Everything About Test Automation as a Service (TAaaS)

The enterprise-level digitization and adoption of DevOps and Agile have made test automation a necessity in today’s time. It reduces the time-to-market and hence the production cost. One can execute test automation on web/mobile/desktop application, performance, and APIs at once; generating a comprehensive report based on functionality, time, and build.

Test Automation as a Service is an on-demand automation offering that overrules manual testing. But before, let’s look at key problems with manual testing-

It demands manual effort during release/enhancement.
Manual testing requires greater resources.
Testers usually avoid lengthy testing because of time and resource constraints.
It has a limited scope of tests and cannot accomplish in-depth testing. In other words, manual testing has lesser coverage.
It requires testing the application on multiple computers, mobiles, tablets, etc. with different configurations.
The scripts are not reusable, i.e. every time testing will require new scripts for instances like the change in OS version.

How Automation Speeds-up Testing by 70%?

Testing automation not only reduces manual efforts but also speeds-up the entire testing process. Here’s how.

It cuts down the repetitive tasks/testing, which the test engineers used to do at the time of product release or enhancement.
TAaaS covers lengthy testing, which was unattended by manual testing.
It also increases the testing coverage with fewer resources.
It finds critical defects at an early stage of testing.
Its scripts are reusable. Testers need not code new scripts every time for system upgrades and OS version changes. Tests can recur without errors.

The following are the test automation tools categorized application-wise.

Web-based Application Automation

Selenium Webdriver is an open-source tool for automating web-based applications only. Users can test web applications using any web browser.

Types of OS for testing in Selenium: Windows, Mac, Linux
Browsers supported for testing: Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera

Additional Resource: Selenium Testing Automation Framework

Mobile-based Application Automation

Appium is an open-source tool to test web applications running in mobile browsers. It also supports the automation of native and hybrid mobile applications developed for iOS and Android OS. Appium uses Selenium API to test the applications.

You can test a mobile application in just four steps-

Write your test script on Eclipse.
Connect your device to Computer (PC).
Start Appium server.
Run your script (test cases).

Appium supports Chrome browser for testing Android apps and Safari for iOS.

API Automation

Testing is difficult in Java as compared to dynamic languages like Ruby and Groovy. REST Assured is a Java library that provides a domain-specific language (DSL) for writing powerful, maintainable tests for RESTful APIs. Most of the web services are based on REST architecture. Everything is a resource in the RESTful web service. It is lightweight, scalable, and allows creating easy to maintain web apps. How it works-

REST Assured captures the (JSON) response of the API call.
It validates if the response status code is equal to 200.

Windows App Automation

Winium is a Selenium-based open-source automation framework for the Windows platform. You can test your Windows App following these steps-

Write your test script on Eclipse.
Start Winium Desktop Driver.
Set the path of application in the script.
Using “UISpy” inspect the elements.
Run your script (test cases).

Frameworks for Test Automation as a Service

A framework is a collection of reusable components that make the overall test execution and development easy and efficient. It is a custom tool designed by Framework Developers to simplify test automation processes.

A framework is a well-organized structure of components. For instance, one driver file executes an entire batch of commands without any manual intervention. The following are the types of frameworks along with the use scenarios specific to Test Automation as a Service protocol.

Data Driven Framework

This automation framework focuses on keeping test script logic and test data separate. For testing, it inputs data sets from a variety of sources like MS Excel Sheets, MS Access Tables, SQL Database, XML files, etc.

When the same test case needs to be executed multiple times with different data sets, the data-driven framework provides data to the test scripts.

Modular Driven Framework

Here, testers create test scripts for individual, small modules of the application. These small scripts (or test modules) can be combined into a master script to test specific scenarios or end-to-end testing. The test modules can also act as a library of functions to use in the future.

When applications contain a lot of modules, a modular framework is suitable for testing.

Keyword Driven Framework

This framework is also known as table-driven testing because it uses a table format to define keywords or action words for each function that the tester needs to execute. It’s a user-friendly framework. Test Engineers can develop test scripts even with limited knowledge of automation tools and programming language.

Behavior Driven Development Framework (Cucumber Framework)

It is a testing framework which supports Behavior Driven Development (BDD). It allows the tester to define application behavior in plain English and simple grammar as defined in Gherkin language. The following are the components of the cucumber framework.

Feature Files: It is an entry point to the cucumber tests. Here, the tester describes the test cases in a descriptive language like English. Feature files are important because they serve as an automation test script as well as live documents. A feature file can contain one or many scenarios. The following is a sample feature file.

#Author: your.email@your.domain.com

#Keywords Summary:

#Feature: List of scenarios.

#Scenario: Business rule through list of steps with arguments.

