Being a beginner, where should I start for automation testing?

If you start a career in Software Testing, I will be able to share my experience with you!

In this article I will show that it is possible as a beginner to apply your knowledge into pratice.

You just need to have a focus!

I used the PDCA cycle(Plan, Do, Check, Act) for developing my new knowledge in Automated Testing. This technique has been helping me to progress.

Tips: Elaborate your plan and look ahead to the next stage keep developing your plan. Don’t Procrastinate!

“If you want to live a happy life, stick to a goal, not people or things.”

Albert Einstein

Follow below all the processes that I used for developing my knowledge in Automated Testing.

Plan: Define goals and objectives to new learning. In my case it is about “Software Test Automation”;

My goal: Learning about “Software Test Automation” in pratice though the tool Cypress.io with cucumber/gherkin-syntaxed using an open source system on the github;

My objective: Creating “Automated end-to-end testing”.

Do: Execute the plan.

Step by step from the project:

1. I decided to search on the github for any open source system where I can put into practice testing project automation;
2. I found an open source system called “OrangeHrm open source HR Management”. It was very good because I could understand about the HR Management business;
   Check out “OrangeHrm open source HR Management” on the github https://github.com/orangehrm
3. I understood the user guide for automated module called “My Info” look at the Guide on the website https://www.orangehrm.com/assets/Files/OS-4.3-Administrator-User-Guide.pdf
4. I wrote the testing scenarios using Cypress.io integration with cucumber/gherkin-syntax;
5. I created test strategy for user story using a mind map following the link to: https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_ldNK3GE=/

Check: Through self-assessments I can identify knowledge gaps and fixing it for achieving my goal.

I applied the knowledge acquired in real-life situations using a software called “OrangeHrm open source HR Management”. I used the integration between Cypress.io with Cucumber and PageObject;

Self-assessments: I created the project, I was able to stimulate my creativity, self-teaching and self-confidence. I worked on my patience and self-motivation.

Positive points:

1. I was able to contribute with tool Cypress.io identifying an issue in it during my own system testing in the OrangeHrm open source HR Management”; Check out on https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/9031

Negative points:

1. During my studies about automating tests I found difficulty in finding contents that goes beyond informations supplied, but by sharing issues on the internet was able to resolve day to day problems.
2. Here are references that helped me acquire the knowledge applied into practice. Tip: “Quality over quantity.”

https://testautomationu.applitools.com/
https://github.com/orangehrm
https://github.com/TheBrainFamily/cypress-cucumber-preprocessor
https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress
https://medium.com/@itortv/how-to-integrate-cypress-and-cucumber-in-your-development-flow-in-just-a-few-weeks-96a46ac9165a
https://medium.com/revista-tspi/sonarlint-seu-c%C3%B3digo-com-mais-qualidade-d5f1aeb3a4e5

Act: Here, I am sharing my learning!

My project was finished and It was used ESLint as static analysis tools.
It was great because I could pay attention to detail and quality of code so I could improve it.

Check out my project on the github https://github.com/karinecord/orangehrm/wiki/End-To-End-Testing

My personal journey is to keep learning, praticing and sharing my knowledge.

So I decided to do a training course: http://tspi.juliodelima.com.br/
Júlio de Lima #TSPI #LinkedIn. It’s focus is the understanding of Testing in practice and not just theory.
It is quite useful and amazing because I’m networking with other experience people, and acquiring new knowledge.

I hope that my experience can inspire beginners to start your automated testing project!