How the Test Automation Pyramid can help jumpstart your automation testing
What is the test automation pyramid?
The pyramid is a framework that can help both developers and QAs create high-quality software. It reduces the time required for developers to identify if a change they introduced breaks the code. It can also be helpful in building a more reliable test suite.
This pyramid works at three levels: unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests.
- Unit Tests
Unit tests form the base of the automated testing pyramid. They test individual components or functionalities to validate that it works as expected in isolated conditions. It is important to run a number of scenarios in unit tests — happy path, error handling, etc.
2. Integration Tests
Integration tests are the second layer of the testing pyramid. This means that it should not be run as frequently as unit tests. Fundamentally, they test how a feature communicates with external dependencies. Whether it is a call to a database or web service, the software needs to communicate effectively and retrieve the right information to function as expected.
3. End-to-End Tests
These ensure that the entire application is functioning as required. End-to-end tests do exactly what the name suggests: test that the application is working flawlessly from start to finish.
In automated testing, tools and frameworks like Selenium execute scripted tests on a software application or component to ensure it is working as expected. Its entire objective is to reduce human effort and oversight. The test automation pyramid does this by organizing the test cycle. This brings efficient time management and gives testers a blueprint to shape their projects.
