Are your automation goals an illusion? In this episode with Paul Grizzaffi, a prominent software testing and automation figure, we delved into the intriguing concept of the "Test Automation Illusion," using Styx's classic album "The Grand Illusion" as a thematic backdrop. Grizzaffi shared his insights on the misconceptions surrounding automation in testing, the potential pitfalls of blindly following big-name companies' strategies and the importance of striking a balance between automation and human expertise. We also explored the critical aspects of weighing the costs and benefits when adopting new automation tools and understanding the actual value of automation when placed in the hands of experienced professionals. This engaging conversation sheds light on the realities of test automation and offers valuable guidance for those looking to navigate the ever-evolving world of software testing. I also pit ChatGPT's knowledge of Styx songs and testing against Paul's - who wins? Listen in to find out!

Do you want to know five free tools to make you more productive as a test automation engineer? In this episode, we have an insightful conversation with Sanjay Kumar, the inventor, and creator of SelectorsHub, Testing Daily, TestCase Studio, TestCaseHub, and AutoTestData. Sanjay is on a mission to make life easier for testers and developers. What's truly remarkable is that he's not working for any company but dedicating his full-time efforts to the testing community. In this episode, we dive deep into the latest updates from SelectorsHub, explore the new free tool AutoTestData, discuss the concept behind Testing Daily, and get a sneak peek into Sanjay's backlog of upcoming projects. So, buckle up and join us on this exciting journey to learn more about Sanjay's contributions to the test automation community and how you can benefit from his innovative tools and ideas.

Welcome to this week's episode of the Test Guild Automation podcast. Our featured expert is Simon Hofmann, the creator of nut.js, a Node.js Desktop Automation Testing framework that allows you to program your mouse and keyboard with JavaScript or TypeScript.

Have you ever been bogged down with repetitive tasks you wish to automate? Nut.js may be the solution for you! Its open-source Node.js cross-platform desktop automation can automate mouse movement and give you full control over your cursor. You can move, click, or drag it wherever you need, saving time and effort.

But that's not all! One of the critical components of visual testing or automation is the ability to search for images and text on-screen. Nut.js provides plugins to do just that, allowing you to perform on-screen searches efficiently.

Are you interested in improving your tests or workflows? With nut.js, you can retrieve information about open windows, giving you the power to make your tests more effective. And if that's not enough, nut.js also allows you to automate keyboard input to press single keys or type pages of text quickly. Whether you're using JavaScript or TypeScript, nut.js can handle it all.

So if you're looking for a desktop automation framework that can save you time and effort, look no further than nut.js. Tune in to this episode to learn more about its features and how it can benefit you!

This week's sponsor is TestGuild.

Let's talk if you're in the DevOps automation/software testing space and want to offer real-world value/solutions that can improve the skills or solve a problem for the Guild community. Discover how to reach your ideal customer now: testguild.info