Understanding Parametrization Of Test Cases

Hard-coded values are common in recorded tests, making them "static" and impossible to change. These tests always utilise the same set of data and follow the same set of instructions. This keeps you from having to repeat the tests. Furthermore, these tests are difficult to adapt because searching for and changing a value utilised in the test necessitates going through the entire test.

Parameterizing tests, or replacing hard-coded input values with parameters, is the simplest approach to make them more consistent and understandable. The new age test automation tools like QARA Enterprise, Ranorex and TestComplete make this possible. This makes it possible to reuse test commands across many data sets, share test data, and construct more flexible test procedures.

Consider the following scenario: you have a recorded test that simulates user input into the Notepad window. You can use different parameter values to run this test and pass the text to be entered into the Notepad window as a parameter. As a result, you won't have to update the test command that simulates user input every time you wish to run a test; instead, you'll simply change the parameter value.

Parametric testing, which is available in advanced test management solutions, allows for the reuse of test cases as well as the import or definition of test parameters for test runs with a variety of parameters.

Understanding Parameter Values

Parameters are properties that describe the live environment and have different values. Users must recreate test cases with each and every parameter if they do not employ parametrization, which is a time-consuming operation. A shared test case library allows advanced test management systems to reuse test cases from different projects. Parameters can be defined based on product failure profiles and descriptions in real-world scenarios.

Both Test Cases and Test Sets can have parameter values specified to them. As previously stated, Test Cases and Test Sets can be structured into tree-hierarchies (i.e., any Test Case/Set can have a parent and multiple children). When looking up parameter values, these parent-child hierarchies of Test Cases and Test Sets are utilised, as the "child" elements inherit the parameter values defined at higher levels.

Agile & Parametrization

To achieve a high degree of testing efficiency and accuracy, you'll need a library of well-defined test cases and a good set of test parameters.

Parametrization is especially crucial in an Agile software context. Although Agile emphasises faster delivery timeframes, developers must also maintain a high level of software quality in order to meet client expectations. More accurate testing, improved code quality, and faster testing methods are all benefits of parametrized testing. Overall, utilising parametrized testing improves the overall efficiency of software development and testing.

Practically, functionally comparable Test Cases should be placed beneath a parent/container Test Case, and/or functionally similar Test Cases should be grouped into a single Test Set or hierarchy of Test Sets. If this is the case, defining parameter values on the parent components makes it simple to share parameter values between them.

Implementing Parametrization

Determine which characteristics are appropriate for the product profile. Take the automobile industry as an example: a car brake system test would need to be performed at various speeds and weights.

• Define the range of potential values for qualities that match real-world scenarios
• Insert the attribute "speed" and "weight" to create a test case for the braking mechanism
• Import the table of parameter values for the test case
• Carry out test runs with those parameters

Test parametrization, according to experts, improves the overall quality of code, resulting in more confidence in the code. This is why QA teams need a test management software with parametrization functionality.