Complete Guide to Test Automation


Book Description

Rely on this robust and thorough guide to build and maintain successful test automation. As the software industry shifts from traditional waterfall paradigms into more agile ones, test automation becomes a highly important tool that allows your development teams to deliver software at an ever-increasing pace without compromising quality. Even though it may seem trivial to automate the repetitive tester’s work, using test automation efficiently and properly is not trivial. Many test automation endeavors end up in the “graveyard” of software projects. There are many things that affect the value of test automation, and also its costs. This book aims to cover all of these aspects in great detail so you can make decisions to create the best test automation solution that will not only help your test automation project to succeed, but also allow the entire software project to thrive. One of the most important details that affects the success of the test automation is how easy it is to maintain the automated tests. Complete Guide to Test Automation provides a detailed hands-on guide for writing highly maintainable test code. What You’ll Learn Know the real value to be expected from test automation Discover the key traits that will make your test automation project succeed Be aware of the different considerations to take into account when planning automated tests vs. manual tests Determine who should implement the tests and the implications of this decision Architect the test project and fit it to the architecture of the tested application Design and implement highly reliable automated tests Begin gaining value from test automation earlier Integrate test automation into the business processes of the development teamLeverage test automation to improve your organization's performance and quality, even without formal authority Understand how different types of automated tests will fit into your testing strategy, including unit testing, load and performance testing, visual testing, and more Who This Book Is For Those involved with software development such as test automation leads, QA managers, test automation developers, and development managers. Some parts of the book assume hands-on experience in writing code in an object-oriented language (mainly C# or Java), although most of the content is also relevant for nonprogrammers.




The Definitive Guide to AWS Infrastructure Automation


Book Description

Discover the pillars of AWS infrastructure automation, starting with API-driven infrastructure concepts and its immediate benefits such as increased agility, automation of the infrastructure life cycle, and flexibility in experimenting with new architectures. With this base established, the book discusses infrastructure-as-code concepts in a general form, establishing principled outcomes such as security and reproducibility. Inescapably, we delve into how these concepts enable and underpin the DevOps movement. The Definitive Guide to AWS Infrastructure Automation begins by discussing services and tools that enable infrastructure-as-code solutions; first stop: AWS's CloudFormation service. You’ll then cover the ever-expanding ecosystem of tooling emerging in this space, including CloudFormation wrappers such as Troposphere and orchestrators such as Sceptre, to completely independent third-party tools such as Terraform and Pulumi. As a bonus, you’ll also work with AWS' newly-released CDK (Cloud Development Kit). You’ll then look at how to implement modular, robust, and extensible solutions across a few examples -- in the process building out each solution with several different tools to compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of each. By the end of the journey, you will have gained a wide knowledge of both the AWS-provided and third-party ecosystem of infrastructure-as-code/provisioning tools, and the strengths and weaknesses of each. You’ll possess a mental framework for how to craft an infrastructure-as-code solution to solve future problems based on examples discussed throughout the book. You’ll also have a demonstrable understanding of the hands-on operation of each tool, situational appropriateness of each tool, and how to leverage the tool day to day. What You Will Learn Discover the technological and organizational benefits to infrastructure-as-code solutions Examine the overall landscape of infrastructure-as-code tooling and solutions available to consumers of AWS services See the strengths and weaknesses of these tools relative to one another as examined through hands-on implementation of several solutions Gain hands-on experience, best practices, and tips and tricks learned through several years’ real-world experience delivering solutions using these very tools in a wide variety of scenarios Engineer solid solutions that leave room for new requirements and changes without requiring needless refactoring Who This Book Is For DevOps engineers, cloud engineers and architects focused on the AWS ecosystem, software engineers/developers working within the AWS ecosystem, and engineering leaders looking for best practices.







