This article lists the pros and cons for test automation and human testers. This days the IT managers and directors are in dilemma because they have to decide what is better for their department to use for software testing the automated testing or the manual testing. Do they have to hire a team of software testers or would they be better using automated testing? These strategies have big difference. Both these strategies have pros and cons here are some:
Automated Testing
Pros: The main advantage of using automated testing is the speed, IT managers can use this strategy to test the code faster then manual testing and also they can re-use the automated testing tool many times that they need. Automated testing can be used ion different operating systems. It is very effective for build verification and testing.
Cons: A down side of automation testing is not helpful with UI testing, it can not be trusted all the time also it has high initial cost of tools.
Manual Testing
Pros: Manual Testing is the testing of software for bugs in the software system. Testers execute test cases without using any automation tools. Lets talk about some of the pros, companies that can’t afford automated test tools can use testers to write and execute test cases, this strategy is flexible compared to automation testing.
Cons: Manual testing can be very slow compared to automation testing. The tester have to be engaged 100% with the software and has to know the structure of it. If the tester don’t know the structure of the software can be a high chance of missing out on some bugs.
Citation
http://www.thinksys.com/can-test-automation-replace-human-testers.shtml
From the blog Table of Code by Andon S and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.