Software testing is a vital process that should be included in every software creation and development. It allows testing teams to check a product for errors and bugs using various test automation tools which can adversely affect the software’s purpose.
There are two major kinds of software testing, automated and manual. Automated testing can be further broken down into low code and no code testing; with codeless automated testing bringing about huge time savings, and making the entire process much more efficient. Various skeptics still argue which is better than the other – automated or manual. Let us compare these two major testing types to help you and your team decide which software testing type should you choose.
But before we proceed, allow us to refresh our knowledge on some necessary information on software testing terms.
Automated and Manual Testing: Remembering The Basics
Manual testing is anything performed with labor. QA experts are responsible for ensuring that the software features work correctly, even under specific conditions determined in the test cases. Even with its seemingly unsophisticated nature, the manual approach still has its value.
While almost all features can be tested through an automated, intelligent system, some might need human intervention. For example, you are testing the software of a smartwatch. Some of its software features need a wearer using it in a physical setting for the testing team to check its variability during specific scenarios.
Moreover, testers often run mobile software through a “monkey test.” They use it to identify bottlenecks on stressful yet common conditions that users go through daily. For example, a typical scenario is that a user forgets to turn off the mobile phone before putting in the pocket. Then, the application opened from the unintentional tapping of the screen. Testers will then check the possibility of a software crash if the app keeps running for an hour or two.
The scenarios described above require manual testing to fulfill.
On the other hand, automated testing uses predetermined test cases to check the software’s functionality automatically. Its primary goal is for an accurate comparison of actual results with their list of expectations. Through it, the system can identify if an application runs as expected, even under certain conditions. Automated testing can also perform repetitive actions and regression checking to see if the software can still run smoothly after updates.
Now, let’s look at manual testing and automated testing at a closer look.
Let’s Do It Manually
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A lot of software developers still rely on manual testing. Even with the advent of automated testing, it shouldn’t be totally set aside for a lot of reasons. Why? Did you know that some software applications need manual testing before running it under automated software?
You need a lot of effort and time if you choose manual testing, but without it, you cannot perform some tests where automation is out of the question. Some of these tests cannot totally undergo automation, while some require tremendous effort and time to automate.
- Exploratory Testing – With this approach, a QA expert assesses and analyzes the application like an explorer. He uses his education and professional experience to perform the testing. First, the tester completes a thorough assessment of the software’s functionality. Once the report is available, the testing team then formulates test cases based on the report to move further.
- Ad Hoc Testing – It is a kind of testing that runs as it is. Testers do not prepare nor formulate recorded test cases to guide the testing process. The ad hoc approach allows the testers to check the software’s functionality without a script randomly. Its goal is to go with the flow and discover the faults and errors along the way.
Ad hoc testing and exploratory testing are sometimes confused with being the same, but they’re not. The testers depend on their training and experience, plus the formulated test cases to perform the test according to their plan under the exploratory technique. On the contrary, ad hoc testing occurs without relying on anything.
- User Interface Testing – This testing technique, the testing team lead by a QA expert, verifies the properties and status of the user interface features. The testers also determine if the interface design and functionality are part of the elements in the final layout. They utilize visual comparison to check using an actual user’s point of view.
These techniques require manual testing to get the expected results successfully. Manual testing primarily aims to test the software’s interface and suitability for daily use.
When is Manual Testing Best Used?
Automation allows a faster and more accurate result with software testing. However, there are still some test cases where manual testing is best used. Here are some test cases where testers use manual testing as a part of their testing process.
- Primary Developmental Phase – Manual testing aids in identifying software restrictions during the primary developmental phase of the software, which allows lesser use of resources to troubleshoot errors and eliminate bugs. It is because it will be best to invest in automated testing when the software is more stable, which typically happens during the next developmental phases.
However, please take note that it is not the case for all software. Some software shows more promising results when automated testing is already incorporated, even during the initial phases.
- Short-term/ Small-scale Projects – One crucial goal for automation is to lower the use of resources, such as money, time, and workforce. However, you will also need to spend to utilize such. Therefore, for small-scale/ short-term projects, like promotional software, it is best to go with manual testing than perform full-scale automated testing.
- User Interface Acceptance – Testers prefer manual testing when it comes to the assessment of UI. It is because visually inspecting the look of the UI and its appeal to users is still best done with human eyes. Even with the help of AI, automation cannot merely replace human perception on what looks best, when it comes to the layout (font design, font sizes, images, highlights, gestures, etc.).
Think of it this way. Your application had an error that made the fonts so small that you almost cannot see the writings. Manual testing can identify the error, but some automated tests will not have alerts as the UI coding reflects the same font type and location.
- Hardware-related Tests – These tests, although related to software functionality, cannot be automated. Running automated inspection on touchpads, sensors, and printers are not possible with full automation. These tests need manual checking as physical parts are involved too, and do not entirely rely on software.
Go Automatic!
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TDD (test-driven development) and regression testing use automated testing to fulfill their goals. With TDD, it follows the formulation of test cases for every unit, which is a must before the developers finalize an actual code. When the code is determined, these unit tests should be run. Depending on the test results, the developers might need to do refactoring, or the testers need to alter the scenario and execute the test again.
On the other hand, regression testing reruns various tests intending to make sure that the previously developed software works well under specific scenarios or even when a change is made, for example, during an update or integration with other software. Most testers prefer using the TDD technique to test software products, as it allows smooth integration with other management tools.
Here are the most common types of testing, where automation is best utilized.
- Functional Testing – This testing approach checks the software’s accuracy, compliance, and interaction with other hardware functions or software. Testers use this technique to pinpoint the actual functional performance status of each software feature.
- GUI (Graphical User Interface) Testing – This testing technique aims to check if the GUI meets every coding requirement and if it matches the UI layout.
- Unit Testing – This is a testing approach that aims to check the discrete features of the product. All features undergo testing one at a time under various test scripts.
These testing types are when you need to use automation. You can use either an installed testing software or better yet choose web-based test management software, to monitor, run, and record your testing process without the hassle. If you decide to go for automated testing, you can practice more efficient use of resources and eliminate human error. As a result, you can have more reliable and stable codes.
Why is Automated Testing a MUST Nowadays?
- To manage prolonged tasks: You need another series of tests after modifications or updates are done to the software. It is to assess if all its features are working correctly. To check each feature’s functionality entails regression testing, which can take a long time with so much effort. Automation eliminates the burden of monitoring and documenting each test cycle.
- To manage repetitive actions: Some features need repetitive adding of various test cases on each element to check the software’s flexibility. Automated testing saves time and effort in managing the execution of these repetitive actions.
- To make the risk of human error from limited to none: Manual testing heavily relies on the tester’s education and experience. Automated testing makes this risk be limited to none; limited because some software requires manual testing during their initial developmental phase.
- To monitor performance and load testing: Automated testing can replicate thousands of users to test the software’s capacity to handle the load of users and to monitor how the software will behave. Manual testing cannot do such.
Takeaway Thought
There is no perfect way to perform testing during a software product’s creation and development. Automated testing and manual testing have their own sets of benefits, and we cannot entirely cancel out one after another. While manual testing is still as valuable as before, automated testing is now a must for software development. Because as we move forward to smart technology and innovation, automation will be one of the vital keys to human success.
Patrick is a QA expert in software testing. He has extensive experience in different approaches to software schemes. During his free time, he pens IT articles with a focus on software testing and development.
