Tired of spending hours writing and maintaining complex test scripts? We get it. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Cypress Cucumber Framework (Cypress BDD Automation) — a game changer for software testing. This combination makes testing more efficient, collaborative, and accessible.
Imagine a framework that speaks everyone’s language, from developers to product managers. With Cypress, Cucumber, and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), you can therefore achieve tests that are robust, reliable, and easily understood. No more cryptic code or miscommunication!
In this post, we will first cover the fundamentals of Cypress and Cucumber BDD, then guide you through the setup process, and finally share best practices for automation. Get ready to boost productivity and streamline your testing!
By the end, readers will have gained a strong foundation in Cypress for UI automation, making them ready to implement effective automated testing in their projects.
In the current blog on the Cypress Cucumber Framework: A Complete Guide to BDD Automation for Efficient Testing, we will build upon this knowledge by integrating Cucumber for Behavior-Driven Development, enhancing test readability and collaboration among team members.
What is Behavior Driven Development (BDD)?
Behavior Driven Development (BDD) is an agile software development practice that enhances communication between stakeholders. It, in turn, encourages collaboration among developers, testers, and non-technical team members to define how an application should behave, all based on user requirements. The core philosophy is to define behavior in plain language, making it easily understandable for all parties involved.
What is Cucumber?
Cucumber is an open-source tool that supports BDD by allowing users to write tests in plain language. It, moreover, uses a domain-specific language (DSL) called Gherkin, which is designed to be human-readable. As a result, this means that even non-technical stakeholders can participate in the testing process, enhancing collaboration and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
Key Features of Cucumber BDD
Readable Syntax: Cucumber uses Gherkin syntax, enabling test scenarios to be written in natural language. Each scenario follows the structure:
Given: Sets pre-conditions or context.
When: Specifies the user’s action.
Then: Defines the expected outcome.
Collaboration: Cucumber promotes teamwork by providing a common language, and reducing miscommunications between developers and stakeholders.
Automation Support: Integrates well with tools like Selenium, making it easier to automate tests based on defined behaviors.
CI/CD Integration: Cucumber can be seamlessly added to CI/CD pipelines, supporting automated testing and ensuring code quality throughout development.
Benefits of Using Cucumber BDD
Improved Communication: Encourages collaboration among all stakeholders, reducing misunderstandings.
Higher Test Coverage: Ensures that all user scenarios are considered by involving non-technical team members.
Living Documentation: Keeps documentation relevant and up to date with evolving application features.
Faster Feedback Loop: Automated tests provide quick feedback, accelerating development and iterations.
How to Get Started with Cucumber BDD
Set Up Your Environment
Define Features and Scenarios
Map Step Definitions
Write Script
Run Tests
Benefits of combining Cypress with Cucumber (Cypress Cucumber Framework)
While Cypress is powerful on its own, combining it with Cucumber takes our testing to a whole new level. Cucumber is a tool that supports Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), allowing us to write tests in a natural language that both technical and non-technical team members can understand.
Here are some key benefits of this combination:
Improved collaboration: By using Cucumber’s Gherkin syntax, we create a common language between developers, QA, and business stakeholders.
Enhanced test readability: Cucumber scenarios are written in plain English, making it easier for everyone to understand what’s being tested.
Reusable step definitions: We can create step definitions in Cypress that map to Cucumber scenarios, promoting code reuse and maintainability.
Living documentation: Our Cucumber features serve as both tests and documentation, ensuring our documentation stays up to date with the actual product behavior.
Scenario-driven development: We can focus on describing the desired behavior first, then implement the necessary code to make it work.
Here’s a comparison of traditional testing approaches versus BDD:
Aspect
Traditional Testing
Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)
Focus
Verifying functionality
Describing user behavior
Language
Technical jargon
Natural language
Collaboration
Limited to developers and testers
Extensive involvement of all stakeholders
Documentation
Separate from tests
Tests double as documentation
Test Creation
After development
Before or during development
User Involvement
Minimal
Continuous involvement
Feedback Cycle
Slower feedback
Rapid feedback loops
In the next phase of our exploration of the Cypress Cucumber Framework, we’ll learn the practicalities of setup and implementation. We’ll cover how to structure projects, write effective scenarios, and harness the strengths of both Cypress and Cucumber to build a comprehensive, maintainable test suite.
Cypress Cucumber Framework Folder Structure
When building a robust test automation framework with Cypress and Cucumber, the project structure plays a critical role in maintainability, scalability, and team collaboration. A well-organized project allows testers and developers to easily locate files, add new features, and scale the framework as the project grows. Here’s a suggested structure for setting up your Cypress Cucumber framework:
cypress/ – This is the main directory where all Cypress-related files are stored. It houses everything from test data to plugins and supporting scripts.
e2e/features/ – This is where our .feature files, written in Gherkin syntax are stored. Each .feature file describes test scenarios in a human-readable format, enabling BDD-style testing. For example: – Login.feature
e2e/step_definitions/ – This subfolder holds our JavaScript files where we define the actual step definitions corresponding to the steps in our .feature files. For example: – Login_steps.js
e2e/page_objects/ – This is a new folder for Page Object Model (POM) files. Page objects abstract the logic of interacting with different pages in our application. This separation keeps your tests clean, readable, and easier to maintain.
cypress.config.js – This configuration file allows us to manage and configure our Cypress environment. Here, we can set environment-specific configurations, manage base URLs, and define other test-related settings.
package.json – This is the standard Node.js configuration file. It lists the dependencies, scripts, and other essential settings needed for your Cypress Cucumber project. Here, we’ll define the testing dependencies like cypress, cypress-cucumber-preprocessor, and any other required libraries.
Based on the folder structure outlined above, let’s now proceed to create the structure in our project.
Setting Up the Automation Framework
Now we’ve covered the basics of Cypress and Cucumber BDD, let’s dive into setting up our automation framework. This crucial step will lay the foundation for our entire testing process, ensuring we have a robust and efficient system in place.
Install VS Code and create new project
Install & configure Cypress Automation Framework
To set up the Cypress Cucumber framework, the first step is to install Visual Studio Code (VS Code) and set up a basic Cypress JavaScript framework. I’ve outlined the detailed procedure for installing Cypress and creating the initial Cypress framework in my previous blog, “JavaScript and Cypress Framework for Modern UI Automation“. You can follow the steps from that guide to get your Cypress framework up and running. Once that’s done, we’ll move forward with installing and integrating Cucumber BDD in our project. We can also clone cypress framework from “JavaScript-Cypress-WebAutomation” repository.
By following the steps outlined in the “JavaScript and Cypress Framework for Modern UI Automation“ blog, we’ll now have a complete Cypress framework set up, including the package.json, cypress.config.js, and a cypress folder containing your tests, test data, and hooks. The next step is to upgrade this existing Cypress framework to a Cypress Cucumber framework for BDD integration.
@badeball/cypress-cucumber-preprocessoris a plugin that enables the use of Cucumber’s Behavior Driven Development (BDD) approach in Cypress testing. It allows you to write tests in Gherkin syntax (using feature files), making it easier to define scenarios in plain language that non-technical stakeholders can understand. This preprocessor translates Gherkin steps into Cypress commands, allowing smooth integration of BDD into your Cypress test suite.
@cypress/browserify-preprocessor is a plugin for Cypress that bundles JavaScript files using Browserify. It processes the files before Cypress executes them, allowing you to use CommonJS modules and other advanced JavaScript features in your test files. This preprocessor helps Cypress understand and run tests that include modern JavaScript or require module bundling, ensuring smooth execution of your test suite.