#Given: Some precondition step

#When: Some key actions

#Then: To observe outcomes or validation

#And, But: To enumerate more Given, When, Then steps

#Scenario Outline: List of steps for data driven as an Examples and <placeholder>

#Examples: Container for s table

#Background: List of steps run before each of the scenarios

#””” (Doc Strings)

#| (Data Tables)

#@ (Tags/Labels): To group Scenarios

#<> (placeholder)

#””

## (Comments)

#Sample Feature Definition Template

@tag

Feature: Title of your feature

I want to use this template for my feature file

@tag1

Scenario: Title of your scenario

Given I want to write a step with precondition

And some other precondition

When I complete action

And some other action

And yet another action

Then I validate the outcomes

And check more outcomes

@tag2

Scenario Outline: Title of your scenario outline

Given I want to write a step with <name>

When I check for the <value> in step

Then I verify the <status> in step

Examples:

| name | value | status |

| name1 | 5 | success |

| name2 | 7 | Fail |

Apart from these testers also use Linear Scripting Framework and Hybrid Testing Framework for Test Automation.

Step Definitions: A Step definition is a small piece of code with a set pattern. The pattern links the Step Definition to all the matching steps. Cucumber executes a Step according to Gherkin Steps.

Test Runner: The JUnit runner uses the JUnit Framework to run cucumber. It is an open-source unit testing framework for Java. It is useful for writing and running repeat/reusable test cases. It requires a single empty class with an annotation-

@RunWith(Cucumber.class)

@CucumberOptions(features=”features”, glue = {“stepDefinitions”})

public class TestRunner {}

Also read – How to perform load testing on applications.

Best Practices for Creating an Effective Testing Framework

Integrate Appium and Selenium to cover mobile and web testing together.
Integrate REST Assured for API automation to ensure APIs are working as per set functionalities. It saves a great deal of time and resources.
Integrate Winium/AutoIt for testing standalone applications.
Integrate Cucumber for behaviour-driven development.
Use Page Object Model to create generic packages of common classes (codes) that can be used over all the test scripts. It helps to achieve reusability of codes.
Integrate JUnit to manage test cases and generate reports.
Integrate Maven or Jenkins to achieve continuous testing. Jenkins also helps to run the script for lengthy testing and generate extended reports delivered to all stakeholders. It is useful for tests that take hours to days to complete.

We specialize in business-specific test automation services. Drop us a word at hello@mantralabsglobal.com to streamline and accelerate your product/solution launch.

In the world of product design, consistency is the cornerstone of delivering a seamless user experience. As digital products evolve and scale, the challenge of maintaining design consistency across multiple platforms, teams, and touchpoints becomes more complex. This is where design systems come in. A design system is a comprehensive set of guidelines, components, and tools that help designers and developers create a consistent and cohesive user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). From a designer’s perspective, building and maintaining a design system requires a strategic approach to ensure scalability, flexibility, and alignment with business goals.

Source: https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/design-system)

Why Design Systems Matter?

Design systems are more than just style guides or pattern libraries. They offer a unified language for design and development, bridging the gap between creativity and functionality. Here are a few reasons why they are critical:

Consistency Across Products

One of the primary goals of a design system is to ensure uniformity across different platforms and devices. When users interact with a product, whether on a website or a mobile app, they expect a consistent experience. A well-implemented design system ensures that visual elements, interactions, and behaviors are aligned, offering a familiar and intuitive experience for users.

2. Faster Iteration

With a design system in place, teams can reuse components and patterns rather than reinventing the wheel for each new feature. This speeds up the design and development process, allowing teams to focus on solving new problems instead of reworking existing designs. For designers, it means less time spent on repetitive tasks and more time dedicated to innovation.

3. Scalability

As products grow and new features are added, maintaining a coherent UI/UX without a design system can become chaotic. A design system provides a scalable framework, enabling teams to add new elements or modules without compromising the overall consistency of the product.

4. Improved Collaboration

A design system fosters collaboration between designers, developers, and other stakeholders by providing a shared language and reference point. This ensures that design decisions are communicated effectively, reducing friction and misunderstandings between teams.

Building a Design System: A Designer’s Perspective

Designing a system from scratch can seem like a daunting task, but with a clear roadmap and understanding of core principles, it becomes a powerful tool for creating scalable and user-centered products.

1. Define the Core Principles

Before diving into visual components, it’s essential to establish the core principles of your design system. These principles serve as the foundation and guide decision-making throughout the process. Ask yourself:

• What are the key values of your brand?

• How should the design reflect the needs and emotions of users?

• What goals are you trying to achieve with your design system (e.g., accessibility, flexibility, innovation)?

For instance, if accessibility is a top priority, you’ll need to ensure that your design system accommodates users with different abilities, by providing color contrast guidelines, clear typographic hierarchies, and accessible components.

2. Create a Unified Visual Language

Once the principles are established, the next step is creating a cohesive visual language. This includes defining elements such as:

• Color Palette: A well-structured color palette ensures harmony across different UI components. It’s crucial to include primary, secondary, and accent colors, along with usage guidelines to avoid inconsistency.

