1. Introduction
Software testing is an essential element of the development of a thriving software project. Software testing itself comprises an enormous domain in which several variants exist.
To understand the vast domain of software testing better, let’s take some examples of test methodologies, such as regression testing, smoke testing, network testing, integration testing, and many more.
In addition to the excess of testing formats, there is also a highly active debate about whether automated testing is more reliable than manual testing.
As we can use various tactics in automating compared to manual testing, for instance, take a look at this blog post on Functional testing using Selenium, where you could comprehend how this testing strategy is better and beneficial for your software.
Selenium is a web testing tool that uses simple scripts to run tests directly within a browser. In simple terms, “it automates browsers”. It is a portable software testing framework for web applications that provides a record/playback tool for authoring tests without learning a test scripting language (Selenium IDE). Read More
Software testing draws many budding professionals who are involved in IT, along with specialists from other fields who choose to switch their field of development afterward.
However, one of the first decisions they will have to proceed with is when to use tests manually or automated testing. And for that, you need to understand those two methods from a work prospect.
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In manual testing, the tests are performed only manually that means – through humans. No help from tools or scripts is utilized. That is why data from scripts is not needed but the method is time-consuming.
On the other hand, in automated testing, analysis cases are performed with the help of software and scripts. The purpose here is to make the test performance in a short period by repeated task and regression test without the interference of manual testers.
But also, in this case, manual work is needed for the testing scripts to be performed.
Hence, we need to determine which one is more reliable, there is no right answer. Both models of testing – manual or automated are appropriate in various cases as per various parts like resources, project terms, budget, timeline, rightness, expertise, and project construction.
This blog post will lead you through the advantages of each method and will try to decide the best option for each use cause. Let’s begin by exploring manual and automated testing.
2. What is Manual Testing?
Manual testing is an examination of the software where tests are performed manually by a QA Examiner. It is done to identify bugs in software under progress.
In Manual Testing, the tester verifies all the basic characteristics of the given app or software. In this method, the software testers perform the test samples and produce the test reports without the guidance of any automation software testing devices.
It is a traditional method of all testing standards and supports discovering bugs in software. It is commonly managed by an expert tester to perform the software testing method.
3. What is Automation Testing?
In Automated Software Testing, testers compose code/test scripts to automate test performance. Testers use proper automation tools to generate the test scripts and approve the software. The purpose is to perform test execution in a short time.
Automated testing completely relies on the pre-scripted test which works automatically to match actual results with the anticipated results. This encourages the tester to decide whether or not a software works as expected.
Automated testing enables you to perform repeated tasks and regression tests without the interruption of a manual inspector. Even though all methods are done automatically, automation needs some manual force to perform fundamental testing scripts.
4. Difference between Manual testing and Automated testing
| Sr. No | Automated Testing | Manual Testing |
| 1. | Automated Testing is reliable, in this strategy the tools and/or scripts execute the automated test. | On the other hand, Manual Testing is inclined to human errors. Hence the efficiency and dependability of the test results are weak. |
| 2. | The time expected for automated testing is more limited as software tools perform the tests. | The time needed for manual testing is added as human sources do it. |
| 3. | The cost of automated testing is subordinate to the testing tools used for performing tests. | The expense of manual testing is reliant on the human sources used in testing. |
| 4. | Automated testing doesn’t guarantee the user-friendliness of the software. As without any human consideration included, there is no assurance of a positive customer experience. | Manual testing benefits to discover the user-friendliness of a software. It includes human research to find out any bugs. Hence manual testing helps in enhancing the customer experience. |
| 5. | Automated testing is perfect when the test cases require to work frequently for a long period. | Manual testing is proper when the test events run once or twice. As there is no constant repetition of test examples. |
5. Manual Testing Vs Automated Testing: Usage
5.1 Manual testing is best for these testing techniques:
(1) Exploratory Testing
Manual testing is best while working with defectively written term documentation and time is deficient. In this sort of testing, an experienced QA with great domain knowledge as well as influential analytical abilities, creativity, and intuition is needed. This strategy needs minimum planning and most test execution.
(2) Usability Testing
This testing benefits to obtain the user-friendliness of a software. This testing aims to get the end-user content with the software so human observation is essential. Therefore the manual method helps perform usability testing.
(3) Ad-hoc Testing
This kind of testing is done without any preparation and documentation. The result of this testing is reliant on the experience and abilities of the tester.
5.2 Automated Testing is best for these testing techniques:
(1) Regression Testing
Automated testing is suitable when many code modifications require frequent testing. This testing is carried to guarantee that the latest code modifications that are performed don’t change the current functionalities.
(2) Load Testing
Automated testing is favored for mass testing which benefits to discover a system’s display under real-life load requirements. This testing discovers how the method works when various users access it together.
(3) Performance Testing
Performance testing assists to find out the agility, scalability, and resistance of the application. The aim is to reduce any execution bottlenecks. This needs a simulation of several concurrent users. Automated testing is favored for performance testing.
6. When to use automated testing?
Automation testing gives high security and efficiency. It enables us to test software systems of any size, and we cannot work without it when managing large projects. Automation testing is an outstanding resolution to streamline the experience to performance without compromising on quality.
Though, you will never be capable of automating all tasks.
7. When do you require manual testing?
Manual testing reflects when you require to operate in an extensive diversity of situations. For complex cases and usability testing, human support will always be needed.
Summing up
In this post, we’ve included the insightful points of manual and automation testing and considered the cases when any of them works excellently. Now you can determine which one will be best suited for your software, which method will help you to get the best results.
Feature Image Credit: Guru99
