The future of software testing depends upon the amalgam of human ability and machine capability. Implementing automated software testing with native manual testing allows testers to easily replicate processes, resulting in more efficient and accurate testing.
To impart a basic understanding, software test automation or automated software testing is a software verification process where the basic functions are made to execute automatically with the help of a programming language framework. The functions include initialization, running, execution, analysis and output. Automated software testing is a boon for the manual testers and has the potential to completely transform the manual testing phase irrespective of how large or complex the software based systems are.
Over time, the market has been heavily dependent on growing technology, and businesses being required to keep up with the competition in regards to faster delivery. The rapid development and intervention of agile methodologies has made the automation technology a mandated implementation.
Manual testing at some organizations yielded good results but failed in specific testing areas that required repeated execution of the test code. The manual testing process in a scaled-up environment was consuming a lot of testing time and was causing unwanted delays.
The arrival of software test automation created the possibility of running iterative and parallel tests on multiple devices, browsers and operating systems. It generated detailed reports with error logs automatically. These features eventually changed industry dynamics. Maximum device coverage, shorter execution time, and low testing costs made automation testing the best option for reliable software testing services.
A manual tester may forget some specific tests. When a developer writes and adds to the test automation suite, it cannot be forgotten. Also, the manual tester may choose to skip certain tests believing it may have already been tested. With automation testing, there is no need to follow test repetition.
Automated software testing has the capability to increase the scope of your test and improve software quality. Lengthy and cumbersome manual tests, often avoided, can now be executed with automation. It also gives you the ability to run tests on numerous systems with varied configurations. Software test automation can seamlessly execute thousands of simultaneous complex tests and provide test coverage which is impossible with manual testing.
With software test automation, the exact same steps are repeated precisely without any variation. Similarly, test results generated for the automated tests are error free. This has improved test quality and freed manual testers to invest more time in the creation of new tests and focus more on complex issues rather than monitoring the same repetitive task.
Continuous testing with CICD helps in analyzing the speed and flexibility of agile methodology and ensures speedy recovery in case of any loophole detected. Earlier with manual testing, the process was slow and tedious. With the integration of automation in continuous testing, faster and earlier testing is now possible.
Including an Application Performance Management tool, such as Stackify Retrace, enables you to get the most from your CICD pipeline. Centralized logging and error tracking help you improve your application and fix errors based on the feedback you receive from Retrace after each release. As a result the stakeholders get precise, accurate and quick results. The early knowledge of potential risks lets them plan ahead and make better decisions at every level – from early, development and production stage. To summarize the impact:
Stackify's APM tools are used by thousands of .NET, Java, PHP, Node.js, Python, & Ruby developers all over the world.
Explore Retrace's product features to learn more.
If you would like to be a guest contributor to the Stackify blog please reach out to [email protected]
