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Returning to QA Automation: A Path to Remote Testing After a Break
Returning to QA Automation: A Path to Remote Testing After a Break
Are you looking to transition into remote QA automation testing after taking a five-year break? Perhaps you've been away from the dynamic world of tech, and you're eager to rejoin the ranks of quality assurance professionals? If your latest project was based on Selenium and JUnit, you're off to a strong start, but it's important to stay current with industry standards and tools. This article provides a roadmap to get you back on track and prepared for a career in remote QA automation testing.
Brush up Selenium
Upon returning to the world of QA automation, it's essential to refresh your skills and knowledge of Selenium, a leading open-source framework for automated web testing. Starting with the basics, revisit the Selenium documentation and tutorials to ensure you are familiar with its core functionalities. This includes understanding the WebDriver API, which provides a powerful interface for controlling web browsers from outside.
Learn Java TestNG in More Detail
A major shift in your learning journey comes with diving deeper into Java and TestNG (Test Next Generation), a testing framework widely used in Selenium automation. TestNG offers a more flexible and powerful structure for test cases, supporting concepts like dependency, group testing, and better control over the test execution flow. Invest time in learning its features, such as grouping tests, parameterized tests, and annotations.
5 Years Back, You Might Have Used Selenium RC - Learn WebDriver Now
Five years ago, you might have been using Selenium RC (Remote Control), which is now deprecated. The current version, Selenium WebDriver, provides a more robust and flexible approach. Familiarize yourself with WebDriver APIs, which allow you to interact directly with the browser from your programming language. WebDriver is highly recommended for its reliability and performance across different browsers and operating systems.
Master Design Patterns in Frameworks - POM (Page Object Model)
An essential step in QA automation is mastering design patterns. The Page Object Model (POM) is one of the most popular and effective patterns in Selenium automation. POM separates the test from the implementation, making the code more maintainable and reusable. Dive into the POM pattern and how to implement it in your projects. Consider reading online resources, tutorials, and best practices to enhance your understanding.
Delve into API Automation Frameworks
Beyond web applications, API (Application Programming Interface) testing is a crucial aspect of modern software development. Learn about popular API automation frameworks such as Postman, SoapUI, and RestAssured. These frameworks help in testing the interactions between different components of your application. Understanding API testing can expand your skill set and make you more versatile in the QA field. Begin by experimenting with these tools on different APIs and understand how to write both functional and performance tests.
Implement Your Knowledge
The final step to re-enter the QA automation world is to implement what you've learned. Choose a suitable web application or API to work on, and apply the strategies you've learned. This could be a real-world project or even a demo application. This hands-on experience will not only reinforce your learning but also prepare you for the technical interview process or the job market.
Conclusion
Returning to QA automation testing after a break is challenging, but by following this structured plan, you can smoothly transition back into the field. Focus on brushing up Selenium, diving into Java TestNG, upgrading your Selenium skills from RC to WebDriver, mastering the Page Object Model, and understanding API testing. Stay current with industry trends and continuously update your skills to maintain a competitive edge in the remote QA automation testing landscape.