SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) and Tester are two roles that are commonly found in software development teams. While both roles are responsible for ensuring the quality of software products, there are several key differences between them:
Role and Responsibilities
The primary difference between SDET and Tester lies in their roles and responsibilities. Testers are typically responsible for manually testing software products to identify defects, while SDETs are responsible for developing and maintaining automated test suites, frameworks, and tools to test software products.
Technical Skills
Another significant difference between SDET and Tester is the level of technical skills required for the job. SDETs require strong programming skills, as they are responsible for building and maintaining automated test suites using programming languages such as Java, Python, and C#. Testers, on the other hand, require a good understanding of software testing concepts, testing methodologies, and tools.
Collaboration with Developers
SDETs work closely with developers to ensure that the code is tested thoroughly and the product meets the desired quality standards. They may also be involved in the development process and contribute to the overall design of the software. Testers typically work independently and focus on finding and reporting defects in the software.
Career Path
SDETs generally have a clear career path towards becoming software developers or software engineers, as their job requires a strong programming background. Testers, on the other hand, may have limited career growth opportunities, as their job is often seen as a stepping stone to other roles within the software development industry.
Automation vs Manual Testing
One of the main differences between SDET and Tester is the focus on automation. SDETs are responsible for developing and executing automated tests, while testers are responsible for manual testing. This means that SDETs require a deep understanding of test automation frameworks, tools, and best practices, while testers need to be skilled in manual testing techniques and processes.