Configuring Installed Dependencies in cypress.config.js
When we install Cypress, the cypress.config.js file is automatically created at the root of our project. To configure Cypress with Cucumber, we need to add the following code to this file:
This configuration in the cypress.config.js file is required to enable the Cypress Cucumber Preprocessor and handle feature files written in Gherkin syntax.
These imports load the necessary preprocessor libraries to translate Gherkin syntax into Cypress test commands.
preprocessor.addCucumberPreprocessorPlugin: Adds Cucumber-specific functionalities, such as generating JSON reports after test runs.
on(“file:preprocessor”, browserify.default(config)): Uses Browserify to bundle the test files, ensuring the feature files and JavaScript modules are correctly processed before execution.
In summary, this configuration integrates the Cucumber framework with Cypress and ensures that feature files are preprocessed and executed correctly.
Hooks
Hooks are functions that allow you to run specific code before or after a scenario or feature in your Cucumber tests. These hooks help manage setup and teardown tasks, such as navigating to a webpage or resetting application state, before or after each test is executed.
Types of Hooks: Before: Runs before each scenario. After: Runs after each scenario. BeforeAll: Runs once before all scenarios in a feature. AfterAll: Runs once after all scenarios in a feature.
import { Before, After } from "@badeball/cypress-cucumber-preprocessor";
import selectors from "../../fixtures/Selectors.json";
Before(() => {
cy.visit("https://www.calculator.net");
});
After(() => {
cy.get(selectors.cancelButton).click();
});
Before Hook – This code runs before each scenario in the feature file. It navigates to the https://www.calculator.net website using the cy.visit() command. This ensures that every test starts from the calculator page.
After Hook – This code runs after each scenario. It clicks on the cancel button (specified in the Selectors.json file) to potentially reset any changes made during the test, ensuring a clean state for subsequent tests.
These hooks help ensure consistency and better test management by handling common setup and cleanup tasks efficiently.
Automating Scenario
Creating .Feature File
Before we begin creating the .feature file, let’s outline the functionalities we’ll be automating. We’ll be working with the Calculator.net web application, focusing on automating basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Test Scenarios:
Verify user can perform addition
Verify user can perform subtraction
Verify user can perform multiplication
Verify user can perform division
Now we will follow below steps and create feature file
Launch Visual Studio Code and open your project folder.
Navigate to cypress/e2e create feature directory.
Right-click on the feature folder and select New File. – Name the file with the .feature extension, e.g., calculator.feature.
Write below code in calculator.feature with the Gherkin Syntax:
Feature: Calculator Operations
@regression
Scenario: Verify user is able to do addition
When User clicks on number "2"
And User clicks on operator "+"
And User clicks on number "1"
And User clicks on "="
@regression
Scenario: Verify user is able to do subtraction
When User clicks on number "3"
And User clicks on operator "-"
And User clicks on number "1"
And User clicks on "="
Then The result should be "2"
What is a Feature File?
A feature file is a document written in plain language that outlines the behavior of a software feature or a set of related features. It is primarily used in Behavior Driven Development (BDD) frameworks like Cucumber to describe application behavior in a way that both technical and non-technical stakeholders can understand.
The structure of a feature file includes:
Feature
Scenario
Given-When-Then format
Feature files use the Gherkin language to describe these behaviors.
What is Gherkin?
Gherkin is a structured language used to write feature files in BDD. It uses simple syntax and plain English, making it easy for anyone, including non-developers, to understand the application’s expected behavior. Gherkin uses a specific set of keywords to define the structure of a feature file, including:
Feature: A high-level description of the functionality being tested.
Scenario: Individual test cases written to validate specific aspects of the feature.
Given: Describes the initial context or prerequisites (e.g., navigating to a webpage).
When: Specifies the action taken by the user or system (e.g., clicking a button).
Then: Describes the expected outcome (e.g., the result should be displayed).
And / But: Used to add additional steps to the scenario.
Gherkin’s key advantage is its readability and collaboration, as it helps bridge the communication gap between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders by providing a shared language for defining requirements.
Creating Step Definition file
In a Cypress project using @badeball/cypress-cucumber-preprocessor, feature file steps written in plain English are mapped to corresponding code in the step definition file. This mapping is crucial because it connects the behavioral steps defined in the feature file to the automation code that performs the actual actions and validations.
Now we will create step file and map with feature file
Open project in VS code.
Navigate to cypress/e2e. Right click on e2e and select New Folder and give name as “step_definition“.
Right-click on the step_definition folder and select New File. – Name the file with the .js extension, e.g. CalculatorStep.js.
import { When, Then } from "@badeball/cypress-cucumber-preprocessor";
import { CalculatorPage } from "../page/CalculatorPage.js";
const calculatorPage = new CalculatorPage();
When("User clicks on number {string}", (number) => {
calculatorPage.clickNumber(number);
});
When("User clicks on operator {string}", (operator) => {
calculatorPage.clickOperator(operator);
});
When('User clicks on "="', () => {
calculatorPage.clickEquals();
});
Then("The result should be {string}", (expectedResult) => {
calculatorPage.verifyResult(expectedResult);
});
Let’s now break down how this mapping works using the provided example:
The step_definition file contains JavaScript functions that implement the logic for each feature file step. These functions are mapped to the feature file steps based on matching text patterns.
Mapping Example:
Feature Step: When User clicks on number “2”
Step Definition:
When("User clicks on number {string}", (number) => {
calculatorPage.clickNumber(number);
});
The text “User clicks on number {string}” matches the feature step text, where {string} is a placeholder for the number (“2” in this case).
The value “2” is passed as the number parameter to the function calculatorPage.clickNumber(number).
Feature Step: Then The result should be “3”
Step Definition:
Then("The result should be {string}", (expectedResult) => {
calculatorPage.verifyResult(expectedResult);
});
The text “The result should be {string}” matches the step, and “3” is passed as the expectedResult parameter to verifyResult.
Dynamic Parameter Handling
The placeholders in the step definition {string} allow dynamic values from the feature file to be passed as parameters. This approach ensures that the same step definition can handle multiple scenarios with different inputs, making your tests more reusable.
Behind the Scenes: Automatic Mapping
The @badeball/cypress-cucumber-preprocessor automatically matches feature file steps to step definitions based on the matching text. As long as:
The text pattern in the step definition matches the feature file step.
The corresponding file is in the correct folder structure (e.g., step_definition).
We don’t need to do any additional configuration.
Why This Mapping is Useful
Readability: The feature file is easy to understand for non-technical stakeholders.
Reusability: A single step definition can be reused across multiple scenarios with different inputs.
Separation of Concerns: Keeps business logic (feature file) separate from automation code (step definitions).
Creating Page file
What is a Page Object Model (POM) File?
The Page Object Model (POM) is a design pattern in test automation that promotes the separation of test logic from the UI elements. It creates an object repository for web UI elements, making tests more maintainable, readable, and reusable. Each page of the application is represented by a corresponding class, which contains methods to interact with the elements on that page.
Benefits of Using POM:
Maintainability: Changes in UI require updates in only one place (the POM).
Readability: Tests are cleaner and more understandable.
Reusability: Common methods can be reused across different test cases.
Now let’s create Page Object Model (POM) file,
Open project in VS code.
Navigate to cypress/e2e Right click on e2e and select New Folder and give name as “page“.
