You might be convinced that you created a fantastic app that will exceed customer expectations. But your words aren’t enough because you need to confirm that with software testing. These checks analyze whether the software works properly and delivers the desired features.
Developers can choose between automatic and manual testing methods. Manual checks used to be the only option available. They involve a QA engineer or another specialists for testing the software. Today, developers can also use automated testing, which allows them to reduce the time of the testing process and run the same test for an unlimited number of times. Unlike manual testing, which can cause bugs and issues, automated testing requires pre-written scripts, and the results are trustworthy.
Test automation speeds things up, but is it always reliable? Can manual testing provide better results? That’s what we are trying to answer in this guide by comparing these two test methods. Here’s what you should know about automatic and manual tests!
Manual Vs Automated Testing – Which Provides More Reliable Results?
The simple answer would be that automated testing is more reliable because it eliminates the human error possibility during the process. If a human tests the software, there’s always room for mistakes. They could be the most experienced expert worldwide and still fail to notice an important detail. It could be because the concentration dropped for a second, or their personal life is affecting their focus.
Test automation involves using scripts and code to run the desired checks. That means it all depends on how well you adjust the parameters. It’s the only part where the human workforce plays a role in automatic testing. An engineer needs to adjust each detail before executing the test. If the settings are optimal, the computer follows the instructions, and there’s no chance of error. As a result, you can trust the results 100%, making automated tests more reliable than manual.
When Should You Use Automated Testing?
Although automated tests use advanced technology, it still hasn’t reached the level where automation can respond to all testing requirements. Here is a checklist that will determine if an automatic test is a suitable option:
- Is there a clear determinant? You need to adjust the parameters to create a distinctive difference between the right and wrong test outcomes. The computer should understand the determinant and easily determine if the test passed.
- Can you repeat the test on multiple occasions? Do you plan to continue developing that unit or feature? If yes, the odds are you’ll test it again soon. Repeatable tests are most suitable for automation. They can save time since you only set them once to run as many times as necessary.
- Does the task seem tedious or repetitive? The highest chance of human error occurs when we are bored or unmotivated. Unfortunately, it happens with tedious and repetitive tasks, so you should consider automating these.
Automated Tests Are Versatile and Suitable for Large Projects
Test automation is suitable for different development stages. For example, you can test a particular unit or function before moving it to the master branch. Automating integration and system tests, such as smoke and regression checks, is also advisable. You can even automate acceptance testing types, such as performance and A/B testing.
If you are working on a large-scale project, test automation can be a huge time-saver. You can automate a test and run it on various application versions, such as desktop, web, or mobile. It’s also possible to run it on computers with different operating systems and configurations. Test automation can help see if the app works well on any browser.
Automated tests offer a cost-effective approach, especially in the long run. They only require a human expert to prepare the script. From there, automated testing tools will execute the script and perform the checks without anyone monitoring. That means you can run these tests 24/7, even if there’s no one in the office.
Test Automation Speeds Up the Delivery and Simplifies Reporting
If you need to run a large test, it could take several engineers working around the clock to complete it. But if you automate the testing process, the computer can analyze everything much faster.
Another vital benefit of test automation is simple reporting. A tester will spend more time preparing a report after conducting the check. But with automated testing tools, the reports are ready immediately. You can access them in organized tables that secure optimal visual presentation.
Final Thoughts
Automated tests come with many benefits, but reliability tops the list. Once you pick a suitable automation tool, you need to define the parameters. After everything is ready, run the test and focus on other tasks until you get the results. Then, you can trust the computer will follow the instructions to the smallest detail.
While automated tests are more reliable, you can’t use them in all situations. Ad-hoc and exploratory tests, as well as those focused on user experience, must be done manually. Despite that, test automation tools have achieved an incredible level of versatility. They guarantee to analyze large chunks of data at a fast rate while maintaining maximum reliability. That makes them an essential addition to your software development process!
