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Automation testing is a popular term among techs. It’s like having your personal gang that works relentlessly to make sure your product is bug-free and ready for release. It’s an easy option that saves you from the hassle of performing manual testing and repetitive tasks over and over again. Sounds great, right? Yet, as with any great testing technique/solution, there are both pros and cons.

In this blog post, we will look at both the positive and negative points of automation testing. 

But before we get into the advantages and negatives, let’s first define automation. 

What is Automation Testing?

Automation testing is an approach to software testing that employs specialized automated testing software instruments to run a test case suite. Manual testing, on the other hand, is carried out by a human sitting in front of a computer and attentively following the test instructions.

This program can also upload test data to the System Under Test, compare predicted and actual results, and generate complete test reports. Significant financial and resource investments are required for software test automation.

In subsequent development cycles, teams executed the same test suite multiple times. With a test automation tool, they can record and replay this test suite as needed. Once automated, the test suite requires no human interaction. This enhanced the ROI of Test Automation.

Pros of Automation Testing

Efficiency

Time management is very crucial. As testers usually get less time than devs to test the product. In such cases, automation testing is the best way to reduce the time spent on regression testing, that allows frequent and thorough testing.

After changes are made, regression testing ensures that the current functionality of an application remains unaffected.

Automated testing may run these tests faster and more efficiently, reducing time and costs over manual testing.

Reusability

Automated tests can use multiple versions of an application, even if the user interface changes.

This implies that automated tests can test new application versions, saving time and resources typically spent on manual testing.

Better Quality Software

Automated testing enables executing more tests in less time and with fewer resources, resulting in better quality software.

Automated tests can be run repeatedly, allowing for more thorough testing while reducing the potential for errors.

Speed

Automated tools complete tests much faster than human testers, providing for rapid feedback and error discovery.

This implies that faults can be recognized and resolved more rapidly, saving time and resources on debugging.

Cost-Effective

Automation testing is affordable in the long run as lower amount of resources are required for regression testing.

While the initial expense of introducing automation testing may be costly, the long-term benefits are weighty.

Consistency

Automated tests offer consistent results, which reduces the possibility of human error. Automated testing is performed in the same manner each time, guaranteeing that the results are consistent and dependable.

Programmability

Automated testing can be built to run sophisticated tests that reveal hidden data within the application.

Automated tests can be created to test certain components of the application, allowing for more targeted testing while lowering the risk of errors.

Cons of Automation Testing

Proficiency

Writing and maintaining automation test scripts necessitates expertise in programming languages and testing systems.

Automation testing necessitates a certain amount of technical knowledge, which may be a barrier for some teams.

Debugging

Debugging test scripts can be a serious issue, resulting in additional problems and maintenance expenditures.

Automated tests can be difficult to debug and expensive to run.

Limitations in Testing

Automation testing cannot test color, gamma, UX, usability, and ergonomics from the user’s perspective. Automated tests are confined to testing the application’s functionality and do not provide input on the user experience.

Potential for Errors

Automated testing can nevertheless cause problems, such as shifting windows or grammatical faults, which may go undetected.

Automated testing is not perfect, and mistakes can still occur.

Initial Costs

Automated testing technologies can be costly to purchase and implement. The initial expense of introducing automation testing can be prohibitive for certain teams.

Maintenance

Automated tests need continuous updates to make sure that they keep up with changes in the product.

Automated tests can become outdated pretty easily and need time to time updates to ensure their potency.

Not suitable for all projects

Automated testing is not appropriate for all types of projects, especially those which have unstable systems or that require ad hoc or exploratory testing.

Automated testing works best for projects that have reliable systems and well-defined objectives.

When Automation Testing is of No Use?

Using automation testing can make software testing more productive and of higher quality.However, automation testing might not be the best choice for some products and situations.

User Interfaces are Dynamic and Intricate

Maintaining automated tests can be challenging when dealing with complex and dynamic user interfaces that undergo frequent changes.

Developers update automated tests when specific UI elements and interactions change, as they depend on them.

Exploratory or ad hoc Testing

Ad hoc or exploratory testing is testing without a predetermined script or objective; automation testing is not ideal for these types of testing. Automated tests cannot replicate the human intuition and creativity required in these types of testing.

Infrequent or one-time tests

Because automation testing requires a large initial setup and maintenance expense, it might not be feasible for one-time or occasional testing. Manual testing can often be a more cost-effective and time-efficient approach.

Legacy systems

Automation testing can be difficult for aging systems with obsolete technology or insufficient documentation. In many circumstances, manual testing may be preferable since it allows for greater flexibility and adaptation. 

Small and simple applications

Small and basic applications without sophisticated functionality or a huge user base may not require automation testing. In some circumstances, manual testing may be sufficient and less expensive.

Can automation replace manual testing? The answer is “no”. But why?

Can Automation Testing Replace Manual Testing?

Automation and manual testing are two independent approaches to software testing. Automation testing uses specialized tools to run established test scripts, enabling large-scale regression testing and parallel testing across multiple platforms.

It is useful for build verification, performance testing, and testing software across several platforms.

Manual testing, performed by skilled testers, is superior for testing functionality, user interfaces, website and application performance, user acceptance, and user experiences.

Project requirements, time restrictions, budget, system complexity, and the testing team’s expertise determine the choice between automation and manual testing.

Automation is great for massive amounts of regression testing, whereas manual testing provides flexibility and rapid results.

Conclusion

Automation testing is a strong technology, but we cannot say it is all in one solution for testers and can replace manual testing completely. Like any tool or technology, it also has its pros and cons, and it is important to weigh them carefully before making a decision. 

With complete knowledge of  the benefits and limitations of automation testing, it is easy for you to make informed decisions and ensure the success of your software development projects.