Do Testers have to Write Code? (2024)

ByThomas HamiltonUpdated

A very common question that a software Testing aspirant has is… Do testers have to write code??

Before we answer this question, a complete insight into a various software testing role is necessary to understand.

Software QA is typically divided into two categories,

  1. Quality Analyst: QA verifies the functionality and completeness of the test. QA verifies the software only after the development phase. QA role is not as technical as a developer and may not require coding.
  2. SDET(Software Design Engineer in Test): While SDET on other hand is one who understands the inner workings of the product. They understand database concepts, programming languages, etc. and they also participate in product design, data design, and user interfaces. SDETs have to work during the development phase and require a coding knowledge. So the role of an SDET is more challenging, and it involves job of both, developer as well as a Tester. Automation Testers (who use tools like QTP, Selenium) can also be classified as SDET.

Do Testers have to Write Code? (1)

So based on the role of tester, it can be determined whether tester should require a coding knowledge or not? Let answer few more questions related to it.

We will see following things during this tutorial.

  • What skill sets are required to become a good tester?
  • What tester should know?
  • How much coding knowledge is required to become a good tester?

Attributes of a good tester

Software testing methodology varies according to the need and specifications of the software product. A good QA or software tester plays an important role in the completion of a testing process.

Attributes of good testers are;

  • Good domain knowledge
  • Good logical thinking and
  • Good knowledge of programming skills.

How much coding knowledge does tester require

Writing code and debugging is the developer’s job.

Then the question arises, why coding knowledge is necessary for testers?

Let see some of the reason, why knowing coding becomes necessary for testers.

Do Testers have to Write Code? (2)

Software testing basically involves two approaches Manual Testing and Automation testing. At an advanced level, testing can be classified as a White box, Black box or Grey box testing. Different testing techniques require a different set of skill by testers.

  • While performing Black box testing, the tester does not require the knowledge of coding. Tester simply tests the software by inputting the data and then checks the output.
  • White box testing or code-driven testing requires code knowledge. Knowing various programming concepts like C, C#, C++, RDBMS concept, etc. may be helpful.
  • Testers require good coding knowledge when they go after an automation testing or white box testing. This is because automation testing involves statement coverage, code coverage, cyclomatic complexity, etc. all these concepts need a good knowledge of programming skills and database.
  • SQL (Structured Query Language)- Sometimes testing needs database verification. So, testers need to have the basic knowledge of SQL commands like –’select’, ‘create’, ‘update ‘and so on.
  • SQL –injection, “SQL injection” is one of the techniques used for the database hacking by inserting unwanted commands. A good knowledge of JavaScript and SQL commands comes handy to avert such software security threats.
  • Agile Testing- In agile testing, the whole team is responsible for the quality of the software. Throughout the agile process, the tester will work with one or more programmers to write test. So for creating an automatable test, it is imperative for testers to know the code.

Some Important Tips for software QA analyst

  • Knowledge of manual testing, scripting languages like JavaScript, etc. will add credit to your testing skills.
  • Being a tester, you should build your basic knowledge of programming languages like Java, VBScript It is not must, but it is necessary. Knowledge of SQL concepts, DBMS concept, is a good practice for you.

Besides these, there are few general tips that can help software QA analyst,

  • Communication skill
  • Analytical Mindset
  • Aptitude

Knowing to code in software testing helps a lot to QA analyst or tester throughout their career.

Summary:

Software QA is typically divided into two categories,

  • QA Testers: It does not require coding knowledge
  • SDET: It requires coding knowledge

Attributes of good testers are

  • Good domain knowledge
  • Good logical thinking and
  • Good knowledge of programming skills.

Testers require good coding knowledge when they go after an automation testing

Do Testers have to Write Code? (2024)

FAQs

Do Testers have to Write Code? ›

In automation testing or White box testing, testers need to have proper coding knowledge because they involve statement coverage, code coverage, cyclomatic complexity, etc. These concepts require proper programming and database knowledge and skills.

How much coding is required for tester? ›

Testers require good coding knowledge when they go after an automation testing or white box testing. This is because automation testing involves statement coverage, code coverage, cyclomatic complexity, etc. all these concepts need a good knowledge of programming skills and database.

What mistakes do testers tend to do? ›

Various contributors
  • Fail to communicate. ...
  • Try to fix the bug yourself. ...
  • Assume you are a multi-tasking expert. ...
  • Be afraid of asking questions. ...
  • Give In (quickly) ...
  • Stop learning. ...
  • Ignore your intuition. ...
  • Begin testing before understanding the scope and requirements.
Jun 23, 2015

Are programming skills required for a QA tester? ›

Programming Knowledge

Programming knowledge needed for testers needn't be as deep as required for a developer. But every tester needs to understand the functionality and create tests according to the language used. This will help testers understand errors in the code and effectively communicate it to developers.

