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Software testing is a crucial phase in the software development life cycle as it guarantees that the software operates as intended. The distinctions between Manual Testing Vs Automation Testing will be covered in this blog.
Automating a process allows it to follow predetermined steps precisely and mechanically. Similar to an agile artist, manual testing depends on human intuition and exploration to adjust to the unexpected details of software behavior.
In this Blog we will be covering the following topics
Table of content
- Introduction
- What is Manual Testing?
- How does Manual Testing Work?
- What is Automation Testing?
- How does Automation Testing Work?
- Manual Testing vs Automated Testing – Key Differences
- Why Use Automation Testing Over Manual Testing
- Why Use Manual Testing Over Automated?
- Can Automation Testing Replace Manual Testing?
- Manual Testing vs Automation Testing: Which Approach is the Best Choice for your Business?
What is Manual Testing?
Manual testing is a type of testing in which we use our hands. Perform the testing without the use of any tools (automation). During this testing, testers create test cases for the codes, run the software, and provide a final report on the software. Manual testing takes time because humans perform it, and there is the possibility of human error.
- It is used to identify errors in the software that has been developed.
- The tester examines every important feature of the application.
- Additionally, the tester works without the aid of automation tools to test cases and produce test reports.
- To finish the testing process, it is completed by an experienced tester.
Related Learning: What is Software Testing?
How does Manual Testing Work?
In manual testing, test cases are carried out by a human tester devoid of any automation tools. Finding bugs, making sure the application runs correctly, and offering usability feedback are the main objectives. The steps involved in manual testing are as follows:
Establish Goals for Test Planning:
Recognize the standards, scope, and objectives of the testing.
Create a test strategy that details the resources, timetable, and testing methodology.
Design of Test Cases:
Develop test cases in accordance with functional specifications, design documents, and requirements.
Get ready the test data that will be used to run the test cases.
Execute Tests:
Manually Carry Out Test Cases: To manually test cases, adhere to the instructions provided in the test plan.
Investigative testing To find errors that preset test cases may not cover, use exploratory testing.
Defect Identification:
During testing, locate and record any flaws or problems that are found.
Reporting Issues Maintain thorough defect reports that include screenshots, instructions for reproducing the issue, and any other relevant data.
User Experience:
Evaluate the overall usability, user interface, and user experience of the application.
Test Closure:
Write a report that summarizes the testing procedures, findings, and any lingering problems.
Feedback:
Provide the development team input based on the testing outcomes.
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What is Automation Testing?
Testing that involves using tools to carry out the testing (automation) is known as automation testing. It is quicker than manual testing since automation tools are used. Furthermore, human error is not an option.
It is entirely dependent on automatically running pre-scripted tests to compare the expected and actual results.
- The tester can assess whether the application functions as expected with the help of automation testing.
- Regression testing and other repetitive tasks are made possible by it.
- Initial testing scripts are created manually in order to implement automation.
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How does Automation Testing Work?
To implement test automation, organizations will use a framework that consists of best practices, standards, and testing tools. Coding standards are part of a good automated testing framework.
- Test your data handling strategies.
- Databases with objects.
- Techniques for test result storage.
- Details about making use of outside resources.
- Tests are run and recorded based on the framework.
The steps involved in automating testing are as follows:
Automation Tool Selection:
The choice of an automation testing tool should be made in accordance with the team’s experience, the testing specifications, and the application’s technological stack. Popular tools like Selenium, Appium, JUnit, TestNG, and others are accessible.
Test Planning:
Determine the features, functionalities, and scenarios that will be automated, as well as the scope of the automation testing. Make a comprehensive test plan that details the goals and testing approach.
Design of Test Cases:
Write test cases that address the functionality, performance, security, and usability of the application. Test cases that are recyclable, modular, and maintainable are favored.
Script Development:
Write automation scripts using your preferred scripting or programming language (e.g., Python, C#, Java). The way the automation tool should communicate with the user interface or APIs of the application is defined by these scripts.
Test Case Execution:
To run the test cases, execute the automation scripts. With data entry, button clicks, and result confirmation, the automation tool uses the application in a manner identical to that of a human tester.
Verification and Validation:
The automated tool makes a comparison between the predicted and real test results. Errors or failures are referred to as defects or issues.
