Lock, stock and barrel

March 26, 2020

NEWS are rolling fast
Asking us to try some home craft

Doors may be locked
But hearts are wide opened

Shoulder tapping is old
Talking at 2 meters is gold

We were there yesterday, we are here today
And we shall make sure – we see ‘tomorrow’ – as a shiny ray

Phones ring more than before
Farewell bells I hear adore

Look forward to miracles – they do happen
Prove your love – show a little passion

Be kind, and considerable
For virus is vulnerable

Change is inevitable but not you
In all its best just do the do

“A call for Innovation, and Constant Progress”: What Is Open Source?

November 4, 2019

There have always been many speculations around Open Source Software, its pros and cons; how it affects an individual and/or an organization and many more. Here’s an attempt to answer those intriguing questions keeping ARTOS as the context.

What is meant by Open Source Software?

Any computer software which is distributed along with its source code for modifications is Open Source Software according to (OSI) Open Source Initiative. The source code is released under a license by the copyright holder granting certain privileges and restrictions to its users. Users upon complying with such licence conditions get called as ‘Open Source Software – Contributor’.

Artos is one such Open Source Software available for the entire testing community to contribute towards and make benefits from.

What are the criteria for Open Source?

OSI defines open source software to have 10 criteria a couple of them are listed below:

  • Software redistribution
  • Source code availability and integrity
  • Distribution and properties of licenses
  • Derived works
  • Anti-discrimination

What are the types of licences?

There are many different types of licences available which allow contributors to contribute in different ways. Some of the most common licence types are:

  • MIT License
  • GNU General Public License (GPL) 2.0
  • Apache License 2.0
  • GNU General Public License (GPL) 3.0
  • BSD License 2.0 (3-clause, New or Revised)

Artos comes with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) license – allowing its users rights such as copying, modifying, merging, distributing, etc. It is notable for what it does not contain, such as clauses for advertising and prohibition of the use of the copyright owner’s name for promotional uses.

What are the benefits of becoming a Contributor?

Contributors have access to the software’s source code (as per the license agreement) and thus can help improve the software by either adding feature to it, or using it as a base for further extending and meeting their specific purpose, or fixing parts of the software which aren’t working as expected. This leads to greater exposure and learning to the contributor. Many licence types allows the contributors name to be carried forward along with the source code – this further helps the contributor with name and fame as the software scales.

Contributors can also term them as inspectors (of the code) who may not be contributing towards modifying the code – but can suggest features, improvements to the author and thus can enhance their code review, architectural capabilities.

Artos is open source software in the testing domain and has vision to make pathways for numerous keen testers to learn and grow, as ARTOS continues to grow with them.

Why is open source software preferred over proprietary software?

Code Control: Open source software although it feels like anyone can contribute and make changes – but all these suggested changes are at the discretion of the author whether to accept or not. Thus the author or group of authors feel more control over the code.

Security: Because the source code is so widely and easily available – it helps with genuine contributors to spot mistakes, errors and differences in the software and suggest security fixes/patches. This further helps the authors to gain more security visibility over the code.

Stability: Generally open source software’s do not just vanish or get stale; someone somewhere might still be using and supporting the software. Thus organizations and/or individuals are more assured that the software is going to be available for long and thus they can trust the stability.

Training: Many institutes and organizations prefer open source software to be used as platform for training their budding programmers/students/new hires etc.

Up-to-date: As open source software is being worked upon by many different contributors – the source code always appears to be updated to its latest code base. No more wait time for receiving specific features/fixes to be available.

Artos is readily available on Github and its support team are always on the look-out of adding few features set to ARTOS, to accept merge requests from keen contributors.

Will it cost me any money?

Open source software programmers can charge money for the open source software they create or to which they contribute. But in some cases, because an open source license might require them to release their source code when they sell software to others, some programmers find that charging user’s money for software services and support (rather than for the software itself) is more lucrative. This way, their software remains free of charge, and they make money helping others install, use, and troubleshoot it.