Do QA testers write code? ›

Conclusion. Testers are not expected to write code as good as developers, however learning something new is always a good thing. In general, manual testers need not have to learn and write code.

Can I jump from tester to developer? ›

Once you have the title of test automation engineer or software developer in test, it's going to be extremely easy to move into a regular software development role at any company because now you have real experience being paid to write code.

What is the most challenging part for a software tester? ›

Key Software Testing Challenges and Solutions
  1. Lack of Communication. Communication gaps, particularly while conveying the software requirements can create hurdles in constructing accurate test cases. ...
  2. Missing Documentation. ...
  3. Diversity in Testing Environments. ...
  4. Inadequate Testing.
Oct 5, 2022

What are the weakness for testers? ›

Weaknesses: inability to completely understand the program code, inability to write scripts for complex test scenarios. lack of INTELLIGENCE or ABILITY.

What makes you a good tester? ›

Good software testers know the required software testing methods and techniques for the product under test. They also know how to implement automated checks to provide more insights about the product health. Good software testers are passionate about their work and are eager to learn and to adapt to new situations.

Is QA harder than coding? ›

Most everyone knows that right now is a great time to join the tech community, but some don't have the time to learn how to code. Software assurance QA testing is easy to learn and not code intensive. You will have to learn some coding, but not to the same extent as a software or web developer.

How do I become a QA tester with no experience? ›

The qualifications that you need to become a quality assurance tester (QA tester) with no experience include a computer-related degree, the ability to undergo training, and computer coding skills.

What programming language should a tester know? ›

It doesn't matter what you pick as your first programming language: Java, JavaScript, Python, and even Ruby are all good candidates if you want to break into automated testing. Here's a quick rundown: Selenium WebDriver/Java is a favorite pairing for testing enterprise software, and a good all-around language to know.

What is the salary of manual QA tester? ›

Average salary for a Manual Tester in India is 3.1 Lakhs per year (₹25.8k per month).

Should you write tests before code? ›

It often makes sense to write the test first and then write as much code as needed to allow the test to pass. Doing this moves towards a practice known as Test-Driven Development (TDD). Bluefruit uses a lot of TDD because it helps us to build the right product without waste and redundancies.

Is QA tester the same as a tester? ›

QA and Testing are not the same concepts – QA is the strategy that encompasses Testing but much more and involves a much wider set of stakeholders. While Testing is focussed on code quality within a technical arena.

Who is paid more developer or tester? ›

💸Salary comparison - Sadly a tester receives less salary at the initial stage. But after crossing 7 or 8 years, the developer and the tester receive the same salary by considering how they've been improving in their career.

What is the salary of full stack tester? ›

Full Stack Tester salary in India ranges between ₹ 3.6 Lakhs to ₹ 23.8 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 9.0 Lakhs.

Can anyone be a software tester? ›

Certified Software Tester (CSTE): This certification often requires a bachelor's degree and two years of relevant experience, or six years of experience with no degree, to qualify for the test.

How stressful is software testing? ›

Software testing can be stressful. Causes can vary from deadlines, lack of communication, or internal pressure. It is also the relentless nature of the job. As much as we love our job, here are some of the struggles that only a tester will understand.

Is it hard to be a tester? ›

Getting your first role as a software tester can be extremely difficult. Unfortunately for people new to the field, a lot of employers only want people with experience. But in fact, a lot of employers actually want someone with the right skills so that the new person can (eventually) add value to the team.

Is tester job easy? ›

No, software testing is not an easy job. These days, software testers need to get creative to identify potential glitches in software or web/mobile applications. Software testers need to run programs on mobile phones while they are testing mobile applications.

What is your strength as a tester? ›

Quick Learner: Great testers must be well acquainted with technology. They must always be open to learn new automation tools, keep up with the latest technology, use the latest techniques while testing, learn from their experiences and learn to come up with new ideas.

