Codeless Test Automation Benefits & Options

What are the benefits of codeless and low-code test automation, and what’s the difference? Learn realistic tips and options for making codeless automation work for your development team.

Codeless test automation is not a new option, but it has significantly improved over time. New codeless tools are often managed in a cloud-based service that handles the backend details while development teams and testers create and manage tests. Test automation tools have improved, and the cloud-based option frees up time for testers and developers to create and enhance codeless test automation test suites.

Modern Agile and DevOps teams increasingly work across roles. Developers may test and code, and QA testers may test and code as well. Product owners and UI/UX designers may get involved in significant testing efforts as well. For teams that need to support various roles performing testing activities, codeless and low-code test automation tools help speed up test development and execution. Codeless and low-code test automation tools also reduce test maintenance needs and provide built-in status metrics.

Sounds like a winner, but will codeless test automation work and meet your testing needs? This guide discusses codeless and low-code test automation benefits, getting the most ROI, and realistic tips for making codeless automation work for your team.

Key Takeaways

• What is codeless test automation?
• How does using codeless testing tools benefit software development teams?
• Does codeless test automation work effectively?
• Discover what you need to make the most of codeless test automation tools.

What is Codeless Test Automation?

Codeless test automation includes tools and frameworks that don’t require programming code in developing automated test cases. Codeless test automation goes by several names including low-code, no-code and scriptless test automation. Codeless automation tools enable any user to create automated tests without coding knowledge or experience.

How truly codeless a tool is can vary. For this reason, many tools are considered low-code instead of codeless. Low-code codeless automation tools enable any user to create automated tests but then allow for experienced testers or coders to also edit tests to handle more complex test scenarios.

The added flexibility of being able to employ loops, if statements and shared components adds significant value to tests that cover complex functional workflows. The ability to test an application end-to-end improves with low-code tools and the ability to edit the backend code scripts. Low-code tools can deliver both the benefits of codeless test creation with the ability of fully coded automation to handle all types of user scenarios regardless of complexity.

Fully coded test automation is truly the most effective method of developing thorough automated test coverage. The problem is it simply takes too much time, requires advanced skills to create, and requires significant test maintenance over time. Many organizations simply cannot invest the time and resources to create working and consistently maintained coded test automation.

How Does Using Codeless Testing Tools Benefit Software Development Teams?

On the other hand, anyone can create codeless automated tests. Codeless and low-code tools also leverage the power of AI technology to assist with test maintenance and failure analysis. AI technology automatically updates affected test cases any time the application changes. Reducing the time it takes to analyze automated test failures and perform maintenance can be a game changer for teams and organizations. With codeless test tools, any organization can successfully create valid and useful automated test suites.

Other significant benefits of codeless and low-code testing tools include:

• Ability to quickly create reusable test automation across the entire SDLC
• Reduced time and the need to constantly maintain automated tests for applications that change frequently
• Allows developers to edit code for more complex test scenarios or end-to-end system tests
• Can provide a complementary suite of automated tests to code-based test automation
• Managed cloud-based tools add scalability, speed, team collaboration and security to free up developer time
• Access to multiple devices, VMS, and browsers for increased test coverage potential
• Codeless and low-code tools allow for test case and test data sharing for improved test execution speed
• Codeless and low-code tools include AI technology that identifies page elements and relationships for a more reliable and efficient automated test suite

That said, codeless and low-code test automation is not perfect. The tools control the functionality and ability to edit backend code for more complex test coverage. Test creation still requires advanced planning and implementation of an organized testing approach for efficient test maintenance and execution. Finally, take full advantage of free trial offers to try out the tools to ensure they’ll work with your application. Read all pricing information carefully as many tools charge per test run. You’ll want to understand when costs are incurred so you can plan test executions without incurring excessive costs.

Will Codeless Test Automation Work?

In the right circumstances and with effective prior test management and planning—yes. Can you simply start it up and start automating tests without a test strategy or plan? Yes, you can, but you’ll quickly find reams of tests are being created and executed without known validity or test coverage. How do you know what you’re testing?

Most modern software applications are growing in complexity daily. The complexity of application code makes creating test automation of any kind difficult. Can you get to 100% test automation with codeless or low-code test automation tools? No. If the application is continuously updated, enhanced or altered by defect fixes, then automated tests will constantly need to be maintained or re-created. In other words, that’s re-work or a duplication of work.

Most development teams frown upon having to perform work twice, let alone multiple times. Consider if your development team has time to cover test maintenance. Do you have developer resources to help with test script maintenance? Most developers prefer to focus on creating new features not maintenance and especially not test maintenance. Are your QA testers able to redo test scripts continuously? Or do they have the skills to maintain test automation efficiently and effectively?

Codeless and low-code test automation offers many benefits and provides an achievable manner of creating automated test suites. For many development teams, codeless and low-code tools provide everything needed to leverage and successfully create valid, working test automation.

The reality is how successful test automation projects are, codeless or otherwise, depends largely on the complexity of the application functionality. If your application is highly integrated and complex, be sure to plan out a test strategy before getting started with codeless test automation. Ensure resources exist to support test automation to get a positive return on investment and the most from your automated test suites.

Do you need a solid, quality codeless test automation tool for your development and QA teams? Prefer the simplicity of a cloud-based service? Create effective and efficient codeless test automation using Test Studio from Progress Telerik. Keep tests and teams productive with Test Studio.