Repeatable Test Cases with Static Data

The true cost benefit of test automation is achieved only when same scripts are executed multiple times. The first execution is very expensive because it includes one-time cost of automation tools and 100% of Test Automation engineer’s time. When scripts are executed again, cost of test automation declines sharply. The tool has already been purchased and scripts have already been coded. If there have been changes in application, scripts may require maintenance before being executed. Maintenance on minor software updates should be minimal.

Because test automation is only successful when scripts can be executed multiple times, only application which require same test cases to be executed with same data are good candidates for automation. For example, a mortgage application that needs to be regression tested on a weekly basis could be a good candidate for test automation. Script maintenance is minimal and scripts can enter a mortgage application using same group of test data in a fraction of time it would take a manual tester to test same functionality.

On other hand, a mortgage origination system, which cannot use same test data for each iteration would not be a good automation candidate. Due to nature of mortgage systems, data could be staged in various states of approval or rejection, based on current data and departments who have already processed their part of mortgage application. If script cannot easily figure out what data to enter in software, it is not a good automation candidate.

Another problem with automating this type of complex system is that test environment often contains a sampling of production data that is refreshed on a periodic basis. Sometimes this can be overcome by rebuilding test data when test environment is refreshed. The feasibility of rebuilding test data on a regular basis depends on complexity of application. You will have to make that decision on a case-by-case basis.

Application or Environmental Stability

Environmental stability is crucial to a successfully automating a software testing project. Scripts cannot be coded in a timely manner if application environment is unavailable, experiences frequent down-times, or excessive defects and errors.

Little or No Application or Environment Downtime

In this article we will take a look at this advanced technology, as well as discuss its advantages.

Introduced in March of 2003, Centrino was marketed by Intel to be best new thing since laptops themselves. Centrino machines were described as lighter and faster while conserving more power and running much more efficiently.

The fact is that Centrino actually does work just as good as its creators claim. Not only does technology allow notebooks to run much cooler, but they are also lightning fast. Let’s take a closer look at what components make up a Centrino equipped machine.

Pentium M Processor – This is definitely most important piece of Centrino puzzle. The Pentium M processor uses about ¼ power of a P4 Hyper-Threaded processor and is so efficient it offers almost a 2 times increase in performance. That’s right, a 2.0 GHz Pentium M Processor is going to be faster than a 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 laptop processor.

Since Pentium M processor is much more efficient than its counterparts it also has advantages of running cooler and conserving more battery power.