While developing computer programs and testing them, you would likely have an inclination toward coded tests and against all things codeless. The majority of software engineers who switched over to be test engineers believe in writing efficient and reusable test scripts. That’s why a few consider Record-and-Playback as cheating or evidence of lacking workmanship in testing. Notwithstanding, research indicates that there is a direct correlation between the costs of test scripts maintenance and the number of lines of written test scripts. On a continually evolving product, each line of the script may turn out to be a liability. Additionally, the most significant risks are the locators that connect the test logic with the application under test. Here we are discussing how AI-Powered Efficiency – Katalon Offers Native Integration with Applitools.
As a leader in Visual Testing via Visual AI, Applitools virtually eliminates the dependency on locators for test validation as well as a large number of lines of validation code in the process.
Visual AI is known as an advanced computer vision helping to replicate the human’s eye and brain. It sees applications as a human would, neglecting insignificant rendering differences, but not letting even the modest defect bypass. Visual AI can be incorporated into existing tests, via snippets of code called visual assertions or via native integrations as we have with Katalon Studio.
How Katalon Studio’s Record-and-Playback leverages Visual Testing
A single line of code can help engineers to capture the entire output status and validate it against the previous version. Even with a different locator, visually identical tests will still pass. When the tool identifies differences, it lets the engineers accept expected improvements and notify developers of uncovered failures.
Meanwhile, Katalon Studio is a comprehensive testing tool that simplifies the testing process for not only developers but also QA engineers without extensive coding skills. Noticeably, Katalon Studio’s powerful record-and-playback capability enables designing and executing test cases immediately without any set-up step. For teams with varied skill sets, it is easier for them to wholly involve all members to apply and automate their testing process as a whole.
Katalon and Applitools have collaborated to bring Visual AI-powered tests into your Katalon Web UI test scripts. Notably, the integration is seamless and easy to use. Leveraging this perfect combination, users can achieve efficiency, stability, and coverage of their automated tests.
Pave the way for codeless automation
As a former product owner familiarized with record-and-playback test automation solutions, I have heard discussions from two sides of the same coin. Best to my experience, a prominent explanation on why record-and-playback solutions sometimes unable to deliver ROI is that they are so easy to set up, and they build a bit of a false sense of simplicity. The reality is that thought-out test automation is not easy – and without an intensive understanding of locators and framework about the re-use of tests, you will set yourself up for failure regardless of tools you are using.
Leaving your coding ego at the door and putting more concentration on the quality, record-and-playback solutions will surely provide ROI most of the time. I often spend 45-60 minutes writing a code test, while with a recorded test with Katalon, I was able to create in less than 5 minutes. If you multiply that time savings across an entire test suite, you will see how test case maintenance would go down.
To cut down test maintenance time and set the ball rolling for codeless (or low code) solutions, we have to incorporate useful features: element repository, reusable test steps, plus code extensibility.
Explore the prominent features of Record-and-Playback
This section will provide a more detailed look at four must-have features of a record and playback tool. The keys to automation with codeless solutions and the benefits of combining Katalon with Applitools in terms of the updated native integration are recently released.
Element Reusability
A noticeable, yet important feature that reduces maintenance time is the element repository shared throughout all of the tests in your test suite. In case the application is adjusted, and you need to update the find logic, you can do it from a single location and just once. It is more convenient because when there is any change, all tests that reference that element will be updated – a simple way to save tremendous time and effort.
Reusable steps
With reusable test steps, every test simply references the set-up test; even if it requires an update, it’s a single update. Let’s think of how many of your tests need set-up steps, such as logging into your application. If you wrote those steps over and over for each test, the maintenance would overload if something changed within the login process.
Visual testing
It is a fact that modern UI testing requires both functional and visual tests. Therefore, it is critical that the record-and-playback solution you select provides integration with a vendor like Applitools. With native integration, you can simply make use of Applitools AI-powered visual testing without writing a single line of code. This approach allows you to eliminate many locators-based assertions and reduce long-term maintenance of your tests.
Ability to insert code
When looking at a record-and-playback solution, it’s obvious to ensure tests can be extended with code. From my perspective, there are two approaches you can opt for – the testing solution provides scripting options, or the one that offers a full framework to leverage. I would recommend choosing the purest option vs. wrappers (or scripting) languages. There is nothing better than selecting an option that matches the programming language your dev team is using. Additionally, I believe it also provides your testers a potential career path option, whether they switch into a different area: software development. More specifically, you are a Java or Groovy shop – search for a testing solution that can extend in Java or Groovy.
In a nutshell, Record-and-Playback has made up the leeway and is a feasible option to mitigate the team’s time and budget. When choosing a vendor, ensure that you could obtain all of the necessary features and that it’s the right solution for your team. Katalon Integration with Applitools and Applitools bring Visual AI-powered tests for users to achieve maximum efficiency, stability, and coverage of their automated tests.
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