SDETs is the upcoming Future of Testing.

Microsoft invented one job role called as: “Software Design Engineer in Test” alternalitively called as Software Developer Engineer in Test. Nowadays, these type of roles are very much in demand. Infact, Organisations like Amazon, Apple etc. have also started using these type of job roles in there resource management.

Now, the question arrises why are these type of roles getting in demand so quickly. This is because many a time while developing the application a person gets in-depth knowledge about the domain and the subject. So, While performing the testing by the same person if he is aware of all the testing practices along with the development he is more likely to save the project management time and covering the breakpoints.

SDET's have been here for long time. However, their role has evoved impressiveluy during the years. As the Test auomation industry will have a huge demand, more and more testers will be taking up the role of the SDETs to be successful.

An SDET will review the software's design, performance, code for automation as well. Often, it is seen that those Testers who have worked for preparing the framework for some projects are refered to be promoted to SDET's to review the frameworks of other projects etc. But, there are some differences between a Tester and the SDETs. Following are some:

1.A Tester is supposed to implement the Testcases either Manually or via Automation.

Whearas, an SDET is supposed to have knowledge of both Development as well as Testing practies in depth. He/She will be responsible for Developing the software as well run the Test cases either manually or through Automation, that depends.

2.Testers are usually limited in programming skills, they do Black-Box Testing or Functional Testing or sometimes executing the Automation Script.

Whearas, SDET have strong programming skills. Who will perform White-Box Testing or sometimes these type of resources are utilised as the developer in Test Automation.

3. Software Testers may be required sometimes for using the Software Automation Tools made by SDETs to automate the Test cases used for Testing.

Wheareas, SDET's as mentioned above are responsible for preparing the Test Automation Tools for the generic us by the Testing Team. This is as per the demand of the organisation, this may not happen always, as there are already a lot of Automation Tools in the market for Open-source use or paid versions. But sometimes due to some security concerns, they are supposed to make a dedicated product for the company for its own use.

5.Example:

If a task is there to test API of the Application.

There involves the requirement to write some line of code atleast, so here the task will be given to SDET's and not Software Testers as the Software Tester is supposed to do the Testing of the Functionality, Usability, Graphical User Interface etc.

6.Software Testers cannot do unit level testing or unit testing.

SDET is an Engineer He knows many database concepts, programming languages, data designs and product design are there where he participates. He will be able to perform unit testing because he has the necessary code lnguage knowledge.

7.Software Testers are not supposed to perform any Customer Specific Interactions.

SDETs are good at communicating with the customers, being their advocates, as they understand the best need of the software.

8.Software Testers are there into function after the development Phase is over.

SDETs are working shoulder to shoulder right from the development Phase with the developers then do testing and reporting furtherore.