Artos is free in terms of making contributions and using it or applying it for commercial/non-commercial purposes. We only ask our fellow testers to comply with the MIT licence requirements!

Summary: Artos – an open source test framework provides a solution to the test community that fills the market gap for true functional and end-to-end testing. Come join hands in the making of magnificent test framework.

ARTOS – For testers by testers

April 19, 2019

ARTOS (ART Of SystemTesting) is an open source, cross-platform test automation framework having feature sets which can be used by amateur, skilled and highly skilled testers. Its scalable architecture enables easy addition of new features and seamless use of existing features.

If any of the below listed requirements worry you, then rest assured Artos is the solution.

  • Want to write a manual test case but maintain it under the framework?
  • Want to generate nice looking test reports without getting into the coding of it?
  • Want to group the test cases and execute only a selection of them?
  • Want to have one unified test framework which can be used for Unit testing, functional testing, system testing and end-to-end testing?
  • Want to run parallel testing?
  • Want to smartly skip a test while not impacting the rest of the test suite execution?
  • Want to easily calculate PASS/FAIL count, get coverage as well as test case importance and present to management (in presentable form) in just no time?
  • Want to segregate between development and production tests for DevOps environment?

Name any such requirement and Artos has platform ready to be scaled and used.

Artos has made sure to cater to the expectations and requirements of both testers as well as test management; as we understand they both go hand-in-hand to achieve a test delivery.

Artos not only accommodates existing (test framework) feature requirements, but also has come up with absolutely new features (namely Known-To-Fail test status, test importance levels, error highlighter in logs, profile management for development and production phases etc.) which shall make automation testing comfortable as well as enjoyable.

From stunning looking GUI for test case selection to awesomely detailed logs, Artos has covered the length and breadth of testing needs; keeping in mind present day technologies and future expansion/enhancement prospects.

While most other test frameworks find it difficult to integrate itself with the DevOps environment, or the testers find it difficult to constantly change the DevOps test script file for different variations of testing needs, Artos easily integrates with DevOps environment and it self-generates test script file which DevOps pipeline can read from; reducing the burden on the testers.

Testers can utilize their time and energy into developing more test scenarios and test cases, rather than getting into the nitty-gritty of the test automation framework, as Artos guarantees that if used it correctly, it needs least maintenance in return to continuously working awesome test framework.

Artos although is an all-in-one solution for today’s testing world’s need, we proudly term it as next-generation test framework owing to its powerful feature set and capabilities. Last but not the least, for all those high-tech organizations reading this, if you and your team are into cutting-edge test frameworks, you might want to give it a try and see its beauty for yourself. And for all those testing enthusiasts reading this, if you want to perfect your test automation craft (using a light weight and trusted solution) and accelerate your career then start learning/exploring Artos now. We believe in ‘seeing is believing’ and once you shall see our framework; you are sure to love it!

New You!!!

January 1, 2019

As the new year’s bell rings hard on every ear, as the new year’s colors shine bright in every eye, as the new year’s resolutions flurry in the air – its high time we realize that these are mere short term and impermanent in nature. These are all non-living things happening to a living you and nothing else.

What we must resolve for on a new year is to become our newer self. We must work towards and look forward to welcoming our newer self rather than looking for new temporary solutions.

How do we do that?

It’s not that straight forward or easy. But, worthy thing do not come easy in our lives isnt it?. Hence, on this occasion of new year, let us work upon ourselves and remove all the toxins from our lives. Few simple majors which can be taken are:

  • Do not get into unending/worthless arguments/debates. Rather put that time and energy onto doing something productive or something that makes you more happier.
  • Give wings to positive and energetic thoughts rather than stale, outdated, hackneyed, moribund, outlived, cumbersome thoughts and memories.
  • Fill yourselves with new ideas, try to out do your own performance and excel.
  • Learn to forgive quickly but dont forget the lessons learned.
  • Love more. World is love deprived, so you do your genuine bit please.
  • Visit new places, undertake adventures, meet new people, share ideas.
  • Keep yourself always fresh and healthy.