Right-click on the page folder and select New File. – Name the file with the .js extension, e.g., CalculatorPage.js.
import selectors from "../../fixtures/Selectors.json";
export class CalculatorPage {
clickNumber(number) {
switch (number) {
case "0":
cy.get(selectors.zeroNumberButton).click();
break;
case "1":
cy.get(selectors.oneNumberButton).click();
break;
case "2":
cy.get(selectors.twoNumberButton).click();
break;
case "3":
cy.get(selectors.threeNumberButton).click();
break;
case "4":
cy.get(selectors.fourNumberButton).click();
break;
case "5":
cy.get(selectors.fiveNumberButton).click();
break;
case "6":
cy.get(selectors.sixNumberButton).click();
break;
case "7":
cy.get(selectors.sevenNumberButton).click();
break;
case "8":
cy.get(selectors.eightNumberButton).click();
break;
case "9":
cy.get(selectors.nineNumberButton).click();
break;
}
}
clickOperator(operator) {
switch (operator) {
case "+":
cy.get(selectors.plusOperatorButton).click();
break;
case "-":
cy.get(selectors.minusOperatorButton).click();
break;
case "*":
cy.get(selectors.multiplyOperatorButton).click();
break;
case "/":
cy.get(selectors.divideOperatorButton).click();
break;
}
}
clickEquals() {
cy.get(selectors.equalsOperatorButton).click();
}
verifyResult(expectedResult) {
cy.get(selectors.result).should("contain.text", expectedResult);
}
}
The CalculatorPage class uses the Page Object Model (POM) to manage interactions with a calculator’s UI.
Selectors Import:
Fetches locators from Selectors.json for buttons and result display.
Methods:
clickNumber(number): Clicks a number button (e.g., “2” clicks selectors.twoNumberButton).
clickOperator(operator): Clicks an operator button (+, -, *, /).
clickEquals(): Clicks the “=” button.
verifyResult(expectedResult): Validates the displayed result matches with the expected value.
Configuring Feature and Step Definition Paths
To seamlessly integrate feature files and step definitions in our Cypress project using the Cucumber preprocessor, we need to configure their paths. Here’s how we can set them up effectively:
Defining the Feature File Path and additional configuration
Start by defining where your feature files are located:
Open cypress.config.js.
Under the e2e section in module.exports, specify the path to your feature files and additional configuration.
package.json defines the setup for a Cypress framework with Cucumber integration for Behavior-Driven Development (BDD). Let’s breakdown:
Metadata:
name: “cypresscucumberframework” – The name of the project.
version: Version of the framework.
description: Describes the purpose of the project as a Cypress BDD framework using Cucumber.
author: The author of the project.
license: The license type.
keywords: A list of relevant keywords to describe the project.
Dependencies:
@badeball/cypress-cucumber-preprocessor: Used for integrating Cucumber feature files with Cypress.
cypress: Core Cypress testing library.
Dev Dependencies:
@cypress/browserify-preprocessor: Required to handle JavaScript files with Cucumber preprocessor.
Cypress Cucumber Preprocessor Configuration:
stepDefinitions: Specifies the path for step definition files (cypress/e2e/step-definition/*.js).
filterSpecs: Ensures only filtered specs (by tags) are run.
omitFiltered: Omits filtered tests from output results.
This ensures the Cucumber preprocessor can locate and execute the step definitions during testing.
Execute Test Cases in Cypress
Running Cypress Tests via Cypress Runner
Open VS Code terminal and type:
npx cypress open
The Cypress Runner will launch.
Select E2E Testing, then choose your desired browser.
A dashboard will appear with all feature files listed. Select a feature file to start execution.
Pro Tip: To run all test suites in one go instead of selecting them individually:
Edit package.json file under the “scripts” section as shown:
“scripts”: { “script”: “cypress run –browser chrome”, “test”: “npm run script” }
Now, execute the tests with:
npm run test
This command runs all tests in headless mode using Chrome. You can switch browsers if needed and even add pre-test or post-test configurations, like cleaning reports or screenshots.
Running Cypress Cucumber Tests with Tags
We can filter tests by tagging scenarios, such as @smoke, @sanity, or @regression. Here’s how:
Run specific tests by tag
npx cypress run –env tags=”@regression”
Ensure these settings are added under “cypress-cucumber-preprocessor” in package.json:
“filterSpecs”: true, “omitFiltered”: true
Run tests with either of two tags
npx cypress run –env tags=”@Smoke or @regression”
Run tests with both tags
npx cypress run –env tags=”@Smoke and @regression”
Test Execution Results
After execution, you’ll see a summary with details like total tests, passed, failed, and skipped. This makes it easy to analyze the run and debug issues efficiently.
By leveraging tags and custom scripts, Cypress lets us streamline test execution and manage complex scenarios with ease!
Conclusion
The Cypress Cucumber Framework is a powerful combination that brings together the efficiency of Cypress and the collaboration-driven approach of Cucumber’s Behavior-Driven Development (BDD). By leveraging this framework, teams can write tests in plain language, improving communication and collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
This approach ensures enhanced test readability, maintainability, and scalability through features like reusable step definitions, documentation, and integration with CI/CD pipelines. Additionally, its ability to manage complex scenarios using tags and a well-organized project structure makes it an excellent choice for modern automated testing. Adopting this framework enables faster feedback loops, higher test coverage, and user-focused application development.
I am an SDET Engineer proficient in manual, automation, API, Performance, and Security Testing. My expertise extends to technologies such as Selenium, Cypress, Cucumber, JMeter, OWASP ZAP, Postman, Maven, SQL, GitHub, Java, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Additionally, I possess hands-on experience in CI/CD, utilizing GitHub for continuous integration and delivery. My passion for technology drives me to constantly explore and adapt to new advancements in the field.
Have you ever felt like a fraud in your QA role, constantly doubting your abilities despite your accomplishments? You’re not alone. Even the most skilled and experienced QA engineers often grapple with a nagging sense of inadequacy known as “Imposter Syndrome”.
This pervasive psychological phenomenon can be particularly challenging in the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of software testing. As QA professionals, we’re expected to catch every bug, anticipate every user scenario, and moreover stay ahead of rapidly changing technologies. It’s no wonder that many of us find ourselves questioning our competence, even when we’re performing at the top of our game.
In this blog post, however, we’ll dive deep into the world of Imposter Syndrome in QA. Specifically, we’ll explore its signs, root causes, and impact on performance and career growth. Most importantly, in addition, we’ll discuss practical strategies to overcome these self-doubts and create a supportive work culture that empowers QA engineers to recognize their true value. Let’s unmask the imposter and reclaim our confidence as skilled testers!
Understanding Imposter Syndrome in QAEngineer
Definition and prevalence in the tech industry
Imposter syndrome, a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as a “fraud,” is particularly prevalent in the tech industry. In the realm of Quality Assurance (QA), this self-doubt can be especially pronounced. Studies suggest that, in fact, up to 70% of tech professionals experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers.
Unique challenges for QA engineers and Imposter Syndrome
QA engineers face distinct challenges that, consequently, can exacerbate imposter syndrome:
Constantly evolving technologies
Pressure to find critical bugs
Balancing thoroughness with time constraints
Collaboration with diverse teams
These factors often lead to self-doubt and questioning of one’s abilities.
Common triggers in software testing
Trigger
Description
Impact on QA Engineers
Complex Systems
Dealing with intricate software architectures
Feeling overwhelmed and inadequate
Missed Bugs
Discovering issues in production
Self-blame and questioning competence
Rapid Release Cycles
Pressure to maintain quality in fast-paced environments
Stress and self-doubt about keeping up
Comparison to Developers
Perceiving coding skills as inferior
Feeling less valuable to the team
QA professionals often encounter these triggers, which can intensify imposter syndrome. Recognizing these challenges is the first step towards addressing and overcoming self-doubt in the testing field. As we explore further, we’ll delve into the specific signs that indicate imposter syndrome in QA professionals.
