While testing a software application, the testers have to focus on business requirements fully. The QA testing professionals also perform user acceptance testing as part of the software deployment process. They perform user acceptance testing after the development process is over and before the software goes live.
Unlike functional testing, UAT does not check if the software meets all predefined requirements and specifications. The primary objective of UAT is to check if the specific requirements are working for the user and the client will accept the software. Testing professionals conduct who are not the part of technical designing and development process.
Based on the nature and extent of the project, the testers need to perform a variety of acceptance testing – alpha & beta, black box, operational acceptance, contract acceptance, and regulation acceptance testing. That is why; the QA testers need robust Acceptance testing frameworks to complete different types of acceptance testing within a short amount of time.
Brief Overview of 8 Widely Used Acceptance Testing Frameworks
1) Robot Framework
In addition to being an acceptance testing framework, Robot Framework also supports acceptance test driven development (ATDD). Its modular architecture makes Robot Framework both scalable and extensible. The users can easily extend the acceptance testing framework by using test libraries implemented through Java or Python programming language. At the same time, they also have option to create higher-level syntax based on the tabular test data syntax provided by the framework, and use these syntaxes to create custom test cases efficiently.
2) FitNesse
FitNesse is an open source and wiki web server based acceptance testing framework. It supports several popular programming languages including Java, C# and Python. Also, it provides plug-ins and accessories for various programming languages and environments. The testers can further take advantage of the minimalist wiki syntax used in FitNesse to write test cases by focusing on content. Also, they can use the framework to validate all requirements based on the actual software implementation.
3) Cucumber
Cucumber is designed as an open source tool for executable specification, and supports behaviour driven development (BDD). The BDD support enables users to discuss all probable behaviour of the software and run these behaviours as acceptance tests. The developers can further use a single document to define the specifications and test the software. Cucumber further keeps the document up to data by executing the tests automatically.
4) Codeception
The open source testing framework is designed based on PHPUnit. It enables users to test a variety of web applications written in PHP in BDD-style. The testers have option to write tests in PHP and execute the tests quickly through Codeception. However, they can take advantage of PHP DSL to easily define all actions from the perspective of end users. The testers also have option to run feature-files written in Gherkin format directly through Codeception. However, Codeception finds use only for performing acceptance testing of applications written in PHP.
5) Ruby Acceptance Testing Quickstart
As its name indicates, the open source acceptance testing framework is written in Ruby programming language. The framework follows widely used acceptance testing best practices and provides a set of tools to simplify acceptance testing of web applications. The Software test engineers can further avail a number of robust features provided by Ruby Acceptance Testing Quickstart including parallel test execution, switchable drivers/browsers, headless browser testing, and remote test execution through BrowserStack.
6) EngageUAT
The commercial acceptance testing framework enables users to manage important aspects of UAT without using complex spreadsheets, emails or attachments. EngageUAT allows testers to perform UAT in the cloud. The cloud environment enables testers to store create, manage in a centralized location. Also, testers can check if the application meets all business requirements by approving both individual tests and projects. The real-time reporting feature of EngageUAT makes it easier for testers to monitor acceptance testing, and know the status and reason of each item.
7) Usersnap
The effectiveness of the commercial software testing tool can be determined its use base which included Google, Microsoft and Facebook. Usersnap enables testers to collect bug reports and organize feedback through screenshots. In addition to supporting visual communication, Usersnap also enables users to see the bug reports directly on a web browser. But Usersnap is not a specific acceptance testing framework. The testers can still take advantage of the features of Usersnap to check if the software works for the users, and get feedback on various aspects of the software.
8) Serenity BDD
The open source library is designed with features to enable testers to write more effective test cases with style. Serenity BDD allows testers to express requirements simply as user stories with acceptance criteria. Hence, it becomes easier for testers to express the requirements in a clear and effective way. Serenity further enables users to map automated tests to these requirements, generate narrative test reports, assess the acceptance test coverage, and monitor progress of acceptance testing.
On the whole, the testing professionals have option to choose from several acceptance testing frameworks. Some of these frameworks are commercial, while others are open source and free. Likewise, the features and performance of individual acceptance testing frameworks also vary. Hence, it becomes essential for the testers to pick the right acceptance testing based on the specific requirements of the project and testing strategy of the organization.
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