Advantages and Disadvantages of Automated Testing

Automated Testing is the technique for automating the manual testing process. In this process, manual testing is replaced by the collection of automated testing tools. Automated testing helps the software testers to check the quality of the software. The mechanical aspects of the software testing task are automated by automated testing.

What is Automation Testing?

Automation testing is a technique where the Tester writes scripts independently and uses suitable Software or Automation Tools to test the software. It is an Automation Process of a Manual Process. It allows for executing repetitive tasks without the intervention of a Manual Tester.

• It is used to automate the testing tasks that are difficult to perform manually.
• Automation tests can be run at any time of the day using scripted sequences to examine the software.
• Automation tests can also enter test data, compare the expected result with the actual result, and generate detailed test reports.
• The goal of automation tests is to reduce the number of test cases to be executed manually, but not to eliminate manual testing.
• It is possible to record the test suite and replay it when required.

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Advantages of Automated Testing

Automated testing offers significant benefits that improve software quality and development efficiency. Automated Testing has the following advantages:

1. Enhanced Test Coverage: Automated testing improves the coverage of testing as automated execution of test cases is faster than manual execution.
2. Reduced Dependency: Automated testing reduces the dependency of testing on the availability of the test engineers.
3. 24/7 Execution: Automated testing provides round-the-clock coverage as automated tests can be run at all times in a 24*7 environment.
4. Resource Efficiency: Automated testing takes far fewer resources in execution as compared to manual testing.
5. Skill Development: It helps to train the test engineers to increase their knowledge by producing a repository of different tests.
6. Specialized Testing: It helps in testing that is not possible without automation, such as reliability testing, stress testing, load testing, and performance testing.
7. Test Data Generation: It includes all other activities like selecting the right product build, generating the right test data, and analyzing the results.
8. Increased Reliability: It acts as test data generator and produces maximum test data to cover a large number of input and expected outputs for result comparison.
9. Frees Creative Time: Automated testing has fewer chances of error, hence more reliable.
10. Streamlined Processes: As with automated testing, test engineers have free time and can focus on other creative tasks.

Disadvantages of Automated Testing

Automated Testing has the following disadvantages:

1. High Initial Costs: Automated testing is very much expensive than the manual testing.
2. Skilled Personnel Needed: It also becomes inconvenient and burdensome as to decide who would automate and who would train.
3. Limited Adoption: It has limited to some organizations as from them not prefer test automation.
4. Test Creation Effort: Automated testing would also require additionally trained and skilled people.
5. Not a Full Replacement: Automated testing only removes the mechanical execution of testing process, but creation of test cases still required testing professionals.

In conclusion we know that automated tests run consistently, eliminating human errors and ensuring repeatable, accurate results. Automated testing is a powerful technique that enhances software quality by improving test coverage, reliability, and efficiency. It enables teams to execute tests round the clock, reduce resource demands, and free up testers for creative tasks.