Automation Testing As a Career Option for Young Engineers

Software development companies test every product and software developed by them. Testing is not just done right before releasing the software to the end user. Instead, testing of software is done many times during the development phase. Every time a part of the code is changed or whenever there is a change in hardware configurations, testing has to be done; thereby, making testing a repeated and continuous process.

Testing can be both manual and automated. Manual testing (MT) is done by a person who goes through the various application screens of the software, inputting different sets of inputs, comparing and recording the observations. As the number of lines in the code increases, manual testing becomes tedious, confusing and time consuming. Even with the best efforts of the person in-charge of manual testing, bugs or errors creep into the code making it difficult to proceed further. For instance, consider the test to be run on the software of ATM. To test it manually in real-time environment, hundreds of users are required simultaneously; thus wasting resources and time hugely. In case, any glitch in the code may take days to identify manually. Hence, to ease such efforts 'Automation Testing' came into picture.

Automation testing (AT) is a process in which automated tools are used to test a software application which compares the actual results with expected results. An automated testing tool is repeats the set of predefined actions called 'Test Scripts' and 'Test Cases' on the software and comes out with success or failure based on the actual and predicted results. These test scripts are written by Software Testers using certain tools and once they are created, the Automation test can be repeated and upgraded to implement testing tasks that are difficult to perform with MT. Though AT is expensive than MT, it is considered as an effective and efficient way of Testing.

With the increasing need for specialized testing services, Software testers are always in demand. The job of a Software Tester requires not just basic knowledge about tools and techniques but also a certified training in Automation Testing. Often students from non-IT background with passion to enter Software industry find AT as a good opportunity.

Companies these days want even a fresher to be productive from the first day of work which answers the need for training in Automation Testing. Certifications like ISTQB would be added advantage in interviews. There are many Software Testing Institutes that offer courses in AT. The syllabus in AT is not just confined to automation, but even covers AT and its concepts too. The deep delving into MT would create a concrete base for AT. The Syllabus often includes:

• Basics about Testing
• TestingModels
• TestingTechniques
• TestingAdministration
• Creation of a TestPlan
• TestingTools
• TestingMetrics

These software training institutes offers hands-on practice through assignments. With a software condition given, the project requires the aspirant to come up with at least ten testing scenarios and test plan using the knowledge acquired in the theory classes of the Automation Training. These projects bring in the practical experience by Test Life Cycle and QTP to the aspirants.

Guduru Karthik is an education journalist. I look for new source of information through which millions of unemployed youth can easily find opportunities. I believe in Technical Training and soft skills development which are the key for today's job market. I acquire my knowledge by referring back to companies such as TalentSprint, National Skill Development Corporation.