What is Automation Testing?
Published: 2023-08-01 06:59:51

Automated testing, also known as [test automation](https://www.headspin.io/blog/what-is-test-automation-a-comprehensive-guide-on-automated-testing) or automated software testing, is simulating user interaction with a product using a computer program and then comparing the outcomes to those that were anticipated. The goals of automating the evaluated process are to increase efficiency, decrease overhead, and fortify the safety and quality of the analyzed program.

The need for human testers has been replaced by automated testing. Automated software testing, in which testers create and run scripts, has become increasingly popular. A tester’s perspective will always be valuable since scripts are not written automatically by automation; instead, the testers who create them analyze the whole set of criteria and think by it.

## Common Types of Automation Testing
**Unit Test**
Since unit tests are primarily intended for the developers, they are typically created by themselves. These tests validate the program’s most minor “units,” such as individual procedures. During refactoring code, fixing bugs, or introducing new features, these tests ensure no further problems are presented.

**Integration Test**
When two or more software modules are combined, a process known as “integration testing” is used to ensure that the resulting program still functions as expected. The developers, the testers, or a third-party team like DevOps may be in charge of doing integration tests.

**End-to-end Testing**
Tests run in a fully functional, integrated, and realistic production environment to mimic how the system will be used. The primary purpose of end-to-end testing is to release testers’ minds and bodies to focus on more imaginative tasks.

## How is Automated Testing different from Manual testing?
Developers employ specialized tools to automate and control test cases, which execute automatically after preparation. When testing big or complicated software, it is best to use automated testing since it allows for the continuous or repetitive testing of pre-written scripts. Since automated tests can be conducted in parallel across several components or platforms, they are ideally suited for the iterative, continuous testing central to Agile development’s goal of identifying and fixing defects as quickly as possible.

Manual software testing is when developers or test engineers examine the program’s features, applications, and functions against the test cases without using automation testing tools and other automated methods. Manual testing takes time, has room for mistakes, and gets increasingly challenging to scale with increasing program complexity.


After a test case has been established, automated testing allows it to run automatically without requiring human intervention by employing specialized tools for automation and control. Large or sophisticated software that has to be tested repeatedly using the same scripts would benefit significantly from automated testing. Because automated tests can be conducted in parallel across several components or platforms, they are ideally suited for the iterative, continuous testing central to Agile development’s goal of identifying and fixing defects as soon as possible to boost productivity.

## What are the benefits of Automated testing?
**Improve Productivity**
Productivity rises because automated tests may be conducted repeatedly at predetermined intervals with little human oversight. This frees up time that would otherwise be spent on tedious but essential manual testing, allowing experts to use that time elsewhere.

**Save Money**
Automated testing helps the team save money by finding bugs in the program earlier in the development cycle so they can be fixed. The time and money needed for system upkeep in the future are minimized.

**Better Insights**
Automated testing seeks to validate the product by running more test cases, which enables comprehensive reporting and essential insights.

**More accurate test results**
Automated testing offers better accuracy than its manual counterpart since it eliminates the room for error that comes with human involvement.

**Speed up the process**
Improved testing turnaround times Through parallel processing and increased efficiency and accuracy, automated testing may execute several test cases simultaneously, cutting down on testing time.

**Better Test Coverage**
Improved test coverage is achieved by automating test cases to run them more frequently and cover more ground in the product.

**Reusable**
Software scripts are reusable and may be used in other projects with comparable needs.

**Rapid Feedback**
Rapid iteration, rapid feedback, and rapid mistake detection: are all benefits of automated testing. The findings may then be analyzed by experts, who can then use that information to modify the code.

**Faster Development Cycle**
The development cycle can be sped up if teams access tools that allow faster execution, greater accuracy, and more efficient test cases. It reduces the time needed to bring items to market and speeds up the development process.

## Top Automated Tools
**HeadSpin**
HeadSpin is one of the most popular automation tools. Its top-notch features enable remote testing. The results are more accurate as it provides AI testing insights. Web app, mobile app – any app can be tested efficiently.

**Selenium**
It is an open-source tool. It is integrated with CI/CD tools and other automation testing frameworks, which improves the tests. It also provides remote testing.

**Appium**
Appium is an open-source tool dedicated to mobile apps. Appium uses the mobile JSON wire protocol to facilitate the creation of automated UI testing for Android and iOS native, web, and hybrid mobile applications.


## Conclusion
Automatic processes have numerous advantages, but they also have certain drawbacks. As mentioned, automated testing is only sometimes the best option, and it’s easy to waste much time attempting to create a test for something that will likely change or will only be used sometimes enough to justify the effort. In addition, data must drive automated testing, but not all comments can be reduced to numbers. Businesses need a balanced strategy with automation and manual testing.

Original source: https://www.timeofinfo.com/automation-testing/