Definition | The process of using automated tools to execute pre-scripted tests on a software application before it is released into production.
| A set of practices and tools that aim to automate and integrate the processes of software development and IT operations. |
|---|
Primary Goal | To validate that the software meets specified requirements and is free of defects. | To improve the collaboration between development and operations teams, increase the speed of delivery, and ensure high quality in the software lifecycle. |
|---|
Scope | Focuses primarily on the testing phase of the software development lifecycle. | Covers the entire software development lifecycle, including development, testing, deployment, and operations. |
|---|
Tools Used | Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, QTP/UFT, Appium, LoadRunner, etc. | Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, Git, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, etc. |
|---|
Roles Involved | Testers, QA Engineers, Automation Engineers. | Developers, Operations Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Security Teams. |
|---|
Focus Area | Ensuring software quality and finding defects. | Continuous integration, continuous delivery, infrastructure as code, monitoring, and feedback loops. |
|---|
Methodology | Can be part of Agile, Waterfall, or other development methodologies. | Typically associated with Agile and Lean methodologies, promoting iterative and incremental development. |
|---|
Process Integration | Often occurs after the development phase, before deployment. | Integrated throughout the development process, from planning to deployment and monitoring. |
|---|
Continuous Feedback | Provides feedback on the quality of the software through automated test results. | Provides continuous feedback on the entire system's health, including development, deployment, and operations. |
|---|
Automation Level | Automates repetitive and manual testing tasks. | Automates the entire lifecycle of applications, including development, testing, deployment, and monitoring. |
|---|
Key Metrics | Test coverage, test execution time, defect detection rate. | Deployment frequency, lead time for changes, mean time to recovery (MTTR), change failure rate. |
|---|
Skill Set Required | Knowledge of testing frameworks, scripting, understanding of software requirements | Knowledge of coding, infrastructure management, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices, and system architecture. |
|---|
Outcome | Ensures that the software is defect-free and meets requirements before release. | Aims to deliver software faster, with higher quality and more reliability, through streamlined processes and automation. |
|---|