Do you like playing video games? Are you always the one who can find that one pesky bug that everyone else seems to have missed? Perhaps, a career in software development engineering in test (SDET) is for you!
SDET works on API testing before it hits the shelves. They also work closely with the development team to find and fix bugs and play a key role in automation.
Keep reading to learn more about the role of SDET and how you can become one.
Understanding the SDET Role
SDETs are engineers who specialize in software testing. They have the technical skills needed to assess the quality of software.
SDETs are like QA engineers in many ways but with a stronger focus on test automation.
One of the primary duties of an SDET is to develop and maintain automated tests. It involves writing code that can simulate different test scenarios.
All in all, being an SDET is a highly technical and challenging role.
Differences Among Software Developer Engineers, Manual Testers, and Software Testers
There are many different testers, each with their strengths and weaknesses.
Here is a quick overview of the three most common types of testers:
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SDET
These professionals specialize in the testing phase of the software development lifecycle. Usually, they are responsible for creating and maintaining automated tests. You can try your best software development team.
They may also find more defects than manual testers.
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Manual Tester
As the name suggests, manual testers test software without test automation tools. They rely on manual testing methods, such as the execution of test cases.
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Software Tester
These professionals straddle the line between technical and non-technical roles. They have a good understanding of the software’s functionality under test.
SDET Responsibilities
Here are the responsibilities of a software developer engineer in test.
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Performance Testing
One of the most critical roles of an SDET is performance testing. This process ensures that the software will perform well under high-demand conditions.
To do this, SDETs use various tools and techniques to mimic real-world user scenarios.
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Software Testing
When it comes to software testing, the role of the SDET is crucial. The software development engineers handle designing and executing test plans. They also manage bug reports and troubleshooting issues.
Besides that, SDET also plays a crucial role in developing automated tests and tools. Without SDET, software testing would be far less effective and efficient.
So, they ensure that software is of high quality and meets customer expectations.
Complete Software Development Process
Developing high-performance code is SDET’s responsibility in a complete software development process. SDETs are also responsible for writing test cases and driving development.
Also, SDETs work with development teams to ensure that the software meets their needs. Thus, SDETs ensure that the software development process is successful.
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Unit Testing
When it comes to unit testing, SDETs design and create test cases. They also verify the functionality of individual units of code, including:
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Functional testing. SDET ensures that the code performs as intended.
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Non-functional testing. SDET ensures that the code meets the necessary performance, security, and other standards.
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Test cases. SDETs run tests and provide feedback on any errors they discover.
By thorough unit testing, SDETs ensure that the code meets the requirements.
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Test Data
SDETs are responsible for:
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Creation of test data. They research how to create the best data to test the application under test effectively.
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Maintain test data. SDET ensures data effectiveness throughout the testing process.
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Execution of test data. SDET tests the application under test using the data to ensure it works as expected.
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Security Testing
SDET creates test cases that can find vulnerabilities in software code. They also work with deployment teams to help them understand and fix security issues. Plus, SDET helps to identify and resolve security breaches.
As such, SDETs are an essential part of any organization’s security team.
Technical Skills Expected from SDET Software Professionals
A software development engineer must have a wide range of skills, including:
Programming Knowledge
The programming knowledge expected of SDETs is vast and comprehensive.
As a general rule, an SDET should have basic knowledge across all major paradigms like:
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Functional Programming
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Statistical Programming
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Parallel & Concurrency (distributed)
System Administrator
As an SDET, you should have extensive knowledge of the following:
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Linux/Unix and Windows
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Web Servers and Web Services
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Version Control Systems (Git, Mercurial)
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Build Tools (Ant, Maven)
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Automation Framework Design (Cucumber, RSpec)
Web Server and Web Services Knowledge
To design and develop web applications, you need to have a good understanding of:
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Web server and web services knowledge
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HTTP protocol
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DNS resolution process
Version Control Systems
Version control systems keep track of changes made during software development. They allow you to see what has changed and who made the change.
Final Thoughts
If you want to stay ahead of the curve in your field, it’s always vital to learn and expand your skillset.
Luckily, there are plenty of resources to help you do just that. Stay up-to-date on the latest tips to succeed in creating automation testing. You can also utilize tools like ADO dashboards to monitor and enhance the efficiency of your testing processes.
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