In the past, testing software was primarily concerned with finding flaws within a software program. The aim was to enhance the quality of the software. Today, the scope of testing software has widened.
Software automated testing is always at the forefront. Based on the most recent test automation trends and trends, the field of software testing is predicted to grow even more than it did in the last decade.
According to the MarketsAndMarkets report in the MarketsAndMarkets report, the global market for automation testing size is predicted to grow to USD 24.7 billion by 2022 to 52.7 billion in 2027 at an annual rate of 16.4 percent.
To keep up with the rapid pace of the ever-changing testing landscape, it is essential to be up-to-date with the most recent testing automation trends.
This blog post will discuss cross-browser testing tools and innovations that should be followed in the future regarding emerging software testing tools.
Top Factors That Drive Changes in the Future of Test Automation
The business is usually subject to pressure from various elements to evolve with changes in the market. Let’s look at the factors that can influence the automation of tests in the near future.
- The requirement is to place changes to the automation of tests.
- It is a requirement to alter the test tools to correct flaws in the procedure.
- The requirement is to create the most complete coverage of tests.
- Special test automation techniques are needed to achieve the required results.
- It is a requirement to have correct testing management methods.
- It is essential to study software items left and right to beat rivals.
- The need to find the most cost-effective solution.
- Creating experts who can be interchangeable with a quick learning curve is required to automatize testing.
Best Emerging Software Testing Tools And Innovations For 2023
1) Selenium 4 Will Be Top Priority For Automation Testing
In October 2021, Selenium announced its long-awaited fourth and final release. Selenium 3 was available for five years, and the technology has undergone significant modifications during that time. Selenium 4 has many feature enhancements, including improved Docker support, the identification of parent frames, better-formatted commands for accessing a Selenium Grid, and much more.
A few of the new features are included in Selenium 4. These new features are support for relative locators, improved windows and tab management for browsers on the web, an integrated Chromium driver to Microsoft Edge, a native Chromium driver for Microsoft Edge browser, etc. Selenium 4 has been widely recognized and appreciated as an improved version of its previous versions. It will likely be among the latest trends in the automation of tests to watch for in 2023.
2) Codeless Automation Testing Will Gain its Popularity
Tools for testing automation that are codeless are based on AI technology. Visual modeling allows faster development of test scenarios designed for automated testing using software. Utilizing such tools, users can build test scenarios without programming knowledge and reduce the time spent in repetitive test scenarios.
Here are some advantages of codeless automated testing.
- Because the test cases are created without code and are therefore suitable for non-technical users to read them quickly.
- For those who aren’t familiar with programming or code can make test cases and create them.
- Because it is smaller, the creation of test cases is very fast, and the automation process is also speeded up.
The increased use of automated code devices will constitute among the top trends in test automation in 2023.
3) Cloud Distribution For Cross Browser Testing
Selenium’s automated testing method using Selenium’s local Selenium Grid isn’t scaleable. This limitation has led numerous companies to move their automated testing of browsers towards cloud-based systems. With the increasing number of devices, browsers, and operating systems released annually, cross-browser testing in the cloud appears to be a better alternative.
With a rapidly growing client base across the globe, there may be delays intermittently in the testing process when the tests are running using a cloud hosted at a remote place. The use of distributed cloud is expected to increase by leaps and bounds in 2023, improving the speed and effectiveness of testing.
LambdaTest continuous cloud-based quality test platform has benefited from the benefits of cloud computing distributed to allow users to conduct online automation testing effectively and effectively.
The use of the distributed cloud to automate browser testing is among the most anticipated trends for test automation in 2023 that are prominently discussed by cloud computing and QA automation fans.
4) The Future Will Be Cloud-Based Cross Browser Testing
There is no longer a time when creating a website meant you needed to make it mobile-friendly for tablet, mobile, and desktop. Today, most companies and their customers prefer websites designed with a mobile-first strategy.
Hundreds of devices are available on the marketplace, all with their resolution and browsers. It’s quite expensive to create a large testing infrastructure. This is the reason why a lot of people and businesses are transitioning to cloud-based cross-browser testing platforms.
2023 will witness an increase in demand for these platforms. It’s time to be a part of these trends in test automation.
If you’re using a platform such as LambdaTest, you can carry out automated and hand-cleaned tests of your web-based and mobile applications using more than 3000 real devices, browsers, and OS combinations in addition to the latest AI trends.
5) Test Automation Will Pulled Up
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are extensively used to solve issues and enhance development and testing. AI can be utilized for testing to cut down the duration of testing and is employed for all aspects of testing, including software automation, performance testing, functional testing, regression testing, and many more.
To reach the goal of automated testing and using AI’s potential for testing, AI must be a fundamental component of the software tools for testing. Every test cycle produces a lot of information, which can be used to pinpoint and address test failures. After every test, data or learning is fed back into the AI/ML algorithms.