Signs of Imposter Syndrome in QA Professionals
QA engineers, despite their crucial role in software development, often grapple with imposter syndrome. Here are the key signs to watch out for:
Constant self-doubt despite achievements
Even accomplished QA professionals may find themselves questioning their abilities; consequently, this persistent self-doubt can manifest in various ways:
Attributing successes to luck rather than skill
Downplaying achievements or certifications
Feeling undeserving of promotions or recognition
Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes
Imposter syndrome, therefore, often fuels an unhealthy pursuit of perfection:
Obsessing over minor details in test cases
Excessive rechecking of work
Reluctance to sign off on releases due to fear of overlooked bugs
To compensate for perceived inadequacies, QA professionals may:
Work longer hours than necessary
Take on additional projects beyond their capacity
Volunteer for every possible task, even at the expense of work-life balance
Recognizing these signs is crucial for addressing imposter syndrome in the QA field; therefore, by understanding these patterns, professionals can take steps to build confidence and validate their skills.
Root Causes of Imposter Syndrome in Testing
Rapidly evolving technology landscape
In the fast-paced world of software development, QA engineers face constant pressure to keep up with new technologies and testing methodologies; Moreover, this rapid evolution can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, as testers struggle to stay current with the latest tools and techniques.
High-pressure work environments
QA professionals often work in high-stakes environments where the quality of their work directly impacts product releases and consequently, user satisfaction. This pressure, therefore, can exacerbate imposter syndrome, causing testers to question their abilities and value to the team.
Comparison with developers and other team members
Testers frequently work alongside developers and other specialists; therefore, this can lead to unfair self-comparisons. This tendency to measure oneself against colleagues with different skill sets, therefore, can fuel imposter syndrome and undermine confidence in one’s unique contributions.
Lack of formal QA education for many professionals
Many QA engineers enter the field without formal education in testing, often transitioning from other roles or learning on the job. This non-traditional path can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, especially when working with colleagues who have more traditional educational backgrounds.
Factor
Factor
Technology Evolution
The constant need to learn and adapt
Work Pressure
Fear of making mistakes or missing critical bugs
Team Dynamics
Unfair self-comparisons with different roles
Educational Background
Feeling less qualified than formally trained peers
To combat these root causes, QA professionals should:
Embrace continuous learning
Recognize the unique value of their role
Focus on personal growth rather than comparisons
Celebrate their achievements and contributions to the team
As we move forward, we’ll further explore how imposter syndrome can impact a QA professional’s performance and career growth, shedding light on the far-reaching consequences of this psychological phenomenon.
Impact on QA Performance and Career Growth
The pervasive nature of imposter syndrome can significantly affect a QA engineer’s performance and career trajectory. Let’s explore the various ways this phenomenon can impact quality assurance professionals:
Hesitation in sharing ideas or concerns
QA engineers experiencing imposter syndrome therefore often struggle to voice their opinions or raise concerns, fearing they might be perceived as incompetent. This reluctance can lead to:
Missed opportunities for process improvements
Undetected bugs or quality issues
Reduced team collaboration and knowledge sharing
Reduced productivity and job satisfaction
Imposter syndrome can take a toll on a QA engineer’s productivity and overall job satisfaction:
Impact Area
Consequences
Productivity
Excessive time spent double-checking work Difficulty in making decisions Procrastination on challenging tasks
Job Satisfaction
Increased stress and anxiety Diminished sense of accomplishment Lower overall job enjoyment
Missed opportunities for advancement
Self-doubt can hinder a QA professional’s career growth in several ways:
Reluctance to apply for promotions or new roles
Undervaluing skills and experience in performance reviews
Avoiding high-visibility projects or responsibilities
Potential burnout and turnover
The cumulative effects of imposter syndrome can lead to:
Emotional exhaustion
Decreased motivation
Increased likelihood of leaving the company or even the QA field
Addressing imposter syndrome is crucial for QA professionals because it helps them to unlock their full potential and achieve long-term career success. In the next section, therefore, we’ll explore effective strategies to overcome these challenges and build confidence in your abilities as a quality assurance expert.
Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Now that we understand the impact of imposter syndrome on QA professionals, let’s explore effective strategies to overcome these feelings and boost confidence.
Stage 1: Recognizing and acknowledging feelings
The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome is to identify and accept these feelings. Keep a journal to track your thoughts and emotions, noting when self-doubt creeps in. This awareness will help you address these feelings head-on.
Stage 2: Reframing negative self-talk
Challenge negative thoughts by reframing them positively. Use the following table to guide your self-talk transformation:
Negative Self-Talk
Positive Reframe
I’m not qualified for this job
I was hired for my skills and potential
I just got lucky with that bug find
My attention to detail helped me uncover that issue
I’ll never be as good as my colleagues
Each person has unique strengths, and I bring value to the team
Stage 3: Documenting achievements and positive feedback
Create an “accomplishment log” to record your successes and positive feedback. This tangible evidence of your capabilities can serve as a powerful reminder during moments of self-doubt.
Stage 4: Embracing continuous learning
Stay updated with the latest QA trends and technologies. Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences to expand your knowledge. Remember, learning is a lifelong process for all professionals.
Stage 5: Building a support network
Develop a strong support system within and outside your workplace. Consider the following ways to build your network:
Join QA-focused online communities
Participate in mentorship programs
Attend local tech meetups
Collaborate with colleagues on cross-functional projects
By implementing these strategies, QA engineers can gradually overcome imposter syndrome and build lasting confidence in their abilities. Next, we’ll explore how organizations can foster a supportive work culture that helps combat imposter syndrome among their QA professionals.
Creating a Supportive Work Culture
A supportive work culture is crucial in combating imposter syndrome among QA engineers. By fostering an environment of trust and collaboration, organizations can help testers overcome self-doubt and thrive in their roles.
Promoting open communication
Encouraging open dialogue within QA teams and across departments helps reduce feelings of isolation and inadequacy. Regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and anonymous feedback channels can create safe spaces for QA professionals to voice their concerns and share experiences.
Encouraging knowledge sharing
Knowledge-sharing initiatives can significantly boost confidence and combat imposter syndrome. Consider implementing:
Lunch and learn sessions
Technical workshops
Internal wikis or knowledge bases
These platforms allow QA engineers to showcase their expertise and learn from peers, reinforcing their value to the team.
Implementing mentorship programs
Mentorship programs play a vital role in supporting QA professionals:
Acknowledging the efforts and achievements of QA professionals is essential for building confidence:
Highlight QA successes in team meetings
Include QA metrics in project reports
Celebrate bug discoveries and process improvements
Provide opportunities for QA engineers to present their work to stakeholders
By implementing these strategies, organizations can create a supportive environment that empowers QA engineers to overcome imposter syndrome and reach their full potential.
Imposter syndrome is a common challenge faced by QA engineers, even those with years of experience and proven track records. By recognising the signs, understanding the root causes, and acknowledging its impact on performance and career growth, testers can take proactive steps to overcome these feelings of self-doubt. Implementing strategies such as self-reflection, continuous learning, and seeking mentorship can help build confidence and combat imposter syndrome effectively.
Creating a supportive work culture is crucial in addressing imposter syndrome within QA teams. Organizations that foster open communication, provide constructive feedback, and celebrate individual achievements contribute significantly to their employees’ professional growth and self-assurance. By confronting imposter syndrome head-on, QA engineers can unlock their full potential, drive innovation in testing practices, and advance their careers with renewed confidence and purpose.
