Best Practices for Automated Test Code in Software Engineering

As an automation tester, following software engineering best practices when writing automated tests is essential to ensure high-quality output. This article highlights the key practices and aims for automated test code that can improve the reliability and maintainability of test cases.

Introduction to Automated Testing and Best Practices

Automated test software is no different from product software; it is still software. Lacking in proper development practices can lead to poor quality output, similar to what happens in product development. The primary difference lies in the requirements and the target audience, leading to variations in infrastructure and optimization goals.

The Importance of Readable and Maintainable Test Code

1. Readability and Screen-Friendly Layout: Automated test code must be easily readable in a single context and fit well on the screen. This ensures that the test code can be understood at a glance, making it easier to maintain and debug.

2. Transparency of Test Details: The code should not hide details about the given conditions or the state of the application. This transparency helps in pinpointing issues quickly and comprehensively.

3. Parallel Execution and Independence: Automated tests must be able to run in parallel without relying on other tests to run before them. This ensures that the tests can be executed simultaneously, saving time and resources.

4. Failing Appropriately: Tests must fail if the code does not adhere to the scenario. This helps in identifying issues promptly, making the development process more robust.

5. Constants and Data Organization: All setup constants or referenced data should be in the same file as the test assertions. This keeps the test code organized and reduces the risk of errors due to mismatched data.

6. Detailed Failure Reporting: When assertions fail, the test code should provide as much detail as possible. This includes explicitly outputting exactly what failed and why, which aids in quick troubleshooting.

Flakiness and Test Consistency

7. No Forced Sleep or Pauses: Test code should NEVER have forced sleeps, pauses, or waits. This is a cardinal rule to ensure that tests are reliable and consistent. Any behavior that seems to occur randomly should be investigated and corrected.

Test Code vs. Product Software

8. No Need to Follow DRY Principles: Automated test code does not need to strictly follow the DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principle. While repetition may seem undesirable, the value lies in the clarity and maintainability of the assertions. Copy-pasting tests or modifying them is necessary to establish comprehensive testing coverage.

9. Memory and Speed Optimization Not a Priority: Unlike product software, automated test code does not need to be optimized for memory consumption or speed. The primary focus should be on ensuring that tests run independently and in parallel, with minimal time overhead.

10. Portability Issues: Automated test code does not need to be extremely portable. However, if the software being tested is portable, the tests should be able to run on different machines. In other cases, it is acceptable to have separate test suites.

11. No Code Reviews Required: While comprehensive code reviews for product software are essential, automated test code does not require this. Striving for better, clearer tests and keeping the code clean is the priority.

Conclusion

Following best practices for automated test code can significantly improve the reliability, maintainability, and efficiency of your testing process. By adhering to these standards, you can ensure that your tests are robust, consistent, and provide valuable insights into the behavior of the software being tested.

Keyword Focus

Keyword1: Automated testing
Keyword2: Software engineering
Keyword3: Best practices