Lastly, know that life is always going to be both honey sweet as well as lemon sour. There will be ups and downs, some moments anticipated and some surprises; whatever life has to shower onto you – embrace it with all your might and keep living/loving your life/yourself.

You are awesome. You are living. You are alive.

So here’s wishing each one of you a HAPPY NEW YOU !!!

Noor E Rishte

December 14, 2018

Anjana sa mod aa gaya

Daar har ore cha gaya

Pal bhar main jane kyun sab kho gaya

 

Saanse ruk si gayi

Waqt tham sa gaya

Pal bhar main jane kyun sab kho gaya

 

Khwab toot sare gaye

Rishte choot sare gaye

Pal bhar main jane kyun sab kho gaye

 

Aankhein naam ho gaye

Zubaan band ho gaye

Pal bhar main jane kyun sab kho gaye

 

$haitaaniyan

September 10, 2018

Kaha choot gayi woh shaitaaniyan,

College mein thi jo sikhi woh shaitaaniyan

Baaton mein jo thi ghulti woh shaitaaniyan
Mumma se jo kabhi na chuppti woh shaitaaniyan
Maan ko joh thi tatolti woh shaitaaniyan
Sabko joh thi bhati woh shaitaaniyan
Dil ko joh thi behlati woh shaitaaniyan
Doston ko joh thi satati woh shaitaaniyan
Najaane kaha gum ho gayi aaj woh pyarri Shaitaaniyan…..

Wings to fly

July 4, 2018
As flower buds are meant to blossom
Indicates to us that its autumn
When birds do the sing
You can feel your heart go ding
Water that keeps flowing
Reminds us of a universal knowing
Flowers, Birds, Water – are here to tell us a tale
Which no ordinary can ever entail
Take your life for your own stroll
And not make it an audience poll
Your wings are meant for flying
Definitely not for mere dying
When you soar up high and look back
That’s when you shall realize what you had lacked

Fun Testing

May 20, 2018

Yes, testing is fun! Especially software testing, the fun is double 🙂

Having been bitten by the testing bug almost 3 yrs back, I still vividly remember the day I volunteered to step into the testing team from the development team to help my organization (and myself 😉 ) in testing and delivering a quality product.

The initial days went fine but soon the demon ‘Finish Testing Soon’ came harsh on us. I felt it was a major wrong decision of my life but as a Smart tester won’t raise the Red flag unless being double sure (about the bug); I too didn’t raise my Red flag then.

Thank Goodness that I didn’t raise the flag. Today I thoroughly enjoy my testing profession. There is so much to unlearn (because the technology and/or way of doing is changing) and learn (because learning to test every domain is never gonna end). And finding a good balance of learning and unlearning is what made me a FAN of TESTING.

Be it manual testing or automation, the thrill it brings with itself is above par. Be it finding bugs in your own automation code or finding in other’s (so-called) ‘Dev-tested’ code, the feeling of contentment and achievement in both the cases is Just Awesome! It’s like tasting the sweetest and hard-earned desert after having a lavish dinner. Yummmmm……

Oh, yes of course; certifications play an equally important role in letting others know what you already know. Having self jumped into the pool of testing, I knew certification can be a good swimsuit to wear and yet again, I self-taught myself the ISTQB syllabus and my my the feeling of getting certified through self-learning definitely taught me more than just the syllabus and it set me on the ‘learning boat’ with greater acceleration.

My endnote to all the awesome testers out there….know that you are in an awesome profession, doing a great job (onto yourself and to the wider community). So keep learning, exploring, testing, bugging 😉 , communicating and sharing with the wider testing community.

Cheers to all of us!!!

Childish or Childlike, which one are you?