A domain name is an online address that offers a user-friendly way to access a website. In the context of Verified domains Python, this refers to verifying that a domain is legitimate and active using Python programming techniques. In the internet world IP address is a unique string of numbers and other characters used to access websites from any device or location. However, the IP address is hard to remember and type correctly, so the domain name represents it with a word-based format that is much easier for users to handle. When a user types a domain name into a browser search bar, it uses the IP address it represents to access the site.
The Domain Name System (DNS) maps human-readable domain names (in URLs or email addresses) to IP addresses. This is the unique identity of any website or company/organization which makes any website unique and verified, It’s still possible for someone to type an IP address into a browser to reach a website, but most people want an internet address to consist of easy-to-remember words, called domain names for example: Google. , Amazon. Etc. and domain names come with different domain extensions for example: Amazon. in, Google.com
A domain also serves several important purposes on the internet. Here are some key reasons why a domain is necessary:
Identification: Domain names are easier to remember than IP addresses, making it simpler to locate resources online.
Branding: A domain name is vital for building a professional online identity, reflecting the nature and purpose of a business.
Credibility: Owning a domain enhances professionalism, showing commitment to a unique online presence.
Email Address: A personalized email linked to a domain looks more professional and builds trust.
Control: Domain ownership gives you control over hosting, email management, and associated content.
SEO: A relevant, keyword-rich domain can improve search engine visibility.
Portability: Owning a domain allows you to change hosting providers while keeping the same web address, ensuring consistency.
Why do we need domain verification?
Verifying a domain name is a key step for businesses and individuals looking to establish credibility, and control over their content, and enhance their presence on digital platforms.
Let’s Understand this using the example:
Verifying your domain helps Facebook to allow rightful parties to edit link previews directly to your content.
This allows you to manage editing permissions over links and contents and prevents misuse of your domain. This includes both organic and paid content.
These verified editing permissions ensure that only trusted employees and partners represent your brand.
Domain Verification Techniques:
Domain verification is a crucial step to make sure your domain is active and not expired. When a domain is verified, users are automatically added to the Universal Directory, so they don’t have to wait for personal approval to log in. This process helps confirm that the domain is legitimate and prevents issues related to fake or misused domains. These are some techniques through which we can verify our domain.
WHOIS Lookup
Requests & Sockets
DNS Verification
Let’s see how we can verify valid domains to find verified domains using Python, you can employ several approaches listed below.
1) WHOIS Lookup:
Use the WHOIS module in Python to perform a WHOIS lookup on a domain. This method provides information about the domain registration, including the registrar’s details and registration date.
Install the whois module using pip install python-whois.
def check_domain(domain):
try:
# Attempt to retrieve information about the given domain using the 'whois' library.
domain_info = whois.whois(domain)
# Check if the domain status is 'ok' (verified).
if domain_info.status == 'ok':
print(f"{domain} is a verified domain.")
else:
print(f"{domain} is not a verified domain.")
# Handle exceptions related to the 'whois' library, specifically the PywhoisError.
except whois.parser.PywhoisError:
print(f"Error checking {domain}.")
# Handle exceptions related to the 'whois' library, specifically the PywhoisError.
except whois.parser.PywhoisError:
print(f"Error checking {domain}.")
2) Request & Socket
Use Python’s request lib and socket to find verified domains For this we need to install these python dependencies requests & socket
Here we are passing hostname as a parameter and socket.gethostbyname(hostname) will give us the IP address for the host socket.create_connection((ip_address, 80)) is used for the socket to bind as a source address before making the connection. When we pass hostname or domain name with the correct extension to this function for example as given in the above function i.e “google.net” it will return True And if the hostname/domain is incorrect it will return false.
To verify a domain in Python, you can use various approaches depending on the type of verification required. Here, is one of the common methods: DNS verification
DNS Verification:
DNS verification involves checking if a specific DNS record exists for the domain. For example, you might check for a TXT record with a specific value.
import dns.resolver
def verify_dns(domain, record_type, expected_value):
try:
answers = dns.resolver.resolve(domain, record_type)
for rdata in answers:
if rdata.to_text() == expected_value:
return True
except dns.resolver.NXDOMAIN:
pass
return False
# dns.resolver.resolve attempts to resolve the specified DNS record type for the given domain
domain = "google.com"
record_type = "TXT"
expected_value = "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"
This is a Valid example of the above function where the domain is “google.com”, the function returns True when the record type is “TXT” and the expected value matches Google’s SPF TXT record. If no match is found or if the domain does not exist (it will give an NXDOMAIN exception), it returns False.
A domain name is a crucial component of your online identity, providing a way for people to find and remember your website or online services. Whether for personal use, business, or any other online endeavor, having a domain name is an essential part of establishing a presence on the internet.
Each approach serves a distinct purpose in verifying a domain’s legitimacy. Choose the verification method based on your specific use case and requirements. Verified domains Python methods like DNS verification are often used for domain ownership verification, while WHOIS Lookup provides essential registration details.
Click here to read more blogs like this and learn new tricks and techniques of software testing.
Jyotsna is a Jr SDET which have expertise in manual and automation testing for web and mobile both. She has worked on Python, Selenium, Mysql,
BDD, Git, HTML & CSS. She loves to explore new technologies and products which put impact on future technologies.
What is a Computer System Validation Process (CSV)?
Computer System Validation or CSV is also called software validation. CSV is a documented process that tests, validates, and formally documents regulated computer-based systems, ensuring these systems operate reliably and perform their intended functions consistently, accurately, securely, and traceably across various industries.
Computer System Validation Process is a critical process to ensure data integrity, product quality, and compliance with regulations.
Why Do We Need Computer System Validation Process?
Validation is essential in maintaining the quality of your products. To protect your computer systems from damage, shutdowns, distorted research results, product and sample loss, unstable conditions, and any other potential negative outcomes, you must proactively perform the CSV.
Timely and wise treatment of failures in computer systems is essential, as they can cause manufacturing facilities to shut down, lead to financial losses, result in company downsizing, and even jeopardize lives in healthcare systems.
So, Computer System Validation Process is becoming necessary considering following key points-
Regulatory Compliance: CSV ensures compliance with regulations such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Clinical Practices (GCP), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). By validating systems, organisations adhere to industry standards and legal requirements.
Risk Mitigation: By validating systems, organisations reduce the risk of errors, data loss, and system failures. QA professionals play a vital role in identifying and mitigating risks during the validation process.
Data Integrity: CSV safeguards data accuracy, completeness, and consistency. In regulated industries, reliable data is essential for decision-making, patient safety, and product quality.
Patient Safety: In healthcare, validated systems are critical for patient safety. From electronic health records to medical devices, ensuring system reliability is critical.
How to implement the Computer System Validation (CSV) Process?
You can consider your computer system validation when you start a new product or upgrade an existing product. Here are the key phases that you will encounter in the Computer System Validation process:
Planning: Establishing a project plan outlining the validation approach, resources, and timelines. Define the scope of validation, identify stakeholders, and create a validation plan. This step lays the groundwork for the entire process.
Requirements Gathering: Documenting user requirements and translating them into functional specifications and technical specifications.
Design and Development: Creating detailed design and technical specifications. Develop or configure the system according to the specifications. This step involves coding, configuration, and customization.
Testing: Executing installation, operational, and performance qualification tests. Conduct various tests to verify the system’s functionality, performance, and security. Types of testing include unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing.
Documentation: Create comprehensive documentation, including validation protocols, test scripts, and user manuals. Proper documentation is essential for compliance.