The data is used to teach the algorithm, and this learning will assist the test tool in identifying the expected behavior for these tests. This allows decision-making during testing since the device will declare a test ‘failed in case of any divergence from expected behavior.
These scenarios are common when testing browsers using automated methods. Selenium scripts have been written to communicate with an element (on an internet page) recognized by ElementID /XPath.
However, the absence of that element on the webpage could cause a test to fail. AI-based algorithm tools can detect an alternative element on the page that can be substituted for the element expected to ensure that the automated testing of browsers can be carried out.
The tools are able to self-heal during running time, thanks to the growing use of AI/ML in the creation of test tools. Automating testing that self-heals will be one of the most significant test automation trends by 2023.
6) Risk Compliance and Security Testing Will Be Automated
Security and compliance with data is a major thing to be aware of when creating a product for 2023. Do you remember the data breach that took place in the case of Facebook? The government has regulations that limit the use of customer’s information by a business.
For instance, if you’re developing an item within Europe and are in Europe, you must comply with the Global Data Privacy Regulations or GDPR. It is also necessary to adhere to other privacy laws based on the specific nature of the product you’re creating.
For instance, if you develop an app intended to be used for medical purposes, it is required to follow HIPAA. But what does this mean for testing? And not only that but also, what is the role of automation in this?
The downside is that you can no longer utilize the customer’s personal information to run real-time tests.
The good news is that there are other options. Some tools, such as Chef.io, can scan your system to determine if you have any testing data that does not conform with a certain security standard for data.
Using an automated tool for managing tests, such as Datprof and EMS Data Generator, is also possible, which helps you mask data or generate synthetic test data. The test data generated is a simulation of real-world user data. You can use it to test your app while being in compliance with privacy laws.
While doing this, you should ensure your customer’s information is secure from hacking or breach. Conduct security audits, train your employees, and organize courses on security and compliance to avoid a lawsuit.
Automation’s role in security and risk compliance is among the most well-known automation of test trends to be aware of in 2023.
7) Mobile Automation Testing
The companies have embraced the mobile-first strategy in web development over the past few years. In recent years, companies have begun to develop native apps for their web-based applications.
Mobile apps are growing regularly, and the company focuses more on testing mobile applications. According to a study that focuses on mobile apps, the testing market is expected to generate income of $8.23 billion in 2025.
With the increasing number of mobile devices with various resolutions and OS characteristics, We can confidently say that companies will be looking for testers with experience in automated testing of mobile apps.
The most up-to-date trend in test automation frameworks such as Appium, Selendroid, and Robotium will become more popular in 2023. In addition, the need for testers experienced in these tools will also rise.
8) Blockchain Applications Must Make use of Automated Tools
Blockchain technology comes to our minds as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and others. However, the use of blockchain technology can be used for has increased considerably.
It is also utilized for shipping, food, supply chain management, and many other fields. This is due to the fact that blockchain offers the highest degree of assurance for all financial transactions.
In 2023, the need for QA specialists with specialized experience in blockchain app testing will grow and be among the top testing automation trends to search for.
In addition, domain expertise testers must be familiar with automated tools. Many popular tools exist, such as the Ethereum tester and Exomum Testkit.
With the tools available, one will be able to check the performance of a transaction as well as the API of the blockchain system. Blockchain development generally follows a flexible approach to development. However, when it is time to test it the Shift left method is increasingly popular to decrease the number of errors.
9) Adaptation Of Selenium Alternatives
There is a discussion of automation testing, specifically the automated testing of browsers. Selenium is always the main focus of the discussion.
The use of Selenium may not experience an improvement; however, businesses might be looking for Selenium alternatives for automating testing. They can be free-of-cost or commercially licensed tools. The reason for looking at alternatives is the possibility of various project requirements or the team members’ preferences in relation to the task of automation.
Cypress, Playwright, Jest, and a handful of other tools for testing will set the standard in 2023 when AI-based automation is involved. While the Selenium framework is the best choice for testing automation, the options of AI-based tools will define the QA automation market in 2023.
Conclusion
Although automation is designed to remove the manual work, it’s still necessary to state that a machine can’t operate by itself. Humans are required to operate the machine.
While testing with software automation has seen a significant improvement in the last decade, manual testers’ value remains. A competent manual tester will create test cases in a way that fewer automation scripts are needed to offer a wide coverage.
Even today, as AI and ML strive to achieve code-free automation, we still require manual intervention to control these AI processes.
There are still areas, such as UAT and UX tests, where the automation won’t be able to compete with the keen eye and sensitivity of a manual tester.
A business can succeed in delivering products of the best quality only if they have the right method of utilizing manual and/or automated methods whenever required.
