How to Do Version Controlling in Test Automation

Version control is a critical practice for managing changes to digital content, including application code and test automation, by tracking revisions with unique IDs, timestamps, and the identity of the contributor. It addresses previous challenges of sharing code through insecure means like email or shared drives, which often led to data loss and file overwriting. Prominent version control software tools include GitHub, Git, GitLab, Apache Subversion, and Bitbucket, each supporting branching and merging workflows to facilitate collaboration among team members. In test automation, version control plays a vital role by allowing multiple team members to work concurrently on files, preventing conflicts, and enabling easy rollback to previous versions if errors occur. Integrating version control with continuous integration (CI) systems allows for automated testing on new commits, ensuring code quality before merging. Additionally, version control aids in managing dependencies and test data, facilitating a structured review and merge process, and maintaining a changelog for significant changes or releases. This systematic approach supports efficient collaboration, reduces rework, and enhances the overall development and testing process.