Software Test Automation (Effective Use of Test Automation Tools)

This is by far one of the best books I have read on test automation. Real time simulation of manual testing is no easy task and conveying the effective usage of test automation tools along with the various strategies and implementations of the same is an art in itself, which both the authors, Mark Fewster and Dorothy Graham have executed very well. The book is primarily divided into two parts. The first part deals with various test automation techniques whereas the second one deals with case studies along with a few guest chapters by other authors. The important thing to bear in mind is that this book provides test automation solutions in the form of an template rather than a tailored solution. It is up-to the user to extract relevant information and construct test automation suites using the best practices currently available.

The book is beautifully structured, crisp and methodical. The authors’ vast experience in designing and implementing test automation solutions is reflected throughout the book. The first part of the book focuses mainly on the best practices in test automation. In chapters 1 and 2, the authors’ give an insight in the world of test automation including myths and realities of the same. The 3rd chapter covers a variety of scripting techniques along with their advantages, disadvantages and usage whereas the 4th chapter talks about automated comparison. In this, the authors’ talk about the comparisons and verifications that can be performed using test automation. Since verifications are one of the main components of a test automation suite that the end users are concerned with, I felt a few more examples based on real life scenarios would have been more helpful in understanding implementation of the same, especially for an amateur.

Moving forward, the authors’ explain the commonly used test automation architectures along with the metrics and implementation techniques. Chapters 5 to 11 cover a variety of topics ranging from test automation architecture, automated pre – and post – processing and metrics to choosing the appropriate tool, building and implementing maintainable and reliable tests within the organization along with the issues and risks of the same.

As mentioned earlier, the second part of the book focuses on real life case studies along with the evolution of the automated software test systems. The case studies reflect the effective usage of test automation across various verticals including banking, ISS, stock exchange and insurance quotation systems. There is also a guest chapter that talks about the test automation experience at Microsoft. Overall, these case studies make a very interesting read.