The Pros and Cons of an Automatic Testing System for Python Assignment

In recent years Python has become one of the most sought-after programming languages in the world. It has been used to develop software as well as to build websites. You may be wondering what python is. Well, python can be defined as one of the many coding languages that are available. It is said to be highly interactive and object-oriented making it more readable. It uses English keywords as well as punctuations. Python language is highly preferred by many developers due to many reasons among them;

• It is highly interactive. This means that one can sit down and have a one-on-one with the interpreter directly in order to write one’s own programs
• Python is also considered object-oriented in that it has object-oriented capabilities which allow for codes within objects.
• It is also considered a beginner-friendly language where it supports the development of simple programs to the more complex ones with ease.
• Finally, when using python as a language, one does not need to compile a program before executing it. This mimics how PHP works, making it easy to use.

Developed in the late eighties and early nineties in the Netherlands, python is a result of many other programming languages like UNIX shell, C, and C++ to name but a few. It offers a wide range of features like providing an interface for all major commercial databases, it has a simple structure hence clearly defined syntax, and it is also easily integrated with other programming languages like java.

Automated testing is understood as the process through which software is checked to ascertain that it follows all the requirements and that also it is also running as it is supposed to.

This is normally done in order to give the software the go-ahead to be produced. Automated software can also be used for applications, products, or even websites. Regardless of what it is used to test, automated testing employs approaches that are aimed at reducing the use of manual testing. It is therefore important to note that in automatic testing there is no human interaction. The test can also be run frequently in order to increase the efficiency of the system

Not all tests can be run completely using automated methods. It is therefore paramount to identify which tests fit in the manual tests and which should use automated testing. When choosing which tests to automate, it is important to note that automation cannot perform all tasks. The role of human beings cannot also be overlooked since human beings are considered to be smarter than machines.

There are therefore several factors are to consider when determining whether to automate a system these include but not limited to:

• A test that is repetitive in nature
• Tests that are low risk and unlikely to be altered often.
• A test that is prone to suffer from human error
• A test that is thought to consume lots of time.
• Tests that are critical to the business.

There are other tests that are best left manual. This is because they are quite difficult to automate. These are tests that are characterized by constantly changing outcomes. Due to the frequency changing of the test, it becomes difficult to be automated. Tests that are one-time also do need to be automated. Tests that have developing features are also not worth being automated.

There are two main types of automatic testing. Which are functional and non-functional tests. When considering automatic testing most businesses always consider the use of python language. It is preferred since it is easy to use even for beginners.

What are the advantages of automated testing?

Time-saving

When testing automation, a lot of time is used. This is so because the process has to be repeated over time to ensure that the system works as it used to. In case of an update in the system which may happen from time to time, some features of the software may be affected hence the need to recheck again. With automation testing using a python algorithm can be created to re-run the checkups automatically. These are usually faster than using human intervention hence saving valuable time. It has also been found that automated systems run full-time whilst manual systems only when work when there is human intervention hence limited.

Elimination of human error/Increase efficiency.

There is a saying that “human is to error”. This is also true when it comes to the automation of systems. It can be presented by human beings missing key steps hence leading to system failure once it is executed. On the other hand, computers are programmed to work seamlessly hence eliminating human error that may result from human fatigue, lack of expertise, and human distractions among many others.

Cost saving

Automated systems take shorter to perform tasks. The system also requires less human labor hence saving costs. The initial cost though of setting up and running the automatic system requires a huge financial investment hence it is suitable only for big projects. The aspect of saving cost is therefore only realized in the long run.

Detects bugs more easily

When developers make updates to the software tests are run on the whole system to make sure that no functions are affected hence not working. If the tests fail then the developers get an update which helps identify the problem and rectify the same. By using python programming language developers are provided with testing tools that make it easier to detect bugs.

Better scalability

Automation of the system provides the developer with the luxury of running their tests on multiple devices, hence making it possible to test more things at once. This results in more trustworthy results

No system in the universe can be without fault. Hence the use of python for automatic testing systems also has some demerits. These include;

Complexity

The use of automatic systems has been found to be more complex compared to manual automation. This is because automatic testing requires specialized skills like programming language (python) and also knowledge. These skills help in writing the scripts used in running the automatic testing system. This also makes it a reserve for a few people with the required set of skills. The good thing though is, that these can skill can be learned and perfected with regular practice.

Incompatibility

There are tests that require manual testing. For instance, when developing new software, the technicians have to test their workability manually in order to identify the result that should be expected. The gotten results are then used to form a baseline for the said software once it is automated. Also, when testing the aspect of a software’s user-friendliness a manual test has to be run to get the human feel of the software. This shows that in some cases the automatic testing is limited and requires the intervention of a manual system.

Higher maintenance cost and time

The initial cost of setting up the automated tests is generally higher. The tests also require maintenance from time to time. Failure to do so could result in wrong results. This may present an extra cost to any business.

Conclusion

Previously system testers were required to learn complex programming languages in order to carry out software testing, but not anymore. With the development of the python language, things were made easier. This is so because as discussed python language is easier to learn and offers better features when it comes to testing automated systems. An automatic testing system as shown above has more merits than demerits hence where feasibility studies have been conducted and found more preferred, then the business or even institutions should not hesitate to use the same.