In the past, developers had little choice but to manually test new projects in order to determine how well they worked and whether any flaws needed to be fixed. Thankfully we live in an age in which automated testing has emerged, overcoming many of the deficiencies of older, manual processes. So what is it that makes automated testing so much more appealing? Here is a look at the main benefits and reasons why automated testing is better than manual testing.
Lower costs & fewer errors
Manual testing invariably involves either investing time and resources in handling the testing in-house or requires additional spending to recruit human testers to run the necessary procedures during the final stages of development. This is not only costly in both cases but still leaves you open to the possibility of mistakes being made by flesh and blood testers. As a result, good reasons for automated testing.
This is where automation testing tools come into play, delivering the double-sided advantage of allowing you to reduce staffing costs while also eliminating human error from the equation altogether.
Speed & efficiency
Even the most experienced human tester has physical limits on how fast they can work. Which of course puts a cap on the speed with which important testing processes can be complete.
Conversely, automated systems are able to operate not only under their own steam. But also in a much quicker space which is only by the capabilities of the hardware and software in use. Even the most basic setup should be far nippier than manual testing, which allows for this phase to work through in a shorter time frame, allowing deadlines to be more reliably.
- Example: Imagine running a test suite that takes six hours to complete manually. With automated testing, that same suite could be executed in under an hour, freeing up valuable time for other development tasks.
How Automation Saves Time:
- Parallel Execution: Automated tests can be executed in parallel, allowing multiple tests to run simultaneously.
- Continuous Integration: Automation integrates seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines, enabling tests to run every time code is pushed, without manual intervention.
- 24/7 Testing: Automated tests can run overnight, ensuring that testing happens even when the team is not in the office.
Repeatability: Reasons For Automated Testing
Automated systems are good at doing the same thing over and over without becoming fatigued or making errors. So, this repeatability is impactful not only in terms of ensuring that individual projects put through rigorous testing. But also when it comes to applying similar processes to subsequent initiatives.
You do not need to start from scratch or train up entire teams to tackle each phase of manual testing. But can instead rely on automated solutions to get to work consistently, whatever the circumstances. As a result, top reasons why automated testing is better than manual testing.
Compatibility
Following on from the perks of repeatability. It is worth mentioning that automated testing is not in limits of a narrow set of apps and services. But rather is adaptable enough to encompass a broad range of testing requirements.
Whether you are building a web app, or software intended to run on a range of other platforms. Automation should be able to help you overcome whatever challenges you face without leaving you with compatibility conundrums.
Comprehensive Test Coverage
Manual testing often requires prioritization, meaning not every test case will be executed due to time or resource constraints. Automated testing allows for comprehensive test coverage, ensuring that all critical functionality, edge cases, and performance metrics are verified.
Why Test Coverage Matters
When releasing software, especially to large user bases, missing bugs or skipping certain test cases can lead to costly errors down the line. Automation ensures that all features are thoroughly tested, including those that might be overlooked in manual testing.
- Example: In a manual test scenario, testers might focus on core functionalities, missing edge cases like users submitting invalid forms. Automated tests ensure that even the smallest details are thoroughly checked.
How Automation Ensures Full Coverage:
- Test All Scenarios: Automated tests can cover every scenario, from basic user flows to complex edge cases, ensuring that nothing is missed.
- Stress Testing: Automated testing can simulate high user loads or stress scenarios that would be difficult or impossible to replicate manually.
- End-to-End Testing: Automated testing ensures that the entire user journey, from start to finish, is validated across different conditions and platforms.
Defect Detection Automated Testing
Last but not least, automated testing will let you get insights into software defects sooner rather than later. So, meaning you can take remedial action as early in the development cycle as possible. Rather than realizing that you have a problem to address when the launch date is looming large.
This all comes together to make manual testing look thoroughly outclassed, and explains why test automation is rising so rapidly.
