Mobile applications have become an integral part of our lives. The increasing demand for mobile apps has also made it important to ensure that they are efficient, effective and bug-free. Automated testing is one of the best ways to achieve this. However, testing on different mobile platforms such as Android and iOS can be challenging. In this article, we will explore the process of automating tests for mobile platforms, providing insights and tips for developers to create high-quality mobile applications.
Introduction
Mobile applications have gained significant popularity over the last decade, and it is not hard to see why. The rise of smartphones and tablets has made mobile apps a necessity for businesses and consumers alike. As the demand for mobile apps increases, it has become increasingly important to ensure that they are efficient, effective and bug-free. Automated testing is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Automated testing involves the use of software tools to execute tests and compare actual outcomes with expected outcomes. This method saves time and resources and can identify defects and bugs that are often missed during manual testing. However, testing on different mobile platforms such as Android and iOS can be challenging. In this article, we will explore the process of automating tests for mobile platforms, providing insights and tips for developers to create high-quality mobile applications.
The challenges of automating tests for different mobile platforms
One of the biggest challenges of automating tests for different mobile platforms is the diversity of devices and operating systems. Android and iOS are the two most popular mobile platforms, and both have their unique challenges.
Android is an open-source platform that supports a wide range of devices from different manufacturers. The platform is highly customizable, which means that different versions of Android may have different features and capabilities. Testing on different Android versions and devices can be time-consuming and requires a lot of resources.
iOS, on the other hand, is a closed platform that is only available on Apple devices. While this may seem like an advantage for testing, iOS also has its unique challenges. Apple releases updates for its operating system frequently, and the new versions may have significant changes that can affect the functionality of mobile apps.
Another challenge of automating tests for mobile platforms is the variety of screen sizes and resolutions. Mobile devices come in different sizes, which means that a mobile app that works perfectly on one device may not function correctly on another. To ensure that the app works on all devices, developers need to test on multiple screen sizes and resolutions.
Tips for automating tests for different mobile platforms
Despite the challenges, automating tests for mobile platforms is essential for creating high-quality mobile applications. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Use a cross-platform testing tool: A cross-platform testing tool allows you to write tests once and run them on multiple platforms. This approach can save time and resources and ensure that the app works correctly on different devices and operating systems. Some popular cross-platform testing tools include Appium, Xamarin, and Calabash.
- Prioritize testing on different devices: Testing on different devices is essential to ensure that the app works on all devices. Prioritize testing on devices with the most significant market share, such as Samsung and Apple devices.
- Use emulators and simulators: Emulators and simulators are tools that allow you to simulate different devices and operating systems on your computer. These tools can save time and resources and allow you to test on different devices without actually owning them.
- Test on different screen sizes and resolutions: To ensure that the app works on all devices, you need to test on different screen sizes and resolutions. Use tools such as Screenfly and Resizer to test on different screen sizes
- Incorporate real-world scenarios: It’s essential to test the app in real-world scenarios to ensure that it functions correctly in all situations. Incorporating real-world scenarios in automated tests can help identify issues that may not be apparent in a controlled testing environment.
- Test for performance: Mobile apps need to perform well, and automated testing can help identify performance issues such as slow load times or crashes. Use tools such as JMeter or LoadRunner to test the performance of your app.
- Involve stakeholders: Involving stakeholders in the testing process can help ensure that the app meets their expectations and requirements. Collaborating with stakeholders can also help identify issues that may not be apparent to the development team.
Cross-platform testing tools
Here are some mobile and web cross testing tools that testers should try out.
Appium
Available on both iOS and Android. It is an HTTP server managing WebDiver sessions. It supports test in any framework and in any language that can create an HTTP request. It is an open source tool for automation of native, mobile and web as well as hybrid apps on iOS and Android platform. No app code needs to be modified as well.
Calabash
Maintained by Xamarin, Calabash consists of two open source libraries, one for iOS and another for Android used for testing hybrid and native apps. It may provide the API for specialized touch screen experiences. In conjunction with Cucumber, test cases are written in a natural language then translated to test scripts that run within the framework. It works well with Ruby, Java, .NET, FLEX and other programming languages.
MonkeyTalk
Also, works with Android and iOS, it is an open-source tool consists of three components such as IDE, Scripts, and agents. MonkeyTalk automates functional interactive tests for Android and iOS apps. MonkeyTalk scripts use simple keyword syntax and Ant of Java execution engines. Tests can be data-drive from a spreadsheet using CVS format.
Katalon
Katalon is a free mobile testing, web testing, and automation testing tool which is compatible with the latest versions of iOS and Android. Katalon offers a full featured test and execution management, dual scripting interfaces for starters and advanced users. Does script execution on emulators, real devices or cloud testing; Build in keywords support GUI, API and data testing, and has an out, of the box integration with JIRA, GIT, and Kobiton.
Conclusion
Automated testing is essential for creating high-quality mobile applications, but testing on different mobile platforms such as Android and iOS can be challenging. Developers need to use cross-platform testing tools, prioritize testing on different devices, and test on different screen sizes and resolutions. Incorporating real-world scenarios, testing for performance, and involving stakeholders can also help ensure that the app meets expectations and requirements. By following these tips, developers can create mobile apps that are efficient, effective, and bug-free on all mobile platforms.
