Why SDET is the Future of Software Testing: Exploring the Evolution of QA
In the tech world especially the part where the software development the SDETS are one of the most crucial individuals. “Software Development Engineer in Test.” or SDET plays the role of software developers and quality assurance simultaneously. These individuals are responsible for the reliability, quality, and perfect functionality of software applications with the help of automated scripts, designing the test frameworks, and collaborating with both software developers and testers.
Over the years, Quality Assurance (QA) practices have evolved significantly. They need to adapt to the changing environment and development methodologies. This is where the role of SDET images as their savior. They are now being considered as the future of software testing. Let us discuss in detail below to learn about their role and why they are becoming the future of software testing.
Understanding the Role of SDET
Traditional QA testers solely rely on manual testing which is time-consuming and slow. The SDET play an important role in the fast-paced software testing world. SDETs are not your typical QA engineers. They know both development and testing skills. Unlike traditional QA engineers who focus solely on testing. SDETs are proficient in both software development and testing methodologies. This dual expertise allows them to approach testing from a developer's perspective. It leads them to conduct more important and efficient testing processes for the software.
The SDETS Are the Future Of Software Testing
In the last couple of years, software companies have moved much towards automation of testing. Test automation isn't just about shortening the feedback loop but improving the efficiency of the testing as well. SDETs find themselves on the frontline of test automation development. They put their automation skills to use to decrease the amount of testing efforts and to improve the quality of the product.
Here are more reasons why they are becoming the future:
1. Automation
Businesses and users alike are now relying on software more than ever. To deliver the software at a fast pace that too which is complex enough, manual testing isn't just enough. This is where the role of SDETs becomes more crucial than ever. With their automation testing skills, they can help the software companies to deliver the software without any delays as they can automate the test with the code they developed that isn't just for software development but testing framework as well.
2. Shift-left Testing
Usually, the testing phase starts when the software is developed in manual testing. However, thanks to SDETs, the testing phase can be started right from the start of the development cycle. With this “Shift-left Testing,” They can effectively collaborate with the developers and write the code to automate the testing from the beginning. The issues, glitches, and bugs can be detected from the start and can be fixed earlier. Not only does this reduce the cost of eliminating the bugs but it timely delivery of the perfectly working application and software as well.
3. DevOps and Agile Practices
One of the most common parts of the DevOps and Agile practices is undoubtedly the SDETs. This is because they have to perform continuous testing and frequent releases. They work closely with the developers and operation teams so they can make sure that nothing from them should be released without the testing and it is still an integral part of the development cycle.
4. Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
When it comes to implementing and maintaining automated test suites within the CI/CD then the role of SDETS becomes even more crucial. As we all know they develop the test code that is also used for developing, so when they have to slightly change the code they will make sure it is tested before it is deployed. They will help reduce the risks of having bugs in the later stages of testing or development.
5. Data-Driven Testing and AI/ML
SDETs are embracing data-driven testing and incorporating AI and ML into their workflows. This facilitates intelligent test case selection and validation, enhancing both test coverage and accuracy.
6. End-to-End Testing
These days, a huge number of platforms are being used by the targeted users of the applications. This is the reason why end-to-end testing has become crucial. Modern applications have to go through end-to-end testing across various platforms and devices. They need to be compatible with multiple screen sizes and platforms. SDETs can design and implement comprehensive test suites that cover the entire application stack. This includes frontend, backend, APIs, and integrations.
7. Quality and Reliability
One of the major problems that often arise with the traditional QA experts is the software complexity. As software products become more complex, ensuring quality and reliability can be a challenging task. SDETs, with their deep understanding of both development and testing practices, are instrumental in identifying and fixing bugs early in the development lifecycle, thereby improving the overall quality of the product.
8. Career Growth
The SDETs are in high demand these days. These roles offer excellent career growth opportunities in the tech landscape. SDETs can apply for various roles within software development, quality assurance, or even leadership positions, leveraging their diverse skill set and experience.
SDET Vs. QA, Where Difference Lies
When people talk about SDETs they often talk about QA testers as well thinking that they are similar to SDETs. The thing is in an SDET Vs QA topic, there are different things to point out. SDETs are an active part of day one. They play an important role in the software development cycle from start to test and even launch. On the other hand, the QA testers only come into the picture when they have to test.
Also, the skill set of SDET is much broader as they know about developing and testing but the QA testers are just about testing skills. There are certain parts of the software development cycle where SDETs surpass the regular QA testers. The role of QA testers though is important but it is the SDETs that take the cake.
Conclusion
SDETs are undoubtedly one of the most valued individuals in the etch landscape. Unlike traditional QAs, they offer versatility, proficiency, and technical superiority then them. This is the reason why they are popular in software development companies and the tech landscape. However, they are also considered the future of software testing as well. Because they can develop code that isn't just developing but testing frameworks as well.
But there are the above-mentioned reasons that clearly show why they are becoming the future of software testing. If you want to have a future-proof career with multiple knowledge then go for the SDET certificate program offered by reputed platforms like WEDEVX. You will learn both technical and soft skills that will help you stay in the job market for longer.