Manual Testing is the
process of manually checking software for defects. It requires a tester to play
the role of an end user, and use most of all features of the application to
ensure correct behavior. During this process, the tester prepares test cases
for all possible inputs and execution paths, then manually verifies the
expected results.
While manual testing is essential,
it comes with some limitations:
- Time and Effort: Manual testing is
time-consuming and requires a lot of effort, especially for large
applications. This becomes even more prominent during regression testing,
when the same set of tests has to be run repeatedly.
- Human Error: Since it's a manual process,
there is a high chance of missing out on some cases due to human error,
fatigue or oversight.
- Not Ideal for Large Data Sets: Manual
testing isn't practical when the application needs to handle large amounts
of data. It's near impossible to test every possible input in scenarios
with large data sets.
- Not Ideal for Load Testing: Manual testing
can't simulate thousands of concurrent users to check how the system
handles high loads or stress.
These limitations indicate the
need for Automated Testing Tools.
Automated Testing Tools are
used to write scripts which automate the tests that are repeatedly executed.
They help to increase efficiency, and reduce the time and effort required for
testing. Automated testing comes with several advantages:
- Speed: Automated tests can be run much
faster than manual tests.
- Accuracy: Automated tests perform the same
steps precisely every time they are executed and never forget or miss out
on executing a step.
- Reuse: Test scripts can be reused across
different versions of the software.
- Reliability: Automated testing is reliable
because it's performed by tools and/or scripts.
- Volume: Automation allows you to test large
data sets effectively and efficiently.
- Load Testing: You can simulate tens,
hundreds, or even thousands of users to check how your application behaves
under load.
Commonly used automated testing
tools include Selenium, JMeter, QTP/UFT, LoadRunner, Appium, and many others.
The choice of tool depends on the requirements of the project, the technology
stack, and the expertise of the team.