Software Test Automation - The Testing Methodology of using a "Software to Control Execution of Tests, Comparison of Actual Outcomes to Predicted Outcomes and setting up of other test pre-conditions & reporting functions". In other words - Software Test Automation is a Process of Automating Nearly 100% of the existing Formalized Manual Testing Process.

Over years - there has been lot of technological advancement & tools development programmers / developers have been equipped with tools that would enable them to quickly create applications - thus improving the development teams productivity. But, this led to lot of pressure on the Testers, as they had to test more & more code in with less & less time. Sometimes - the testing team was considered as a road-block to quicker software deliverables. But now the Testing Team is more than ever geared to handle the pressure sitaution by implementing - Software Test Automation methodology - as Manual Testing is Time consuming.

With different software versions being released in a short span of time - Manual Testing of versions is practically impossible - other than being time consuming. Software Test Automation Tools, help the testers in automation of GUI - thus reducing Test Time & as well the Cost. Not only this - but even Application PERFORMANCE TESTING is now no more manual intrinsic - rather from a single m/c - a large scale performance testing activity can be carried out.

Its about doing things right....... Software Test Automation.....is All About Doing Things Right

Planning has to be good - so that we don't get GARBAGE. Scripts that exercise the product without verifying anything are very easy to create. They may be good for automating setup, but they don't actually verify that your application works correctly. Automation should actually contribute to smaller release cycles and better product Quality.

Doing Automation Right Means.......Two most important parameters to be kept in mind

• Target the automation effort to those areas of your product that lend themselves to automation. 100% automation is not necessarily the best goal to shoot for.

• Plan to create reusable, robust, maintainable, data driven scripts. Use record and playback only as a learning aid.