Over the past 3 or 4 years I have noticed two open source software testing services tools mature into a must have for any testers personal tool box. These two basic tools (Selenium Webdriver and Jmeter) are continually evolving in terms of their widespread use and the functionality offered.
Although I am sure most readers here will have heard of them, I believe that they are always worth revisiting as they evolve in line with the software that they are testing evolves.
Selenium (Webdriver)
For Web browser automated testing services, this open source tool has become the industry standard. Many QA departments are now favoring this mature testing tool over the commercial offerings. Its popularity is due to a combination of a wide spread talent pool (for employers to utilize) as well as many great articles and add-ons that its loyal followers have produced.
Tips:-
Install Firebug (or other DOM inspector) to determine how a given element can be accessed.
Establish a framework that facilitates reuse, such as Page Objects
Use the Java version of WebDriver, there are many complimentary frameworks written in Java: JDBC, JUNIT, TESTNG etc. and there are also numerous Java examples of implementing Webdriver in Java.
Jmeter
Just as Selenium Webdriver has become the standard for automated Web browser testing Jmeter has become the open source standard for performance testing services.
Although Jmeter is considered a leader in the open source arena it is not as dominant as Selenium Webdriver when compared with the overall market (including commercial tools). Part of the reason why Jmeter is not as popular as commercial load testing tools is lack of ease of use.
That said, if you can invest a little of your time into understanding the basic Jmeter architecture, it will provide you with a useful load testing tool (and not just for the web but Databases, SOAP and email can all be tested with Jmeter).
Tips
Become familiar with a good network protocol analyzer (such as Fiddler) so you can understand your web traffic and its re-construction when using Jmeter).
Use the Plug Ins from Google which are ever growing and now include a REST sampler, JSON to XML converter and the useful server side metrics collection agents.
If you have looked at these tools in the past (especially over 3 years ago) and you are not using them, I would strongly recommend a second look.
Although I am sure most readers here will have heard of them, I believe that they are always worth revisiting as they evolve in line with the software that they are testing evolves.
Selenium (Webdriver)
For Web browser automated testing services, this open source tool has become the industry standard. Many QA departments are now favoring this mature testing tool over the commercial offerings. Its popularity is due to a combination of a wide spread talent pool (for employers to utilize) as well as many great articles and add-ons that its loyal followers have produced.
Tips:-
Install Firebug (or other DOM inspector) to determine how a given element can be accessed.
Establish a framework that facilitates reuse, such as Page Objects
Use the Java version of WebDriver, there are many complimentary frameworks written in Java: JDBC, JUNIT, TESTNG etc. and there are also numerous Java examples of implementing Webdriver in Java.
Jmeter
Just as Selenium Webdriver has become the standard for automated Web browser testing Jmeter has become the open source standard for performance testing services.
Although Jmeter is considered a leader in the open source arena it is not as dominant as Selenium Webdriver when compared with the overall market (including commercial tools). Part of the reason why Jmeter is not as popular as commercial load testing tools is lack of ease of use.
That said, if you can invest a little of your time into understanding the basic Jmeter architecture, it will provide you with a useful load testing tool (and not just for the web but Databases, SOAP and email can all be tested with Jmeter).
Tips
Become familiar with a good network protocol analyzer (such as Fiddler) so you can understand your web traffic and its re-construction when using Jmeter).
Use the Plug Ins from Google which are ever growing and now include a REST sampler, JSON to XML converter and the useful server side metrics collection agents.
If you have looked at these tools in the past (especially over 3 years ago) and you are not using them, I would strongly recommend a second look.
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