Enhancing Application Quality Through Visual Testing Tools

In the current world of Web 2.0, with the high availability of gadgets, it is crucial to have both functional and visually correct software applications. Visual automation testing enhances the ease, time, and accuracy of the process.

So if you are a newbie to the idea, there is no need to panic! This guide is intended to provide a basic explanation of what visual automation testing is, why it plays an important role, and how one can use it.

What Do You Mean by Visual Automation Testing?

Visual automation testing is a process of checking the visual part of a web or mobile application using tools and scripts. Unlike other tests that are done to check the functionality of the application, this form of testing confirms that the fonts, colours, layouts, and images are well displayed.

It makes comparing the screenshots or some visual part of the application from two consecutive test cycles effortless to identify the differences. 

Such is especially valuable when working with many changes in the UI, which otherwise would require a time-consuming process of the visual check.

What Is Visual Automation Testing Good For?

The accuracy of the displayed image is one of the most important factors that can affect the perceived quality of the user interface. 

Although an application may run well, its look and feel destroy its reliability and usefulness. 

Here’s why visual automation testing matters:

• Enhanced User Experience: It checks that the application’s appearance and performance are good on different devices and resolutions.
• Cost Efficiency: Reducing the time to complete visual tests means fewer man-hours spent on inspection.
• Error Detection: Checks for UI issues that may not be obvious and are usually not picked by functional tests such as improperly aligned objects or text that overlaps.

• Continuous Delivery: Complements CI/CD processes and allows maintaining the visual quality of the product after each update.

Key Concepts in Visual Automation Testing

The following are the key concepts in Visual Automation Testing:

To grasp the basics of visual automation testing, it’s essential to understand the following concepts:

• Baseline Images

These are the images that show what each layer should look like on completion of the process. Such baselines are then used in future test runs to look for differences.

• Visual Regression

When a change in code affects the UI in a way that was not intended, this is called visual regression. To a great extent, visual testing tools assist in detecting these regressions right from the beginning.

• Pixel-to-Pixel Comparison

This technique involves comparing one pixel of the baseline image with the current image. Although accurate, it may sometimes highlight discrepancies that are not really a problem at all.

• AI-Powered Testing

Modern tools also have the ability to distinguish between variations that are okay (like in rendering) and problems.

A Beginner’s Guide to Visual Automation Testing

Step 1: Choose the Right Tool

There is a plethora of tools available in the market for VAT each one of them having its characteristics. Popular ones include:

• Applitools Eyes: It has been established with the reputation of a smart comparison based on artificial intelligence.
• Percy: This is designed to work alongside CI/CD pipelines for testing.
• Selenium: Although it has add-ons like Selenium Visual Testing, it only allows basic checks.
• TestCafe: Has a friendly graphical user interface for performing visual testing.

Step 2: Define the Scope

Decide which of the parts of the application should be checked through visual testing. Starting from landing pages, forms, and dashboards, focus on the most important features.

Step 3: Set Up Baseline Images

Take a picture of the application when it is in the right state. These will be used to compare with other periods in future studies.

Step 4: Automate the Tests

Create scripts that will take screenshots during the instances when the tests are being run and then compare them to the ones that are set as baselines. All tools have the option for scripting.

Step 5: Integrate with CI/CD

Integrate visual tests into your CI/CD to guarantee that checks are running automatically each time there is a deployment.

Best Practices of Visual Automated Testing

• Test Early and Often

Introduce the results of the visual testing right from the development phase to help identify problems that are in their embryonic stage.

• Focus on High-Impact Areas

Not all elements of the user interface need to be tested. Focus on the zones that are most important for the user engagement.

• Maintain Baseline Images

Reset baseline images whenever real UI changes happen so as not to flag them as anomalies.

• Use AI-Based Tools

Make use of artificial intelligence to reduce the number of false positives and deal with real problems.

• Perform both Functional and Visual Tests together

Visual testing should be complemented with functional testing to form a solid QA plan.

Popular Use Cases for Visual Automation Testing

Some of the most common areas in which visual automation testing is applied:

• Cross-Browser Testing

This is important because the application needs to display properly in browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

• Responsive Design Testing

Ensure that the interface of the website can easily adjust to different screens and different resolutions.

• Dynamic Content Testing

Animated elements, drop-downs, and modal windows are among the most difficult to manage.

• E-commerce Websites

Checking the visual element of accuracy on product pages, checkout, and payment pages increases the level of customer confidence.

Conclusion

Visual Automation testing is one of the most important aspects of today’s software development, as it checks how your applications work and look. For initial learners, the most straightforward place to start is with a tool choice, baseline configuration, and test automation.

However, as you grow, you can add more extensive strategies to incorporate a combination of both automated and manual visual testing techniques that will help to provide users with a perfect experience.

With this guide, you can start your expedition into visual automation testing. 

Begin with little steps, build incremental knowledge, and see how your QA processes turn into a major boon for your development team.