What is manual testing ?

Manual testing is a software testing process in which test cases are executed manually without using any automated tool. Test cases are planned and implemented to complete almost 100 percent of the software application. It is one of the most fundamental testing processes as it can find both visible and hidden defects of the software. The difference between expected output and output, given by the software, is defined as a defect. Manual testing is mandatory for every newly developed software before automated testing. This testing requires great efforts and time, but it gives the surety of bug-free software. Manual Testing requires knowledge of manual testing techniques but not of any automated testing tool. There are various methods used for manual testing such as white box testing, black box testing, and gray box testing

What are the benefits and drawbacks of manual testing?

Manual testing has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of them:

Advantages:

• Human intelligence: Manual testing requires human intelligence to develop test cases, identify faults, and judge the overall product quality. This ensures that the software is tested from a user’s perspective and provides a better user experience .

• Cost efficiency: Manual testing does not require any automation tools or frameworks to run the test case. This makes it less expensive than automated testing .

• Flexibility: Manual testing can be used in various test scenarios and can modify the test cases regarding the feedback and validate the user experience .

• Early identification: During the test case review and the test code is reviewed, it will early detect the issue and it can sorted to prevent the rework after the execution it can reduce the development life cycle and work expense .

• Simplicity: In general, manual testing does not require any programming language or training. With basic knowledge of software manual testing can be performed.

Drawbacks:

• Time consumption: Manual testing is a time-consuming process as every test must be done manually. In case the testing needs to cover all the software development there won’t be enough time to perform the manual testing .

• Unintentional error: In particular scenarios or by making minor mistakes during the test execution it may occur. These mistakes can make it impossible to find the flaws, and it will affect the system .

• Expensive: When handling a big project or frequent release of software, manual testing is not suitable for such cases .

• Hard to measure: If the test cases have more quantity in numbers, it will be difficult to assess the test efficiency of the test cases and difficult to track the error and to sort the issue for the same .

Here is an example of manual testing: Suppose you are testing a login page of a website. You can manually test the login page by entering valid and invalid credentials and checking if the page redirects to the correct page or displays the correct error message. This is an example of black box testing, which is one of the techniques used in manual testing.