The Robotic Process Automation Handbook


Book Description

While Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has been around for about 20 years, it has hit an inflection point because of the convergence of cloud computing, big data and AI. This book shows you how to leverage RPA effectively in your company to automate repetitive and rules-based processes, such as scheduling, inputting/transferring data, cut and paste, filling out forms, and search. Using practical aspects of implementing the technology (based on case studies and industry best practices), you’ll see how companies have been able to realize substantial ROI (Return On Investment) with their implementations, such as by lessening the need for hiring or outsourcing. By understanding the core concepts of RPA, you’ll also see that the technology significantly increases compliance – leading to fewer issues with regulations – and minimizes costly errors. RPA software revenues have recently soared by over 60 percent, which is the fastest ramp in the tech industry, and they are expected to exceed $1 billion by the end of 2019. It is generally seamless with legacy IT environments, making it easier for companies to pursue a strategy of digital transformation and can even be a gateway to AI. The Robotic Process Automation Handbook puts everything you need to know into one place to be a part of this wave. What You'll Learn Develop the right strategy and planDeal with resistance and fears from employeesTake an in-depth look at the leading RPA systems, including where they are most effective, the risks and the costsEvaluate an RPA system Who This Book Is For IT specialists and managers at mid-to-large companies




Devices and Systems for Laboratory Automation


Book Description

Devices and Systems for Laboratory Automation Structured Overview on the Available Systems and Devices for Laboratory Automation Choosing the right systems and devices for the automation in any given laboratory is an essential part for the process to succeed. As relevant information to make an informed choice is not always readily available, a structured overview is essential for modern scientists. This book provides an introduction into laboratory automation and an overview of the necessary devices and systems. Sample topics discussed by the two well-qualified authors include: Specific requirements the automation needs to fulfill such as liquid delivery, low volume delivery, solid delivery, and sample preparation An overview on robots and mobile robots Common interfaces in laboratory automation For scientists and all individuals working in laboratories, the work serves as an indispensable resource in helping to make laboratory processes more streamlined, effective, and efficient.




Springer Handbook of Automation


Book Description

This handbook incorporates new developments in automation. It also presents a widespread and well-structured conglomeration of new emerging application areas, such as medical systems and health, transportation, security and maintenance, service, construction and retail as well as production or logistics. The handbook is not only an ideal resource for automation experts but also for people new to this expanding field.




Challenges and Opportunities to Develop Organizations Through Creativity, Technology and Ethics


Book Description

This proceedings volume provides a multifaceted perspective on current challenges and opportunities that organizations face in their efforts to develop and grow in an ever more complex environment. Featuring selected contributions from the 2019 Griffiths School of Management Annual Conference (GSMAC) on Business, Entrepreneurship and Ethics, this book focuses on the role of creativity, technology and ethics in facilitating the transformation organizations need in order to be ready for the future and succeed. Growth and development have always been imperative for people, organizations, and societies and a relevant topic in the management sciences. Globalization, along with dramatic changes in social, cultural, and technological progress, are the main factors that determine the current conditions for development, putting forth a new set of challenges and opportunities that are putting pressure on organisations to adapt. Although technology and creativity seem to be the mantra for success in this new context, issues around the ethics of these two factors also seem to be crucial to the sustainability of growth in organizations. Featuring contributions on topics such as academic marketing, technology in healthcare organizations, ethical issues in hospitality, artificial intelligence and data mining, this book provides research and tools for students, professors, practitioners and policy makers in the fields of business, management, public administration and sociology.




