What is Manual testing?
Manual testing is a software testing process where the tester manually executes test cases without using any automation tools. It involves human intervention to verify the functionality and performance of the program application under test.
Manual testing can be perform in various ways, such as exploratory testing, ad-hoc testing, and scripted testing. Exploratory testing is an approach where the tester explores the software application without a specific plan. Attempting to find defects and unexpected behavior. Ad-hoc testing is an informal approach where the tester performs testing without any predefined test cases or scripts. Scripted testing is a formal approach where the tester follows a predefined set of test cases. And scripts to verify the functionality of the program application.
Drawbacks of manual testing
Manual testing has several drawbacks as mentioned below
- Time-consuming: Manual testing can be very time consuming, especially for complex software applications. It can take a lot of effort and resources to manually execute all test cases and scripts.
- Prone to human error: Manual testing is subject to human error. As testers may miss defects or make mistakes while executing test cases.
- Limited scalability: Manual testing can be difficult to scale. Especially when there is a need to test large volumes of data or multiple environments.
- Limited repeatability: Manual testing is difficult to repeat consistently, especially when different testers are involve. This can lead to inconsistent results and unreliable feedback on the quality of the software being test.
- Costly: Manual testing can be expensive, as it requires skilled testers who are paid for their time and expertise.
- Less coverage: Manual testing can only cover a limited number of test cases. As it is not feasible to manually execute all possible scenarios.
What is Test automation?
Test automation is the process of using software tools to automate the execution of tests and the comparison of actual results with expected results. It involves the use of specialized software to create test scripts and run them automatically, without requiring human intervention.
Uses/Benefits of test automation:
- Faster feedback: Test automation can run tests much faster than manual testing, providing quick feedback on the quality of the software being test.
- Improved accuracy: Test automation is less prone to errors than manual testing, leading to more accurate and reliable results.
- Reusability: Once a test script has been create, it can be reuse multiple times, saving time and effort.
- Cost savings: Test automation can reduce the time and cost of testing, leading to cost savings for the organization.
- Scalability: Test automation can easily scale to handle large volumes of tests and multiple environments.
Effective use of test automation in QA process
Test automation can be a powerful tool for streamlining your QA process and improving the overall quality of your software. Here are some tips for effectively using test automation in your QA process:
- Choose the right test automation tool: There are many test automation tools available in the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. One should choose a tool that fits your specific needs, budget, and technical requirements.
- Identify the tests to automate: A project can have a large number of test cases.Not all tests can or should be automated. One should focus on automating tests that are repetitive, time-consuming, and require large amounts of data or manual effort.
- Create a test automation plan: A test automation plan should include details about the tests to be automated, the test automation tool to be used, the timeline, and the expected outcomes. It should also outline the roles and responsibilities of the team members involved in the test automation process.
- Build a robust test automation framework: A test automation framework is a set of guidelines, standards, and best practices that govern the test automation process. A robust framework will ensure consistency and maintainability across the automated test suite.
- Integrate test automation into your CI/CD pipeline: Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) is a best practice for software development. One should integrate your automated tests into your CI/CD pipeline to ensure that tests are run automatically whenever code changes are made.
- Maintain and update your test automation suite: As your software evolves, so should your test automation suite. You should regularly review and update your test automation suite to ensure that it remains relevant and effective
