Functional GUI Testing Automation Patterns

These days customers require fast development times with improved quality of software. For that the processes implemented by organizations must be automated as well as streamlined. Development of functional automated testing solution for particular programs is almost the same as creating programs. For any automation developer GUI or Graphical User Interface testing automation is very important in case of SUT or system under evaluation. For best automated testing development you have to adopt best practices and the design pattern employed should be such that the GUIs can be automation tried for quality assurance scrutiny, saving valuable time.

The architectural components that the design pattern will include are:

Test case XML which contains actual evaluation data to be read for running tests by automation scrutiny scripts.
Test case schema which defines metadata for the formulation of evaluation data and the XML schema
Test application which underlies the tested application.
Schema derived interfaces and classes along with binding compiler which auto-generates requisite packages for integration with scripts of evaluation automation.
Result log and trace log which are actually automation examination framework's output, showing stack traces and control flow.
JAXB API used for reading of XML data of evaluation cases as well as automation framework for import of packages rendered by biding compiler.

Broad divisions of functional GUI evaluation automation patterns are test implementation patterns, architectural patterns, functional composition patterns, process patterns, test dependency patterns and scrutiny grouping patterns.

Test implementation patterns can be further subdivided into recorded, scripted, basic template, data-driven, model-driven and keyword-driven implementations. For recorded automated testing tools performing manual tester actions recording as well as playback is used for testing. For scripted, a programmer uses automation tools API for the testing. Basic template implementation is done by using test templates created by expansion and inheritance of template class functionality. For data-driven testing, test case defines the basic testing implementation; various combinations of input data create testing variations. Keyword-driven ones are done with help from keywords while the principle behind model-driven one is the finite automaton state of software program.

In case of architectural patterns the multi-layered testing solution works by splitting evaluation system logic into individual logical layers. Meta framework pattern helps define sets of basic utility classes which are independent and generic for all automation tool; different automation projects can reuse them.

Functional method pattern abstracts business function which is application-specific from implementation on API, UI or other levels. Page object pattern of functional methods groups a specific page's functional methods. In functional library pattern functional methods or and functional objects of some particular application are grouped into reusable modules. With the help of teardown and startup object of SUT runner pattern the tested system's initial launch is allowed. Object source helps in creation of objects in required and initialized form for execution of tests. The tested system's navigation control is centralized according to testing requirements with help from Transporter pattern. Reused page objects are aggregated in a single external object by composite page object. Basic page object is extended through inheritance, making composite page's alternative through extended page object.

Process patterns are subdivided into four stage tests, given/when/then, multiple failures and flow tests. The test execution method can split into 4 stages in four stage tests-

defines preconditions
checking results
calling business functions
system teardown

In given/when/then the process of test execution is divided into three stages- when(setting the working of particular operations with context), given(defines preconditions) and then(checks results). The pattern of multiple failures gives definition of mechanism and allows the test run to continue after non-critical faults. In flow tests both business checks as well as operations are allowed to be performed within a single test.

In test method per class of test grouping, separate classes have separate methods. In grouped test methods separate test classes have multiple testing methods.

In testing dependency patterns, chained and standalone testing patterns are available. In chained, SUT state is set up of preliminary testings that are needed for the following tests. In standalone, the tested systems are returns to the state that existed previously.

When designing testing solutions, the implementation pattern chosen is of utmost importance. The automation framework is the main pillar of development of test solutions in the future which will influence qualities like maintainability and readability. Looking forward to automate browser-based tests? Certified automation testers can help you achieve your goals within allocated budgets and time schedules.

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