TestGuild Automation Podcast

In this episode, your host, Joe Colantonio, speaks with Robin Gupta to explore the crucial balance between automation and quality in test practices. Join us as we discuss the importance of meaningful conversations and detailed assessments before deciding on automation tools like Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress. We'll also delve into the basics of Selenium, the challenges for beginners, and the benefits of open-source versus vendor solutions. Robin also shares his knowledge of advanced techniques, including shadow DOM and the nuanced debate over page objects. We'll explore why essential open-source solutions can save you from reinventing the wheel and how to scale and distribute tests effectively. You'll also hear about Robin's new book on Selenium WebDriver for test automation, designed to be an approachable guide for beginners. Don't miss out on key tips such as the "crawl, walk, run, fly" approach and continuous improvement strategies.

Today, we delve into the nuanced art of hiring software testers in an era where remote work challenges traditional recruitment norms. We'll explore Paul's insights on the crucial skills for testers, the evolving landscape of automation in testing, and the critical importance of honesty and skill demonstration in hiring practices. Paul will also share some thought-provoking experiences and challenges in verifying candidates' identities and capabilities in virtual environments. Whether you are looking to hire or aiming to position yourself as an invaluable testing professional, this episode is packed with valuable advice and anecdotes from the front lines of software testing recruitment. Don't miss out on these expert tips to elevate your hiring strategy or advance your testing career.

In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Tobias Müller, a software development veteran and an expert in autonomous software testing. With over a decade of experience in the field, Tobias brings a wealth of knowledge, especially from his work with TestResults IO, where he delves into the AI-driven aspects of testing. Join us as Tobias debunks common myths surrounding autonomous software testing. He clarifies the often misunderstood differences between automated and autonomous testing and expresses a healthy skepticism about the current capabilities of fully autonomous tools. Despite the challenges, Tobias sees a promising future where autonomous testing could significantly ease the testing process by harnessing vast data pools and sophisticated learning models. We delve into the dynamic nature of the testing landscape. We advocate for a synergy between human proficiency and AI to enhance testing efficiency without completely replacing the human element. We delve into the potential and limitations of AI in testing, underlining the crucial role of human oversight in decision-making processes. Be one of the first to discover how to automate non-automatable applications: https://links.testguild.com/Z6PFe

In this engaging discussion, Dan Belcher, co-founder of Mabl and ex-Google product manager, explores how AI is revolutionizing mobile app testing. He introduces the groundbreaking Mabl tool for iOS and Android validation, shifting focus to non-deterministic testing for AI models. The conversation dives into the evolution of testing methodologies, the rise of AI-driven frameworks, and the importance of user-centric approaches. Dan shares insights on the challenges of mobile environments and how AI's contextual understanding is reshaping automation for better user experiences.

Welcome to the TestGuild Automation Podcast! I'm your host, Joe Colantonio, and Jon Robinson, chief storyteller at Nekst IT, ready to delve deep into the automation testing world. In today's episode, "The Four Phases of Automation Testing Mastery," we'll debunk the myth that automation is a cure-all solution and explore the intricacies and careful planning needed to succeed in test automation. Join us as we discuss practical strategic approaches including the 4-phase model—Discovery, Design, Develop, Deliver—and the importance of a maturity model to ensure your automation aligns with CI/CD integration. We'll highlight how automation serves as the backbone for regression testing, providing substantial long-term benefits and how pushing it later in the development process can minimize rework and costs. We'll tackle the challenges of test management in an agile world, and Jon will share his insights on the importance of storytelling in QA and how it can revolutionize how we test and communicate the value of our work. Expect actionable tips on avoiding common pitfalls and why focusing on real-world impacts and user perspectives can significantly improve your automation efforts. Prepare to elevate your testing strategy and learn why quality should be the focus rather than just hitting metrics. Tune in as we explore practical insights and real-life experiences that will empower you to enhance the success of your automation testing projects!

In today's episode, we are excited to feature the incredible insights of Bas Dijkstra, an independent test automation consultant and trainer with a wealth of experience spanning 17 years in the field. Bas joins us to share his journey in developing restassured.net, a much-needed library for HTTP API testing in C#, inspired by his fondness for RestAssured and its absence in the C# arena. We'll explore not just Bas's innovations but his comprehensive take on the evolution of API testing, spotlighting the persistent issue of superficial testing due to various industry pressures and the triumphs of more accessible tooling. We'll explore why Bas favors code-based solutions like RestAssured.Net for scaling and integration over tools like Postman regarding API testing. Furthermore, Bas will shed light on the rising interest in Playwright – a modern automation tool he believes overcomes many of the limitations of Selenium through features like auto-waiting and synchronization. We'll delve into the importance of context when selecting testing tools and why Bas advocates for workshop-based learning as a practical and empowering approach to introduce teams to Playwright. So, whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, join us to delve into the ever-evolving landscape of testing automation. Discover practical skills and mindsets to elevate your testing strategies. This is the TestGuild Automation Podcast, and today's episode is a must-listen for all testing professionals!

