It is best to be sure of what you are launching, and if the application or website being launched in efficient enough to enthral and engage the users. One of the most important stages of a website or mobile app development process is the testing phase. If you don’t take time to evaluate what you developed, then you might not get the response you are seeking.
- There are two significant approaches to test an application or website
- Let us now take a look at some differences between the two kinds of testing
- Take a look at when manual testing is required and an automated test is required
- Now, let’s take a look at the time when we need automated testing
- Here is a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both testing techniques
- Conclusion
A company launches an application to meet the requirements of the customers online, hence, it is important for you to test and see if you are satisfied with its performance. It helps you maintain a quality check, and allows to make any amends in the initial stage only. This stage also helps you refrain from indulging in big blunders which might happen if the app is not tested. This phase has its own significance, let’s look at the advantages of testing-
- Helps you identify any problem in the functioning of the app
- Any significant changes can be made in the initial stage only
- Gives you a better understanding of the functioning of the app of the website
- Allows you to launch a well-planned application in the market
- Helps you build an app that will attract the users
- Will meet the expectations of the users
- Helps you include a function which is missing before launching it
- Allows you to add more functions which are missing
- Helps you increase the speed and efficiency of an application or a website
- Improving the quality of your work before launching it among the users
There are two significant approaches to test an application or website
- Manual Testing
- Automated Testing
As the two clearly explain the type of approach used in both the testing, they come with their set of pros and cons. We will throw light on both the approaches’ advantages and disadvantages. Let’s start by understanding the basic difference between Manual and automated testing.
Understanding Manual Testing
It is well understood by the name that this requires an app to be manually tested by a team of testers. This person should have good knowledge about the work they are doing and the applications that have been created. Scripts are used by these testers for various scenarios and then the performance evaluation is done manually. This gives a personal touch to the application, however, manual testers have to be very careful during the testing process as a single mistake can lead to the crashing of the application or the website.
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Understanding Automated Testing
This sort of testing requires minimal manual work for performing the activity. It is run by using an automation tool, which tests the app and detects any flaws or defects in the application. Whenever new changes are made to the application, and automated test can be run without wasting much time and errors can be listed easily. It serves the purpose best when repetitive tests have to be run. Unlike, manual testing, automated testing doesn’t require people or the testing team to write scripts several time. It saves all that time and energy.
Let us now take a look at some differences between the two kinds of testing
- Reliability: Manual tests are not too reliable as human errors are difficult to track and easy to make, on the other hand, automated does not require scripts, hence, it avoids any confusion and defects.
- Multiple testing: In the case of manual testing, you have limited bandwidth as you have only a set team of professionals. So, in case another project has to be tested, a new team will be put to work altogether. Automated testing again saves time as tests can be executed on multiple devices. It allows the mobile app developers to test the accuracy of various applications all at once.
- Cost: The cost varies for both approaches. While the cost of manual testing depends on the payment made to the developers and the testing team, the cost of automated testing is more stagnant and similar for all, as the charges are according to the tools used in the testing procedure.
- Time: Manual testing is done by humans and includes a lot of human labor and energy. Hence, the time on testing might be high as compared to automated testing in which everything is done automatically and the results are displayed that very moment. Humans require more time to list down the faults and plus points of an application or a website, whereas, an automation tool will take seconds to provide feedback on the same.
- A number of tests: A manual test can be performed not more than twice or thrice on an application. Performing it for more than that might become monotonous and boring to the tester, resulting in incompetent results. On the contrary, automated testing is done if multiple tests have to be conducted on a single app. It is the best in the case of repeated tests.
- Explanation: Every feature and aspect of an application has an explanation of being present on the home page or in the app. When tested manually, the results are explanatory and give a detailed account of the testing performed. Automated testing does not provide an explanation for the tested app.
- Performance: A manual test does not allow you to test web apps, while, automated testing executes performance on various applications and web content.
Take a look at when manual testing is required and an automated test is required
While automated testing is the big deal in this scenario, manual is needed in certain cases as listed below:
- To ascertain if the application is user friendly or not and if the users are easily able to access each feature in the app.
- The domain experts test the functions of the app and the web page.
- For ad-hoc testing
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Now, let’s take a look at the time when we need automated testing
- To check if the application is able to hold the load easily or not. It helps the developers to know if the application can thrive under pressure.
- An app needs several changes after testing and might need repetitive tests for that. Manual tests are not suitable in this kind of case, and it is best to use automated regression testing in such cases.
- The main aim of testing is to make a hassle-free app and to increase the performance. Automated testing helps eliminate any hurdle in the performance of the web page or an app.
Here is a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both testing techniques
Advantages of Manual Testing
- Apt for a small project
- Gives visual and precise feedback
- Works well for both app and web page
- Ad-hoc testing can be done
- Cost-effective
- Human interaction is involved
Disadvantages of Manual Testing
- Prone to human blunders
- Cannot be reused s the scripts are written in notepad
- Time-consuming
- Challenging
- Can be more expensive in the long run
- Repetitive tests are not possible
Advantages of Automated Testing
- Catches more bugs and errors than manual testing
- Improves the productivity in an organization
- Test sessions can be recorded
- Repetitive testing is possible
- More cost-effective
- Is quicker and accurate
- More automation tools allow increasing coverage
Disadvantages of Automated Testing
- Human touch is minimum, therefore understanding of the visual feature is not possible
- Not a permanent resolution
- Higher maintenance
- Can be expensive
Conclusion
It is important to understand the nature of your work and the requirements of the users before testing an app or a web page. Either of the two approaches should be minutely ascertained and the best technique should be carefully selected depending upon your requirements.
