Automated and Manual Testing: Figure It Out!

It is a well-known fact that the release of any quality product, especially in case we are referring to such things as software and mobile applications of all kinds is impossible without its preliminary testing. The testing process gives the opportunity to understand the operation principles of a product, to find out the existent bugs, to fix them promptly and generally to make the software and applications simple, understandable and user friendly. Therefore in this article we will discuss the basic principles and strategies of testing the applications for mobile devices.

There are two fundamental testing strategies – automated and manual testing. They embrace different aspects of application testing process and have their pros and cons but nevertheless both of them are focused on the improving the quality of the mobile applications for various devices.

Automated testing

It is characterized by the use of special software for performing the tests and checking their results. All main functions and stages of the test such as: launch, installation, implementation, analyses and return are carried out automatically due to using the tools for automated testing. This type of testing allows to shorten the test time and to make the process of application testing easier. There are two basic approaches to automated testing: code-level testing and testing of the user interface (for example, GUI-testing). The first type includes, in particular, unit testing. The second represents an imitation of user actions using the appropriate test frameworks.

What should you have in order to carry out the successful automated application testing?

• Software automation tester. This is a technical expert who has capacity of creation, debugging and operating condition of the test scripts, test suits and automation test tools
• Automation test tool. It is special software. With its help the software automation tester provides creation, debugging, implementation and outcome analyses of the test scripts run.
• Test script. It is a set of instructions for automatic check of the certain part of the software
• Test Suite. It represents the combination of test scripts for testing a specific part of application, united by common functionality or purposes of the running this set.
• Test Run. It is a conjunction of test scripts and test suites for the subsequent launch of a joint (sequential or parallel, depending on the aims and capacities of an automated testing tool)

Manual testing

Manual testing is the process of defect finding in software or application when the tester checks the operation of all components of the program as if he/she were a user. The tester often uses predefined testing plan, which indicates the most important aspects of the application for the achievement of highest accuracy. Manual testing – a key stage in application development. The tester may not stand by a strict plan, he/she can deviate from it for complete testing, that is approximate to the process of using the application by an ordinary user. Ambitious projects hold to a strict testing methodology in order to identify the maximum number of bugs.

A system approach to testing consists of several stages:

• Selection of the testing methodology, the obtaining of the necessary equipment (computers, software), hiring people for the position of testers
• Test preparation with the description of their performance and expected results
• Transfer of the test suites to the testers who manually perform tests and record the results
• Transfer of test results to the developers in a form of detailed report with the description of all existent bugs for discussion and fixing them.

Make sure your bug reports are well documented and have all necessary information: title, description, summary, a type and priority and detailed screenshots. Learn how to make and edit screenshots directly from your mobile device with the Ubertesters SDK on the video below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=UPQrEdPnhiE

Two types of approaches: static and dynamic can be used in the process of manual application testing.

1. Dynamic approach involves the launch of the application.
2. Static testing involves checking the syntax and other peculiarities of the program code.

Testing can be functional and not functional:

1. Functional testing is a test of operation region of the application.
2. Non-functional testing represents the performance, compatibility, and security of the system under test.

So you get the required information about various strategies of application testing. Now it is up to you to decide which strategy works for you, saves your time and helps you to make a great step toward the release of a perfect product!