Scott Aziz, founder of AgileAI Labs and a BDD expert with over 36 years of experience, teams up with John Smart, the creator of the Serenity BDD framework. They discuss the innovative Spec2test AI tool designed for user story optimization and actionable test generation. The tool uses a unique 7-point framework to analyze ambiguities in user stories and suggest improvements. They highlight how AI enhances team collaboration, transforms user stories into functional and security tests, and boosts productivity in agile environments.

I'm thrilled to have two titans in software testing, Matt Heusser and Michael Larsen, with us today. These veterans, with their wealth of experience and knowledge, are here to discuss their latest contribution to the testing community, their new book, "Software Testing Strategies." In today's episode, we will unpack the inspiration behind "Software Testing Strategies," exploring the trio of testing essentials: skills, strategy, and the nuances of day-to-day operations, including the politics that intertwine with the testing process. The authors will discuss their approach to addressing the complexities of software testing, finding the most effective tests among endless possibilities, and how their book aims to guide you through these challenges. Matt and Michael will also share critical insights into organizational dynamics, the value of adaptability in the testing realm, and the ethical considerations professionals face in their careers. Plus, we'll touch on the difficult journey of updating outdated systems, navigating the minefield of communication, and why terms like "QA" may need a rethink. Listeners, you're in for a treat, with real-world stories, practical advice, and invaluable expertise that's just a discount code away – so stay tuned as we dive into the world of "Software Testing Strategies" on the TestGuild Automation Podcast.

Today's special episode, "Robocon Recapp," is about the insights and highlights from Robocon 2024. We are privileged to have Tatu Aalto, a renowned maintainer of the browser library; Frank Van der Kuur, a distinguished Robot Framework trainer from BQA; and Mark Moberts, a well-known figure in the Robot Framework community, with us. In this episode, our guests will explore the enriching experiences of the conference—from the unveiling of the Market Square to the engaging sessions that sparked valuable discussions. We will explore the myriad contributions beyond programming, including documentation, testing, and being an active voice in the community through forums like the RobotFramework Slack channel. Throughout the Robocon, the spirit of collaboration and knowledge exchange was not just evident. Still, it was the driving force - whether it was addressing pitfalls in the framework, swapping tips on finding the right testing library, or even discussing Frank's and Tatu's interactive sessions that went beyond expectations with engaging questions and the impact they left on the audience. Get ready to be immersed in a conversation that not only recaps the energy and learning from Robocon but also showcases how the Robot Framework community is driving the future of test automation. So plug in as we dive into everything Robot Framework with insights from the experts at the forefront of the automation world. Listen up!

Today, we're diving deep into the world of automation testing, with a special focus on Netflix's innovative tool, SafeTest. Joining us is Moshe Kolodny, the senior full-stack engineer at Netflix who is behind this exciting new tool, which is bridging the gap between end-to-end and unit testing. SafeTest, a tool that's been making significant strides in the industry, has garnered widespread community support and impressive traction in a remarkably short time. As we delve into its capabilities, we'll discover how SafeTest seamlessly integrates with popular libraries like Playwright and Jest, offering robust testing capabilities without imposing intrusive dependencies. Moshe will delve into the philosophy behind SafeTest, underlining the importance of practical, iterative test writing and the pitfalls of over-engineering. We'll explore SafeTest's adaptability, which ensures test consistency across environments with Docker mode, and the bidirectional communication it enables between browser and Node.js, enhancing the overall testing experience. Our conversation will shed light on the exciting future of SafeTest, from potential additions to the test runner to the introduction of custom reporting features. Moshe will also underscore the tool's commitment to developer experience, exemplified by SafeTest's debugging aids like videos and trace viewers. It's no secret that SafeTest reflects Netflix's robust approach to quality assurance. It aligns closely with the day-to-day experiences of UI engineers and addresses the intricate challenges of complex user interactions and service integrations. Stay tuned as we unpack the story of SafeTest's inception, core features, practical applications, and why Moshe believes it's a versatile choice for most testing scenarios.