for longer to provide more coverage. When your Production systems change, your libraries are automatically generated.
Robot Framework is an open-source test automation framework for acceptance testing or test-driven development. It can create test cases in different styles, including keyword-driven, behavior-driven, and data-driven. This makes it easy to understand. Test cases are written in keyword style and presented in tabular format. Robot Framework supports external libraries and tools that can be used to automate. Selenium Library is the most used library in Robot Framework. It's used for web development and UI testing.
Robot Framework Advantages
Robot Framework is open-source, so that anyone can try it out.
It's easy to use and allows you to create and execute test cases. The robot framework is easy to understand for beginners and doesn't require any testing knowledge.
It supports data-driven, behavior-driven, and keyword-driven styles of writing test cases.
It can be used to support external libraries. Selenium Library is the most popular and simple to install and use within the robot framework.
Robot Framework Limitations
A robot does not support if-else or nested loops. These are essential when code becomes complex.
Why is Test Automation Important?
Customers expect fast, secure and well-coded, efficient, reliable, intuitive, user-friendly, and fully featured applications. Automated software testing is an integral part of developers' production processes to keep up with this pace. Due to the dependence on open-source libraries and the continuous development of applications, developers must be able to run tests every time they change the code.
Each revision must be thoroughly vetted to ensure that there are no potential conflicts or errors. This results in repetitive, time-consuming tests that soon become too difficult to do manually.
Automated testing has the advantage of running code assessments by software that is difficult or tedious to do manually. It is also more difficult to maintain a high standard of accuracy while continually testing new revisions.
Wide range of developers are now looking for ways to use automated testing tools to increase efficiency and speed up their software development process.
Understanding the different types of automation testing before implementing the automation framework that best supports your business is essential.
Read More: How Robotic Process Automation Tools Can Offer Time-Saving Solutions?
What are the Different Types Of Automation Testing?
This guide covers the two main areas of software testing -- functional and nonfunctional -- and each type within these categories.
- Keyword-driven testing
- Integration testing
- Unit testing
- Smoke testing
- Regression testing
- Performance
- Security testing
- Data-driven testing
Functional Testing
Functional testing is the first type of software testing that software testers do on newly revised software. Functional testing is a method of verifying that the software works as intended.
This process verifies that the application's user interface under testing (AUT) interacts with connected databases and network applications correctly. High-level software communication layers are also examined in trials to verify that the application's front end works as intended.
Functional testing is about achieving the expected output from an input regardless of other variables. Testing that separates the program's functions and backend operations allows testers to see if there have been any changes in the program's functionality.
Software becomes more dependent on communication, and security concerns are more of a situation. Functional testing is becoming a more complicated and time-intensive process that is well-suited for the trend towards automated UI testing.
Non-Functional Testing
Functional tests examine how product configuration and installation affect its behavior. Non Functional tests assess how an application reacts to external factors. These tests focus on the security and management of applications.
These tests examine how programs interact with non-humans and are often automated.
Keyword-Driven Test
Functional automation testing frameworks can be implemented using keyword-driven testing. To describe the test function, it uses verbs from a spreadsheet or table.
Because it uses human language to describe the application process, this test method doesn't require any technical knowledge. Keyword-driven tests enable more participation from different disciplines' team members. The ability to remove the barrier of high technical skills allows for earlier conceptualization, which can lead to software that is more efficient and functional from the beginning.
Because each word is a separate action, testers can create multiple scripts using the same keywords. Test results can then be easily interpreted and reused without having to worry about specific programming languages or platform issues.
Integration Testing
Integrating testing is used to verify that the application's modules function correctly after code changes. It also identifies communication issues between components of an application that have not yet been functional as standalone units.
This automation allows for testing in a tiered configuration. First, test individual components paired together. Then connect different sets and subsets to compare the results.
Unit Testing
Unit testing ensures that every code object does not depend on other functional modules or external code to function correctly. Isolating every code module can be difficult due to high levels of testing, especially for large code bases.
Automating unit testing allows for more components to be tested. Developers can make changes to the source code without having to affect any application operations by breaking it down into objects.
It is difficult to test each component individually. Therefore, unit testing is often automated and focuses only on those applications that require detailed, granular knowledge of the code base.
Smoke Testing
Smoke testing is an early stage in functional testing. The smoke test is a stage in which an application passes its primary functions.
Smoke testing is used to catch major bugs in software before it's released. This test can detect potential problems users may encounter.
Last-minute updates can be pushed out before a release. Developers can run a smoke test to identify any problems or conflicts that may have arisen in the front end of the program due to changes made to the source code.
Regression Testing
Regression testing is the process of reexamining both functional and non-functional aspects of an application after code changes are made to ensure performance.
Sometimes, developers can create other bugs by fixing a problem in their code. Regression testing allows you to identify which changes caused the unwanted results. Regression testing is essential for continuous development.
Developers can avoid errors by focusing on the areas most likely to be affected when they make product revisions. Automating regression testing and limiting commits to the source codes help to prevent this from happening.
Performance Testing
Performance testing is a non-functional test that measures the application's performance under various conditions. This test assesses the AUT's speed and latency as well as stability. It also relates to the system's characteristics in terms of reliability and efficient use.
Developers use performance testing to simulate real-world conditions to push the application to its limits. They then analyze and collect the data to identify the root cause of the problem.
If performance engineers have data, performance testing evaluates whether the application meets specified metrics. Software testers typically use automated regression testing to run frequent tests against established acceptable baselines during product performance testing.
Security Testing
Modern rapid development involves the use of external libraries to create functional applications at speed required. This practice can lead to security flaws that are often not detected until the product is deployed.
Security testing is a method to identify potential risks before hackers have a chance to exploit them. Developers must address security concerns throughout the coding process in an environment with complex code libraries made from different external objects.
Automated security testing allows developers to determine if there are security holes in each step of development. This helps to create software products that protect user data and networks.
Data-Driven Test
This software testing method relies on a list of conditions to store and provide inputs for the test. The first step is to create a file that stores test scenarios. These fields can be from the best to the worst. Developers then use the table to create scripts that use the data from the table as variables.
Data-driven testing allows for the creation of an automated framework that uses stored data to power the testing process and speeds up the production of a new test each time.
Data-driven testing is already automated. This test allows testers to run one test and then plug in the values again to get results for multiple runs.
Automate the Testing Process
Software testing engineers need to adapt to the rapid pace of DevOps as the shift-left trend towards DevOps becomes mainstream. Developers must not only perform the increasing number of tests required to allow code revisions more frequently but also gather, analyze, store, and archive the resulting larger data sets.
Companies are increasingly seeing the advantages of automation testing as an effective tool with best practices. Automating the testing processes that take the longest time and are most likely to cause performance problems in the final product allows companies to compete in today's software market.
Many developers find it difficult to create automated tests that can help build secure, more efficient applications. Third-party tools are available from companies that have experience in all phases of testing automation.
Conclusion
Cyber infrastructure Inc. testing automation services include everything from automated regression testing strategies to designing an automated testing strategy. Our team of highly qualified experts will help you select the right test cases to automate and which automated testing tools and frameworks will be the most cost- and time-efficient. Take advantage of our expertise in testing automation projects across different technologies and industries to achieve superior results for your testing efforts.
