Tips to Outperform in Testing with Limited Programming Knowledge

Prior to joining True Sparrow, I went through many rounds of interviews and realised that my experience was limited to manual testing and had little exposure to Databases, Postman, JMeter and other testing tools.

You may be very good at manual testing and a reliable resource for product quality, but knowledge of these tools helps in excelling further.

At times, programming is not something that is exciting for you. Read on to learn how you can out-perform in your current role with limited programming knowledge.

Reasons to Think Beyond Manual Testing

Nowadays, technologies are changing very fast, and every IT profile needs some upgrade from time to time.

Developers are learning the latest technologies like React, Angular, JavaScript, etc.

Business Analysts are learning different tools, technologies, and methods like Agile, CSPO, etc.

And many other IT professionals are following the same. But what about the software tester who has been doing manual testing for a long time and is a novice in a programming language.

This blog post is to help those software testers to think in different directions without caring about the programming language in-depth.

It’s useful for building the confidence that software testers can also upgrade their skills and can help organisations to improve the overall quality of the product.

Three Tester Personas

Here I want to mention once again that we are trying to figure out a way to stand out for those who are novices in programming.

So if anyone is interested in automation then there is a 4th persona too to learn more about programming language and try to explore automation tools.

Tips to Outperform for Persona 1

If you are enjoying testing and want to do more, then you can think about these ways.

Tip 1 - Database Testing: For manual testers, it's easy to learn SQL, so they can easily enhance their knowledge of DB testing.

Database testing does not require the knowledge of programming languages, and it is crucial to test data in DB, so it's an easy option to stand out.

There are many databases available. But the query concept for them is similar. So, with easy learning, one can query multiple databases.

You can also contribute to Database migration testing, which will be an advantage for you.

A bonus point for learning DB testing is that you can start with learning and practicing SQL.

Read various topics related to DB that explain its in-depth working.

If you want to go in-depth, then learn more about views, triggers, joins, tables, DB locks, DB concepts, etc.

Tip 2 - API Testing: API testing is the testing in which we verify the APIs to check whether they are providing expected results or not.

It is very useful as we can find bugs in advance, which can save the cost of the project and is very useful where UI is not present yet.

We can easily learn it through tutorials and by exploring the API tools.

Bonus Point in learning API testing is the exposure to terminologies like - what is API, what are the different types of APIs, what are the request methods for API like "GET", "POST" etc, and then you can try the Postman tool to call an API.

To use the Postman tool, read Postman guides.

Tip 3 - UI Testing: UI testing is the process in which you do testing for GUI components. In some projects and companies, deep UI testing is needed, which in itself has so many things to check.

It's easy to learn UI testing-related tools (Like PerfectPixel, Fonts Ninja, etc.) and deep knowledge about them.

Tip 4 - Performance and Load Testing: This is the testing type in which we can check the performance of applications in different loads and stress to check how reliable, and stable the application is.

In this type of testing on an average level, we do not require knowledge of programming language, so it's a good option to choose too.

Tip 5 - Mobile Application Testing:  Mobile application testing is the process of testing mobile applications for functionality, usability, performance, etc.

We need to learn more about how the app works, how testing of mobile apps differs from web testing, how notifications need to be checked, etc.

Nowadays, mobile applications are very much in trend, so it's good to explore details about the testing of mobile applications.

As soon as we start thinking about doing extra we will surely be able to find out the solution.

Tips to Outperform for Persona 2

If you are not enjoying testing and want to move, then you can think about these ways.

Tip 1 - Business Analyst:  In this, you have to build domain knowledge and product/project knowledge, which is very interesting and easy to switch.

During testing also, we concentrate on requirements, and the user’s point of view, so this profile will be easy to switch.

Tip 2 - Application Support: In this, you have to support the whole application architecture and related things depending on the area which has been assigned to you.

It's related to the ticket resolution of the customer, so it's very interesting and easy to adapt for testers.


There are many other solutions too for the same, like DBA, Infra, and network-side related profiles, etc.

As soon as we start thinking of moving from manual testing, we will surely be able to find the solution because there is no point in sticking out the profile in which you are not happy.

But still, profile switching is a big step, so it's better to check the pros and cons before that.

The profile in which you are moving must be as per your interest, as we are talking about stand out, so we require an extra interest in the profile instead of the average one.

Tips to Outperform for Persona 3

If you are enjoying the testing field and want to stand out but do not want to try other things, then you can try the below options.

Tip 1- Domain knowledge and command on features:  To achieve this, start exploring the domain in which you are working.

Do more research and test every feature in detail.

Let's take one example. If you are working in a company where any third-party tool is integrated, and the application is very much dependent on that, then do a study of that third-party tool.

I want to highlight that, in this case, you have to explore and learn more.

Another thing is to make commands on the features of your application.

Explore other similar applications and learn to that extent, so everyone will ask for guidance from your side as you have more knowledge of that feature.

These two things will help you in testing and you will be more efficient.

Tip 2 - Testing tools knowledge: Even if you are not trying other things, then at least to stand out from other testers, you should know about testing tools that can help in testing management, etc.

Learn about test management tools, bug tracking tools like Jira, TestRail, etc.

Summary

We have so many ways to stand out with limited programming knowledge, but we should have a passion for new things and a passion to improve ourselves.

Even if you are in an early stage of testing and can't do much, then try to become independent in the testing field itself of your application. Every stage of our journey has ways to stand out. We only need to think in different ways and act like that.

I hope you are feeling motivated after reading this and are able to think in different ways. Try it. You will surely be able to stand out.

Best of Luck.

Neha Dadhich

Neha Dadhich

I am a QA professional, I believe in the overall product quality instead of testing only and always try to contribute on each level.