Sticking to the last anti-online product development-introducing Microsoft's SDET

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Different SDET

First, I want to emphasize this articleArticleWe are discussingMicrosoftSoftware Development Engineer inTest.TestDevelopment Engineer (SDET. Unlike manual or script-based testingSoftware TestingEngineer (STE, Software Test Engineer), SDET is a programming method combined with the correct test methodology to ensure that the software meets the correct design and user needs, here we emphasize the use of programming languages to design programs and complete automated and efficient testing. Next I will elaborate on the differences between our SDET.

First, SDET and SDE have the same design and programming capabilities, which is one of the basic conditions for us to filter resumes. In both the United States and China, the SDET we recruited from the university must have a background in computer science, not necessarily after the Computer Science Department (although many people do ). Several American universities even opened software testing sites, and my original product group hired a software testing doctor. SDET code and design are more stable and tough than SDE code (products ). Dedicated product personnel (SDET !) To test. A version is released in one version. However, SDET Code does not have such a phase. As long as the function to be tested is still in progress, SDET testing code must be executed without errors! Even the testing front-line manager is the testing supervisor, it also needs development and design capabilities.

The second difference is the unique requirements for creative thinking. This uniqueness is embodied in the integrity of the test cases designed by SDET. SDET requires an open mind to imagine the various needs of thousands of users. They come from different cultures, ages, and occupations. At the same time, SDET cannot be lost in user cases. We need to select representative key tests from many cases to give a dot overview, use a limited time to achieve a high test coverage rate.

The third unique feature is SDET'sWorkIt plays an important role in ensuring high-quality products in Microsoft software development. Because SDET always plays the role of a user throughout the entire process, and has a full understanding of the entire process from the beginning of writing code to the final release of a product, it is more empathy for the user experience. SDET must work closely with PM and SDE to ensure correct understanding of user requirements and product functional design, and to ensure product testability. For example, if a function or design is not tested or is not required by the user, SDET may require PM or SDE to modify the design description or function description or even provide modification suggestions. Note that SDETSoftware QualitySign off is one of the prerequisites for mid-term and final release of all Microsoft products.

SDET Career Development

So what is the career development opportunity of Microsoft SDET? In generalOthersProfessional colleagues are similar in the following aspects:

· Continue to implement SDET, And the level-1 level has increased, with greater responsibilities and influence. Some product groups have technical directors and even software testing architects. Generally, no matter who they are, their leadership skills are embodied in technology, responsible for the testing framework of the entire product, including the design of automated systems, development of new tools, and improvement of existing systems. They have a great contribution and influence to this product group, not only to the test team, but even to the Dev and PM majors.

· SDET, which is willing to help others grow, can develop to managers such as software testing supervisors and software testing managers. The software testing supervisor usually leads 3 to 7 sdets to be responsible for the quality of one or more key components of the product. The software testing manager supervises the testing work of a product group and designs the main test plan and schedule, two or four test supervisors are often managed. By the way, the General Manager of the Chinese Team of the server and development tools division was once a test and Development Engineer, and has been tested by the Test director, test Manager, and product director, testing director and other testing professional positions. Obviously, this process requires strategic thinking, effective communication, team collaboration, decision-making and execution capabilities.

Of course, if your personal interests change, the technical leader can also turn to the management personnel who train and develop talents through certain training, and the management personnel can also return to the technical leader's track. SDET has also been converted to Sde Or pm, and even to Technical Consulting, support or market direction. The final career path is nothing more than the above two directions.

Daily Work of SDET

In addition to the Functional Descriptions of the PM review and approval during the product design phase and the SDE design description mentioned earlier, SDET also needs to develop relevant test plans and timelines, for example, why must this function be provided in the product, instead of other functions? Why should this version implement so many functions? design test cases to determine what should be tested and what can be put aside temporarily, what kind of automated testing system is required, whether new testing tools are required, the estimated time required for testing and other resources, and so on.

After the test plan and schedule are approved, each SDET's next major task is to test the product in a suitable programming language. It is necessary to consider whether to share others' tools or code or rewrite it by yourself; SDET code is highly maintainable, because no one has found bugs for the code written by SDET. Of course, SDET has to analyze the cause and fix it. SDET keeps looking for bugs, analyzing the causes of bugs, and Tracking bugs. Other daily work of SDET also includes improvements to the existing system and performance reports of the current system.

　　SDET fun

SDET is no better than finding a major bug. This will turn SDE into service and give PM more confidence in the product. Successful SDET will hear people talking about bugs he or she found everywhere. If you find the cause behind this bug, you will have a thumbs up!

When doing SDET, I want other Microsoft users to use their own testing methods or tools to discover new bugs! SDET is responsible for the development and maintenance of many internal systems and tools of Microsoft. Many tools are used by tens of thousands of internal users. The development of these systems and tools covers the processes necessary for all development products, and the technical content is even better. Microsoft has thousands of sdets, including those in the operating system, office groups, servers, hardware (such as Xbox and Zune), and services. Their products are different. If they can work out a common and efficient approach, other groups will be happy to accept it. Our server and development tools business department has an SDET that just graduated from college. In the second year of work, we developed an automated testing tool for UI compliance, it is also a matter of pride that has been widely used by test teams of Multiple Chinese and American product groups and is applying for relevant patents.

What makes SDET proud is that users like to use their own tested products and make their work easier and more convenient.

I still clearly remember my first product release experience at Microsoft. At that time, I was working on sdet in the msxml group. When msxml3.0 was just released, I was always anxious to say that there was a problem in the field I was in charge of, or someone in newsgroup reported bad news. One day has passed. It's okay. A week has passed. It's okay. A month has passed. It's okay. My mood is gradually put down and my pride begins to rise. In the last few quarters, I still had nothing to do. I was relieved to be bold enough to tell others that our product quality was okay and I did it!

　Excellent SDET

Not all computer science graduates are suitable for SDET. In addition to the design and programming capabilities and unique creativity mentioned above, an excellent SDET also needs:

· Talented in testing;

· Careful, nothing can escape SDET's eyes;

· Accurate bug reports can be established to provide concise and accurate reproduction of steps and debugging information;

· Pursuing high-quality testing code and testing tools;

· Master spirit;

· Constantly criticize and find possible test omissions

· Be responsible for your work.

Excellent SDET

· Proactively expand skills and knowledge beyond the scope of work;

· Balance product quality assurance and product release time;

· Being the best evangelist of software testing and software testing principles;

· Willing to make any effort to ultimately release the software;

· People who can solve problems throughout the development process;

· Continuously promote software quality and cross-Department communication and cooperation.