Let's Begin with Basics

This is being my First Post in this Blog. I would like to share my knowledge on Automation Tools, so far I gained, in this 'World of Automation' Site.

Let me tell you some important facts or TIPS before journey begins and start Exploring Automation Tool(s).
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STEP - 1 : Programming Skill-set
User need to have some skills on programming. I mean it is enough if a person know some basic concepts as mentioned down:

(i)  Condition Blocks, Decision Statements say <If, Else End If>  Statements.

(ii) Concepts of Loops say <For, Do, While> Statements.
(iii) Variable Operation(s) i.e., Comparison, Assigning, Condition say < '=', '>', '<', 'OR', 'AND', 'NOT' >  Statements
Now that, user is ready set to go, start with his exploration on any kind of Tool.

STEP - 2 : Understand the Automation Tool
(i). Every Automation Tool, that is available in the market has it's own way of design built in codes. For Example say <Dim>, Declaration keyword in VBScript has it's equivalent declaration keywords<int, float, char> in Java. In Similar fashion, Every Automation Tool has it's own keywords. For Example, Result Update Statement <Reporter.ReportEvent micInfo> in QTP is expressed as <logInfo>  in RFT and so on continues.....
(ii). Knowing any Programming  OR Scripting  language alone will NOT be enough and need to know the keywords that are specific to the Tool as stated above.

STEP - 3 : Remember the Guidance
(i). There is always a support to a Tool in form of Help Center, Product Support and of course through lot of Blogs, Forums ...
(ii). At any point, you have got stuck up with any issues, share your Queries and Concerns, by posting it in Forums, Sessions and Seminars organised by the experts.

STEP - 4 : Prospective Thinking
(i). While User started to automate the application, always check the Expected Results with Actual Results. For  Example :
        (a). Test Step says to perform a <Click> action on Link and Validate the page is being displayed correctly. But in most often cases, User write(s) code/Script only to perform <Click> action on Link and forgets to validate the page is getting displayed correctly.
         (b). When User asked to enter data in <Text Box / Suggestion Box / Edit Box>. In most cases, User enter's the data in the appropriate field and forgets to validate whether the data is being correctly populated.
        Though the above examples seems to be simple. These are common areas of making mistakes in Automation.

STEP - 5 : Follow Scripting Standards and Procedures
(i). When designing a New 'Script / Program' make sure to follow :
         (a). Indentation.
         (b). Variable Declaration & Initialization
         (c). Adhere to Naming Standards & Conventions.
         (d). Appropriate Comments in the Code.
         (e). Avoid duplication of code and built Generic 'Functions / Subs / Methods'.