Codeless Automation Testing: Ought to use and when not to use

Automating software testing is a no-brainer for quality analysts, testers, and software developers. While taking the code-full route for testing is highly embraced among the testing community, this track has its own share of impediments.

It definitely gives you that added flexibility to bend the test scenarios and factors for more appropriate results. However, indulging in such a method may often cost a handsome investment in terms of both resources and time.

This is where codeless or low code or no-code automation testing has risen to fame among the software testing fraternity and small businesses investing in software or application development. This method can render a quicker turnaround and better ROI.

However, you can only cover limited or fewer conditions when compared to coded automation. 

What is No-Code Automation?

No-code or codeless or low code automation is an economical alternative to coded automation testing, where the testing is automated without scripting a single line of coding. It is used to minimize:

Over time, no-code automation testing has become the next big thing in the software development community.

Let us dig deeper into when or not to use no-code automation as we proceed.

Read more: Scriptless Test Automation: Beginners Guide

When to Use it?

Owing to the convenience this offers no-code automation testing is a preferred approach. However, its applications are not universal owing to its limitations. 

Here are some of the cases where you can use codeless automation

1. Automation Scenarios not Requiring Coding:

Most automated testing scenarios may not essentially require direct coding. For such cases, codeless automation is perfect.

Tried & Tested Scenarios

It is best you try codeless testing on the given testing scenario and use no-code automation, which has proved to be fool-proof. Choosing the right automation tool (coded or not) is critical for accurate results. Hence, taking chances isn’t something we would suggest.

2. Multiple Recurring Regressive Tests:

You cannot shun the significance of regressive tests as they are imperative for successful product (software/application) delivery. It is so, especially in the case of agile and CD/CI, when the frequency is amplified. This is where automating testing using codeless automation tools can come in extremely handy. Consider all the factors before choosing the tool to ensure the best results.

3. Projects Involving Continuous Testing and CI/CD Processes:

Automated testings get triggered in continuous testing processes. So, whenever any new information or editing is required, a certain code is entered. This is extremely tedious and no-code automation is much useful in such cases.

4. Stable Manual Test Scenarios:

Certain manual test scenarios may have already become stable after repeated releases and have gained the capability of passing the subsequent tests. In such test scenarios using no-code automation can be a time and effort-saving approach.

5. Complex Time-Consuming Test Cases:

Many complex test cases may involve complicated mathematical calculations that take up a lot of time. This makes the process prone to calculation errors. Automating such test cases is the most ideal decision to adopt.

When it comes to shrinking test turnaround time, what’s better than codeless automation! Now ease the predicament of performing complex mathematical calculations in a very simple way.

6. Projects Requiring Data-Driven Testing:

The data-driven approach for testing is nothing new to the testing fraternity, given the world, today eats and breathes data. However, feeding in the enormous amount of data from various data sources like Excel sheets, JSON files, database tables, etc. is a very tedious and error-prone process. Automating such testing processes with no-code automation tools can be very helpful.

7. Projects Requiring Cross-Browser Testing:

When your project needs cross-browser testing involving multiple browsers, operating systems, or devices, or a combination of two or more of these, codeless automation tools can be a power-packed player. This is especially so with cloud-based testing labs which can allow choosing and using thousands of devices in just a few clicks.

8. When you Need to Run Parallel Tests and Save Time

Running parallel tests is one of the best ways to reduce test time. Save your time from writing a script and manual calculations!

When Not to Use No-Code Automation Testing?

While we have already checked out where you can use codeless automation in testing, let us now look at when we cannot use no-code automation tools.

1. Projects with Direct Test Code Requirements:

In projects involving unit or white-box tests, no-code tests are a big no as these require direct coding interactions.

2. Flaky and Inconsistent Testing:

Flaky or inconsistent tests yield erratic and contradictory results at different levels or repetitions, requiring modulations in every test case and repetition. They intend to pass or fail asynchronously. You cannot thus replicate them using no-code automation tools depending on the changes in variables, concurrency, and wait time.

3. While Performing Experimental Tests:

When you want to conduct experiments on your product, it requires out-of-the-box test ideas, and therefore, you cannot automate them. These codes cannot be written in advance. Hence, using codeless automation tools is out of the question in such cases.

4. Applications requiring frequent modulations in the UI

When the application you are developing requires recurrent changes and iterations in the UI, it requires a change in the script or coding sheet every time. Hence, no-code automation is not ideal for such test cases.

5. While running usability/acceptance tests

To run usability and acceptance tests, you need manual intervention and attention, making such test cases ineligible for no-code automation testing. 

Read also: Benefits of Scriptless Test Automation to Increase Your ROI

Summing up:

Contrary to conventional notions, no-code automation testing is no longer a record and playback mechanism but a full-scale automation testing in itself. It comes in remarkably handy in saving time, resources, and efforts while performing redundant and tedious test processes. Hence, no-code automation testing is an ideal choice for testers who are tight on either budget or time, skilled resources, or a combination of these factors.

However, low-code or no-code automation tools come with their own sets of handicaps. So, it is very crucial that you make the right call while choosing when to use them and when not. You need to make a well-informed decision about which no-code automation testing tool is most suitable for your purpose.

Once you are past these hurdles, there’s no stopping you from quick and inexpensive tests, leading to unmatched success and faster software delivery.