How to Perform Android Automated Testing

Android app testing is an essential part of the development process. Especially for Android OS, it is very important because the devices are very different from each other. They vary from each other in screen size and resolution, version, form factor, instruction set of the processor, front camera, NFC, external keyboard and so many other different factors. In such a scenario, automated Android testing provides an architecture and powerful tools that tests every aspect of android application at every level from unit to framework.

Many Android test suites are based on JUnit. The Android JUnit extensions provide component-specific test case classes. JUnit extensions test Android API. A functional test checks if the activity was correctly started. A unit test just tests the functionality of a certain component. These classes provide helper methods for creating mock objects and methods that help one control the lifecycle of a component.

Android SDK tools are available in plenty for building and testing such as Eclipse with ADT and also in command-line form for use with other IDEs. These tools gather data from the application under test and use this information to automatically create file, manifest both the file as well as directory structure for the test package. There are two utilities available in Android SDK to control Android devices: ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and Monkeyrunner. Monkeyrunner is an API used for testing devices with Python programs and its UI is a command-line tool for stress-testing. These two send pseudo-random events to a device.

The Android SDK provides the following tools to support automated, functional UI testing for its application:

• uiautomatorviewer - A GUI tool to scan and analyze the UI components of an Android application.
• uiautomator - A Java library containing APIs to create customized functional UI tests and an execution engine to automate and run the tests.
• InstrumentationTestRunner - A primary Android test runner class which extends JUnit test runner. framework.It runs any the test case classes provided by Android and supports all possible types of testing.

If one plans to test the application, the app must be installed first on a test device, analyzed UI components of the app and must be ensured that the application is accessible by the test automation framework.

1. Create automated tests to simulate specific user interactions on application.

2. Compile test cases into a JAR file and install it on test device along with your app.

3. Run the tests and view the test results.

4. Correct any bugs or defects discovered in testing.

Various Automated Testing methods used are:

• Testing with Monkey
• Testing with MonkeyRunner
• Testing with getevent and sendevent
• Testing with Robotium

These methods can work wonders testing the android apps. A properly constructed testing process that combines different testing methods including automated testing is an essential part of a high quality application development process.

Advantages of Android Automated Testing

• It brings flexibility to the application.
• Programming skills are not required to record event sequence.
• Actions are described at the application UI level.
• Script does not depend of the screen orientation and screen resolution.
• Automated scripts can check the state of an application only after an action.
• Avoids redundancy of effort in testing.

With the above advantages, developers can leverage automated android app testing methods and techniques to make their lives easier and mobile app development fun!

We provide android app development services. If you would like to hire android app programmers from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Advanced Tools and Techniques for Mobile Application Development

For every person in this world, cell-phone is a need. Every application is designed in a way to meet world-class business standards. There are a variety of applications in various fields including business, entertainment, utilities, hospitality sector, games and much more, these apps are made sure to fit to various screen sizes be it iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, laptop, palmtop etc. It has many great features which makes it all the more demanding.

Advanced Features of Mobile Applications

There is a great demand for apps as it benefits the business, like builds relationships, increases exposure across mobile devices, generate repeat business, reinforces your brand, increases visibility, increases accessibility, connect you to consumers and enhances social networking strategies. Big businesses like Target and Gap, Amazon, eBay, also started promoting their brands and merchandise with Mobile Apps a few years ago. Auto dealerships, hair salons, realtors – a whole host of industries – jumped to mobile apps in quicker time. All this has progressed as mobile apps are the most affordable and effective way to reach out to customers these days. Mobile application development has many advantages; firstly it has one-touch access to your contact information. Secondly its fast, one can easily access to inventory, get notifications of special events, launches and schedule appointments. Thirdly, one can freely have one-to-one chat. Fourthly get directions and location information easily and much more.

Smart features and functions are embedded that are unique to mobile devices, such as mobility, personality and flexibility, mobile applications are able to provide end-users’ added values, including anytime, anywhere access, the ability to pinpoint users’ locations and flexibility in arranging tasks. Convenience and efficiency are the main advantages of mobile applications both for customers and the company’s employees. They are the two primary fundamental objectives that end-users expect mobile applications to provide.

