Getting started with implementing Automation

Getting started with implementing tests for automation (web or native apps) may seem daunting for those who are doing this for the first time. 

Assuming you are using open-source tooling like Selenium or Appium, there are multiple ways you can get started.

1. DIY - Build your own framework by scripting based on the documentation

2. Use Selenium-IDE for quick record and playback

3. Use TestProject Recorder for quick record and playback

4. Use TestProject SDK to build your own custom scripts for automating the tests
   
   

Each of the above approaches has its own pros-and-cons. Let's look at this in some detail:

Approach #1 - DIY - Build your own framework

Selenium: https://www.selenium.dev/documentation/en/

Appium: https://appium.io/docs/en/about-appium/intro/

Pros	Cons
You can build all features and capabilities as per your design & requirement	*You need to learn a programming language
	*You have to build everyone on your own (though you can use supporting libraries)

* Depending on the context of the team, the above points can also be considered as an advantage

Approach #2 - Selenium-IDE

https://www.selenium.dev/selenium-ide

Pros	Cons
Easy to set up	Basic reports
Works in Chrome & Firefox	Works only for automating Web applications
Code can be exported in various formats
Recorded tests can be run from command line
Tests can be run in your own CI
Will always be in-sync with underlying WebDriver

Approach #3 - TestProject Recorder

https://testproject.io/easy-test-automation/

Pros	Cons
Advanced recorder (lot of actions, validations, self-healing, customisations possible, and a lot of community Addons)	Recorder works only in Chrome, but tests can be executed on all browsers
Recorder works for Web applications as well as Native Apps (in real devices or emulators) for Android and iOS (even iOS on Windows machine)	Generated code is very simple - good as a reference to see how the underlying implementation / interaction is done
TestProject agent automatically determines all available browsers available and devices connected to the machine and execution can be customised accordingly	Each recorded test needs to be exported individually. No concept of reuse in this approach
Can schedule test runs as one-time, or repeated activity via build-in scheduler / CI/CD tool integrations or via their RESTful API
Reports are comprehensive with meaningful data, including screenshots and option to download to PDF format
Code can be generated from the recorded script
Can share tests easily using the "Share test" feature

Approach #4 - TestProject SDK

https://testproject.io/advanced-scripting-capabilities

Pros	Cons
Probably the most powerful way of these 4 approaches as it uses WebDriver / Appium under the hood. Get the power of building your own framework, while reusing out-of-the-box features like driver management, automatic reporting, etc.	You need to learn a programming language
Driver management is TestProject responsibility. Test implementer can focus on automating tests