April 1, 2018

Here’s to the saying “not every wandering mind is lost”, “not every stubborn child is bad”. The reason being the first category is a synonym for people with “childlike” innocence while the other category is a synonym for “childish”.

A child’s innocence is loved by all and cherished for years. Similarly, if an adult is seen to be enjoying a given situation with complete attention and innocence is no less than childlike innocence, which must be supported and cherished. But this world looks at things with a different eye. They think either the adult is faking the emotion or had gone insane…. But but but people….. Please understand nothing is wrong in living the given situation with a childlike innocence and loving and caring the other person with whole heart. It’s just called as being your true self while not letting the innocent mind be tamed by the cruel outside world.

Yes do understand that there is no harm in dancing to your favourite tune in the middle of the road (well as long as you don’t disturb others in any way), there is no harm in singing loud your crafted (non-rhythm) poem under the shower (while you have acquaintances at your place), there is no harm in lovingly eating your favourite (not so famous) dish in public ….. All these and many such situations are nothing but you being your true self and no else…. But alas wish this terrible world would understand this.

And just to add to your information, being childlike has other advantages too. Like curiously enquiring about things you don’t know, and people fall for answering to your innocent questions. It brings out the creative side of you because in this you aren’t worried about “what this world is thinking of you”, rather you are just being the creative you :). Many more advantages to list just in case sheer pure joy (of being childlike) isn’t motivating you enough!!!

So, now that you know being “childlike” is next to awesome, how do you now revert yourself back to those golden days? Well…..keep reading and hop onto a couple of solutions below and uncover the world in front of you with a new colorful eye……..But do bear in mind while you start a new “childlike” journey of yourself, this does not mean you are running away from your responsibilities and duties. You must definitely perform those duties and live those relationships but being more (childlike) humans rather than being robots.

A creativity call:

Whatever you are doing, just for a change think of how a child might have done the same task. Set your mind free to be creative enough with that task at hand and just don’t bother about the world or about the outcome of the task. Just set yourself free……the creative child inside of you will pop out by itself.

Play that skip:

Be energetic, be flexible. Go out, move that body, kick that ball, skip that dusty skipping rope, hop that frog jump………just do it………..trust me……….no one is watching 🙂 and the health n mind benefits from exercise is just amazing 🙂

Live the moment right:

Nah, don’t let yesterday’s talk clutter your mind or tomorrow’s meetings thoughts snuggle your sleep………learn to live in the moment and enjoy every second, every moment………..being in the present moment is all it takes 🙂

Say it loud:

You liked that hairstyle for that young lady? You admire that guy? You like your boss’s dress? You didn’t like her behavior? You want to see changes around you?……….then just say it, remember to say it loud but in a tone which is soothing and not hurting to anyone in any manner……….Say it for the saying reaches the deepest depth and the highest height if it’s both true and polite 🙂

“Benefit of doubt” time:

Aha……that young lad betrayed you and you know it………..yes, she ditched him and you saw it……….well………..come what may always give the opposite person the “benefit of doubt”, forgive them and move on. Because fitting the odd in finding the reasoning behind every such occurrence you encounter is nothing but a loss of your own precious “Me”/Childlike time which otherwise could be well utilized 🙂

Relaxing is the key:

Don’t stress yourself with anything and everything………you aren’t a machine to always be occupied with something or the other in your head………give your busy mind some rest, at times just don’t do anything………just absolutely nothing………..sit back………..relax………but be watchful about your relaxation though so you can feel the difference between a relaxed mind and occupied mind…………trust me relaxing will not only add to your health benefits but also make your mind capable enough to deal with the next big thing in just no time. And as the saying goes, “No time is waste of time”; and so is your relax time 😉

Cheers to all the lovely kids out there and here’s to the newest/possible/amazing journey of we adults to become and remain “Childlike” so that we can love and live a life which we just simply dream about.

Love to all the childlike people ❤