The demand for having an iPhone or iPad app has increased necessitating the needs for businesses to think beyond the PC. There are around half a million iPhone applications available on the web which has 20 billion downloads every month. Most mobile applications are not only portable but also support multi-tasking, multi-touch and multi-language features. They run across multiple platforms though developed by a single code. There are certain tools and techniques, which helps mobile application development achieve the need of modern apps.

Cross-platform Mobile app development tools

Everyone is aware about the next 'in- thing' today, that is multi-platform applications. iPhone or Android app developers take a number of cross platform development techniques and successful developers search for the right tools and approaches to suffice appropriate requirements and use cases. Top tools used for cross-formatting mobile application development are:

• RhoMobile: An open-source framework written in Ruby. OS, which includes Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian, iPhone and RIM, creates native apps for all kinds of tablets.

• PhoneGap: is another great framework uses standard web development languages such as HTML and JavaScript. It now powers over a 1,000 native app per month.

• Appcelerator: This platform uses web technologies and develops great apps for desktop, mobile and tablet applications. It offers cloud-based services for packaging, testing and distributing software applications developed on the Titanium platform. Supports programming languages like HTML, PHP, JavaScript, Ruby and Python. At present influences over 1,000 native apps per month.

• Sencha Touch: It supports BlackBerry, Android, Kindle and iOS. It develops around innovative HTML5, mainly its components deal with touch functions. As it is HTML5 based, it has the capability to way in apps at the same time as offline.

• MoSync: Is multi-platform mobile app developer SDK tool, which is based on custom web programming. This SDK comprises of compilers, libraries, runtimes, device profiles and other functional tools.

• Whoop: Is a WYSIWYG editor that allows one to play around by simply drag and drop mobile app elements onto it. Apps can be exported in numerous formats, depending on the OS, incorporating Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Android, iPhone and more.

• WidgetPad: Is a mutual, open-source environment for development of Smartphone apps. This program mainly utilizes customary web technologies like JavaScript, HTML5 and CSS3. Enterprises are focusing on porting existing desktop applications to mobile and creating new mobile applications for use within the enterprise to improve employee productivity.

• AppMakr: Browser-based platform designed to create iPhone app quickly and easily. It manages existing content and social networking feeds to produce a variety of different approaches for apps. It includes features such as push notifications, location- details GeoRSS, custom CSS and JavaScript capabilities.

• GENWI: This is a Smartphone publishing platform allows to create and manage on all popular mobile devices, including iPad, iPhone, Android and HTML5 apps. It delivers rich graphics, photos, video, audio and other forms of interactivity. Apps can include various revenue-generating capabilities for businesses, like ads, coupons and in-app subscriptions.

• Mippin: This platform allows to create apps for Android, iOS and Windows. It provides flexibility in designing apps and makes it available in the iTunes, Android, Windows and Amazon stores.

• SwebApps: It easily deploys, tracks and updates native mobile app for any business. One can easily create iPhone and Android app online. Once it is available for download via the iTunes Store or Android Marketplace one can easily update content in real time.

• MobiCart: An e-commerce store which links with PayPal to allow any business or consumer with an e-mail address which securely and conveniently receive payments online at a low cost.

• MobBase: This app builder allows RSS feed to keep fans up to date on band news and events, one can easily browse apps to find information on upcoming shows, buy tickets and get directions. It has a huge following fan of singers and band.

• IPFaces: iPFaces is an open source framework developed by Edhouse for simple creation of native application for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, BlackBerry and devices . This framework is for simple creation of native, form-oriented network applications for mobile devices.

Building Mobile apps can be an effective way to differentiate your brand, opens new revenue channels and deepen relationship with customers. Above tools can help developers come up with the customized apps that are best suited for any business. Good tools help new developers easily get started and make experienced developers more productive in deploying great customized apps.

We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to know more about our android app development expertise, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.