What is SDET?
An SDET is an IT specialist on a development team whose primary responsibilities are creating automated test frameworks, designing and implementing test cases, and writing code to improve software's overall testability.
They participate in every stage of the software development life cycle. They ensure that a product functions properly, ensure that the quality and reliability of software applications are met, and play an important role in driving innovation, efficiency, and user satisfaction. During the software development life cycle, the SDETs work closely with software developers and quality assurance teams.
What does an SDET do?
An SDET has many responsibilities that they need to do:
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Writing and Executing Test Cases:
Writing and executing test cases is one of the core responsibilities of an SDET. It involves writing a set of scenarios and test cases, which are then used to verify that the product is functioning properly. Test cases can be used for multiple purposes, like new features, regression, or performance testing.
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Automating Tests:
The automation of tests is important because it reduces testing time in a software development cycle. SDETs set up, maintain, and perform test automation frameworks. They write code that imitates user actions and interactions with the software while also verifying those actions.
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Analyzing Test Results:
SDETs analyze their tests' results. They determine if there are any weak points or bugs in the code. By analyzing, they ensure that the software application or any other product stays in its best form by fixing problems that occur in testing.
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Reporting bugs and defects:
SDETs are also responsible for creating and managing bug reports. They use bug tracking tools, like Jira, during software testing to find and fix upcoming bugs. They report any defects in their reports and the measures taken.
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Collaborating with developers and fix defects:
For an SDET it is quite common to collaborate with developers. This way, they ensure the overall quality of a software product. This collaboration brings a deeper understanding of the codebase and identifies defects within the software. Additionally, SDETs fix defects by writing automated tests and providing detailed bug reports to developers.
Career Path for SDETs
There are different career paths for SDETs to take, which require diverse skill sets and experience:
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Senior SDET:
The senior SDET role usually has additional responsibilities, like leadership roles, guidance, mentorship, and technical expertise within their team. They could also be involved in designing test strategies, architecting test frameworks, and implementing best practices for test automation. To become a senior SDET, you need to have several years of experience in software development and quality assurance roles, be strongly versed in test automation and software testing, and have strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills in a team.
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Test Manager:
As a test manager, you will need to be able to develop test plans and strategies, manage a team, communicate with other departments (e.g., developers), ensure the quality and accuracy of testing activities, and implement continuous improvement within the testing team. To become a test manager, you typically need extensive experience in testing, strong leadership and communication skills, and project management experience. It can be beneficial to have an ISTQB or project management certification.
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Quality Assurance Manager:
The Quality Assurance Manager usually develops quality assurance policies and procedures, plans and conducts audits and inspections, monitors and analyses quality metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs), leads quality improvement initiatives, manages quality documentation and reporting, and provides training and support. Usually, extensive experience in quality assurance, strong leadership and communication skills, and knowledge of quality management principles and standards are required. It can be beneficial to have a CQM or Six Sigma certification.
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Software Development Manager:
As a Software Development Manager, you need to be able to lead and manage teams of software developers, plan and coordinate software development projects, provide technical leadership and expertise, communicate with project stakeholders, continuously evaluate and improve software development processes and methodologies, and identify and mitigate project risks. The role typically requires extensive software development experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and project management expertise. A PMP or CSM certification can be beneficial.
What are The Most Popular SDET Tools?
SDETs love to use specific SDET tools. Here are some of the most popular ones:
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Selenium:
Selenium is an open-source automation testing tool for web application testing. It automates different web browsers across different platforms and browsers by providing a set of tools and APIs. Testers can write in different programming languages like Java, Python, and C#. Selenium will then execute the code on different browsers to perform automated testing. It will perform form filling, clicking buttons, and verifying webpage content.
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JUnit:
Junit is a free testing framework for Java applications. It allows the writing of simple and efficient code that is then executed as unit tests, which are small, isolated tests verifying the behavior of individual code units. Junit is a popular tool because it provides annotations and assertions that help define test methods and verify expected outcomes. It also offers other features.
