AWS Device Farm: Testing Software on Real Devices (QA Automation Tool)
Published: 2024-04-08 06:52:46

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Introduction</h2>
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<p>So in this advancing world where literally everything is evolving, it becomes a fundamental necessity to maintain high-quality in the applications. Quality Assurance or what we usually say QA plays a vital part in fulfilling this role. QA ensures that all the software products meet their specified requirements completely and provide a seamless user experience. It is beneficial in identifying and pointing out issues and defects before the product is launched and used by the end user. This way the cost of post-release fixes is significantly decreased and the reputation of the software company is also saved.</p>
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<p>Simple applications don’t demand evolved QA testing methods but when the applications become complex the user expectations become high and QA methods had to be evolved. This evolution leads to advanced automation tools. Out of all these tools, <a href="https://docs.aws.amazon.com/devicefarm/latest/developerguide/welcome.html">AWS Device Farm</a> has to be the one to stand out as a robust solution. It is designed to enhance QA automation by allowing the developers to test their applications across web browsers and mobile devices.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How AWS Device Farm Works</h2>
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<p>The testing process of web and mobile applications is simplified when AWS Device Farm provides a cloud-based platform to test the applications. Let us discuss an overview of its workflow, setting up a testing project and the types of tests it supports.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Overview of the AWS Device Farm Workflow</h3>
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<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Create a Project</strong><strong></strong></h4>
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<p>The first step says to create a new project in AWS Device Farm. This will serve as a container for your test runs.</p>
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<li><strong>Upload the Application</strong></li>
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<p>The next step is that you upload the web application or your mobile app (the built version) to the created project.</p>
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<li><strong>Configuring Test Settings</strong></li>
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<p>Choose which test-type to run i.e. (manual or automated). From the device pool select devices and configure the test parameters and environment settings.</p>
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<li><strong>Run Tests</strong></li>
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<p>Make sure to start the testing process. AWS Device Farm gives you the permission for concurrent testing that too across multiple devices.</p>
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<li><strong>Review Results</strong></li>
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<p>After the completion of results, you can review the reports including logs, performance metrics and screenshots.</p>
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<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Setting Up a Testing Project</strong></h4>
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<li>Go to Device Farm service using AWS Management Console.</li>
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<li>Select the option “Create a New Project” and enter the name of your project.</li>
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<li>You can choose to upload your app or you can also specify the URL for your web application.</li>
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<li>Select the test type, then choose devices and finally configure test settings.</li>
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<li>Run your tests.</li>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Types of Tests Supported</h3>
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<p>Following are the <a href="https://docs.aws.amazon.com/devicefarm/latest/developerguide/welcome.html">types of tests supported by AWS Device Farm</a>. For a more detailed overview, visit the official AWS Device Farm documentation.</p>
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<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Automated Testing</strong></h4>
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<p>Automated testing frameworks such as Calabash, Appium, Espresso and XCTest are all supported by AWS Device Farm. Automated test scripts are run across multiple devices simultaneously. The best use cases of automated testing are functional, regression, and UI testing without the involvement of manual intervention.</p>
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<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Manual Testing</strong></h4>
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<p>You can also go for the option of manual testing. Here developers are allowed to interact with devices in real-time with the help of a web browser. UI/UX evaluation, exploratory testing or reproducing specific user-reported issues are some of the use cases of manual testing.</p>
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<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Custom Tests</strong></h4>
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<p>AWS Device Farm also supports the execution of custom tests which are tailored to specific requirements.</p>
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<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Performance Monitoring</strong></h4>
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<p>While manual and automated tests run, AWS Device Farm starts collecting and reporting performance metrics i.e. memory and CPU usage. It also shows network stats which are crucial for performance testing.</p>
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<p>All these testing options provided by AWS Device Farm cater to many testing needs ranging from automated regression suites to manual exploratory testing. It ensures high-quality applications and comprehensive coverage. For more in-depth information visit <a href="https://aws.amazon.com/device-farm/faqs/">AWS Device Farm’s FAQ</a> Section.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Testing on Real Devices</h2>
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<p>The most critical step in the QA process is the testing to be performed on real devices. Emulators and simulators provide a cost-effective way to mimic devices and OS but they are unable to replicate the performance characteristics of physical hardware.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Importance of Testing on Real Devices VS Emulators/Simulators</h3>
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<li>Real devices provide more accurate feedback on how the app interacts with the hardware. It includes sensor, CPU, battery and memory.</li>
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<li>Accurate simulation of different networks like 3G, 4G or Wifi is enabled when the testing is performed on real devices.</li>
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<li>Real devices provide a more real user experience including the possibility of swipe, touch and gesture controls.</li>
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<li>There are many bugs and features which are discovered on the actual devices only such as battery consumption, screen brightness etc.</li>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Range of Devices Available in AWS Device Farm</h3>
