There are two types of testing: manual and automated testing. It’s almost been a decade since IT developers changed their approach to automated testing, but as always, there are advantages and disadvantages to manual and automated testing.
Automation testing has gained significant attention in the testing domain. Being a buzzword, it plays a crucial role in helping companies release new features quickly and maintain a bug-free user experience.
Automation testing has proven to enhance the efficiency of developers and QA testers, ensuring extensive test coverage to accommodate various devices, browsers, and operating systems.
Despite the rise of automation, manual testing continues to hold a unique and important position in the testing process.
And that’s what we’re going to break down here, but before that, let’s first understand what software testing is.
Why Software Testing?
Software testing is a critical aspect of the software development life cycle (SDLC), yet its importance is often overlooked. Proper testing ensures the integrity of the entire project, and neglecting it or conducting tests in non-real environments can lead to project failures.
Before launching a product in the market, it is essential to guarantee that the software is free of bugs, providing users with a smooth experience while using every function. Quality testing is crucial for achieving this goal
The primary distinction between them lies in the execution process. In manual testing, tests are performed step by step without the aid of tools, while in automated testing, tests are executed automatically using test automation frameworks and other tools and software.
This article will guide you through the concepts of manual and automated testing, highlighting the differences between them. Additionally, we will explore the tools and techniques employed in automated testing.
What is Manual Testing?
Manual testing is a process where test cases are executed manually without the assistance of any automated tools. Its primary objective is to ensure that all functions within an application work as defined in the requirement document. Since no automated tools are employed, manual testing is characterized by being slow, repetitive, costly, and time-consuming.
This testing approach is particularly beneficial when human interaction is essential. For instance, User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a type of manual testing conducted when human intervention is necessary to assess a ready-to-use product before its release to the market.
Manual testing is employed when human judgement is required, providing insights into how end-users interact with the application. To better understand how manual testing works, consider the following example:
How does Manual Testing Work?
Imagine a scenario where a software developer has just built a new mobile app and asks you to test its registration functionality. In this case, the expected behavior is that users should be able to input their details, such as name and email, and click the Register button to create an account.
Now, if clicking the Register button fails to validate the information and register the user successfully, the Quality Assurance (QA) tester will communicate this issue to the developer.
The steps involved in executing this test manually include:
- Launch the mobile app.
- Navigate to the registration section.
- Input the required details, such as name and email.
- Click the Register button.
- Report a bug if the registration process fails.
Through this example, we can recognize that manual testing can be a time-consuming process. To address these challenges, testing tools like Testsigma are utilized to automate the testing process and overcome these issues.
Types of Manual Testing
Black Box Testing:
- In this approach, the tester focuses on checking the functionality of a specific module, method, or the entire application by manually providing different test cases.
- The tester inputs data into the application, tests it manually, and checks if the output aligns with the expected results.
- If any issues or failures occur during testing, the tester reports them to the development team for resolution.
White Box Testing:
- This method involves manually examining the internal structure of the system, including designs and code.
- The development team reviews the entire code, line by line, to ensure its correctness. If any discrepancies or errors are identified, they are corrected or fixed manually.
- The process relies on human examination to check the code or design for accuracy.
Gray Box Testing:
- White-box and black-box testing are combined to create gray-box testing.
- Testers have partial knowledge of the internal structure of the application. They check both the internal structure and functionality manually.
- Testers assess the code and test the application by providing various test cases manually. If issues arise during testing, the tester may modify the code accordingly.
Top Tools for Manual Testing
LoadRunner is a tool that helps check how well software or apps work under different conditions. It figures out what might be slowing things down and helps fix those issues quickly.
Features:
- LoadRunner works well with many kinds of tools and technologies.
- It helps create detailed data about how well the software is performing.
- It makes it cheaper to test how the software works with lots of people using it and helps keep track of updates.
Citrus is a tool made for testing how different parts of software work together. It mainly uses the Java language. It’s good at checking if information is sent and received correctly between different parts of the software.
Features:
- Citrus can pretend to be different types of connections (like Http, JMS, TCP/IP) to see how well they work together.
- It can be set up to run tests whenever there’s a change in the software, making sure it stays good quality.
ZAP is a free tool that checks if websites are safe from attacks. It’s like a security guard for websites, making sure bad things can’t happen.
Features:
- ZAP works on different computer systems like Windows, Linux, and OS X.
- It can be improved by adding new features through an online store.
- It’s easy to use with a simple control panel.
NUnit is a tool used to test small parts of software to make sure they work correctly. It’s free and can be used by many people.
Features:
- NUnit helps run tests that check if different parts of the software are doing what they should.
- It works with different platforms like.NET core, Xamarin mobile, and Silverlight.
- Many tests can be run at the same time to save time.
JIRA is a tool that helps people work together on projects, especially in software development. It connects with the code developers write.
Features:
- With JIRA, you can quickly find specific information using a special language.
- It can be set up in different ways to fit the needs of different projects.
- You can add extra features easily using add-ons from a marketplace.
How does Automation Testing work?
In Automated Software Testing, testers create code or test scripts to automate the execution of tests. They utilize suitable automation tools to develop these scripts and verify the software, aiming to complete test execution in a shorter time frame.
Automated testing relies on pre-scripted tests that run automatically, comparing actual results with expected results. This enables testers to assess whether an application performs as anticipated.
Automation testing facilitates the execution of repetitive tasks and regression tests without manual intervention. Although the processes are automated, there is some initial manual effort required to create testing scripts.
- How does Automation Testing Work?
Organizations adopt Test Automation using a framework that establishes standards, common practices, and testing tools. A well-structured Automated Testing Framework encompasses coding standards, methods for managing test data, object repositories, protocols for storing test results, and guidelines for utilizing external resources. Test execution and documentation are carried out based on the framework in place.
