Exploring RPA (Robotic Process Automation) as a Means to Test and Develop User Interfaces

Abstract

In this research, we explore the candidacy of RPA (Robotic Process Automation) as a UI (User Interface) test automation tool. UI testing can be predominantly classified based on whether a user study is involved or a tool is used. While user studies are valuable in understanding the various principle of HCI (Human Computing Interaction), there are some instances where using a software tool to test the application can be advantageous. There have been numerous methods researched over the years. On the other hand, RPA has emerged as a disruptive technology that uses software bots to automate tasks and business processes from the UI layer. Few studies have even ideated the possibility of connecting the two. However, the topic is relatively unexplored. This research aims to detail the nuances of RPA-assisted UI testing and validates the notion through a proof-of-concept implementation. The inferences show that RPA does have the potential to implement automated UI testing procedures.