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<p>AWS Device Farm shows support for a wide range of tablets and smartphones having different screen sizes, hardware configurations and resolutions. Both Android and IOS devices are included here to ensure broad market coverage. The service makes sure to update the device library regularly to include latest devices and operating system versions. This enables the developers to test their applications on different devices which are expected to be used by their target audience.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How AWS Device Farm Ensures Up-to-Date Device and OS Coverage</h3>
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<p>AWS Device Farm keeps up with the fast-paced evolution of operating systems and mobile devices through the following.</p>
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<li>AWS Device Farm makes sure to add OS versions and devices to its fleet. This is done to make sure that developers have access to the latest technology for testing.</li>
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<li>Coming across user feedback helps AWS Device Farm to add new features and devices to the service.</li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Understanding AWS Device Farm</h2>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Definition of AWS Device Farm</h3>
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<p>What exactly is AWS Device Farm? So it is an app testing service that is offered by AWS. It allows and enables the developers to perform testing on devices and interact with them. It is also capable to reproduce the issues on a device that too in real time. Users can run the tests across a wide variety of device configurations. Due to this, it is made sure that all the applications will perform well on the OS and devices that their target audience will use.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Problem It Solves in Software Development and Testing</h3>
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<p>It is pretty much challenging and demanding to make sure that the application will run problem-free across different browser versions, operating systems and devices. The variation in things like screen size, operating system versions, device type and hardware specifications makes the testing process difficult. AWS Device Farm solves this issue by offering a platform where all the testing can be done across an extensive range of devices. Apart from saving time and cost, it improves reliability of the software that is being facilitated through testing.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Features of AWS Device Farm</h3>
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<li>AWS Device Farm makes sure that accurate testing results are given out by providing access to various smartphones and tablets.</li>
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<li>Developers are allowed to interact with the devices in real-time. This helps them in manual testing, reproducing specific user issues and debugging.</li>
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<li>Automated testing frameworks are also supported by AWS Device Farm which help in simultaneous execution of tests across multiple devices.</li>
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<li>If you want to make the automated testing a part of your development pipeline then you can integrate it with CI/CD pipeline.</li>
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<li>Developers can provide details of their environment configurations so that it can match with their users’ real-world specifications.</li>
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<li>A detailed log report is also presented to you which can be used to identify and resolve the issues quickly.</li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Integration with QA Processes</h2>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How AWS Device Farm Integrates with CI/CD Pipelines</h3>
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<p>AWS Device Farm has made its <a href="https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/devops/integrating-aws-device-farm-with-ci-cd-pipeline-to-run-cross-browser-selenium-tests/">integration with CI/CD pipeline</a> pretty easy. Due to this a DevOps approach is ensured in which new changes in the code are automatically tested on various devices before deployment. It minimizes the manual efforts and speed up the release cycle.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Compatibility with Popular Testing Frameworks and Languages</h3>
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<p>Testing frameworks such as Calabash, Espresso, Appium and XCTest are supported by AWS Device Farm. It allows teams to write the test cases in the language of their own choice including Python, Java or Ruby.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Managing and Analyzing Test Results for QA Improvement</h3>
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<p>As discussed before, AWS Device Farm also provides a detailed test reports including videos, performance data, screenshots, logs etc. These are the types of insights which help the teams to identify the issues more quickly.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Benefits of Using AWS Device Farm for QA Automation</h2>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Scalability and Flexibility</h3>
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<p>The service provided by AWS Device Farm allows testing across a large variety of devices and configurations. Unmatched flexibility and scalability is offered to the QA teams.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cost Efficiency</h3>
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<p>AWS Device Farm also allows the organizations and companies to reduce costs of keeping a physical lab device.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Improved Accuracy and Faster Testing</h3>
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<p>Utilization of real devices by AWS Device Farm provides accurate test results. It also helps in detecting the defects and bugs which may not be found on emulators or simulators.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Getting Started with AWS Device Farm</h2>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Setting Up an Account</h3>
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<p>The very first and basic step is to create an AWS account and navigate to AWS Device Farm using the AWS Management Console.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Getting Started with AWS Device Farm</h3>
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<p>You need to make sure that the application you want to test is prepared. The test scripts and your application should be compatible with each other.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Optimizing Your Testing Process</h3>
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<p>Make sure to make the best use of parallel testing feature. You need to focus on the critical devices and OS versions so that you can incorporate the automated testing into your CI/CD pipeline.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Challenges and Considerations</h2>
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<li>Dealing with framework and device limitations.</li>
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<li>Management of testing costs.</li>
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<li>Interpreting the test results effectively.</li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Future of QA Automation with AWS Device Farm</h2>
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<p>AWS makes sure that continuous upgrading is done in Device Farm with OS versions and new devices. These features help in evolving the landscape of software testing and development. As fast as the software development accelerates, so does the role of AWS Device Farm becomes critical.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>
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<p>AWS Device Farm plays a very important role in modern QA processes by providing accuracy, scalability and efficiency in testing across different devices. Both beginners and experts can leverage the AWS Device Farm for taking Quality Assurance to the next level.</p>
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