Operation: Once validated, you can put the system into operation. Regular maintenance and periodic reviews are necessary to ensure ongoing compliance.
Approaches to Computer System Validation(CSV):
As we study, the CSV involves several steps, including planning, specification, programming, testing, documentation, and operation.Perform each step correctly, as each one is important. CSV can be approached in various ways:
Risk-Based Approach: Prioritize validation efforts based on risk assessment. Identity critical functionalities and focus validation efforts accordingly. This approach includes critical thinking, evaluating hardware, software, personnel, and documentation, and generating data to translate into knowledge about the system.
Life Cycle Approach: This approach breaks down the process into the life cycle phases of a computer system, which are concept, development, testing, production, maintenance and then validate throughout the system’s life cycle phases. This helps to follow continuous compliance and quality.
Scripted Testing: This approach can be robust or limited. Robust scripted testing includes evidence of repeatability, traceability to requirements, and auditability. Limited scripted testing is a hybrid approach that scales scripted and unscripted testing according to the risk of the system.
“V”- Model Approach: Align validation activities with development phases. The ‘V’ model emphasizes traceability between requirements, design and testing.
Process-Based Approach: Validate based on the system’s purpose and processes it serves. First one need to understand how the system interacts with users, data and other systems.
GAMP (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice) Categories: Classify systems based on complexity. It provides guidance on validation strategies for different categories of software and hardware.
Documentation Requirements:
Here are the essential documents for CSV during its different phases:
Validation Planning:
Project Plan:Document outlining the approach, resources, timeline, and responsibilities for CSV.
User Requirements Specification (URS):
User Requirements Document: Defines what the user wants a system must do from a user’s perspective. The system owner, end-users, and quality assurance write it early in the validation process, before the system is created. The URS essentially serves as a blueprint for developers, engineers, and other stakeholders involved in the design, development, and validation of the system or product.
Functional Specification (FS):
Functional Requirements: Detailed description of system functions, it is a document that describes how a system or component works and what functions it must perform.Developers use Functional Specifications (FSs) before, during, and after a project to serve as a guideline and reference point while writing code.
Design Qualification (DQ):
It is specifically a detailed description of the system architecture, database schema, hardware components, software modules, interfaces, and any algorithms or logic used in the system.
Functional Design Specification (FDS): Detailed description of how the system will meet the URS.
Technical Design Specification (TDS): Technical details of hardware, software, and interfaces
Configuration Specification (CS):
Additionally, Specifies hardware, software, and network configurations settings and how these settings address the requirements in the URS.
Installation Qualifications (IQ):
Installation Qualification Protocol: Document verifying that the system is installed correctly.
Operational Qualification (OQ):
Operational Qualification Protocol: Therefore, document verifying that the system functions as intended in its operational environment and fit to be deployed to the consumers.
Performance Qualification (PQ):
Performance Qualification Protocol: Document verifying that the system consistently performs according to predefined specifications under simulated real-world conditions.
Risk Scenarios:
Additionally identification and evaluation of potential risks associated with the system and its use and mitigation strategies.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):
SOP Document, specifically is a set of step-by-step instructions for system use, maintenance, backup, security, and disaster recovery.
Change Control:
Change control refers to the systematic process of managing any modifications or adjustments made to a project, system, product, or service. It ensures that all proposed changes undergo a structured evaluation, approval, implementation, and subsequently its impact and documentation process.
Training Records:
Moreover, documentation of training provided to personnel on system operation and maintenance.
Audit Trails:
In summary, an audit trail is a sequential record of activities that have affected a device, procedure, event, or operation. It can be a set of records, a destination, or a source of records. Audit trails can include date and time stamps, and can capture almost any type of work activity or process, whether it’s automated or manual.
Periodic Review:
Scheduled reviews of the system to ensure continued compliance and performance. Additionally, periodic review ensures that your procedures are aligned with the latest regulations and standards, reducing the risk of noncompliance. Consequently, regular review can help identify areas where your procedures may not be in compliance with the regulations.
Validation Summary Report (VSR):
Validation Summary Report: Consolidates all validation activities performed and results obtained. Ultimately, it is a key document that demonstrates that the system meets its intended use and complies with regulations and standards. It also provides evidence of the system’s quality and reliability and any deviations or issues encountered during the validation process
It provides a conclusion on whether the system meets predefined acceptance criteria.
Traceability Matrix (TM):
Links validation documentation (URS, FRS, DS, IQ, OQ, PQ) to requirements, test scripts, and results.
Also known as Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) or Cross Reference Matrix (CRM)
By following these processes and documentation requirements, organizations can ensure that their computer systems are validated to operate effectively, reliably, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
Computer System Validation (CSV) Process, therefore, is essential for ensuring that computer systems in regulated industries work correctly and meet safety standards. By following a structured validation process, organizations can protect data integrity, improve product quality, and reduce the risk of system failures.
Moreover, with ongoing validation and regular reviews, companies can stay compliant with regulations and adapt to new challenges. Ultimately, investing in a solid Computer System Validation approach not only enhances system reliability but also shows a commitment to quality and safety for users and stakeholders alike.
Trupti is a Sr. SDET at SpurQLabs with overall experience of 9 years, mainly in .NET- Web Application Development and UI Test Automation, Manual testing. Having hands-on experience in testing Web applications in Selenium, Specflow and Playwright BDD with C#.
Right test Automation Tools – Automation Testing is becoming increasingly essential for accelerating release cycles and enhancing software quality. While it can save significant time and effort, the success of automation largely depends on choosing the right tool for the job. Rather than opting for the most popular option, it’s crucial to select a tool that aligns with your specific project needs.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the key factors to consider for choosing the Right Test Automation Tools.
Start by asking: What does my project really need?
1. Understand Your Project Requirements
Before anything, get a clear picture of what your project needs in terms of testing.
Application Type: Are you testing a web, mobile, or desktop app? Some tools focus on one, while others handle multiple platforms.
For example:
Web apps may also need cross-browser testing or UI/Usability checks.
Mobile apps might require testing across Android, iOS, and tablets; therefore, Will you use real devices or emulators?
Type & Level of Testing: What kind of testing does your project demand — whether it’s functional, non-functional, regression, or integration?
Functional Testing: Make sure the tool supports the platforms and technologies your app uses (e.g., APIs, databases).
Non-Functional Testing: You’ll also want a tool that can handle Performance testing , Load testing and Security testing.
Regression Testing: Consider a tool that simplifies updating test scripts as the application evolves.
Technology Stack: The tool should therefore work well with the technology your application is built on.
Example:
Furthermore, ensure it supports programming languages your team knows (Java, Python, C#) and integrates smoothly with your CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab).
If your app uses Angular, Protractor might be a good fit.
2. Mind Your Budget
Automation tools come with various costs, and it’s important to budget wisely.
Learning Time: If the tool is easy to learn, your team can become productive faster, saving both time and money.
Efficiency: Tools that make it quick and simple to create and maintain test cases will save resources in the long run.
Human Resources: Therefore, Consider using AI-based or low-code/no-code tools that reduce the need for manual intervention and specialized skills, which can lower costs.
Maintenance Costs: Furthermore, don’t forget the long-term factor in costs for upgrades, support, and maintenance throughout the project.
Open-Source vs Paid: Open-source tools can help reduce costs upfront, while paid tools often offer advanced features, support, and flexible pricing. Some offer free trials or team subscriptions to give you a chance to evaluate before committing.
3. Consider Your Team’s Skill Set
The tool you choose should match your team’s skill set.
