Testtalks | Automation Awesomeness | Helping You Succeed With Test Automation

Welcome to a special Halloween edition of the TestGuild Automation Podcast! Today, we've conjured up a truly spellbinding guest—Paul Grossman, renowned as the "Dark Arts wizard" of Test Automation. With over 25 years in software development and a co-author of "Enhanced Test Automation with WebDriverIo," Paul delves into the magical realms of generative AI and its transformative, exciting role in test automation. Join us as we explore how AI tools like Copilot and Test Rigger simplify tasks, the possibilities and limitations of AI-generated content, and the controversial use of headless browsers. We'll also discuss top-tier tools like BrowserStack Live and Applitools, dynamic page object models, and proper prompting for effective AI outputs. This episode promises to be a hauntingly insightful treat packed with practical tips, industry expertise, and a peek into the future of automation testing. Listen up!

Today’s episode, we are thrilled to have Prathyusha Nama, a seasoned leader in automation with over a decade of experience, particularly in mobile automation. Checkout this weeks sponsor BrowserStack App Automate: https://testguild.me/appautomate Prathyusha delves into the recent Microsoft and CrowdStrike incident that brought significant disruption and how it highlights the urgent need for robust testing practices. We’ll explore the pitfalls of outsourcing testing, the significance of testing in any industry, and the inability of a single individual to manage it alone. Prathyusha shares insights on contract testing and shift-left and backward compatibility testing, which could help avoid such mishaps. Additionally, she discusses the emotional impact of software failures, the nationwide attention they grab, and the necessity for companies to reevaluate their quality assurance priorities. Prathyusha also reflects on her experiences mentoring tech professionals and their common challenges, such as setting up au

Want to know more about the Power of AI to enhance Playwright Scripts Today, our expert guest is Ryo Chikazawa, the visionary behind the AI automation testing solution Autify. In this episode, we'll dive deep into the innovative AI-driven solutions that Autify is bringing to the software testing world. We'll explore how their integration with Playwright makes Uber flexible for both technical and non-technical users. Ryo will enlighten us on their journey from a no-code solution to their latest product, Autify Genesys, which harnesses GenAI to fill the gaps in the testing lifecycle. We'll delve into the robust features of their AI agent, which can autonomously generate Playwright scripts, interact with applications, and adapt to changing requirements, all while ensuring users steer clear of vendor lock-in. Join us as we uncover how Autify is making significant progress with their local and cloud-based solutions, the pivotal role of AI in transforming software development, and the distinctive features that set

In today's episode, we're thrilled to host Mike Verinder, a veteran in the automation testing space and the brain behind some of the most prominent LinkedIn groups and communities for tools like Playwright and Selenium. Mike discusses the intricacies of job engagement in the testing community, managing thriving online groups, and all things related to automation tools. We'll explore Mike's extensive background, which includes managing vast online communities, how to grow them, and the importance of continuous learning in software testing. Whether you're a seasoned tester or just starting, this episode is packed with practical and valuable takeaways to help you stay ahead in your automation testing career. You'll leave here feeling empowered and ready to implement these insights.

Accessibility is more than just a checkbox; it's become a civil right and a human need. Today, we'll explore how proper automation can elevate your accessibility testing to the next level. Check out our sponsors accessibility automation tool now: https://testguild.me/astack In today's episode, "Automation and Accessibility: Mutual, Not Exclusive," Crystal Preston-Watson, a senior digital accessibility analyst at Salesforce, joins us. This session was taken from our Automation Guild 2022 online event, where Crystal took us on an insightful journey, addressing higher-level questions and critical issues related to accessibility testing, specifically in automation. She also covers the essential considerations teams must consider before diving into accessibility automation. Learn about the different types of accessibility testing—manual, automation, and user acceptance—and discover why automated tools alone aren't enough to ensure proper accessibility. Listen in to discover the importance of experience with access

In this episode, we discuss what QE should know about security testing with our distinguished guest, Boris Arapovic, a senior quality engineer and director of quality assurance at IBM IX. Discover how to integrate static security scans such as SonarQube into developer workflows, the role of security skills in hiring testers, and how to enhance API security. Boris shares his insights on the evolving significance of security fundamentals, the impact of AI on our industry, and practical, actionable strategies for conducting comprehensive security testing. We'll also discuss empowering testers through exploratory testing, penetration testing for critical releases, and the creative use of hacker personas. Boris underscores the necessity of a holistic team approach to cybersecurity and the importance of continuous learning with must know resources. Listen up!

You limit your career potential if you only know how to write end-to-end tests via the UI. Automating API Testing backend services allows you to ship changes confidently.  Several popular tools will enable you to do this, but which one should you use, and what are their pros and cons? Also, check out Browserstack Automate TurboScale, now: https://testguild.me/turboscale In this episode, I want to share a private monthly guild session we had for automation guild 2024 members. If you don’t know, when you buy a ticket to our online automation guild (the next one is Feb 10-14), you also get nine monthly sessions after the event is over each month to keep the learning and community going after the official event is over. In this session, Stephen Kilbourn, a longtime guild member and speaker who brings a wealth of experience in automation testing, will share his top three API testing tools: Postman, Playwright, and Jest, and dive into the pros and cons of each one.

