Introduction:
Have you heard of the term Desktop app test automation? Here’s what else you should know.
First, let’s see what a Desktop application is: Most people believe that desktop applications barely survive in the face of the storm of web and mobile technologies. However, there are other reasons why desktop apps are chosen. These range from the simplicity of working offline and accessing huge knowledge libraries centered on workflows to giving users complete control and freedom over their computing jobs.
As of 2021, the market value of desktop software was $2022.9 million. According to fortune business insights, the desktop software market size is to reach $5,994.8 million. This is because user interfaces are continuously improving, systems are strategically upgraded, and more sophisticated applications are required. The Covid-19 pandemic is frequently recognized as the primary reason for these changes. However, cultural trends also play a significant influence. Let’s first see what a desktop application is.
What is a Desktop Application?
A desktop app runs on a computer device such as a desktop or a laptop. They are typically limited by the hardware they run and may have strict hardware requirements for proper operation.
Desktop applications are created for the Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Users must manually install any updates for them. However, Desktop apps can usually function without an internet connection. Because of the isolated environment, a desktop app has fewer security issues than a web or mobile app. Desktop applications are usually restricted to single users or whoever is currently logged into the account. These applications can also access the local file system.
Desktop test automation is also performed on a laptop or desktop computer because desktop apps are run on a local device. These testing includes comprehensive testing of all features, including the user interface, backend functionality, database, memory, and exceptions. However, testing desktop applications is an entirely different story. To begin with, desktop applications are responsible for running the most complicated and sensitive computer systems. However, this results in a wide range of compatibility concerns. As they work in different environments, desktop applications must test them under multiple scenarios and circumstances. Managing the desktop testing process can be difficult in this situation. Furthermore, desktop applications must also consider their vulnerability to
changes in the operating system and underlying hardware.
This is where the concept of desktop automation comes in. Let’s look at why desktop test automation is necessary in a more detailed way.
Why is Desktop app Test Automation required?
Complex Use Cases:
Desktop applications are often larger and have more extensive features than web or mobile applications. This increases the testing surface area and often requires highly skilled testers; manual testing of a desktop app can be complicated, and errors can occur while testing it manually.
Hardware and OS:
Customers’ hardware choices in desktop environments vary a lot. RAM, graphic cards, CPUs, and other components can impact application performance beyond just fulfilling baseline requirements. As a result, it must be tested in many environments and on different operating systems, which increases the time required to test a desktop application. However, desktop test automation can save a significant amount of time.
Software and Connectivity:
Desktop users have more flexibility than users of any other platform in terms of which apps are running and, as a result, how this affects the performance of other applications. Although your application may run from a desktop, testing functionality and performance with components that require internet connectivity is crucial. Test automation of functional tests can help to reduce the costs and effort required to test a desktop application.
Why algoQA for Desktop application test automation?
Many frameworks and tools can perform desktop app test automation, but most of them need at least basic scripting, but algoQA reduces scripting effects significantly, without writing the scripts not by record and play but by Low Code – No Code Principle, profiling is the only manual intervention. algoQA is an easy to use and reliable platform, algoQA provides scripts that are non-proprietary in nature.
algoQA not only supports desktop applications but also supports a wide range of applications, including Web Applications, Mobile Applications, Hybrid Applications, Robotic Process Automation, and Embedded Software. algoQA is a single platform Covering UI Based Test Automation, API Test Automation, and Load Test Automation. algoQA is technology agnostic, supports multi-language scripting, and seamlessly works across ALM; it supports selenium, Appium, and many other frameworks. It is OS-independent; algoQA can be used in Windows, Linux, and macOS and supports multiple browsers.
Conclusion:
Desktop testing differs significantly from mobile and web testing. I hope you realize how important it is to automate a desktop application. There are many tests for a desktop application, and a desktop application should run in a different situation and with multiple OS and hardware; testing this manually can be expensive and time consuming, so test automation is the solution. Automate testing with algoQA and get 100% test coverage & accuracy through automation and save 80% test automation and test maintenance costs. With algoQA, get Shorter Go-To- market and Enhanced productivity. LambdaTest is a cloud-based cross browser testing tool that allows you to perform cross browser testing for web applications across more than 2000 browsers, operating systems, and devices. Click here to know more about algoQA integration with LambdaTest.
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Written By – Vadeesh Budramane & Abhinag Reddy
