I’m not really one to run after all the latest trends and write or talk about ‘the latest thing’ in test automation. Instead, I prefer to focus on the fundamentals of our work, and the role they keep playing in everything we do, even when technology changes (and it does change, all the time).

On Test Automation is a platform dedicated to software testing, test automation, and quality assurance. Readers can find articles, tutorials, and resources on topics such as test automation frameworks, testing strategies, and continuous integration pipelines. Additionally, they can learn about software testing tools, test-driven development (TDD), and agile testing methodologies.

On Test Automation

Test automation fundamentals remain largely unchanged despite technological evolution. Five core pillars define success: software testing knowledge (understanding quality testing vs. shallow pseudo-testing), programming skills (writing readable, maintainable code), test automation strategy (using 5W1H framework), tool proficiency (including newer options like Playwright and AI-powered tools), and test automation engineering (version control, build pipelines). While AI tools have emerged, they still require skilled engineers to wield effectively. Pair programming and collaborative learning are emphasized as efficient knowledge-sharing practices. The fundamentals outlined five years ago still hold relevance, with minor updates to tool recommendations and increased emphasis on recognizing good code quality.

The fundamentals of test automation revisited