How can you make your regression testing automation compatible with different operating systems?

1 Choose a cross-platform automation tool

One of the first steps to make your regression testing automation compatible with different operating systems is to choose a tool that supports cross-platform testing. There are many automation tools available in the market, but not all of them can run on multiple operating systems or handle different user interfaces and browsers. Some examples of cross-platform automation tools are Selenium, Appium, TestComplete, and Ranorex. These tools allow you to write and execute your automation scripts on different operating systems without changing the code or the logic.

2 Use relative paths and variables

Another important tip to make your regression testing automation compatible with different operating systems is to use relative paths and variables instead of hard-coded values. Relative paths and variables are more flexible and adaptable to different environments and configurations. For example, instead of using a hard-coded path like C:\Users\John\Documents\TestData.xlsx , you can use a relative path like .\TestData.xlsx or a variable like ${TestData} that can be defined and changed according to the operating system. This way, you can avoid errors and failures due to incorrect or missing paths or files.

4 Use a cloud-based testing service

One of the best practices to make your regression testing automation compatible with different operating systems is to use a cloud-based testing service. A cloud-based testing service is a platform that provides you with access to various operating systems, browsers, devices, and configurations that you can use to run your automation scripts remotely. This way, you can save time, money, and resources that you would otherwise spend on setting up and maintaining your own testing infrastructure. Some examples of cloud-based testing services are Sauce Labs, BrowserStack, and LambdaTest. These services allow you to integrate your automation scripts with their platforms and run them on different operating systems with ease and accuracy.

5 Review and update your automation scripts regularly

The last tip to make your regression testing automation compatible with different operating systems is to review and update your automation scripts regularly. As operating systems evolve and change over time, your automation scripts may become obsolete or incompatible with the new versions or features. Therefore, it is important to review and update your automation scripts regularly to ensure that they are still valid and functional on different operating systems. You can use version control tools, such as Git or SVN, to track and manage the changes in your automation scripts. You can also use test management tools, such as TestRail or Jira, to document and report the results of your cross-platform testing.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?