A Script-Less Approach for Non-Functional Test Automation

Let us begin our journey on a Script-less approach for Non-Functional Testing by understanding the below.

What Is Performance Testing?

Performance Testing is a process to validate and assess the speed, reliability, response time, and other performance metrics. The main purpose of performance testing is to identify and eliminate the performance bottlenecks and the most common challenges faced in the earlier versions of the software application. Performance Testing is a subset of Non- Functional Testing; it has wide varieties under this category which ranges from Load Testing, Stress Testing, Endurance Testing to Spike Testing. Non- Functional Testing uncovers what needs to be improved before the product goes to market. It has been observed that the applications sent to market with poor performance metrics are likely to lose reputation and potential business loss. 

Introduction to Script-Less Approach

Script-less, the term can be related to codeless for a quick understanding. It is a method in which automation tests will be done without writing code snippets. It doesn't involve any sort of coding practices; automation testers are required to figure out the testing steps in sequence instead of writing the actual code. This emphasizes the minimal interaction between testers and the code in an organization which results in bringing increased test coverage by adding the corner case scenarios. The Script-less Automation tools come with an intuitive Graphical User Interface, which is quite convenient for any novice Automation Tester. It comes bundled with all the required extensions, plugins, and modules to enable the automation process further simple and sophisticated. Lots of features at user convenience by doing drag and drop.

List of Tools Available for Non-Functional Test Automation

There are many tools that fasten the Non-Functional Test Automation; some of the proven tools from the list are Jmeter, LoadRunner, Gatling, Rational Functional Testing, LoadStorm, and Neoload.

Key Feature Comparison among the leading tools:

Myths Around Script-Less Approach

• It's a completely manual process; no programming expertise is required: It's a general misconception that the majority will think the same, but in reality, it also demands coding expertise as and when there is a need for customized implementations.
• It is possible and applicable to automate small applications: It has that great extent of support to implement large applications as well, and it can be adapted to any kind of application, including Web, Citrix, API, and Platform.
• Script-less Testing Tools are Simply Fancy Recorders: These tools enable testers to build complex scenarios as well by designing customized artifacts for various applications as per the need basis. This can support centralized artifact management by creating reusable test step blocks, functions, and libraries.
• Integration for the Agile needs is difficult: This claims to be one of the biggest myth among all the mentioned, but in reality, most of the Script-less tools comes with built-in plugins and extensions for seamless integration for the team collaboration and continuous integration needs for the agile implementations.

Benefits of Script-Less Approach

In the traditional Test Automation Approach maintaining scripts is the most challenging. In contrast, Script-less Test Automation has been identified as the next focus area for Agile and DevOps by eliminating the need for code review and maintenance. It brings that big leap in the test coverage scope from the Quality Engineering Teams. A seamless and hassle-free implementation can be witnessed for complex applications as well with this Script-less approach.