Robotic Process Automation with Blue Prism Quick Start Guide


Book Description

Learn how to design and develop robotic process automation solutions with Blue Prism to perform important tasks that enable value creation in your work Key FeaturesDevelop robots with Blue PrismAutomate your work processes with Blue PrismLearn basic skills required to train a robot for process automationBook Description Robotic process automation is a form of business process automation where user-configured robots can emulate the actions of users. Blue Prism is a pioneer of robotic process automation software, and this book gives you a solid foundation to programming robots with Blue Prism. If you've been tasked with automating work processes, but don't know where to start, this is the book for you! You begin with the business case for robotic process automation, and then move to implementation techniques with the leading software for enterprise automation, Blue Prism. You will become familiar with the Blue Prism Studio by creating your first process. You will build upon this by adding pages, data items, blocks, collections, and loops. You will build more complex processes by learning about actions, decisions, choices, and calculations. You will move on to teach your robot to interact with applications such as Internet Explorer. This can be used for spying elements that identify what your robot needs to interact with on the screen. You will build the logic behind a business objects by using read, write, and wait stages. You will then enable your robot to read and write to Excel and CSV files. This will finally lead you to train your robot to read and send emails in Outlook. You will learn about the Control Room, where you will practice adding items to a queue, processing the items and updating the work status. Towards the end of this book you will also teach your robot to handle errors and deal with exceptions. The book concludes with tips and coding best practices for Blue Prism. What you will learnLearn why and when to introduce robotic automation into your business processesWork with Blue Prism StudioCreate automation processes in Blue PrismMake use of decisions and choices in your robotsUse UI Automation mode, HTML mode, Region mode, and spyingLearn how to raise exceptionsGet the robot to deal with errorsLearn Blue Prism coding best practicesWho this book is for The book is aimed at end users such as citizen developers who create business processes, but may not have the basic programming skills required to train a robot. No experience of BluePrism is required.




SQL Server 2019 Administrator's Guide


Book Description

Use Microsoft SQL Server 2019 to implement, administer, and secure a robust database solution that is disaster-proof and highly available Key FeaturesExplore new features of SQL Server 2019 to set up, administer, and maintain your database solution successfullyDevelop a dynamic SQL Server environment and streamline big data pipelinesDiscover best practices for fixing performance issues, database access management, replication, and securityBook Description SQL Server is one of the most popular relational database management systems developed by Microsoft. This second edition of the SQL Server Administrator's Guide will not only teach you how to administer an enterprise database, but also help you become proficient at managing and keeping the database available, secure, and stable. You’ll start by learning how to set up your SQL Server and configure new and existing environments for optimal use. The book then takes you through designing aspects and delves into performance tuning by showing you how to use indexes effectively. You’ll understand certain choices that need to be made about backups, implement security policy, and discover how to keep your environment healthy. Tools available for monitoring and managing a SQL Server database, including automating health reviews, performance checks, and much more, will also be discussed in detail. As you advance, the book covers essential topics such as migration, upgrading, and consolidation, along with the techniques that will help you when things go wrong. Once you’ve got to grips with integration with Azure and streamlining big data pipelines, you’ll learn best practices from industry experts for maintaining a highly reliable database solution. Whether you are an administrator or are looking to get started with database administration, this SQL Server book will help you develop the skills you need to successfully create, design, and deploy database solutions. What you will learnDiscover SQL Server 2019’s new features and how to implement themFix performance issues by optimizing queries and making use of indexesDesign and use an optimal database management strategyCombine SQL Server 2019 with Azure and manage your solution using various automation techniquesImplement efficient backup and recovery techniques in line with security policiesGet to grips with migrating, upgrading, and consolidating with SQL ServerSet up an AlwaysOn-enabled stable and fast SQL Server 2019 environmentUnderstand how to work with Big Data on SQL Server environmentsWho this book is for This book is for database administrators, database developers, and anyone who wants to administer large and multiple databases single-handedly using Microsoft's SQL Server 2019. Basic awareness of database concepts and experience with previous SQL Server versions is required.




The Executive's How-To Guide to Automation


Book Description

From driverless cars to pilotless planes, many functions that have previously required human labor can now be performed using artificial intelligence. For businesses, this use of AI results in reduced labor costs and, even more important, creating a competitive advantage. How does one look at any organization and begin the work of automating it in sensible ways? This book provides the blueprint for automating critical business functions of all kinds. It outlines the skills and technologies that must be brought to bear on replicating human-like thinking and judgment in the form of algorithms. Many believe that algorithm design is the exclusive purview of computer scientists and experienced programmers. This book aims to dispel that notion. An algorithm is merely a set of rules, and anyone with the ability to envision how different components of a business can interact with other components already has the ability to work in algorithms. Though many fear that the use of automation in business means human labor will no longer be needed, the author argues that organizations will re-purpose humans into different roles under the banner of automation, not simply get rid of them. He also identifies parts of business that are best targeted for automation. This book will arm business people with the tools needed to automate companies, making them perform better, move faster, operate cheaper, and provide great lasting value to investors.