Which is least required skill of a tester? ›

Q.Which, in general, is the least required skill of a good tester?
B.able to write software
C.having good attention to detail
D.able to be relied on
Answer» B. able to write software
1 more row

What the best 10 things should be in a good tester? ›

10 Must Have Qualities Of A Good Tester
  • Empathy With Customer Or End-User. ...
  • Be A Hardcore Pessimist. ...
  • Domain Knowledge. ...
  • Technical Skills. ...
  • Attention To Details. ...
  • Push Every Aspect Of The Application To Its Limits. ...
  • Never Assume Or Take Anything For Granted. ...
  • Continuously Strive To Learn New Things.
Apr 29, 2023

What skills does a tester need? ›

Here are some examples of skills that software testers can develop to progress efficiently on this career path:
  • Document preparation. ...
  • Database knowledge. ...
  • Test preparation. ...
  • Linux commands. ...
  • Knowledge of testing procedures. ...
  • Knowledge of automation tools. ...
  • Issue tracking and reporting. ...
  • Analytical reasoning.
Feb 27, 2023

Are testers in demand? ›

For another, your skills will be in demand. Thanks to a rapidly growing and evolving need for software by businesses, the demand for QA professionals and testers is projected to grow 25 percent between 2021 and 2031.

Is coding required for testing jobs? ›

Not all roles in software testing require coding. There are functional and product-based Testing roles that require no coding at all. However, technical software testing roles require programming or scripting knowledge for developing tools and automation testing.

Do you need programming to be a software tester? ›

To become a software tester, you'll need a degree in engineering, math, or computer science. You can also attend a coding bootcamp or become certified by national organizations. Skills and test and automation tools, Linux, SQL, and analytics are important for this role.

Is 5 hours of coding enough? ›

As a realistic starting point, we typically recommend spending anywhere between five and 15 hours per week on coding if you're looking to make a career-change, fast — but remember, everyone is different.

How much coding is required for selenium? ›

Selenium IDE is a GUI based tool but it works only in Mozilla Firefox. However, if you want to create test cases using Selenium WebDriver, you should know one programming language out of - Java, C#, Python, Perl, Ruby, PHP.

Is software testing a difficult job? ›

No, software testing is not an easy job. These days, software testers need to get creative to identify potential glitches in software or web/mobile applications. Software testers need to run programs on mobile phones while they are testing mobile applications.

Can I get a testing job without experience? ›

If you have strong skills as a power user of computer programs, you can be part of a development team, even if you have no experience as a software tester. Many software testers have a degree in computer science or a related field, but plenty of companies hire people who have not earned a degree.

Is manual testing difficult? ›

Manual testing is not an easy task to do. It requires proper knowledge and moreover patience to detect the bugs and figure out a way to correct them. The beginners can also use the guides, Manual testing for beginners that includes manual testing basics and information.

How do I get my first job as a software tester? ›

Six Tips to Help You Get Your First Software Testing Job
  1. Create an online presence. First things first. ...
  2. Start with an internship. Internships are excellent ways to get your foot in the door. ...
  3. Volunteer to do QA at your current company. ...
  4. Get certified. ...
  5. Network, network, network. ...
  6. Study.
Dec 17, 2020

Can I learn software testing on my own? ›

It is possible to learn software testing from your own home. Plus, you can become a successful software tester fast and get jobs pretty quickly as well.

What is the basic knowledge to be become a software tester? ›

First, you need to learn the principles and types of Software Testing. Then, the best thing to go for would be to learn Selenium, which will make you familiar with writing, running, and testing scripts in Java, Python, Ruby, etc. Finally, JMeter will allow you to run functional testing on web applications.

Can I learn coding in 1 hour a day? ›

People assume that one needs to invest a tremendous amount of time to learn to code, and that's actually not the case. It is true that the more time you put in, the faster you'll learn, but if you're okay with a longer timeframe, an hour a day is plenty.

How long do coders work a day? ›

How many hours per day do computer programmers work? Typically, computer programmers spend an average of 40 hours per week on their jobs, which narrows to eight hours per day, between Monday and Friday. Programmers usually work between 9 am to 5 pm or work schedules comparable to typical office culture.

How fast can I learn coding? ›

Most coders agree that it takes three to six months to be comfortable with the basics of coding. But you can learn coding faster or slower depending on your preferred pace.

Can I learn Selenium in 2 months? ›

You can learn Selenium WebDriver yourself in just 1 month, yes you read it right! If you want above statement to work for you, then you would have to come up with a proper study plan and follow it with discipline.

How difficult is Selenium testing? ›

Selenium is relatively easy to learn, requiring just some basic knowledge of HTML and a few commands to get started. Learning Selenium has the bonus of making it easier to learn more complex coding languages, such as Java and Python, as many of the same concepts carry over.

Is Selenium testing tough? ›

Learning Selenium is not really tough, however, it requires a good disciple and strategic road map to learn it fast. Therefore, in order to gain better understanding and familiarity, one should target four things: Java, Selenium Webdriver, TestNg and Frameworks to learn automation testing with Selenium.

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