Manual Testing Vs Automation Testing – Key Differences
Below we have listed the major key difference between Manual Testing Vs Automation Testing
| Parameters | Manual Testing | Automation Testing |
| Processing time | In general, manual testing takes time and involves human resources. | When testing, by comparison, automation testing is much quicker than manual testing. |
| Exploratory Testing | This type of testing involves testers actively looking for bugs in the software. Testers can make decisions with the help of real-time reports. | Random or exploratory testing of the general is not permitted in automation testing. Perfect under predictable and repeatable conditions. |
| Initial Investment | Investing in human resources is necessary when conducting manual testing. In general, smaller projects or those with requirements that change often are more economical. | An increased initial investment is necessary for automation testing. Tool licensing and initial setup fees can be expensive. |
| Reliability | Owing to the potential for human error, manual testing will be less precise. | Due to the use of tools and scripts, automation testing is more reliable. |
| UI Changes | Manual testers look for changes in the application’s user interface (UI) by visually inspecting it. They depend on their capacity to pick up on adjustments to font, color, layout, and other visual components. | Automation scripts are often vulnerable to changes in the user interface, particularly if they depend on locators (like XPath or CSS selectors) that are impacted by such changes. It might be necessary to update test scripts to accommodate the new UI structure. |
| Execution | A human tester carries out test cases without the aid of automated tools. Testers enter data, work with the software’s user interface, and keep an eye on the outcomes. | Scripts and automated testing tools are used to carry out test cases. Tools are used to generate test reports, validate data, and simulate user interactions. |
| Resources requirement | Manual testers are skilled in carrying out test cases by hand, paying close attention to detail, and possessing domain knowledge. Testers need to be educated in defect reporting, test case design, and testing methodologies. | Automation testing requires employees to have training and automation tools. Individuals create, develop, and maintain the automation framework. |
| Performance testing | Manual testing does not allow for performance testing. Manual performance testing is challenging. | Performance tests, including load, spike, stress, and other types, can only be carried out by automation tools. |
| Programming knowledge | Programming expertise is not necessary for manual testing. Users need to be able to mimic other users’ actions and write test plans that account for every possibility. | Programming knowledge is necessary because using tools requires skilled personnel. To create test cases and automate as many scenarios as possible, users need to possess advanced programming and scripting skills. |
| Use in DevOps | Manual testing reduces efficiency and undermines the automated build principle of DevOps. | The development of testing and verification—two crucial steps in the DevOps lifecycle—is aided by automation testing. |
Why Use Automation Testing Over Manual Testing?
The primary reason why users opt for automated testing instead of manual testing is time, because manual testing takes so long, mechanical testing was created. It is much faster to use automated testing.
The following are some rationales for why companies might opt for automated testing instead of manual testing:
Repetitive Tasks and Regression Testing:
Automating time-consuming and repetitive tasks, like running the same set of tests with different data inputs, is especially beneficial. Regression testing is a good fit for it since it helps you make sure that new code changes don’t break already-existing features.
Parallel Execution:
Automation allows test cases to run simultaneously in multiple environments or on various computers. By doing this, the total testing time can be greatly decreased, giving the development team feedback more quickly.
Consistency and Accuracy:
Automated tests guarantee consistency in testing by performing the same steps each time. This makes it easier to compare test run results and ensures precise defect identification.
Early Detection of Defects:
Automation testing can be integrated into continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) when new code changes are introduced—pipeline to enable early defect detection. Better software and faster bug fixes are the results of this.
Performance Testing:
When a large number of virtual users or transactions need to be simulated for performance testing, load testing, or stress testing, automated tools are frequently utilized. This aids in evaluating how well the application performs in various scenarios.
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Why Use Manual Testing Over Automated?
Sometimes manual testing is the only option, even though automated testing has greatly improved in handling sophisticated testing. There is less chance of false negatives when testing by hand. DevOps teams may have to put in more effort to determine whether reported errors are real or not if there are more false negatives.
The following are some justifications for selecting manual testing above automated testing:
Usability Testing:
Testing an application’s usability determines how intuitive and user-friendly it is. It frequently involves subjective evaluations, which are best carried out by human testers who can offer insightful commentary on the user experience.
Ad Hoc Testing:
Ad hoc testing refers to informal, impromptu testing without pre-established test cases. Ad hoc testing is a tool that testers can use to find bugs that automated scripts might miss. This kind of testing depends on the tester’s intuition and experience.
Early Testing:
Manual testing might be more useful in the early phases of development when the application is unstable, and features are changing quickly. In a dynamic environment, creating and maintaining automated scripts can take a lot of time.
Interoperability and Compatibility Testing:
It cannot be easy to cover all of the configurations needed to test an application’s compatibility with various devices, browsers, or operating systems with automated tests. In such cases, manual testing enables more thorough coverage.
One-Time Testing or Short Lifecycle:
The cost of writing automated scripts might not be justified for projects with a short lifespan or one-time testing requirements. Manual testing enables prompt adjustment to evolving project schedules and requirements.
Can Automation Testing Replace Manual Testing?
Manual testing cannot be substituted by automation testing. It is necessary to do both automated and manual testing. Complex test cases benefit from manual testing. Automated testing is recommended for repetitive and simple tests. Helping testers perform testing more quickly and reliably is the aim of test automation. But it can’t take the place of people.
Manual Testing vs Automation Testing: Which Approach is the Best Choice for Your Business?
How do you decide between manual testing Vs automation testing? after considering each benefit, drawback, and difference between the two?
While automation testing requires full test scripting and execution, manual testing can help find small problems more easily. On the other hand, writing and testing cases for pointless tasks is made simpler by automated testing. In this situation, which testing strategy should you use first?
There are a few things to think about before choosing to use the automation or manual tools. Almost always, a mix of the two is most effective.
Numerous factors, such as your project’s requirements, testing objectives, budget, and nature, will affect your decision between manual and automated testing. The best course of action is frequently a blended or hybrid approach that combines automation and manual testing.
