The Sound of Automation PDF Print E-mail
Summary: Test automation is often a challenging task, but when it comes to voice applications it is impossible! Or is it? Maybe not. In this article the author reveals that when it comes to software test automation nothing is impossible.

 

 

 

Written by Rick Brewster

 

Voice applications are in a class by themselves with respect to testing.  If you have ever had the privilege of testing this type of application you know what I mean.  The sounds of each prompt playing in your head while you wait for the right moment to press a button or speak a response can drain your energy as a tester.  I had the privilege of manually testing voice applications for the first four of my fifteen years of testing.  I will never forget the frustration of being interrupted by someone while in the middle of executing a voice application test case.  All I could do was smile at them and say, "Now, I have to do the test all over again!"

It was especially frustrating when changes were made to a voice application and I had to continuously perform regression testing.  The challenge of trying to stay focused while listening to the same prompts was difficult.  It reminds me of the “Ghost Hunters” TV series on the SyFy channel when the ghost hunters listen to voice recordings waiting to hear noise from a ghost.  The ghost hunters may not have the monotony of repeatedly hearing the same prompts but they have to remain focused while listening to the tapes in much the same way that I had to while performing voice application testing. Click to read the rest