For instance:
- Linear Scripting Framework: Suitable for small applications, this framework requires minimal planning for test scripts. However, it lacks support for reusable scripts.
Example: Suppose you are testing a login functionality, and your script would look like this:
open_browser()
navigate_to_login_page()
enter_username(“testuser”)
enter_password(“password123”)
click_login_button()
verify_login_successful()
- Modular Testing Frameworks: In this approach, testers create small, independent scripts to reduce redundancy, but the setup process can be time-consuming.
Example: Example: Continuing with the login scenario, you might have separate modules for actions like open_browser(), navigate_to_login_page(), enter_username(), etc. Then, your main script would call these modules:
import login_actions
login_actions.open_browser()
login_actions.navigate_to_login_page()
login_actions.enter_credentials(“testuser”, “password123”)
login_actions.click_login_button()
login_actions.verify_login_successful()
- Data-Driven Frameworks: Testers leverage this framework to create scripts that can accommodate various data sets, ensuring comprehensive coverage with fewer tests.
Example: Extending the login example, you might have a dataset with different usernames and passwords. Your script would iterate through the dataset to perform multiple tests with various inputs.
test_data = [(“user1”, “pass1”), (“user2”, “pass2”), (“user3”, “pass3”)]
for data in test_data:
open_browser()
navigate_to_login_page()
enter_credentials(data[0], data[1])
click_login_button()
verify_login_successful()
- Keyword-Driven Testing Frameworks: Designed for testers with limited programming knowledge, this framework allows them to use keywords to create test scripts. It typically employs table formats to specify keywords for each function and execution method.
Example: In this framework, you define keywords for each action. Testers with limited programming knowledge can use these keywords to create scripts without delving into the underlying code.
Test Case:
| Open Browser | Navigate to Login Page | Enter Credentials | Click Login Button | Verify Login Successful |
Test Data:
| Username | Password |
| user1 | pass1 |
| user2 | pass2 |
| user3 | pass3 |
- Hybrid-Driven Frameworks: These frameworks combine two or more practices to capitalize on the advantages of each approach.
Example: Combining modular and data-driven approaches, you could create a hybrid framework. For instance, you might use modules for common actions and data-driven techniques for various test scenarios.
import login_actions
test_data = [(“user1”, “pass1”), (“user2”, “pass2”), (“user3”, “pass3”)]
for data in test_data:
login_actions.perform_login(data[0], data[1])
Types of Automated Testing?
Just like manual testing, test automation is a big deal and covers a wide range of quality assurance processes. Let’s look at the different types of automated tests used by companies:
- Code Testing: This is about helping developers create and maintain good coding practices. It checks for vulnerable code and ensures correct formatting and style before the code is executed.
- Unit Testing: This checks the quality of a single piece of code, focusing on a specific software module or function. It works well when not considering dependencies with other modules and is usually fast.
- Integration Testing: Ensures the quality of an application suite where different modules communicate through APIs and other services. Automating integration testing is complex due to many dependencies and dynamic provisioning of test cases.
- Regression Testing: Ensures that a code block or software works smoothly after recent changes. Automating regression testing can save time and effort.
- Performance Testing: Ensures an application functions well under various usage volumes. For example, it checks how a website performs under heavy traffic. It’s crucial for the sustainable growth of digital applications.
- Acceptance Testing: Deals with testing scenarios for end-user acceptance. Mimicking real end-user behavior verifies whether the application meets all initial requirements during the testing phase, ensuring it works without disruption under stress.
Top Tools for Automated Testing
Here are some top automation testing tools, each with its own strengths:
- Testsigma: An open-source and cloud-based tool that allows easy test creation and execution using plain English, making it accessible without coding knowledge.
- Selenium: An open-source tool for automating web applications, Selenium is versatile, supporting multiple programming languages, frameworks, browsers, and operating systems.
- Appium: This open-source framework is designed for testing mobile applications, providing a flexible solution for mobile automation testing.
- Watir: Standing for “Web Automation Testing in Ruby,” Watir is a lightweight, open-source tool specifically designed for web automation testing.
- Robotium: An open-source tool specialized in testing the user interface of Android applications, making it valuable for Android app testing.
Final Say
The choice between manual and automated testing depends on various factors, and each approach comes with its own set of advantages and limitations. Manual testing offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness for smaller projects, and the ability to apply human judgment to subjective scenarios. On the other hand, automated testing excels in bug detection, speed, and efficiency, providing consistency and increased testing coverage. The decision should be based on the specific needs of the project, considering factors such as project size, complexity, budget, and the nature of the testing requirements.
FAQs on Manual or Automated Testing
1. When is manual testing preferred over automated testing?
Manual testing is preferred in scenarios where human judgment, intuition, and subjective analysis are crucial. It is cost-effective for smaller projects, allows flexibility in testing small changes, and is suitable for scenarios that are challenging to automate.
2. In what situations is automated testing more beneficial?
Automated testing is more beneficial when large-scale testing is required, and efficiency and speed are critical. It excels in repetitive tasks, regression testing, and scenarios where consistent and comprehensive testing coverage is needed.
3. What are the cost considerations for manual and automated testing?
Manual testing is generally more cost-effective for smaller projects due to the absence of expensive automation tools. Automated testing, while efficient, may involve higher initial costs for acquiring and maintaining automation tools.
4. Can both manual and automated testing be used together?
Yes, a combination of manual and automated testing, known as a hybrid approach, is often employed. Manual testing can address scenarios requiring human judgment, while automated testing can handle repetitive tasks and large-scale testing, providing a balanced and effective testing strategy.
