Database is essential for every application. Large and small companies, including pharmaceuticals, insurance companies, and banking, use large amounts of databases. Therefore, they need to have a robust database system that can be achieved through database testing. Experts use various database testing tools in several organizations to get accurate results. However, they should be keen in every step to get precise results.
Manual testing has become difficult due to diverse environments, complex data, and extensive data in terabytes. Test automation performs various tests, including a database health check, data validation, and schema verification. It ensures to present data promptly and within the set budget. Therefore, a test automation strategy ensures that no broken deletions and insertions, failovers, and database crashes.
Steps to Performing Automation Database Testing Correctly
Below are steps one should follow to ensure that automated database testing is a success.
Identification of Scope
In the first step, the testers should determine what they should cover and exclude in the database testing. However, the data sets greatly impact the application performance. This identification helps to organize several aspects such as security checks, health checks, and data verification in the scope.
Test Script Preparation
After identifying the scope, one needs to prepare the test scripts. It involves using essential SQL queries that will be executed. During the preparation of these test scripts, one should keep the test script form into account for future use. Again, it would be best to make these scripts code maintenance-friendly from the first step of testing to avoid complications in the following steps.
Test Case Identification
In this step, one should identify the significant test cases. This helps to perform data checks from stored data or query to query. One should create batches, especially for substantial data sets. However, the test cases should be flexible to enable testing at a row-level comparison or an abstract level.
Execution
This step requires the testers to execute the scripts they had previously prepared. They can also add functional conditional flows, coil around, and use them for several data sets to make them strong. During execution, it’s essential to consider the test environment to ensure correct test results.
Reporting
After execution, the tester inspects the outcome. It’s essential to research more about analytics and develop reports needed by developers for other necessities. One can also store the generated information in a particular format to enable further evaluation.
Post-Execution Inspection
After execution and reporting, one should check the trends and fix any errors on the test scripts. This test can be carried out continually to show a specific defect pattern.
Test Script Reuse
In this test, one carries out regression test execution by reusing the scripts more. One can use a tweaked code. Testers can also perform a test case for a planned execution. This allows one to use it anytime they need it.
Cross-Checking with UI Testing Report
This last step involves cross-checking the database automation test results with UI testing. One can then confirm the results of each channel and use them for more activities.
Benefits of Automation
Today, large and small companies are using automated systems for better results. Below are the benefits of Using Automated Systems:
Reduce the Use of Paper Documents
Companies using automated database systems are digital. They can store data in them and save lots of money and energy needed to print and store paper documents. Again, one spends less time when looking for information. This enables quick and organized work in various organizations.
Define an Organization’s Processes
Before using automated systems in an organization, managers should look into their businesses more closely. Thus, they can understand their businesses better and know what to expect in the future. Again, they can make significant changes to make the company more productive.
Time Management for Employees
Employees using automated systems deliver services on time hence spending low costs. They also make important decisions by being creative and innovative. The employees also concentrate on the crucial task of the business, improving its productivity. Again, employees work less within a shorter time and produce better results.
Identify Unexploited Resources
Running a business isn’t all about future sales. One should concentrate on how the business resources are being used every day. Business Process Automation (BPA) has all tools needed in data monitoring. It helps business managers to identify resources that are unused or underused. After identifying such resources, they can use them for the benefit of the company. Exploiting all the resources in an organization ensures better results and reduce wastage.
Allow New Business Opportunities
Using automated systems in the business allows for more opportunities compared to human resources. Automation enables business managers to dig deeper into fields they hadn’t thought about before. This leads to better performance and more revenue.
Saves Money
Humans work but require physical rest when operating in a business. However, Automated systems don’t need to rest as humans. Therefore, they can run even at night. One can configure them to work day and night, repeatedly, and still function as needed. Despite numerous operations running at the same time, the performance is accurate. This way, they can manage the business operations hence saving lots of money.
Manage Multiple Teams in Different Time Zones
A human being can only be at a specific place at one time. One can’t access other parts of the world. With automated systems, one can work with decentralized employees in different parts of the world. These systems are accurate, and multiple teams can understand each other without complications. Thus, the international running of businesses becomes easy and reliable.
Make Better Predictions
Using Business Process Automation, business managers remain updated. They have all the needed information about the company because they can access the tools required to monitor data. Thus, they know how the business is doing and what changes need to be made. Again, they can project about what their company could need in the future. They can also estimate the income the business will generate in the future.
Database testing steps should be followed strictly to get accurate results. The tester should also consider the environment they intend to use. Again, companies should consider using automated systems to go digital. This also has several benefits, including saving time and money.