Do testers have to write code?

Unlike the common thought that everyone in the tech space has, not all experts practising need knowledge of code writing to perform their daily tasks. Quality Assurance testers handle the testing procedures of software either in a company or at other places before they are released for general use. However, you may not need the knowledge of coding and programming to work. 

While the knowledge of coding may not be so paramount, it is an added skill. In this short article, you’ll read about the necessary skills for an automation tester, likewise get the answer to the question raised. 

Let’s get started.

Do Testers Write Code?

The software testing process is split into different areas and any expert with the basic required knowledge can fit into this easily.  Also, not all divisions in this category need the knowledge of coding to function. For example, an automation tester using code-based testing tools will have to master the language of the tool. System and Unit Testing are other areas that’ll need coding.

On the other hand, as a tester working with manual testing tools, you don’t need to write codes because the work is done without automation. 

Why then do most testers try to learn to code? 

Just like any other area, technology has simplified a lot of things. So, a manual tester will spend more time trying to check the software than an automation tester. 

Coding knowledge is one of the skills that can give the “soft operation” you desire to your testing job. Although it’s not important or a necessity, you may need to enroll in quality assurance classes or a foundational knowledge of the concept. Let’s see other benefits of learning to code for a tester:

• Easy detection of bugs during the testing and code review process.
• More edge over other colleagues at the same level. 
• In-depth knowledge of the software has been worked on and helps with designing more effective test cases. 
• Faster performance of test processes. 

What are the Required Languages for a Tester?

There are tons of programming languages, and it may be quite difficult to combine the knowledge of all languages. As a tester that wants to learn to code, you may need to stick to one or two languages for easy understanding. If you’re working with a testing tool that has a specific programming language, then it may be best to focus on learning that particular code now. This will help you perform better with the tools. 

Here’s a list of the relevant and popular coding languages a tester may learn:

• C++
• Javascript
• Python
• Java 
• C#, etc. 

Other Relevant Skills for a Tester

Quality assurance courses online are the foundation to becoming a good tester. Here, you can identify and learn the relevant skills for your career. Let’s see some of the skills you should work towards having:

Logical and Analytical Reasoning skills

To effectively perform the tasks of a software tester, you need to develop good analytical and logical reasoning. The testing process in most cases gives a general view of the results and it requires you to have the skill to analyze and come out with a good conclusion. 

Ability to Expand Knowledge

Technology isn’t waiting at a spot, it comes with new revelations every day and as a potential tester, you need to be ready to learn more. The eagerness for knowledge will not only help during your quality assurance classes but also in the future. 

Effective Communication and Networking Skills

The space for testers is filled with experts that are excelling massively in the field. As a beginner, you need to develop the right mindset to interact and learn from other experts as you’re proceeding with the quality assurance online course. This exposes you to a large community always ready to help and mentor you during challenges. 

Test Management Tools 

As a tester, you should be familiar with a couple of test management tools. There are lots of them with their uniqueness. These tools will help you reduce the possibility of getting errors during the production phase. Examples of popular tools are TestLink, QADeputy, TestRail, TestPad, etc. 

Conclusion

Is coding necessary for testers? This article has provided the answer to this question. While the ability to write codes can be considered overwhelming for some, quality assurance careers need the knowledge. 

Learning the languages can be taken a step at a time, digesting all you’re learning every day. With time, you become an expert and have that edge over others in your quality assurance class.