Why is Mobile Automation Testing Valuable?

Automation testing is the branch of mobile software testing which utilizes certain test codes or pre written scripts to check the software of probable bugs and flaws which are to be rectified to create a better version of the same such that it is better accepted by the customers. Automated testing not only provides accurate results but also saves time and is thus considered to be a valuable asset.

1.    Automated Software Testing Saves Time and Money: Repetition is a common phenomenon when it comes to testing the mobile apps. This is due to the fact that the software needs testing during various phases of development. The automated testing frameworks can be reused again and again and hence save money in the procedure. The testing process is completed in a jiffy and multiple machines can conduct testing simultaneously. This saves a lot of time while the process is on the go.
2.     Automated Testing Improves Accuracy: Automated testing runs on a simulated framework with accurate precision. As it is conducted by the machine, the same precision is maintained each and every time the tests are performed. It is said that “to err is human”. Even the most professional tester will commit some mistake at one point or the other. But a machine will never make this mistake.
3.    Automated Testing Increase Test Coverage: Manual testing requires long time to be completed and hence in most cases is avoided when long tests are to be conducted. However, when mobile automation testing is conducted, the test may be left unattended and would be performed with equal precision on its own. This makes automation testing a valuable tool in case of mobile testing. The automated testing procedure conducts multiple complex tests which provide with an increased coverage area which helps in the formation of a better mobile app.
4.      Automation Does What Manual Testing Cannot: Manual testing is performed by human, and well, let’s face it, they have limitations. Manual testing of user interface will require actual users to conduct the test. On the contrary, automation testing can perform the user interface test taking ten, hundreds or thousands of people without their actual presence in a virtual manner.
5.      Automated QA Testing Helps Developers and Testers: Automated tests that are shared with the developers can save a lot of time in the testing procedure. The developers can run the tests themselves and get results before having to send it to the QA department and hence the rectification can be done immediately without to be having to wait for the QA department to send back the results. This helps in boosting the confidence of the developers and saves time too.
6.      Team Morale Improves: As the repetitive tasks can be left to the automated testing of mobile apps, the software testing team can invest their valuable time in conjuring solutions for the more challenging tasks at hand which require personal attention to be resolved. This way a better testing procedure can be strategized and better results can be obtained.

Thus you see how mobile automated testing is valuable in the software testing industry. Yes! We accept that automation testing can never completely replace the manual procedure, but it has its own perks which should be utilized as far as possible. 

Myths about Automated Mobile UI Testing

Automated mobile UI testing is very important when it comes to the success of the application. However there are certain myths prevailing to the automated testing procedures which slogs the process and makes people afraid of the procedure. However, these myths are not true on any account as they are superficial. A deep look on the automated testing process will make them disappear.

1.  Speed: It is a common myth of most of the people related to the IT industry that automated testing takes up a lot more time than manual testing. On one hand this fact is true to some extent manual testing does produce faster results when testing mobile UI but only in the initial stages. With repeated testing you either need to add more testing features or diminish the quality of testing. Whereas with automated testing you get to run the same level of testing every time, ultimately saving time on the long run.
2. Coverage: Newer android devices are being released almost every single day in the current days. Hence the number of apps of these operating systems is outstanding. Including this there are more operating systems like the iOS which has even more apps which are being made for daily use. Maintaining a hand load of tools for manual testing of all these apps becomes very difficult and supplying them to the testers whenever and wherever needed becomes a headache. However in case of automated testing only maintaining a cloud server would suffice. With the help of automated testing complete test coverage of apps is possible.
3.  Cost: Yes! Automated testing of apps costs much more than manual testing. But this fact holds true only when the tests are kept to the bare essentials of the app. As and when the environment of the app gets complicated and as does the software itself, manual testing becomes much more expensive as you need more sophisticated tools for the optimum test results. Also with more sophisticated tools for the testing you need an advanced staff who can manage these tools and it will need training them to do so. Thus manual testing ultimately becomes costlier compared to automated one.
4. Consistency: In case of manual testing there is always room for perception which varies from tester to tester and depends hugely on the test that is being considered as well as the app and the environment along with the operating system which the application is based on. When you are applying manual tests on the software there is room for holes through which some bugs may pass out and it is only good enough to detect the basic bugs. Automated testing on the other hand runs on scripts with no room for perception which makes it a full proof one.
5. Reluctance: Automated testing replaces human. Not True! Automated testing only helps in betterment of the manual testers. Automated tests do provide automated results time after time with maximum accuracy, why do you need a human? But automated testing to requires writing of scripts and planning the whole test procedures. This in turn requires human. Automated testing procedure helps in saving time as well as money so that you can utilize these resources for the betterment of the manual testing procedures or to develop better tools and to advance the already existing automated testing procedures.

These are some of the most persistent myths that prevail in the automated testing industry which needs to be busted as soon as possible in order for the betterment of the automated testing of mobile UI.

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.