The Role of an SDET:
Key Skills and Responsibilities
An SDET is a person who is not only into the development of any software but also participates in testing. As there is an increased demand for software development engineers in tests, one should know the basic key skills to master this. SDETs save a lot of time for testing cycles, writing test scripts, and fixing bugs. With all this, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with common SDET interview questions. So, if you want to be one of them, you must develop some skills specifically required for this domain. Below are a few essential skills to have:
Programming languages are the most important skills for becoming SDET. There are several programming languages that you can master. However, it is crucial to be familiar with one programming language at least. The most common programming languages include Java, Javascript, and Python. Choosing the right programming language helps you build a foundation for your career. It is recommended to learn and master one language at a time. A thorough practice will give a good piece of knowledge of any language. To begin with the programming languages, Python is recommended as it is functional and object-oriented as well.
Automation framework is a booming industry in every organization. It is a high-demand skill for SDET. SDET testing involves using automated tools and frameworks to verify the functionality and reliability of software products. Having a good knowledge of automation framework gives great support in SDET career growth. Understanding of automation framework helps automate regular tasks, makes them less time-consuming, and is simply easier. As of now, there are several open-source frameworks available to automate web and mobile support. Plus, there are several cloud platforms available to run automated tests on different configurations. Having an understanding of the automation framework makes it easier to excel in the SDET journey.
API stands for Application Programming Interface which refers to a mechanism enabling software components to communicate with each other. APIs are also used to transfer data between client and server. APIs are quite common and are used in almost every operation it segregates. As the software development engineer in the test is a part of the development team, they should know what APIs are and how it works. To learn this, you should have an understanding of HTTP protocols and methods. There are several libraries available for testing that help test them as SDETs.
Performance testing is a key skill that an SDET possesses. Any system or application undergoes a performance check during the development phase. It is the responsibility of an SDET to ensure each component is working accurately. Therefore, it is crucial to learn the terms of performance testing such as SLAs, KPI correlation, throughput, baseline, etc.
There is always a need to store information for any system or application. Databases serve this need to store, process, and analyze huge amounts of information. The traditional database system has become weak and has performance issues. SDET responsibilities encompass various tasks. So, to become an SDET in test, make yourself aware of traditional RDBMS and the latest NoSQL database management systems.
Preparing for an SDET interview involves not only understanding common SDET interview questions and answers but also showcasing your problem-solving abilities, coding skills, and knowledge of testing best practices. Successful SDET interview preparation involves reviewing coding concepts, understanding testing methodologies, and practicing problem-solving exercises Be ready to discuss your experience with test automation tools and your approach to ensuring software quality.
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Generating test data is a complex yet crucial task of an SDET. This makes the tests more reliable and accurate, providing better test coverage. Generating test data programmatically generates diverse inputs. It is an ideal approach in comparison with the traditional QAs.
Front-end user interface testing is a serious matter for IT organizations. It also includes performance testing, load testing, and security testing as well. These are the domains that an SDET engineer should have knowledge about. Being an SDET, you can choose several tools and designs that are providing useful information. This is an important part of the responsibility of SDET to improve software quality.
Knowing how to create and test the codes is a vital element of building yourself as an SDET. understanding the customer requirement, product needs, and business model helps create the right code. Technology departments are usually involved in this process. SDETs are also responsible for often creating various frameworks and tools that can be used for testing various platforms. For instance, a specific function should produce a specific response.
Creating test cases is an iterative process that usually involves several tests. It is necessary for SDET to investigate the issues before finalizing the case. However, if the test fails, it becomes necessary to investigate potential solutions and communicate among developers for the update. Also, documenting the issues and their potential solution helps avoid these issues in the future.