Difference Between Manual and Automation Testing

What is Manual Testing? with example

Manual testing is a type of software testing in which test cases are executed manually by a tester without using any automation tools. It is the most primitive of all testing types and helps to identify bugs in the software system. Manual testing requires a tester to play the role of an end user and use most of the application’s features to ensure correct behavior. It involves the execution of test cases, comparison of actual results with expected results, and reporting of discrepancies.

Example: A manual tester might be asked to test a web application for functionality. The tester would go through each page of the application, clicking on buttons, entering data, and verifying that the expected results are displayed. The tester would also check for any errors or unexpected behavior.

Pros of Manual Testing

1. Manual testing is cost-effective. Automation testing requires expensive tools and resources, while manual testing does not require any additional costs.
2. Manual testing is more reliable than automated testing as it allows testers to use their intuition and experience to identify potential issues that may not be detected by automated tests.
3. Manual testing allows for more flexibility in terms of test cases and scenarios, as testers can create custom tests to suit their needs.
4. Manual testing is better suited for exploratory and usability testing, as it allows testers to interact with the application in a more natural way than automated tests do.
5. Manual testing can be used to test applications on multiple platforms, such as mobile devices or web browsers, which may not be supported by automated tests.

Cons of Manual Testing

1. Time-consuming: Manual testing is a time-consuming process as it requires testers to manually execute test cases and analyze the results.
2. Costly: Manual testing is more expensive than automated testing as it requires more resources such as testers, test environment, and tools.
3. Error-prone: Manual testing is prone to human errors as it involves the manual execution of test cases and analysis of results.
4. Limited coverage: Manual testing can only cover limited areas of the application due to time and resource constraints.

Automation Testing vs Manual Testing: Key Difference

Automation Testing:

1. Automation testing is the process of using special software to control the execution of tests and compare the actual results with the expected results.
2. Automation testing is faster and more efficient than manual testing, as it can be used to run tests multiple times with different input values.
3. Automation testing requires less human intervention and can be used to test complex scenarios that are difficult to test manually.

Manual Testing:

1. Manual testing is the process of manually executing tests and comparing the actual results with the expected results.
2. Manual testing is slower and less efficient than automation testing, as it requires more human intervention and cannot be used to test complex scenarios.
3. Manual testing is more reliable than automation testing, as it allows testers to identify bugs that may not be detected by automated tests.

What is Automation Testing? with example

Automation testing is the process of using special software to control the execution of tests and compare the actual results with the expected results. It is used to automate repetitive tasks and reduce the time and cost associated with manual testing. Automation testing can be used for regression, functional, performance, and security testing.

An example of automation testing would be using a tool like Selenium to run a series of tests on a web application. The tests could include checking for broken links, verifying the functionality of certain features, and ensuring that the application is secure. Automation testing can save time and money by reducing the amount of manual labor required for testing.

Pros of automated testing

1. Increased Test Coverage: Automated testing allows for a much larger test coverage than manual testing, as it can be used to test a wide range of scenarios and conditions.
2. Improved Accuracy: Automated tests are more accurate than manual tests, as they are not subject to human error.
3. Faster Execution: Automated tests can be executed much faster than manual tests, allowing for quicker feedback on the results of the tests.
4. Reduced Costs: Automated testing is generally cheaper than manual testing, as it requires fewer resources and less time to execute.
5. Reusability: Automated tests can be reused multiple times, making them more cost-effective in the long run.

Cons of Automated Testing

1. Automated testing can be expensive to set up and maintain.
2. Automated tests may not be able to detect all types of bugs or errors, as they are limited by the scope of the test cases that have been written.
3. Automated tests can be time-consuming to create and maintain, as they require a significant amount of programming knowledge and expertise.
4. Automated tests may not be able to accurately simulate real-world user scenarios, as they are limited by the scope of the test cases that have been written.
5. Automated tests may produce false positives or false negatives, which can lead to incorrect results and wasted time in debugging and troubleshooting issues.

Difference Between Manual and Automation Testing