What are the main attributes of test automation?

Test automation is nowadays counted among the best software development aids that we have today. It is a great testing aid that seeks to resolve the drudgery of the testers. Test automation has become so common nowadays that every one of us knows quite a lot about it.

What does Test Automation do?

- Test automation actually controls the execution of the test cases by using an automated process. 

- Also, the comparison of the actual and the predicted outcome takes place in the same and "take it easy" manner.  

- One thing that should be noted is that only those manual processes can be automated which have deployed a formalized testing process. 

- In the test automation process, the user actions are recorded and the checkpoints are introduced in to the testing script so that playing it back from a particular point is made easy when you have to perform regression tests. 

- The manual tests that passed can be automated and is mostly used in the testing methodologies like:

1. Data driven testing
2. Regression testing
3. Performance testing and so on.

Attributes of Test Automation

By attributes, we mean the characteristics of the test automation process. It has got quite a lot of positive attributes. So let us what all attributes we can state for test automation:

1. Repeatability:

Automation supports repeated execution of a test case several times again and again. When you need to execute the same test case again and again the test automation comes as a big win for you.

2. Programmability: 

The test cases can be programmed to be executed on a number of different machines whereas the manual tests have to be executed in a sequential way one after the other.

3. Reliability: 

You can rely on test automation for repeat-ability and accuracy.

4. Impact

5. Criticality

6. Maintainability: 

The maintenance is just that you have to update the test automation suites for every new release of the software system or application.

7. Flexibility: 

With test automation it becomes quite easy for you to run automated tests that frequently change according to the regressions at particular time intervals and also the tests can be run in mainstream scenarios.

8. Efficiency: 

The ratio of total cost to the required effort need is reasonable.

9. Portability: 

The automated tests can be executed in different environments unlike manual test cases.

10.Robustness: 

The automated tests are quite effective for the software systems or applications that are quite unstable or change rapidly.

11. Usability: 

The automated tests can be used to a large extent by different types of users.

12. Speed

13. Accuracy

14. Relentlessness: 

The automated test generator as well as the process never gets tired generating and running test cases.

There are some tests like exploratory testing and usability which cannot be automated because of their free style. Testers involved in a testing team support diverse software systems and applications that are quite unrelated to each other. 

- If the projects that demands implementation of a unique testing strategy, then the testers involved in the whole will appear more to be a hindrance rather than being a help. 

- The testers will require tie to get adjusted to the new environment which unfortunately they cannot get and thus lowering the level of their productivity. 

- We cannot waste time on re- engineering the development frame works but we can surely harness test automation power for every new application that we need to develop. 

- The application can be continuously improved since the test automation has got so many positive attributes that can surely benefit the whole testing process.