In this episode, Ashish Ghosh, a test automation architect at ING Bank, shares a new open source Playwright automation framework called INGenious Playwright Studio. Ingenious is a low-code test automation framework designed to empower business users in the automation process. Ashish shares insights on overcoming the challenges of traditional coded solutions, emphasizing the importance of business user involvement and the cost-effective advantages of open-source tools over commercial alternatives. He explains how Ingenious seamlessly transitioned from Selenium to Playwright, enhancing reliability and eliminating the need for glue code in BDD approaches. Join us to discover how the INGenious framework supports comprehensive enterprise-grade testing, from web applications to APIs, databases, and mobile testing, while fostering a collaborative culture through community feedback and contributions.

 In this session, Rudolf Groetz shares how Raiffeisen Bank International adapted its test automation strategy to incorporate a low-code approach. Discover how to transform from a traditional model to a more inclusive, agile approach. Try Low-code yourself now w/BrowserStack: https://testguild.me/lowcode Listen in to discover: The Challenges and motivations behind transitioning to a low-code strategy. Understand the steps to evaluate and select the appropriate low-code tools. See how non-technical users were empowered to participate in test automation. Observe the proof of concept results and how they impressed stakeholders. Hear the inspiring story of a biomedical intern discovering a passion for software development through this process.  

Today, we have a phenomenal session with our special guest, Christian Bromann, the visionary full-stack engineer behind the open-source WebDriverIO automation framework. Join us as we explore the practical benefits of WebDriverIO version 9's new features. These include WebDriver Bidi Enhancements, New URL Command Parameters, Automatic Piercing of Web Components, iFrames, Shadow DOMs, and more. Christian will share invaluable insights on the importance of responsible web API overrides, improvements in serialization, viewport management, and the exciting new OCR testing feature. We'll also touch on WebDriverIO's future directions, including UI enhancements and a new application to aid developers during testing. Whether you're a seasoned automation expert or just starting out, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and opportunities to contribute to the world of WebDriverIO. Listen in, and get ready to elevate your automation game!  

Today, we have a special guest, Gojko Adzic, who introduces his new book "Lizard Optimization." Check out BrowserStack Test Management testguild.me/browserstack Join us as Gojko walks us through the significant value testers can bring to organizations beyond merely reporting bugs and evaluating product readiness. We'll delve into his rich experiences with user behavior at scale and the formidable challenges he's faced while offering practical strategies to unlock remarkable product growth. In this episode, we discuss Gojko's innovative four-step lizard optimization method and the hidden power of edge cases. Gojko emphasizes testers' fundamental role in product innovation, mainly through experimentation and user behavior analysis. We'll also touch on the balance between addressing accessibility needs and identifying obstacles in user workflows to enhance usability for everyone. Listen in as Joe and Gojko explore the insightful intersection of user expectations and software design, leveraging customer support d

Today, our host, Joe Colantonio, is joined by an extraordinary guest: Greg Paskal. A veteran with over 40 years of experience at the cutting edge of software testing and automation, Greg has dedicated a significant part of his career to pioneering innovative approaches in the field, but what sets him apart is his inspiring initiative in Rwanda. Through METS (Minimal Essential Test Strategy), Greg empowers women with limited technology experience by teaching them the essentials of test engineering and automation. This episode delves into Greg's mission to combat poverty and make a generational difference, emphasizing the transformative power of education. We also explore his strategies for building effective testing teams, the importance of communication skills, and the exciting plans for a new open-source automation framework. Don't miss this episode if you're passionate about technology, education, and making a positive impact. Join us as we explore Greg Paskal's remarkable journey and achievements.

In today's episode, we explore OpenTelemetry, a powerful tool that is transforming how you observe and diagnose your systems in production. Checkout Test Observability yourself now: https://testguild.me/browserstack Have you ever faced unexplained system failures or performance issues and wondered how to identify and resolve them quickly? Our guest, Swapnil Kotwal, Test Lead Engineer at SailPoint Technologies, brings his 12 years of expertise to shed light on how OpenTelemetry unifies fragmented data silos into a seamless observability stack. Swapnil guides us through ensuring unparalleled clarity and flexibility in our infrastructure, from the foundations of observability to practical implementations in distributed systems. This episode is valuable, especially for test automation teams dealing with flaky tests and fragmented tools. So, let's embrace the observability revolution and future-proof our strategies together. Stay tuned!

