Transforming the Way Testing is done via Automation Testing

Software testing is probably the most important part of the success of a particular software. As the main aim of the software developer is to gain more people to accept the developed software, hence this makes software testing the most important phase in the software development life cycle.

As and when this realization doomed on the software developers, they have been investing in the development of the software testing procedures which has slowly and steadily given way to automated testing procedures that have transformed the way testing is done.

1.     Transformation in Accuracy: “To err is human” and the case holds for software testing too. When a person is performing the same test again and again for a prolonged period of time, the activity becomes monotonous and it increases the chances of error to occur. However, in case of automation testing chances of error is reduced to a minimal even in prolonged or repetitive tests as it is performed by machines with the same accuracy.
2.     Transformation in Test Coverage: Factors like memory contents, data tables, file contents, and internal program are not tested during manual testing procedure. However, in automation testing, these factors are taken into consideration to provide you with a detailed result on whether the software is performing as desired or not. Another transformation in test coverage is brought about by automation testing by the fact that the machines are capable of performing prolonged tests which are usually skipped when done in the manual mode as time plays a crucial factor.
3.     Automation Does What Manual Testing Cannot: It is pretty difficult to get hold of thousands of users to check how the software will perform when it is being used by all at one go, when you are manually performing controlled web application test. However, this is easily achievable in automation testing process. Machines can easily create virtual situations where hundreds or even thousands of users will be using the software under consideration at the same time, thus providing an idea of its functionality in such condition.
4.     Automated QA Testing Helps Developers and Testers: Automation testing transforms the testing procedure on a whole by providing the testers and developers time to concentrate on more vital issues. Automation testing helps in performing tests on multiple machines at the same time thus relieving the testers and developers with time to resolve more complicated issues thus evolving the testing processes on a whole.
5.    Transformation in Team Morale: Automation testing takes care of all the prolonged and monotonous software testing processes. This provides the testing team with time as well as energy to take care of more vital issues or on further development of the software which will allow them to provide the customers with a even better software which will be superior in both design, work ability and ease of using. This in turn will ensure success of the product and increased profit for the organization on a whole.

It is quite obvious that automation testing has brought about a huge transformation in the testing process over the years. It has been capable of replacing a large part of manual testing. However, it can’t completely replace manual testing as the planning and development is still done by human who are the master mind behind the automation testing procedure at large. Automation testing has enhanced the accuracy as well as the depth of software testing on the whole and is steadily developing to become even better day by day. It has helped in developing better software which is widely acceptable.

Common Myths Striving Around Testing Automation

We as humans are closely related with myths where with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, we start to assume things which we believe are in fact true. Such is the case with Automation testing.

In the age of technology where human physical efforts are being replaced by the mental ones. The process of technological usage has come under scrutiny. As it has enhanced automation.

What is Automation?

Automation is a process whereby the human manual efforts are limited by the introduction & implementation of various technological tools. As the name suggests, Automation focuses on reducing unnecessary human effort which drains them mentally and physically.

But there are various myths that are fitted into the human minds when they initially come across the process of Automation. And thus there exists common myths that strive around Automation testing. Those myths are attached to the mentality of the tester by a vendor. Such as:

§  Automation replaces Manual work: Many testers believe that Automation completely uproots the Manual process. But that’s not true. Automation can work optimally and thus provide better output. But one needs to remember that it was the Manual effort which led to Automation. So in no way can it overtake manual work. The best form of work is where both manual efforts and automated process are blended together.

 §  Automation can be done by anyone: Majority of the vendors pin point their task of convincing the end users to get the product. They make it look so easy that an individual feels that the process of Automation is peanuts. But in reality it isn't. Automation requires strategies, scripting & testing process which cannot be done by anyone.

§  Automation is simply record & Playback: It's amusing how people think that Automation is as easy as recording and playing the recorded effort. But they aren’t aware about the whole process that comes to play in order to get a desired output.

 §  Automation cannot automate every test process: Many people believe that Automation can completely control the output arena, but that’s not true, as somewhere or the other the Manual process is needed.This is as Automation cannot cover that up, no matter how advance the strategy or planning may be.

§  Automation finds more bugs: This is the one most common myth striving in the minds of people. Fed by vendors or assumption they believe that Automation finds more bugs. It’s not Automation that finds bugs, but in turn the Manual tester who designed the actual test case. It’s the test case that finds the bug not the test script.

 §  Automation is one time investment: If you believe that is going to be the case and you jump in. You shall be ready to get frustrated. Because Automation isn’t a one time investment. It isn’t a onetime investment, but it requires timely maintenance to keep it fine. One has to bear the cost which pertains to its quality code.

 §  Automation doesn't need planning: Any process without a proper plan is doomed to be a failure. Automation requires the same. Proper planning with appropriate strategies and selection of tools is essential to keep the ball rolling. If not, the result an individual is expected to get is terrible.

 Conclusion:

Automation undoubtedly is one of the most amazing creations through manual effort. But it cannot over run the Manual work and neither can replace it. Both need to work hand in hand to derive amazing results. Automation isn’t as easy as it seems but once known about is not that hard either.

Proper execution is essential which initially starts off with the rightful selection of tools. If put to effective use it can do a lot of wonders, if not, then you are left to blame yourself. Thus, people need to get over these aforementioned myths that are striving around automated testing and use these myths as an advantage.

Automated testing – The future of software testing

Transformation is the most trending word in today’s time. Almost everything is undergoing transformation the inventions, thoughts behind it as well as the outcome. The methods of testing are efficiently experiencing a shift in curve like the every usual transformation from manual to automatic.

The process of manual testing of products and software are long gone, but not totally erased from the process. On the contrary the automated testing has risen to great prominence in the past decade or two. There are automated processes rising up in every sector. Since modern man is currently shifting towards mental outlook than the physical one.

The automated process is way more effective than the usual manual process. Not only is the test efficient enough, but it is also very less time consuming. It provides maximum output, which is accurate in minimum amount of time, which isn’t possible through manual testing as it is more error prone, since humans are bound to commit mistakes.

The process of automation does not need human intervention, but the planning of the process needs so. Since the process itself is a human creation. There are various reasons due to which automated testing is our future- it is here and here to stay for a long time.

The selection of tools under automation testing is the primary feature of the following as it offers the most effective tool. Every test is conducted with some or the other kind of tool. The test tool is required to be specific; with automated testing it has become pretty easy to define that which test selection tool will be needed to conduct a specific test.

Unlike manual testing, under automation not only is the scope of the testing decided but automation as a whole process is put under assessment. In order to avoid any mishap, various steps are taken to define the goals and scope of automation. This is the very reason why everyone prefers an automated test over a manual one.

Although the manual testing is fading away slowly from the mainstream testing process it acts as a base for the automated testing. The future is all about automated testing, but manual testing needs to be present in somewhere as without it, automation cannot be carried out productively.

Thus, though the process of automation saves us time and money, it is still reliant on manpower. Furthermore, the automated design undergoes various steps such as planning, design and development of a software or product. Now under that, almost each and every aspect is covered. The testers are required to just worry about the overview and not the entire process itself as it becomes the duty of the automated testing.

Finally, after all the deep study of the process and its know-how the test is finally executed. This makes the automated testing the most complete form of testing. Although the organization spends hours on studying the process ultimately they aren’t required to waste their time on energy on the process itself.

The businesses are growing, dynamic these days. It is pretty much impossible for a human mind or an organization to employ so much of workforce to derive output. Thus, automated testing is the future – as with each passing session, the process will only enhance and improve itself.