The topic of "transformation from functional testing to test development, how Xiaobai enters into test development, and how to go on the road to test development" has remained unabated in the industry, and has been asked by different partners from time to time.
getting Started
▎Related questions
" How to transition from business testing to test development?
" I am a small tester, but I don't want to be a tester all the time. I still want to do a tester. However, there is no specific guidance on the tester on the Internet. When I went to an interview, people asked if there was any tool platform I made myself, but I I think that many platforms are open source, so you can deploy them yourself. What do you need to test and open?
In the book "The Way of Google Testing", there is a more detailed explanation of the job responsibilities of a test development engineer (SDET, Software Development Engineer in Testing), which says that test development should first be a development role. It’s just that compared with business development engineers, the target users of Test Open are more testers within the company (including project team members in other positions), and its core work content is: provide general testing technology solutions, develop and implement testing Tools or platforms to assist testers to better complete testing work and project delivery.
On this basis, it is easier to understand everyone's suggestions on how to get started with test development:
①The most important thing is to start coding! Test development must have the ability of "development", and the ability to code is the foundation;
② Don't worry too much about which language to learn (python, java, etc. are all fine), a better choice is to learn according to the mainstream development language in the company's projects;
③ Don’t rush to have the development ability of the test platform immediately , you can start with “copying” open source projects, writing scripts, and writing small tools, and proceed step by step;
④ Learn on the job in combination with reality. Apply the learned content to existing projects to solve the pain points of actual testing.
develop and enhance
▎Related questions
" As a self-taught test development engineer, how do you continue to advance your skills?
" Will the development of test development encounter bottlenecks?
To summarize everyone's views:
① Don't lose your sharp test thinking
② Learn and understand development technology more deeply. For example, learn how the system under test is developed, and write a small and complete system by yourself.
③ Land and practice in combination with business scenarios that require higher technology. You can explore opportunities in existing jobs, deepen cooperation with development/operation and maintenance; or even look for new, larger and more complete teams or platforms (pay attention to combining your own work experience, not advocating job hopping).
④ Communicate more with peers and look up at the road.
The higher you go, the more it is the vision and way of thinking. If you only focus on doing the work in front of you, do not understand and pay attention to the hot spots in the industry and the technical requirements for practitioners, and do not establish a certain network of contacts, it is easy to narrow your own path.
⑤ Higher-level development requires stronger comprehensive capabilities. In fact, this is not only for test development, but also for all positions, but the comprehensive capabilities required for each position are slightly different.
Higher-level positions account for a smaller proportion of the team, and the requirements for practitioners are also higher; with the increase in working years, there is also an increase in age-"age anxiety" is more often due to work ability and age Growth, mismatch in senior roles. At the same time, test development with test thinking, development capabilities and a deep understanding of business can definitely go higher and further.