5 COMMON MYTHS OF TEST AUTOMATION

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10 COMMON MYTHS OF TEST AUTOMATION

• Metaforum Technologies

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There are many merits of performing automated
testing in product development. Somebenefits
offered by the test automation procedures are
frequent test execution, fasterreleases,
increased test coverage and faster feedback for
the development team. As themarket requirements
have become more complex with the transformation
to the digitaldomain, many organizations are
under pressure to remain competitive and to
deliver thebest to their clients. Though there
are organizations that have switched to
automation testing, many organizations still fear
to make the bold move or seem resistant in
investing in testautomation. In the present
scenario, it has become more imperative for
everybody tounderstand the need of test
automation to meet goals and expectations in the
industry atreasonable costs. The foremost step
in understanding test automation is to address a
few common automation myths that are as follows
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1) Testing is boring

• Most of the people tend to conclude too early and
  are of the view that software testing is
• monotonous and boring. Technically speaking there
  is no truth in this statement. Never try
• to compare automation testing as just
  'repeatedly' doing similar tasks over and over
  again.
• It might be the other way round. If feeling that
  the testing bores you, you might not be
• doing it the right way. The most challenging
  aspect of any test automation procedure is to
• understand the limitations and setting realistic
  expectations to avoid disappointment in
• future course of time.

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2) Automation testing is better than manual
testing

• Another most common myth that prevails is that
  QTP testing will yield better results
• than manual testing. Generally, this is not the
  case and you cant be so absolute in your
• decision. More often both manual and automation
  tests go hand in hand. There might be
• cases where manual tests cant be performed owing
  to the complexity of the framework.
• On the other hand, unnecessary use of test
  automation procedures for simple projects may
• prove to be costly and time consuming process.

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3) Quick return on investment

• There is a myth that automation testing promises
  quick ROI. Automation is a long-term
• commitment. Many organizations often ignore the
  key aspects, activities and other cost
• factors that can devaluate the automation
  process. Organizations must recollect that it
• requires adequate investment of both time and
  cash to figure out how to utilize automation

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4) Testing and checking are similar procedures

• Generally, people fail to distinguish between
  testing and checking. Michael Bolton is of the
• view that automated testing is not really
  testing. Test automation is checking of facts. A
• detailed system knowledge is required to run the
  automated checks that further confirms
• the level of underssting ie system under test
  through exploration. One should not rely on a
• particular method. Both methods are crucial to
  get an insight to the quality of the
• application.

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5) Test automation is just concerned about
finding out the flaws and bugs in the software

• Only a good tester can tell you the real
  importance of running automation tests. Testing
  is
• an information gathering activity that helps in
  exploring and discovering answers to
• questions that nobody had ever asked before.
  Never try to underestimate the power of test
• automation tools. These are not just meant to
  find errors or bugs in the software. Widen
• your perspective a bit and study, observe,
  explore and analyze, to achieve your testing
• goals.
• Learn more _at_ http//www.metaforumtechnologies.com/
  qtp-testing-training-in-chennai