3.3 Technical Support
The software developer plays a key role in supporting the test automation team. The developer has first-hand knowledge of the tools and methods used to construct the software and system. This information will help guide the automation team in the evaluation and selection of tools that are compatible with the tools selected by the development team. Often developers can further aid the automation effort (and associated maintenance) by using uniquely identifiable names for objects/controls displayed by the software application. This is equally applicable to client-based or browser-based solutions. The key point here is that a little forethought by the developers can go a long way to facilitate the recognition of objects/controls by the automation team. For example, we avoid a common scenario where the properties of an application for a user "name" and user "account" show up as U25523 and A00056 within the automation tool rather than USER_NAME and USER_ACCOUNT.
Data forms a large part of tests, and test automation amplifies this. The role of the Database Administrator is key in assisting the needs of the automation team. These may include:
The System Administrator (SA) ensures that the system, including software, network, and interfaces are available to the test automation team. Additionally, the SA controls the updates (patches, security releases, etc.) that are applied to the servers on which the test automation solution runs. This coordination is very important as any changes to the underlying system may have consequences to the reliability of the test automation solution, with the possibility that it ceases to function.
The SA will also help the automation team with any updates to automation software that need to installed on the testing infrastructure and can assist the test automation team by providing an environment that emulates a production-like environment.