Automation Testing: Pros and Cons 

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 and repetitive tasks over and over again. Sounds great, right? Yet, as with any great 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?

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

This program also uploads test data to the System , compare predicted and actual results, and generate complete reports. Significant financial and resource investments are required for this.

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

Pros of Automation Testing

Efficiency

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

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

It may run these checks faster and more efficiently, reducing time and costs over manual tests.

Reusability

It uses multiple versions of an application, even if the user interface changes.

This implies that automated tests work on new application versions, saving time and resources typically spent doing it manually.

Better Quality Software

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 checks 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

It is much more affordable in the long run as lower amount of resources are required for regression tests.

While the initial expense 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.

It can be created to test certain components of the application, allowing for more targeted checking 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.

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

Debugging

This can be a serious issue, resulting in additional problems and maintenance expenditures.

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

Limitations

It cannot check for color, gamma, UX, usability, and ergonomics from the user’s perspective. These are confined to 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.

It is not perfect, and mistakes still occur.

Initial Costs

The technologies can be costly to purchase and implement thus not suitable for certain teams.

Maintenance

It needs continuous updates to make sure that they keep up with changes in the product.

They become outdated pretty easily and need time to time updates to ensure their potency.

Not suitable for all projects

It isn’t appropriate for all types of projects, especially those which have unstable systems or that require ad hoc or exploratory testing.

Works best for projects that have reliable systems and well-defined objectives.

When Automation Testing is of No Use?

It can make tests more productive and of higher quality. However, it might not be the best choice for some products and situations.

User Interfaces are Dynamic and Intricate

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

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

Exploratory or ad hoc Testing

It is without a predetermined script or objective; automation is not ideal in such situations. They cannot replicate the human intuition and creativity required.

Infrequent or one-time tests

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

Legacy systems

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

Small and simple applications

It’s not required for small and basic applications without sophisticated functionality or a huge user base. In some circumstances, manual testing may be sufficient and less expensive.

Can Automation Testing Replace Manual Testing?

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

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

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

Project requirements, time restrictions, budget, system complexity, and the team’s expertise determine the choice between both methods.

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

Conclusion

Automation testing is a strong technology, but we cannot say it is all in one solution for all and can replace the manual way 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, it is easy for you to make informed decisions and ensure the success of your software development projects.