• Typography: Define a typography system that establishes hierarchies and clarity, including font styles, sizes, line heights, and spacing. Consistent typography helps users navigate content effortlessly.

• Spacing and Grids: An established grid system ensures a balanced layout and harmony between different UI elements. Proper spacing guidelines prevent crowded or misaligned components.

• Iconography and Illustrations: Design guidelines for icons and illustrations help maintain visual consistency. Icons should follow a standard style (outlined, filled) and size, ensuring they align with the overall visual language.

Iconography and Illustrations: Design guidelines for icons and illustrations help maintain visual consistency. Icons should follow a standard style (outlined, filled) and size, ensuring they align with the overall visual language.

Image Source: https://designerup.co/blog/10-best-design-systems-and-how-to-learn-and-steal-from-them/)

3. Design Reusable Components

A design system is incomplete without reusable UI components. These components include buttons, forms, modals, and navigation elements that can be used across various features and pages. Each component should be:

• Modular: Components should be flexible and adaptable for different contexts. For example, a button should have variations for different states (hover, active, disabled) and types (primary, secondary, destructive).

• Documented: Each component needs comprehensive documentation that explains how it should be used, its variants, and the rules governing its application. This ensures consistency when different team members use the same component.

4. Implement Accessibility Guidelines

Accessibility should be at the forefront of every design system. As a designer, consider:

• Color Contrast: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background for readability.

• Keyboard Navigation: Ensure that interactive components are navigable via keyboard for users who rely on keyboard shortcuts.

• Responsive Design: Components should be responsive, adapting seamlessly across different screen sizes and devices.

• Assistive Technologies: Design components should be compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies to provide an inclusive experience.

Maintaining a Design System: Evolving with the Product

Once a design system is in place, the work doesn’t stop there. Maintaining it requires ongoing effort as the product evolves and new design challenges emerge. Here’s how designers can ensure the design system remains relevant and effective:

1. Regular Audits and Updates

A design system should be treated as a living document that evolves with the product. Regular audits are necessary to identify outdated or unused components. Designers should collaborate with developers to ensure new features are aligned with the existing design system, and updates should be documented to avoid fragmentation.

2. Version Control and Documentation

Version control is essential for keeping track of changes in the design system. Documenting why and how changes are made ensures that the design system grows in an organized manner. It also helps onboard new team members quickly, as they can reference updated guidelines.

3. Foster Collaboration Across Teams

Designers need to maintain an open line of communication with developers and other teams using the design system. Tools like Figma, Sketch, and Zeplin allow designers to share components and guidelines in real-time, fostering collaboration and ensuring that everyone is aligned.

Some well-known examples of design systems that have set benchmarks in the industry:

1. Google Material Design

URL: Material Design
Overview: Google’s Material Design is one of the most comprehensive design systems available. It provides guidelines on how to create visual, motion, and interaction design across platforms and devices. Material Design is known for its grid-based layouts, responsive animations, and depth effects like shadows and lighting.
Features:
- Comprehensive color palettes, typography, and iconography.
- Extensive component library (buttons, cards, etc.).
- Customizable UI components for both web and mobile applications.

2. Salesforce Lightning Design System

URL: Salesforce Lightning
Overview: Salesforce’s Lightning Design System provides a comprehensive library of UI components and resources to help build applications on the Salesforce platform. It ensures a consistent experience across Salesforce products and enables developers to create custom apps easily.
Features:
- Ready-to-use components, design tokens, and code snippets.
- Comprehensive accessibility guidelines to ensure inclusivity.
- Detailed documentation for developers to integrate components into Salesforce applications.

3. Microsoft Fluent Design System

URL: Fluent Design
Overview: Fluent Design is Microsoft’s design system, created to provide an engaging and scalable UI across all Microsoft products. It is heavily focused on interaction, animation, and motion while ensuring accessibility across various device ecosystems.
Features:
- Focus on depth, motion, and light to create modern and interactive UIs.
- Cross-platform components supporting web, desktop, and mobile applications.
- Accessible components with detailed guidelines for developers.

Conclusion

Building and maintaining a design system is an investment that pays off in the long run. It ensures consistency across your product, improves collaboration between teams, and allows for faster iteration and scalability. For designers, a design system is more than a collection of reusable components — it’s a framework that enables you to create user-centric products with confidence and clarity. By embracing modularity, documentation, and accessibility, you’ll ensure that your design system remains a valuable asset as your product grows.

About the Author:

Shristi is a creative professional with a passion for visual storytelling. She recently transitioned from the world of video and motion graphics to the exciting field of product design at Mantra Labs. When she’s not designing, she enjoys watching movies, traveling, and sharing her experiences through vlogs.

Everything You Need to Know About Test Automation as a Service (TAaaS)