Combining Unit Tests and Automatic User Interface Script Testing

Published: July 5, 2012 2 min. read
Svitla Team
By Svitla Team
Quality Assurance
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After creating and running unit tests, they are combined with another level of testing known as the automatic user interface. This step is to make sure the code interacts seamlessly with the communications of the user. Unit testing measures the functionality of the core application – everything inside of the device – but it is also important to make sure the program can follow the commands it is given from outside of the device. For example, when a user touches play on her mobile device, does the program do as it is designed to do?

To develop this interface, a script is run that interprets commands for the built in scenario on every platform. The test automatically interprets every scenario input – such as pushing buttons, filling text fields, or selecting check boxes. This test is almost identical to the unit test but is run from the user side.

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When the two tests, unit and auto interface, intersect, the developer can be certain there is a great combination of automation and unit testing. When we first began using this methodology, there were some surprising results. The correlation software development at each stage needs to be verified and tested, and using this methodology of software development showed that the process was effective immediately, as well as in the long term.

One interesting outcome was that in a team of 45 people using test driven development, beginning with unit testing through GUI testing, more resources and time were spent in the beginning. However in the later stages of improvement and Java development, as well as developing the next version of the software, hundreds and hundreds of hours were saved. Manual tests are run again at this stage to ensure that the program release works perfectly. Having these tests in place for intermediate releases of the programs and applications saves a lot of time and resources.

Developing unit tests and user interface testing can seem like a big investment in the beginning – however there is no need to purchase additional software or technology to create these tests. Also, time and salary is saved over the lifetime of the project. We highly recommend implementing this methodology for our clients.

Written by
Svitla Team
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FAQ

What is the difference between unit testing and automatic user interface (UI) script testing?

Unit tests essentially verify the core of the app’s internal code to ensure that all components function properly when used independently. On the other hand, auto UI script tests simulate actual user actions, such as pressing buttons or entering details in forms, to verify that the app responds correctly to external requests. Unit tests verify what happens inside the device, while UI script tests demonstrate that from the user’s perspective, the device is acting correctly. They are both important and shall complement each other toward a dependable and friendly application.

Why is it beneficial to combine unit tests with automatic UI script testing in software development?

Unit tests are combined with automatic UI script testing to ensure the functionality and appearance of an app work correctly. Catching problems early means there won’t be any bugs in the final product, and time plus resources are saved later on. This also checks both code and user experience, resulting in more dependable and user-friendly software for users. Over time, this mixed testing method results in quicker upgrades, together with simpler upkeep.

How can teams effectively integrate unit tests and UI script tests into their development workflow?

The best way to tie such testing together is through the practice of test-driven development, where the team first writes unit tests covering the basic logic. Then, the scripts automated UI tests that would cover all user interaction scenarios. In this way, the internal components are assuredly strong before verifying the experience for the end-user. These should also be run during intermediate releases so that any inconsistencies can be immediately traced to their source. Although setting up such tests requires a significant amount of time at the initial stage, it will pay off by reducing manual testing to a great extent and enabling faster future development cycles.

What challenges might arise when combining unit tests and UI script tests, and how can they be addressed?

One challenge is the increased time and resources that have to be invested at the start of the project, since both unit tests and UIs have to be developed and maintained over a period. However, this effort pays back quite handsomely in saving a lot of time and effort later on during improvements and new releases. The teams should take testing as an investment for the long run to overcome this challenge; hence, automated tests are incorporated in their normal flow of work, such that both code logic and user interactions are checked.