Automatic Test Case Generation: Complete Guide

What is automatic test case generation?

It is no surprise the rise of AI is also affecting the software testing process and your approach to it. According to Testfort, companies using AI in testing reported a 30% reduction in testing costs and a 25% increase in testing efficiency. Test case generation is a huge part of this transformation where you can streamline the process and have a huge cut in your manual efforts. 

So what is automatic test case generation?

Automatic test case generation is the process of using software tools to automatically create test cases based on application requirements, code, or user behaviour. Instead of manually writing each test case, you can now use AI-powered tools to analyse the system and generate testing scenarios automatically, with much less effort. 

A great example of these tools is aqua cloud. In the next section, we will break down the practical process for you. 

How Does Automatic Test Case Generation Work?

As already mentioned, automatic test case generation makes your test planning process faster and more efficient. But what does the practical process look like? 

We will take aqua cloud as our leading tool and explain it from using aqua’s perspective. Let’s break it down into simple steps so you can see how it can solve your testing challenges:

1. Provide Your Input
   Start by giving your input requirement to create a test case. With aqua, you can use various formats, including user stories, free-form text, voice input, diagrams, or even screenshots. The options depend on the tool’s capabilities and your creativity.
2. Give Additional Context
   Depending on the tool and its security measures, aqua may already be trained on your data. If not, you might need to provide extra context for any project-specific details that are crucial for generating accurate test cases.
3. Set Additional Parameters
   Specify what you want from your test case: positive or negative scenarios, a single test case, or a set of test cases. Alternatively, you can let aqua decide the best approach for you.
4. Generate Test Case(s)
   Now comes the exciting part. aqua automatically generates your test cases based on the input and context you’ve provided, creating a variety of scenarios for you to test. This happens in a few seconds and is 97% faster compared to the manual creation.
5. Generate Test Data
   If needed, with aqua, you can also generate test data for the test cases, and again, in a few seconds. This step helps you simulate different conditions without the hassle of manual data entry.
6. Validate the Output
   Review the generated test cases to ensure they align with your project goals. You can make adjustments, separate steps, or even re-run the generation process if necessary.
7. Add It to Your Test Plan
   Once you’re satisfied with the test cases, you can easily add them to your test plan and prepare for execution.

The key question is which tool to use to execute these steps effectively. While it’s theoretically possible to achieve this with tools like ChatGPT, doing so will raise security concerns and require extra context every time. Why take that risk when you have professional tools like aqua, the first framework that introduced revolutionary AI to the QA world?

Challenges of Automatic Test Case Generation

While automatic generation offers many benefits in test case management, it comes with its own set of challenges. Let’s explore some common hurdles you might face:

• Incomplete Requirements: If your system’s requirements are unclear or incomplete, the generated test cases might miss critical scenarios. For example, if a feature for user authentication lacks details, the tool might not generate tests for edge cases like failed login attempts or password recovery. Now imagine how a solution like aqua cloud will be handy with its ability to create an entire requirement from a voice prompt or short text.
• High Complexity: Complex systems can be difficult for the tool to understand fully. Imagine a banking application with numerous integrations and workflows. The tool might generate tests that miss critical interactions like transferring funds between different accounts.
• Overlapping Test Cases: Sometimes, the tool generates overlapping test cases, leading to redundant tests. For instance, if your system has multiple login methods (email, social media, etc.), the tool might create separate tests for each, even when they share the same logic.
• Lack of Context: Sometimes, automatic tools do not grasp the full context of user interactions. This can lead to scenarios that don’t reflect real-world usage. Testing a search feature without considering how users typically query data could be a practical example of this.
• Data Freshness: Not all tools are created equal. Some tools may lack up-to-date information on the latest technologies and frameworks. For instance, if you’re working with a new JavaScript framework, a tool that hasn’t been updated may not recognise key features or best practices. This will lead to incomplete or ineffective test scenarios.
• Maintenance Overhead: As your system evolves, you’ll need to keep the test cases updated. This can be challenging, especially if the tool doesn’t adapt well to changes. If you add new features, ensuring all related test cases are still valid can become a time-consuming task.

That is why you can not just rely on any tool that offers automation. You should be selective and choose the one that minimises the risk of facing the above-mentioned challenges (in other words, aqua cloud). 

How Does Automatic Test Case Generation Impact Software Testing?

Enough with the challenges and considerations. What are the benefits of automatic test case generation apart from the obvious ones like better efficiency or less manual work? 

Here’s how the automation of test case generation can significantly enhance your efforts:

• Faster Testing Cycles: By automating test case creation, you can significantly reduce the time it takes to prepare for testing. This means you can release software faster and respond quickly to market demands.
• Improved Test Coverage: Automatic generation allows you to create a broader range of test scenarios. You can easily cover edge cases and complex interactions that might be overlooked in manual testing.
• Consistency and Accuracy: Tools generate test cases based on predefined rules, which helps eliminate human error. It ensures your tests are reliable and repeatable, and provides more accurate results.
• Enhanced Collaboration: When using automated tools, teams can share generated test cases easily. With this transparency comes better collaboration between developers and testers, keeping everyone on the same page.
• Focus on Value-Added Activities: With less time spent on creating test cases, your team can focus on higher-value activities like exploratory testing, debugging, and improving the user experience.
• Easier Maintenance: Automated test cases can be more easily updated when your system changes. Many tools can automatically adjust existing tests based on modifications, saving you time and effort.

The best way to sow these benefits will be to choose the best solution you can. Next, we talk about these solutions. 

Best Tools for Automatic Test Case Generation

Looking for the best tools to help with automatic test case generation? Here are some top choices that can streamline your testing process:

• TestComplete: TestComplete is a solution that supports various technologies, allowing you to create automated tests for desktop, web, and mobile applications. One of its strengths is its user-friendly interface, which makes it accessible for testers of all skill levels. However, its licensing costs are higher for smaller teams.
• qTest: qTest is a test management tool that streamlines the test case creation process. While qTest doesn’t offer generative capabilities as part of its main test management product, some of its additional offerings provide features worth exploring for teams interested in automating aspects of test case creation.
• TestProject: TestProject is a free cloud-based test automation platform that enables easy test case generation and collaboration among team members. Its community-driven approach means you can access shared test cases and resources. The downside is that its free version has limitations in features compared to paid alternatives, and is not as effective as providing.

By exploring these tools, you can find the right fit to enhance your automatic test case generation process and improve your overall testing efficiency. 

Conclusion

Automatic test case generation is a game-changer for modern software testing. It helps you speed up testing cycles, improve accuracy, and cover more scenarios than manual methods ever could. While there are challenges, the right tool can help you overcome them. Whether you’re looking for faster test case creation, broader test coverage, or seamless integration with your existing workflows, there’s a solution to match your needs. By choosing a solution like aqua cloud, you can turn this process into a breeze, transforming your efforts with just a few clicks. Just contact us and let us take the pain of testing from you completely.