Beginner Team: If your team is new to automation, opt for low-code or codeless tools that are user-friendly and quick to adopt.
Advanced Team: If your team is well experienced, go for a tool with more customization options to take full advantage of their expertise.
The ease of adoption directly impacts your team’s productivity and the overall success of your automation efforts.
4. Scalability and Maintenance
Automation isn’t a one-time activity. Over time, your test cases will need updates.
Test Case Maintenance: As your app evolves, old test cases may no longer find bugs (“pesticide paradox”). Look for tools that make it easy to update and maintain test scripts.
Self-Healing Abilities: Some tools can automatically adapt to minor changes in your application, reducing the need for constant script updates.
Customization: Choose tools that allow users to customize their tests based on their skills and project needs, so both beginners and experts can work effectively.
5. Integration with Test Case Management, Defect Management and Version Control Systems
The right tool should integrate smoothly with your Test Case Management, defect management and version control systems.
Test Case Management: Ensure the tools support the integration with Test Case management tools to make sure the tests are marked as automated, generate test execution reports etc.
Defect Reporting: Ensure the tool can easily track and report bugs.
Version Control: Some tools let you track changes over time, so you can compare previous and current versions. This can be crucial for debugging and maintaining test integrity.
6. Collaboration and Communication
Collaboration between teams is key for successful automation. Look for tools with features that improve teamwork.
Automated Notifications: Some tools offer features that notify team members of updates or executions in real time, keeping everyone on same page.
Cross-Department Collaboration: Tools with shared dashboards or collaborative features can improve team coordination.
7. Robust Reporting Mechanism
Detailed reports are a must! You’ll want to quickly identify problem areas and track progress.
Step-by-Step Logs: Look for tools that provide step-by-step logs, screenshots, video recordings, and error logs.
Graphical visualizations: Visual reports provide an instant overview of testing results, helping you identify issues faster.
8. AI Integration
AI-driven tools can significantly enhance automation by.
Auto-generating code: Reducing the time needed for script creation.
Improving test coverage: By generating various combinations of test data and scenarios.
Self-healing: Automatically adjust test scripts when application elements change, reducing maintenance efforts.
Conclusion
Selecting the right automation tool is more than just picking the most popular option. By understanding your project requirements, budget, team skills, and long-term scalability needs, you can make an informed choice. The right tool will not only fit your technical needs but also help your team work more efficiently and deliver higher-quality products faster.
Manisha is a Lead SDET at SpurQLabs with overall experience of 3.5 years in UI Test Automation, Mobile test Automation, Manual testing, database testing, API testing and CI/CD. Proven expertise in creating and maintaining test automation frameworks for Mobile, Web and Rest API in Java, C#, Python and JavaScript.
Building a solenoid control system with a Raspberry Pi to automate screen touch means using the Raspberry Pi as the main controller for IoT Solenoid Touch Control. This system uses relays to control solenoids based on user commands, allowing for automated and accurate touchscreen actions. The Raspberry Pi is perfect for this because it’s easy to program and can handle the timing and order of solenoid movements, making touchscreen automation smooth and efficient. Additionally, this IoT Solenoid Touch Control system is useful in IoT (Internet of Things) applications, enabling remote control and monitoring, and enhancing the versatility and functionality of the setup.
Components Required:
Raspberry Pi (Any model with GPIO pins):
In our system, the Raspberry Pi acts as the master unit, automating screen touches with solenoids and providing a central control hub for hardware interactions. Its ability to seamlessly establish SSH connections and dispatch commands makes it highly efficient in integrating with our framework.
Key benefits include:
Effective Solenoid Control: The Raspberry Pi oversees and monitors solenoid operations, ensuring precise and responsive automation.
Remote Connectivity: With internet access and the ability to connect to other devices, the Raspberry Pi enables remote control and monitoring, enhancing flexibility and convenience.
Command Validation and Routing: Upon receiving commands, the Raspberry Pi validates them and directs them to the appropriate hardware or slave units. For instance, it can forward a command to check the status of a smart lock, process the response, and relay the information back to the framework.
Solenoide Holder(fix the solenoid):
A solenoid holder is crucial for ensuring the stability, protection, and efficiency of a solenoid control system. It simplifies installation and maintenance while improving the overall performance and extending the solenoid’s lifespan.
In this particular setup, the solenoid holders are custom-manufactured to meet the specific requirements of my system. Different screen setups may require differently designed holders.
Incorporating a solenoid holder in your Raspberry Pi touchscreen control system results in a more robust, reliable, and user-friendly solution.
Solenoid (Voltage matching your power supply):
Integrating solenoids into a Raspberry Pi touchscreen setup offers an effective method for adding mechanical interactivity and automating screen touches. To ensure optimal performance, it’s essential to choose a solenoid with the right voltage, current rating, and size for your specific application.
Whether you’re automating tasks, enhancing user experience, or implementing security features, solenoids play a vital role in achieving your project goals. With careful integration and precise control, they enable you to create a dynamic and responsive system.
Relay Module (Matching solenoid voltage and current rating):
A relay module acts as a switch controlled by the Raspberry Pi, enabling safe and isolated control of higher-power solenoids. To ensure reliable operation, choose a relay that can handle the solenoid’s current requirements.
Relay modules simplify complex wiring by providing clear connection points for your Raspberry Pi, power supply, and the devices you wish to control. These modules often come with multiple relays (e.g., 1, 2, 4, or 8 channels), allowing independent control of several devices.
Key terminals include:
COM (Common): The common terminal of the relay switch, typically connected to the power supply unit you want to switch.
NO (Normally Open): Disconnected from the COM terminal by default. When the relay is activated, the NO terminal connects to COM, completing the circuit for your device.
NC (Normally Closed): Connected to COM in the unactivated state. When the relay activates, the connection between NC and COM breaks.
Touchscreen display:
Touchscreens are like interactive windows on our devices. Imagine a smooth surface that reacts to your fingertip. This is the magic of touchscreens. They use hidden sensors to detect your touch and tell the device where you pressed. This lets you tap icons, swipe through menus, or even draw pictures – all directly on the screen. No more hunting for tiny buttons, just a natural and intuitive way to control your smartphones, tablets, and many other devices.
Breadboard and Jumper Wires:
Breadboard and jumper wires act as your temporary electronics workbench. They let you connect components without soldering, allowing for easy prototyping and testing. You can push wires into the breadboard’s holes to create circuits, making modifications and troubleshooting a breeze before finalizing the connections.
Voltage level Converter:
In our project, the voltage level converter plays a critical role in ensuring communication between the Raspberry Pi and the relay module. The relay module, like some other devices, needs a specific voltage (5V) to understand and respond to commands. However, the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins speak a different voltage language – they can only output signals up to 3.3V.
Directly connecting the relay module to the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pin wouldn’t work. The lower voltage wouldn’t be enough to activate the relay, causing malfunctions. Here’s where the voltage level converter comes in. It acts as a translator, boosting the Raspberry Pi’s 3.3V signal to the 5V required by the relay module. This ensures clear and compatible communication between the two devices, allowing them to work together seamlessly.
Power Supply (Separate for Raspberry Pi and Solenoid):
We need two separate power supplies for safe and reliable operation.A 5V 2A power supply specifically powers your Raspberry Pi. It provides the lower voltage the Pi needs to function.A separate 24V 10A Switching Mode Power Supply (SMPS) powers the solenoid. This higher voltage and current capacity are necessary for the solenoid’s operation. Using separate power supplies isolates the Raspberry Pi’s delicate circuitry from the potentially higher power fluctuations of the solenoid, ensuring safety and proper operation of both.Each power supply is chosen to meet the specific requirements of its component: 5V for the Pi and a higher voltage/current for the solenoid.
