Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is a relatively new term in the software development industry that has caused some confusion among professionals. Some people believe that SDET is the same as QA (Quality Assurance), while others think that it is a distinct role that focuses more on development and automation. In this article, we will explore the differences between SDET and QA to help you understand these roles better.
What is SDET?
Before we dive into the differences between SDET and QA, let’s first define what is SDET. An SDET is a professional who is responsible for developing and maintaining software test automation frameworks, tools, and suites. They work in close collaboration with developers to ensure that the software is tested comprehensively and that any defects are detected and resolved before the software is released to customers.
The SDET role has emerged in response to the increasing need for software testing automation, which has become essential in modern software development. SDETs are expected to have a strong programming background and an in-depth understanding of the software development lifecycle.
What is QA?
QA, on the other hand, is a more established role in the software development industry. QA professionals are responsible for ensuring that the software meets the required quality standards. They are involved in testing the software manually and identifying defects, which are then reported to the development team for resolution.
QA professionals are also involved in creating test cases and test plans, executing test cases, and providing feedback to the development team. They work to ensure that the software is tested thoroughly and that any issues are resolved before the software is released to customers.
Differences between SDET and QA
Now that we have defined SDET and QA, let’s explore the differences between these roles.
1) Focus
The primary focus of the SDET role is on developing and maintaining test automation frameworks, tools, and suites. They are responsible for automating the testing process to ensure that the software is tested comprehensively and that any defects are detected and resolved quickly. SDETs work closely with developers to integrate testing into the software development lifecycle.
QA professionals, on the other hand, are primarily focused on manual testing. They are responsible for executing test cases and providing feedback to the development team. They work to ensure that the software meets the required quality standards and that any defects are resolved before the software is released to customers.
2) Skillset
SDETs are expected to have a strong programming background and an in-depth understanding of the software development lifecycle. They must be able to develop and maintain test automation frameworks and tools using programming languages such as Java, Python, and C#. They must also be able to work with developers to ensure that the testing process is integrated into the software development lifecycle.
QA professionals, on the other hand, require a strong understanding of the software being tested, as well as knowledge of testing methodologies and tools. They must be able to write and execute test cases, report defects, and provide feedback to the development team.
3) Responsibilities
SDETs are responsible for developing and maintaining test automation frameworks, tools, and suites. They are responsible for ensuring that the testing process is automated, and any defects are detected and resolved quickly. SDETs work closely with developers to ensure that the testing process is integrated into the software development lifecycle.
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QA professionals are responsible for executing test cases, identifying defects, and providing feedback to the development team. They work to ensure that the software meets the required quality standards and that any defects are resolved before the software is released to customers.
4) Automation vs. Manual testing
SDETs are primarily focused on automating the testing process. They develop and maintain test automation frameworks, tools, and suites that can be used to test the software automatically. This approach saves time and resources and enables defects to be detected and resolved quickly.