In this episode, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Mark Creamer, President and CEO at Conformiq, to delve into the fascinating world of AI in test automation.  See how Conformiq can transform your testing process by requesting a free demo now at https://testguild.me/aidemo They explore how Gen AI and Symbolic AI are revolutionizing the generation and optimization of test cases, making testing processes more efficient and collaborative. Mark shares his two-decade journey in utilizing AI technologies such as natural language processing and vision recognition systems, highlighting the distinctions between older and newer AI methods. The conversation underscores how Gen AI's accessibility and user-friendliness are transforming testing. At the same time, Symbolic AI continues to provide deterministic and predictable test case generation, which is particularly valuable in regulated environments. Tune in to hear Mark's insightful perspectives on enhancing test automation through AI, leveraging system-level models f

Today, we're diving deep into the complexities of ETL testing with our esteemed guests, Chris Thompson and Mike Calabrese from RTTS. Register now for webinar on how AI helps ETL testing: testguild.me/aietl With over two decades of combined experience in data QA and automated testing, Chris and Mike will guide us through the intricacies of an actual data warehouse project plan. They uncover the challenges in data mappings, explore different transformation types, and discuss the critical role of a comprehensive mapping document. Chris and Mike also highlight the importance of rigorous data testing to prevent costly errors and ensure accurate decision-making. Join us as we explore the critical aspects of ETL testing and data project planning and gain invaluable insights from two industry veterans who have seen it all. This is a must-listen episode for anyone involved in data testing and looking to optimize their data transformation processes. I also recommend you check out our upcoming Webinar with RTTS on AI in

Today, we're delving into the exciting potential of generative AI in software testing with Mark Winteringham. Mark, an esteemed author and expert in the field, has penned his latest work, 'Software Testing with Generative AI,' which holds the promise of transforming our approach to testing and automation. In this episode, Mark takes us behind the scenes of writing his new book and discusses the challenges of researching a rapidly evolving field. He shares the importance of context, mindset, and technique when leveraging generative AI and provides practical, actionable insights on how to integrate AI into your testing processes effectively. We'll explore how AI agents and prompt engineering can enhance exploratory testing, discuss AI's role in UI automation, and delve into customizing large language models to fit specific business needs. Mark also emphasizes avoiding common pitfalls, like overreliance on AI and misunderstanding its capabilities. Whether you're a seasoned tester or new to the world of automatio

Celebrate freedom in automation with a 6-month free trial of ZAPTEST—your pathway to unleashing limitless potential in software testing. Try it now at testguild.me/zaptrial Today, we have a very special guest who embodies perseverance, innovation, and the American Dream. Alex "ZAP" Chernyak, the visionary founder of ZAPTEST, is joining us. In this episode, Alex dives deep into his incredible journey from growing up in Siberia to serving in the Israeli Defense Forces and ultimately making his dream come true in the United States. He shares invaluable insights on leadership, the importance of professional ethics, and the relentless pursuit of excellence — all essential for anyone in the automation field. We'll explore his work in test automation, including the creation of advanced algorithms and the unique offerings of ZAPTEST, such as their six-month free enterprise version and groundbreaking ability to automate any UI, even from hand-drawn pictures. P Plus, hear about his commitment to fostering a global team

In this episode, we dive into a major shift in the automation testing world: Playwright has surpassed Cypress in weekly downloads, marking a significant milestone in its journey. We delve into what this means for testers, offering insights into why Playwright is gaining such rapid popularity and how it compares to Cypress. We also shine a spotlight on the crucial role of the community, including a notable LinkedIn post by Filip Hric and comments from Diego Molina, which put this achievement into context with Selenium's continued dominance. You'll discover why now is the perfect time to supercharge your web automation skills with Playwright and get a glimpse of our new course, "Automation with Playwright: Mastering Web Automation with AI." This episode also delves into the broader implications of Playwright's rise, including potential challenges and opportunities for the testing community. Listen to the end for a sneak peek at the course content and find out how to stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of web

In this episode, Paul Grizzaffi, a senior principal automation architect at Nerdery, discusses his role and how he guides teams to effectively promote test automation and quality. We'll explore the importance of aligning testing and automation with each client's unique business goals and how Paul identifies and addresses their pain points. Paul also shares valuable insights into avoiding common pitfalls, such as excessive tests and data dependency, and the significance of treating automation projects like software projects through continual and periodic evaluations. We touch on the current state of AI in testing, its potential applications, and the critical need for human oversight. Discover how to help your teams make informed decisions about automation tools, evaluate opportunity costs, and stress the importance of quality over quantity in testing, all of which are directly relevant to your work in software development and automation.

Welcome to episode 500 of the TestGuild Automation Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into contract testing with our expert speakers, Marie Cruz and Lewis Prescott. Listen in to discover the challenges and innovative solutions for introducing contract testing for public and third-party APIs, where control is often limited. Marie and Lewis share their insights on the provider-driven and bidirectional contract testing approaches, emphasizing the importance of human communication between teams alongside automated tests. We also take a sneak peek into their book, "Contract Testing in Action," packed with practical guidance and now available with a special 40% discount until August 24th. Whether you're dealing with web, mobile, GraphQL, or event-driven services, this episode covers implementing contract testing across different types, integrating it into your CI pipeline, and the strategic shift from traditional integration tests to contract tests for early and reliable feedback. Join us as we uncover the intricaci