Becoming a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) requires a blended skill set of both a developer and a quality assurance professional. For a Java-focused SDET, a solid understanding of programming concepts, test automation frameworks, and the software development lifecycle is crucial. Here is a study checklist to help you get started:

Core Java Concepts ☕️ Link to heading

  • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Master the four pillars: encapsulation, inheritance, abstraction, and polymorphism. Understand classes, objects, constructors, and the differences between an abstract class and an interface. Detailed Guide here

  • Data Structures and Collections: Be proficient in using Java’s Collections Framework. Know the differences and use cases for List (e.g., ArrayList, LinkedList), Set (e.g., HashSet, TreeSet), and Map (e.g., HashMap, TreeMap). Understand when to use which and be familiar with their internal workings and time complexities.

  • Control Flow & Syntax: Solidify your understanding of basic Java syntax, including variables, data types, operators, conditional statements (if-else, switch), and loops (for, while).

  • Exception Handling: Know how to use try-catch-finally blocks to handle runtime errors and maintain the normal flow of an application.

  • Multithreading: Learn about the thread lifecycle, synchronization, and the Executor framework. This is important for handling parallel test execution.

  • String Manipulation: Practice common string operations using the String class and StringBuilder or StringBuffer for efficiency.

Test Automation Frameworks & Tools 🛠️ Link to heading

  • Selenium WebDriver: This is a fundamental tool for web automation. Learn how to set up the WebDriver, locate elements using various locators (id, name, xpath, cssSelector), and perform user actions like clicking and typing. Understand how to use explicit and implicit waits to handle dynamic web elements.

  • Unit Testing Frameworks: Master either TestNG or JUnit (or both). These frameworks are used to create structured test cases and provide features like annotations (@Test, @BeforeMethod), assertions, and test reporting.

  • Behavior-Driven Development (BDD): Gain experience with a BDD framework like Cucumber. Learn how to write human-readable test cases in Gherkin syntax (Given, When, Then) and link them to your Java code.

  • API Testing: Learn to test APIs using libraries like REST Assured. Understand HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), status codes, and how to validate API responses.

  • Build Tools: Become familiar with Maven or Gradle. These tools help manage project dependencies and build automation.

  • CI/CD Tools: Get hands-on experience with continuous integration/continuous delivery tools like Jenkins. Learn how to integrate your automated test suite into a CI/CD pipeline to enable continuous testing.

  • Version Control: Be proficient with Git for source code management. Learn commands for basic operations like commit, push, pull, and merge as well as branching strategies.

SDET-Specific Skills 🧠 Link to heading

  • Testing Methodologies: Understand different testing levels (unit, integration, end-to-end), software development models (Agile, Scrum), and testing types (functional, regression, performance, security).

  • Problem-Solving & Algorithms: Practice solving coding problems on platforms like LeetCode. This strengthens your algorithmic thinking and helps you write efficient code for your test automation.

  • Database Testing: Learn basic SQL queries to verify data integrity and conduct database testing.

  • Soft Skills: Communication, collaboration, and a keen eye for detail are essential for an SDET.