Automation in software testing

Automation in software testing refers to using software tools and scripts to automate the execution of test cases. This can include both functional and non-functional testing, and there are many benefits to be had from its deployment. Here we take a look at some of those and then pose a potentially divisive question – we would love to hear your thoughts!

The main benefits of automation in software testing

Increased test coverage: Automated testing allows for more test cases to be run in a shorter amount of time. This increases the overall coverage of the application being tested.

Improved efficiency: Automated tests can be run at any time, without the need for manual intervention. This allows teams to then focus on other tasks while the tests are running.

Reduced costs: Automated testing can save costs in the long run. Once the initial investment has been made in creating automation scripts, they can then be run multiple times.

Improved accuracy: Automated tests are repeatable and consistent, reducing the chances of human error.

Faster feedback: Automated tests can provide faster feedback on code changes, allowing developers to quickly identify and fix issues.

Manual testing is still the better option – please discuss

Manual software testing can provide many benefits, including:

Flexibility: Manual testing allows for more flexibility and creativity in test design. Testers can design and execute tests in a way that automated testing may not be able to replicate.

More comprehensive testing: Manual testing allows for a more thorough and comprehensive testing of a software system. Testers can explore and test all features and functionality of the software.

Usability testing: Manual testing allows for testing of the software from the user’s perspective. This can identify usability issues that may not be discovered through automated testing.

It is cost-effective: In some cases, manual testing can be more cost-effective than automated testing, particularly for small projects or projects with a short development cycle.

Intermittent bugs can be detected: With manual testing, it is easier to detect intermittent bugs, which are bugs that only occur under specific conditions or at specific times.

Manual testing allows for the exploration of edge cases: Manual testing can also explore edge cases which may not have been considered during the development process. This helps to identify and fix any defects that might occur in those scenarios.

Conclusion

Automation in software testing clearly has a lot of plus points. However, It is worth noting that not all tests can be automated. Furthermore, manual testing is still necessary for certain types of testing such as exploratory, usability, and user acceptance testing. To craft a truly comprehensive testing strategy then, a good approach is to combine both manual and automated testing. Many people will still have a preference out of the two though… what is yours?