what is manual testing, Benefits and drawbacks of manual testing?

MANUAL TESTING:

1. Manual testing is a software testing process in which test cases are executed manually without using any automated tool. All test cases are executed by the tester manually according to the end user's perspective. It ensures whether the application is working, as mentioned in the requirement document or not. Test cases are planned and implemented to complete almost 100 percent of the software application. Test case reports are also generated manually.

2. Manual Testing is one of the most fundamental testing processes as it can find both visible and hidden defects of the software. The difference between the expected output and the output, given by the software, is defined as a defect. The developer fixed the defects and handed it to the tester for retesting.

3. Manual testing is mandatory for every newly developed software before automated testing. This testing requires great effort 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.

WHY WE NEED MANUAL TESTING:

Whenever an application comes into the market, and it is unstable or has a bug or issues or creates a problem while end-users are using it.

If we don't want to face these kinds of problems, we need to perform one round of testing to make the application bug-free and stable and deliver a quality product to the client, because if the application is bug-free, the end-user will use the application more conveniently.

If the test engineer does manual testing, he/she can test the application from an end-user perspective and get more familiar with the product, which helps them to write the correct test cases of the application and give quick feedback on the application.

TYPES OF MANUAL TESTING:

White Box Testing
Black Box Testing
Gray Box Testing

WHITE BOX TESTING:

The white box testing is done by the Developer, who checks every line of code before giving it to the Test Engineer. Since the code is visible to the Developer during the testing, that's why it is also known as White box testing.

BLACK BOX TESTING:

The black box testing is done by the Test Engineer, who can check the functionality of an application or the software according to the customer /client's needs. In this, the code is not visible while performing the testing; that's why it is known as black-box testing.

GRAY BOX TESTING:

Gray box testing is a combination of white box and Black box testing. It can be performed by a person who knew both coding and testing. And if a single person performs white box, as well as black-box testing for the application, is known as Gray box testing.

ADVANTAGE OF MANUAL TESTING:

1. It does not require programming knowledge while using the Black box method.
2. It is used to test dynamically changing GUI designs.
3. Tester interacts with software as a real user so that they can discover usability and user interface issues.
4. It ensures that the software is a hundred percent bug-free.
5. It is cost-effective.
6. Easy to learn for new testers.

DISADVANTAGE OF MANUAL TESTING:

1. It requires a large number of human resources.
2. It is very time-consuming.
3. Tester develops test cases based on their skills and experience. There is no evidence that they have covered all functions or not.
4. Test cases cannot be used again. Need to develop separate test cases for each new software.
5. It does not provide testing on all aspects of testing.
6. Since two teams work together, sometimes it is difficult to understand each other's motives, which can mislead the process.

EXAMPLES:

1. Jira
2. Bugzilla
3. Mantis
4. ZapNUnit
5. Tessy
6. LoadRunner
7. Citrus
8. SonarQube