testscripts

Test scripts are sequences of instructions designed to exercise a software system to verify its behavior against expected outcomes. They are executed by testing tools or frameworks and may automate user actions, API calls, or other interactions with the system under test. Test scripts support repeatable, scalable validation in software quality assurance.

They are typically authored in general-purpose programming languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, or Ruby, or in framework-specific DSLs. Common automation tools include Selenium, Playwright, Appium, and API testing frameworks. Test scripts can implement unit, integration, functional, or end-to-end tests and are often data-driven to cover multiple inputs with a single script.

A typical script includes setup and teardown steps, a sequence of test actions, and assertions or verifications that confirm expected outcomes. Tests may read input data from external sources and report results to a test runner, continuous integration system, or test management tool.

Good script design emphasizes readability, modularity, and reusability through helpers and libraries. Maintaining scripts involves managing environment dependencies, handling retries, and updating selectors or APIs when the system changes. Version control and regular review are common practices.

Test scripts complement manual testing by handling repetitive checks and enabling scalable execution. They do not replace exploratory testing, which remains important for discovering unforeseen issues. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with automation scripts or automation test scripts.