Thinking Like a Developer: Key Takeaways for SDETs and Automation Engineers

As an SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) or an Automation Engineer, you may feel that your work is worlds apart from that of developers.

After all, while developers build the product, you’re the one ensuring it works as intended.

However, the line between development and testing is thinner than you might think.

In fact, there are plenty of valuable lessons automation engineers can learn from their developer counterparts.

Here’s a breakdown of some key takeaways that can enhance your craft, making you a stronger, more versatile professional.

1. Think Like a Developer

In automation, the quality of your code matters as much as the tests you run. A lot of SDETs overlook the importance of clean code because they’re focused on making things work.

But think of it like this: your tests are also part of the product. They should be easy to read, understand, and maintain — just like any other code.

Developers often emphasize readability and maintainability, considering future engineers who might work with their code. Adopting this mindset can help you avoid building a complex, hard-to-maintain suite of tests.