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TestNG:
TestNG is a testing framework for Java. It provides advanced functionalities for testing, such as various types of tests (e.g., unit, functional, and integration tests) and flexible test configuration and execution. Additional features are annotations for defining test methods, parameterized testing, test grouping, and reporting. This tool is popular in the Java community because of its versatility and robustness in handling complex testing scenarios.
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Appium:
Appium is an open-source automation testing tool for mobile applications. It allows the automated testing of mobile apps across different platforms like iOS, Android, and Windows. To interact with mobile apps, it uses the WebDriver protocol, allowing testers to write in different languages like Java, Python, and JavaScript. It provides a simple and consistent API for automating gestures, interactions, and assertions.
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JIRA:
JIRA is a project management tool primarily designed for software development teams. It has various features, like issue tracking, task management, and project planning. This setup allows the teams to collaborate effectively throughout the software development lifecycle. It is a popular choice because it allows customizable workflows, agile boards, and robust reporting capabilities.
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Jenkins:
Jenkins is a free automation server used for continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) in software development projects. It allows teams to streamline the software development process by automating it. The server has an extensive plugin ecosystem that includes integration with various version control systems, build tools and testing frameworks. It allows teams to integrate with other tools and services, facilitating the automation of complex software delivery pipelines.
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Git:
Git is a distributed version control system that manages source code and tracks changes over time. It allows collaboration on projects, track revisions, and effective branch management. It provides features such as branching and merging and robust support for distributed workflows.
What are The Top Best-Known SDET Certifications?
Here are some of the Best-Known SDET Certifications that are often taken:
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ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board):
The ISTQB certification is a globally recognized credential for software testing professionals. It covers many aspects of software testing principles, techniques, and best practices while offering different certification levels, like Foundation, Advanced, and Expert. It provides a standardized framework for testing knowledge and skills and validates test design, management, and automation proficiency. It is important for career advancement.
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Selenium Certification:
The Selenium Certification covers test automation fundamentals, Selenium WebDriver, advanced techniques, and best practices. It validates the proficiency in using the Selenium automation testing tool for web application testing. This certificate enhanced career prospects in software testing and quality assurance.
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ISTQB Agile Tester:
The ISTQB Agile Tester is designed for software testing professionals who work in agile environments. The certification covers Agile principles, practices, and methodologies important to software testing, like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean. This certification is a valuable credential for testers seeking to work on Agile projects.
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Certified Software Test Professional (CSTP):
The CSTP validates expertise in various areas of software testing, including test planning, design, execution, and management. This certification enhances career opportunities in software quality assurance.
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AWS Certified DevOps Engineer:
The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer is designed for professionals who work with the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform and specialize in implementing DevOps practices and automation. It validates a person’s expertise in CI/CD and infrastructure, such as code, monitoring, and logging on AWS. This certificate is a valuable credential for DevOps engineers and practitioners.
Conclusion
An SDET is important for many different aspects of a company. It plays a vital role in automating processes, ensuring software quality, accelerating development cycles, and reducing costs. It enhances customer satisfaction, mitigates risks, and ultimately improves a company's overall success and competitiveness.
This blog offers a comprehensive understanding of the role of SDETs in software development, career progression opportunities, essential tools for testing automation, and certifications that can help experts progress in their careers.
FAQs About SDET
What is the full form of SDET?
SDET stands for Software Development Engineer in Test.
What is the difference between QA and SDET?
The main differences between QA and SDET are their roles, responsibilities, and focus within the software development process. QA professionals focus on manual testing to ensure software quality, while SDETs specialize in automating testing processes through coding. SDETs focus on developing automated test frameworks and executing automated tests, while a QA emphasizes defect detection and manual testing techniques. Lastly, a QA requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail, while SDETs require proficiency in programming languages and test automation tools.