The Role of SDETs in Software Development Teams
Overview of the SDET role in most industries and its impact on the SDLC and other details.
Table of contents
Brief Overview
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is a crucial role in software development teams. SDETs bring in the required technical expertise to ensure the quality of the software product. They bridge the gap between development and testing teams by working closely with developers, testers, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality software. The role of SDETs has evolved over time from being mere testers to having a greater role in the software development lifecycle.
SDETs are responsible for designing and developing automation frameworks, creating and executing automated tests, and ensuring that the software product meets functional and non-functional requirements. They also work closely with developers to identify and fix defects, perform code reviews, and ensure that the code is testable and maintainable. SDETs use various tools and technologies to automate testing, including test automation frameworks, programming languages, and test management tools.
Use Cases:
One of the primary use cases for SDETs is in Agile development teams. In an Agile environment, software development is carried out in short iterations, and testing is an integral part of each iteration. SDETs play a critical role in ensuring that the product meets the acceptance criteria of each iteration. They work closely with developers to identify defects early in the development process, ensuring that they can be fixed before they become more significant issues.
Another use case for SDETs is in the continuous delivery of software. Continuous delivery is the practice of delivering software in small, frequent releases. SDETs design and develop automation frameworks that enable continuous testing, which is critical to the success of continuous delivery. They create and execute automated tests to ensure that each release meets the functional and non-functional requirements of the product.
Some Examples:
Here is an example of how SDETs can improve the quality of software products. Let's say you are developing a mobile application that allows users to make online purchases. SDETs can design and develop automation frameworks to test the application's various features, such as login, search, add to cart, and checkout. They can create automated tests to ensure that each feature meets functional and non-functional requirements, such as performance, security, and usability. SDETs can also work closely with developers to identify and fix defects early in the development process, ensuring that the product meets the acceptance criteria of each iteration.
SDETs also help streamline the testing cycles of the products and provide additional bandwidth for other activities and reduction of manual efforts for routine maintenance and testing activities. Using various tools and processes they can set up an institution that provides reliable results and performs various validation tasks on the application to ensure a stable product is delivered to the end user.
In conclusion, SDETs play a critical role in software development teams by ensuring the quality of the software product. They bring in the required technical expertise and collaborate effectively with developers, testers, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality software. SDETs are responsible for designing and developing automation frameworks, creating and executing automated tests, and ensuring that the software product meets functional and non-functional requirements. They use various tools and technologies to automate testing and improve the quality of software products.