Software testing is the process of checking & evaluating that a software product or application does what it is supposed to do. It is a vast domain, but it can be broadly categorized into two areas: manual and automated testing. Both types of testing offer advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you should know about Manual testing & Automation testing. Read on to find out!
What is Manual Testing?
Manual testing is executed manually by a QA Analyst. This is performed to find out bugs in software under development. In this type, the tester checks all the essential features of the given application or software.
During this process, the software testers execute the test cases and generate test reports without the help of automation software testing tools. It is the traditional method of testing types and helps find bugs in software systems. An experienced tester generally conducts it to accomplish the software testing process.
What is Automation Testing?
Testers write code & test scripts in Automated Software Testing to automate test execution. Appropriate automation tools are used to generate the test scripts and validate the software. The goal is to finish test execution in less amount of time. This type of testing relies on the pre-scripted test, which runs independently to compare actual and expected results.
This helps the tester to figure out whether or not an application performs as expected. Automated testing allows you to execute repetitive tasks and regression tests without the intervention of a manual tester. Though all processes are performed automatically, Automation needs some manual effort to create initial testing scripts.
Manual Testing Advantages and Disadvantages
There are both pros & cons of Manual testing. Read below to find out.
Advantages of Manual Testing:
- It is cheaper as you don’t have to spend on the automation tools and process
- Get fast and accurate visual feedback
- While testing a change, an automation test would require a script, which could be time-consuming. While you could test manually on the go.
- Human intuition always benefits the manual element
Disadvantages of Manual Testing:
- Less reliable testing method because a human conducts it. So, it is generally prone to errors.
- The manual testing process cannot be recorded, so it is impossible to reuse the manual test.
- In this testing method, specific tasks are difficult to perform manually, which may require additional time in the software testing phase.
Automated Testing Advantages & Disadvantages
There are both pros & cons of Automated testing. Read below to find out.
Advantages of automated testing:
- Since most part of the testing process is automated, you can have a streamlined and efficient process
- Automated testing helps find more bugs compared to a human tester
- The testing is conducted using software tools, so it works without tiring or fatigue, unlike humans in manual testing
- The automation process can be recorded easily. This allows the tester to reuse and execute the same kind of testing operations
- Testing coverage can be broadened because of automation testing tool never forgets to check even the most negligible unit
- It can increase productivity because it provides fast & accurate testing results
- Automated testing supports various applications
Disadvantages of Automated Testing:
- Without the human element, it’s challenging to get insight into visual aspects of your UI, such as colors, font, sizes, contrast, or button sizes.
- The tools to run automation testing are a bit expensive, which may increase the cost of the testing project.
- Automation testing tools are not yet foolproof. Every automation tool has its own limitations, which reduce the scope of Automation.
- Debugging the script or code is another major issue in automated testing. Test maintenance is costly.
Key Differences Between Manual and Automation Testing
As there is a rising demand for Automation, it can be confusing to choose between Manual and Automated testing. In the table provided below, we have tried to clear this confusion. Automation also has some flaws. Hence it is crucial to know them and then decide.
| Manual Testing (MT) | Automation Testing (AT) |
| MT is executed manually. | AT is executed with the help of tools. |
| The reliability of MT is less. | Reliability is more. |
| It is less costly. | It is costlier. |
| Humans can make mistakes, so accuracy is less. | The machine hardly makes mistakes. |
| Using manual testing, it could be challenging to test the application on different operating systems. | With the help of AT, we can easily test the application on different Operating systems. |
| As it includes human intervention, checking the ease of accessing the application is beneficial. | It includes tools. |
| In MT, it is difficult to execute all the test cases; This impacts test coverage. | In AT, we can achieve the test coverage target. |
| In MT, you have to make reports on your own. | Here tool will generate a test case execution report. TestNG is the framework which will generate a report for you. |
| In MT, you need to sit in front of your system and execute test cases as it includes human intervention. | You only have to run Automation scripts; you can run them overnight! |
| For MT, it may find difficult to test the application on different browsers. | AT gives you the advantage of testing the software on different browsers. Selenium grid allows us to test the application on different browsers. |
When Should I Use Manual testing?
In short, manual testing best suits the following areas/scenarios:
- Usability Testing: This is a domain in which you need to measure how efficient & user-friendly the software or product is for the customers. Human observation is the primary factor here, so a manual approach is preferable.
- Exploratory Testing: This testing tests the tester’s knowledge, experience, analytical or logical skills, and intuition. This test is characterized here by poorly written specification documentation and less time for execution. In this scenario, human skills are required to execute the testing process.
- Ad-hoc Testing: There is no specific approach. It is an unplanned testing method where the tester’s understanding and insight is the only important factor.
When Should I Use Automated testing?
Automated testing should be the preferred option in the following scenarios:
- Load Testing: Automated testing is the best way to complete the testing efficiently when it comes to loading testing.
- Regression Testing: Automated testing is suitable here because of frequent code changes and the ability to run the regressions on time.
- Repeated Execution: Testing that requires a task’s repeated execution is best done automatically.
- Performance Testing: Like repeated execution, testing, which requires the simulation of thousands of concurrent users, requires Automation.
Conclusion!
The Software Testing domain is huge, and Manual Testing is as vital as Automated testing. There are many instances of testing where the Automation tool does not help us, and we need to go for Manual Testing. Further, tool scripts are designed manually. Even the designing of the tool is manually done, tools do not require human intervention, but it requires a command to run that a human gives.
