Manual Testing and Automation Testing

Manual Testing

Manual testing involves human testers executing test cases without automation tools. It relies on the tester’s skills and intuition to identify bugs or issues in the software.

Advantages:

1. Human Insight: Human testers can detect usability issues and provide feedback on user experience.
2. Flexibility: Testers can easily adapt to changes without extensive rework.
3. Cost-Effective for Small Projects: Initial costs are lower since there is no need for automation tools or script development.

Disadvantages:

1. Time-Consuming: Manual testing is labor-intensive and can be slow.
2. Prone to Errors: Human testers can make mistakes, especially during repetitive tasks.
3. Inconsistent Results: Different testers might yield varying results.

Automation Testing

Automation testing uses software tools to execute pre-scripted tests. It is particularly useful for regression testing and other repetitive tasks.

Advantages:

1. Efficiency: Automation can run tests faster than human testers.
2. Accuracy: Eliminates human error, ensuring consistent results.
3. Reusability: Automated scripts can be reused across multiple test cycles.

Disadvantages:

1. Initial Investment: Setting up automation requires significant initial costs.
2. Maintenance: Automated scripts need regular updates to stay effective.
3. Limited Insight: Automation may not catch usability issues that a human tester would notice.

Build Verification Testing (BVT)

Build Verification Testing, also known as smoke testing, is a subset of tests that verify whether a new build is stable enough for further testing. BVT checks the basic functionality and ensures that the build is not fundamentally broken.

Purpose of BVT:

• Detect issues early in the development cycle.
• Ensure that the build is testable.
• Save time and resources by identifying major issues before proceeding to more detailed testing.

Functional Testing: Manual or Automation?

Functional testing can be performed both manually and using automation. The choice depends on the project requirements and resources available.

Manual Functional Testing:

• When to Use: Suitable for small projects or where human insight is needed.
• Process: Testers manually execute test cases based on functional specifications.

Automated Functional Testing:

• When to Use: Best for large projects with repetitive test cases.
• Process: Automated tools execute pre-scripted tests to verify functionality.

How to Perform Manual Testing

Performing manual testing involves several steps to ensure thorough evaluation of the software.

Steps for Manual Testing:

1. Requirement Analysis: Understand the requirements and functionality of the software.
2. Test Planning: Develop a test plan outlining the scope, approach, resources, and schedule of testing activities.
3. Test Case Development: Create detailed test cases based on the requirements.
4. Environment Setup: Prepare the testing environment with necessary configurations.
5. Test Execution: Manually execute the test cases and document the results.
6. Defect Reporting: Report any defects or issues found during testing.
7. Test Closure: Ensure all test cases are executed, and defects are resolved before closing the testing phase.

Manual Functional Testing

Manual functional testing involves executing test cases without the aid of automation tools to validate the functionality of the software against the requirements.

Process:

• Develop test cases based on functional requirements.
• Execute test cases manually.
• Validate the output against expected results.
• Document any deviations as defects.

Why 100% Automation is Not Possible

Achieving 100% automation in testing is impractical due to several factors:

1. Complex Scenarios: Some test scenarios are too complex to automate.
2. Frequent Changes: Applications that change frequently can render automated scripts obsolete quickly.
3. Cost: The cost of automating all test cases can be prohibitive.
4. Human Insight: Certain aspects, such as user experience and visual elements, require human judgment.

Automation Testing:

Automation testing uses different software tools to test the source code. This type of testing is used to reduce the manual efforts. The automation testing tools are able to execute programs, check all possible outcomes and compare results with the previous test cases. Maximum number of tests is done in a shorter period of time. In this type of testing manual interaction is not involved. There are many tools used in automation testing like selenium and UFT(unified functional testing)tools etc.The

For example A new user account is created during the registration process. It checks whether the username is available or not. This testing is done using an automation testing tool like selenium.

How to Write Test Scripts for Manual Testing

Writing test scripts for manual testing involves creating detailed instructions for executing test cases.

Steps:

1. Understand the Requirements: Ensure a clear understanding of the functionality to be tested.
2. Define Test Cases: Outline the specific steps to be followed.
3. Include Preconditions: State any setup required before executing the test case.
4. Detail Test Steps: Provide step-by-step instructions for executing the test case.
5. Expected Results: Define the expected outcome for each step.
6. Postconditions: Specify any actions to be taken after the test case is executed.

Software Testing: Manual and Automation

Software testing involves both manual and automation methods to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Manual Testing: Focuses on exploratory, ad-hoc, and usability testing.

Automation Testing: Best for regression, load, and performance testing.

Manual Testing Software Tools

Several tools assist in manual testing by providing functionalities like test case management, defect tracking, and reporting.

Popular Manual Testing Tools:

1. JIRA: For issue and project tracking.
2. TestRail: Test case management tool.
3. Bugzilla: Defect tracking tool.
4. HP ALM: Application lifecycle management tool.

Manual Automation Testing

Integrating manual and automation testing can enhance the overall testing process.

Approach:

1. Identify Test Cases for Automation: Focus on repetitive and regression tests.
2. Manual Testing for New Features: Use manual testing for newly developed features.
3. Maintain Balance: Ensure a balanced approach to maximize the strengths of both methods.

Conclusion