Circuit Diagram:
Power Supply Connections:
Connect the Raspberry Pi power supply to the Raspberry Pi.
Connect the positive terminal of the separate power supply to one side of the solenoid.
Connect the negative terminal of the separate power supply to the common terminal of the relay.
Relay Module Connections:
Connect the Vcc pin of the relay module to the 5V pin of the Raspberry Pi.
Connect the GND pin of the relay module to the GND pin of the Raspberry Pi.
Connect a chosen GPIO pin from the Raspberry Pi (like GPIO 18) to the IN terminal of the relay module. This pin will be controlled by your Python code.
Connect one side of the solenoid to the Normally Open (NO) terminal of the relay module. This means the solenoid circuit is only complete when the relay is activated.
Connecting the Raspberry Pi to the Level Converter:
Connect a GPIO pin from the Raspberry Pi (e.g., GPIO17) to one of the LV channels (e.g., LV1) on the level converter.
Connecting the Level Converter to the Relay Module:
Connect the corresponding high-voltage (HV) pin (e.g., HV1) on the level converter to the IN1 pin of the relay module.
Connect the HV pin on the level converter to the VCC pin of the relay module (typically 5V).
Connect the GND pin on the HV side of the level converter to the GND pin of the relay module.
Powering the Relay Module:
Ensure the relay module is connected to a 5V power supply. This can be done using the 5V pin from the Raspberry Pi or a separate 5V power supply if needed. Connect this to the VCC pin of the relay module.
Ensure the GND of the relay module is connected to the GND of the Raspberry Pi to have a common ground.
Connecting the Relay Module to the Solenoid and 24V Power Supply:
Connect the NO (normally open) terminal of the relay to one terminal of the solenoid.
Connect the COM (common) terminal of the relay to the negative terminal of the 24V power supply.
Connect the other terminal of the solenoid to the positive terminal of the 24V power supply.
Software Setup:
Raspberry Pi Setup:
Let’s make setting up our Raspberry Pi with Raspbian OS, connecting it to Wi-Fi, and enabling VNC feel as straightforward as baking a fresh batch of cookies. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Install Raspbian OS Using Raspberry Pi Imager:
Download Raspberry Pi Imager:
Install the Imager on our computer—it’s like the secret ingredient for our Raspberry Pi recipe.
Prepare Our Micro-SD Card:
Insert our micro-SD card into our computer.
Open Raspberry Pi Imager.
Choose the Raspberry Pi OS version you want (usually the latest one).
Select our SD card. Click “Write” and let the magic happen. This process might take a few minutes.
Connect Our Raspberry Pi via LAN Cable:
Plug one end of an ethernet cable into our Raspberry Pi’s Ethernet port.
Connect the other end to our router (the one with the internet connection).
Power Up Our Raspberry Pi:
Insert the micro-SD card into our Raspberry Pi.
Connect the power supply to our Pi.
Wait for it to boot up like a sleepy bear waking from hibernation.
Configure Wi-Fi and Enable VNC:
Find Our Raspberry Pi’s IP Address:
On our Raspberry Pi, open a terminal (you can find it in the menu or use the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T).
Type hostname -I and press Enter. This will reveal our Pi’s IP address.
Access Our Router’s Admin Interface:
Open a web browser and enter our router’s IP address (usually something like 192.168.1.1) in the address bar.
Log in using our router’s credentials (check the manual or the back of our router for the default username and password)
Assign a Static IP to Our Raspberry Pi:
Look for the DHCP settings or LAN settings section.
Add a new static IP entry for our Raspberry Pi using the IP address you found earlier. Save the changes.
Enable VNC on Our Raspberry Pi:
On our Raspberry Pi, open the terminal again.
Type sudo raspi-config and press Enter.
Navigate to Interfacing Options > VNC and enable it.
Exit the configuration tool.
Access Our Raspberry Pi Remotely via VNC:
On our computer (not the Raspberry Pi), download a VNC viewer application (like RealVNC Viewer).
Open the viewer and enter our Raspberry Pi’s IP address.
When prompted, enter the password you set during VNC setup on our Pi.
2. Install Python Libraries:
Use the Raspberry Pi terminal to install the necessary Python libraries. You’ll likely need:
3. Python Code Development:
Write Python code to:
Activate the corresponding GPIO pin based on the touched button to control the relay.
Python code:
import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time
# GPIO pin numbers for the relays
relay_pins = [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]
def setup():
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) # Use BCM GPIO numbering
for pin in relay_pins:
GPIO.setup(pin, GPIO.OUT) # Set each pin as an output
GPIO.output(pin, GPIO.HIGH) # Initialise all relays to off (assuming active low)
def activate_solenoid(solenoid_number, duration=1):
if 1 <= solenoid_number <= 12:
pin = relay_pins[solenoid_number - 1]
GPIO.output(pin, GPIO.LOW) # Turn on the relay (assuming active low)
time.sleep(duration) # Keep the solenoid activated for the specified duration
GPIO.output(pin, GPIO.HIGH) # Turn off the relay
def cleanup():
GPIO.cleanup()
def get_user_input():
while True:
try:
user_input = input("Enter the solenoid number to activate (1-12), or 'q' to quit: ")
if user_input.lower() == 'q':
break
solenoid_number = int(user_input)
if 1 <= solenoid_number <= 12:
activate_solenoid(solenoid_number)
else:
print("Please enter a number between 1 and 12.")
except ValueError:
print("Invalid input. Please enter a number between 1 and 12, or 'q' to quit.")
if _name_ == "_main_":
try:
setup()
get_user_input()
except KeyboardInterrupt:
print("Program terminated")
finally:
cleanup()
Additional Considerations:
Flyback Diode: Adding a flyback diode across the solenoid protects the circuit from voltage spikes when the relay switches.
Status LEDs: LEDs connected to the GPIO pins can visually indicate relay and solenoid activation.
Security Measures: Consider password protection or other security features to control solenoid activation, especially for critical applications.
Putting it all Together:
Assemble the circuit on a breadboard, following the connection guidelines.
Flash the Raspberry Pi OS with your written Python code.
Design and implement the touchscreen interface using your chosen framework.
Test the system thoroughly to ensure proper functionality and safety.
Remember:
Always prioritize safety while working with electronics. Double-check connections and voltage ratings before powering on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building a solenoid control system using a Raspberry Pi for IoT-based automated screen touch demonstrates a seamless integration of hardware and software to achieve precise and automated touchscreen interactions. The Raspberry Pi’s versatility and ease of programming make it an ideal choice for controlling solenoids and managing relay operations in IoT Solenoid Touch Control systems. This system not only enhances the efficiency and accuracy of automated touch actions but also expands its potential through IoT capabilities, allowing for remote control and monitoring. By leveraging the power of the Internet of Things, the IoT Solenoid Touch Control project opens up new possibilities for automation and control in various applications, from user interface testing to interactive installations.
Click here to read more blogs like this and learn new tricks and techniques of software testing.
As a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET), I specialize in developing automation scripts for mobile applications with integrated hardware for both Android and iOS devices. In addition to my software expertise, I have designed and implemented PCB layouts and hardware systems for integrating various components such as sensors, relays, Arduino Mega, and Raspberry Pi 4. I programmed the Raspberry Pi 4 and Arduino Mega using C/C++ and Python to control connected devices. I developed communication protocols, including UART, I2C, and SPI, for real-time data transmission and also implemented SSH communication to interface between the hardware and testing framework.
