Software Testing: Manual vs Automated

Software Testing, as described in Wikipedia, is the process of validating and verifying that a software program/application/product meets the business and technical requirements that guided its design and development; works as expected; and can be implemented with the same characteristics.

Software Testing is incorporated in many software-making industries to guarantee the market that the products being offered to them are effective, safe and of standard.

There are two major approaches if software testing. One is manual where a person is hired to execute or try out the product in different possible ways/ scenarios a customer will use it. Another approach is the automated where the company acquires an external or third-party tool which will execute a pre-set of steps or scenarios a customer will use it.

What do you think is the best approach in software testing? I will cite below the advantages and disadvantages of both testing approaches and you decide which is the best.

One major advantage of manual testing is this: Since a person thinks, therefore, the tester will find ways and means on how to best explore the product aside from the pre-set ways presented to him/her. In short, a person can do exploratory or monkey testing.

On the other hand, its disadvantage is this: Time consumption. The efficiency of the testing method depends on the tester. Efficiency varies from one tester to another. Compared to a machine, the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing is consistent. Thus, it is safe to say that manual testing is slower than automated.

Let's now move on to the automated. One major advantage of the automation is this: Efficiency. Since automation incorporates machines/ tools in which steps to execute are pre-set/ programmed, one click of the button provides the result efficiently. No matter how many times will you execute the steps, you are sure it will only yield the same result, as compared to manual where testing results vary due to external factors like erroneous data input, etc.

On the other hand, it's disadvantage is this: No human insight. During automated testing, the machine only executes what the conditions of the pre-set steps are. It has no capacity to think outside of the pre-set steps and do exploratory or monkey testing.

As you can see, advantages of the two testing approaches cancels out the cited disadvantages, bringing the best of both approaches when combined. Thus, the best approach is to incorporate the two software testing approaches. Why pick just one when you can have both!

What it's like to be a Skywalker

It's good to try something extreme once in your lifetime. You might never know what the adventure brings unless you try it. Despite having fear of heights, this doesn't stop me from trying the amazing sky walk adventure!

It was a cloudy day and local news reported a low pressure in the area, but that did not stop us from our much awaited sky walk adventure.

Crown Regency Hotel and Tower is said to be the tallest building in all of Cebu -- with its 38-storey, you get to see the whole of it with your naked eye (almost). Paying around $15 for the tickets (1 for the entrance and 1 for the sky walk), we started ascending the 19th floor where we gave the ticket for the entrance and were then ushered to the 37th floor where the sky walk adventure awaits.

Sky walkers (that's us) were asked to sign a waiver before anything else. We were also asked to remove all jeweleries, accessories and the like. They got this numbered scanner-locker where you get to put all your belongings safely. Upon giving the remaining ticket, we were then ushered to the dressing area. Orange jumpsuits were hanging on a rack and so with white pairs of sneakers. It reminded us of those astronauts from the movie Armageddon. For sky walkers who were wearing slippers (that's me), I was asked to buy a pair of socks which costs me less than a dollar. I then get to wear those white sneakers.

Wearing the harness started me sweating. Indeed, a heavy piece of rope and metal combine. Another set of instructions were given after we settled with our harness. One of which is the "no pushing" policy which makes a lot of sense.

Anticipation rose higher when we stepped on the edge of the building and started our sky walk adventure. Some of my buddies went shouting, just to release the tension and nervousness. Cold wind whipped my hair and face. I was even shaking a little -- it's as if the wind is knocking me off. But all of which vanished when we saw the view below. It was tremendously amazing -- coastline, buildings, houses, streets, cars, mountains... everything! We even got to witnessed a fire from one of the building down the area where thick, black smoke started rising and fire trucks pushing through the traffic.

The entire walk around the building's edge was an amazing experience. We were even goofing around while their official photographer was taking pictures on us. Every penny was worth it. The experience was concluded with a huge bite of sandwich down at their snack bar.

I Want Variety

For almost a month now, my life has been a routine -- boring. It seems that everything I do is actually a repitition of the previous day. I can feel myself stuck in a wheel like a guinea pig -- always running and running and running, infinitely. Can you just imagine being stuck in a situation like this? It feels like your about to blow your head out because of too much pressure, pressure on actually doing nothing NEW! A small variety is all I ask.

I cannot believe that some people cannot get the idea of variety and flexibility. All they want is permanence and routine. I know that we also need some organization, but I also believe that despite being organized, you can make a variety out of it. I know it sounds contradictory, ironic in a sense. Yes, a variety in the organization -- spice of a sort.

Confused? Don't be. Just imagine doing the routinary things you do, but with a little spice. A good example of which is... instead of walking on the usual side of the road, you can opt for the road less travel, perhaps?... It's all up to you. The point here is having some kind of variety, spice, and color amidst the mundane.

I can feel your eyebrows rising. It's ok, I'm used to getting that kind of reaction. :D You can call me weird or eccentric, if you like, so long as I am happy living my life. As of this moment, for me to be happy, I want variety!

How about you, what do you want?

What Happened to the Past Two Months?

What? No message or post for the month of November? Yeah, I'm sorry for being not up-to-date with my blog. Actually, I've been very engrossed with reading the Twilight Saga books, and I just lost my time. It was really engrossing to the point that I sometimes mixed events and/or information of the real world and the fantasy world created by the author, Stephanie Meyer. It was really great! You should try reading it yourself and just see what I mean... ;)

By the way, Christmas is really very near (around 8 more days to go?) and the chill is in the air. Speaking of the holiday season, I bet you're really stressed out with all the party preparations and the party itself -- gift buying, clothes buying, food buying and all the buying thing. :D No worries my dear because everything is really paid off already. How? Well, the laughter and memories and how you were able to make somebody's day great... That's how it's all being paid off. With the season coming, it's really nice when you can spend it with someone special... :)

Enough for my chatter! Hope you like my little input here... Off I go!

Weird: Online divorcee jailed after killing virtual hubby

I came across this piece of article when I opened www.yahoo.com and the title just caught my attention so I read on...

By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press

TOKYO: A 43-year-old Japanese woman whose sudden divorce in a virtual game world made her so angry that she killed her online husband's digital persona has been arrested on suspicion of hacking, police said Thursday.

The woman, who is jailed on suspicion of illegally accessing a computer and manipulating electronic data, used his identification and password to log onto popular interactive game "Maple Story" to carry out the virtual murder in mid-May, a police official in northern Sapporo said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.

"I was suddenly divorced, without a word of warning. That made me so angry," the official quoted her as telling investigators and admitting the allegations.

The woman had not plotted any revenge in the real world, the official said.

She has not yet been formally charged, but if convicted could face a prison term of up to five years or a fine up to $5,000.

Players in "Maple Story" raise and manipulate digital images called "avatars" that represent themselves, while engaging in relationships, social activities and fighting against monsters and other obstacles.

The woman used login information she got from the 33-year-old office worker when their characters were happily married, and killed the character. The man complained to police when he discovered that his beloved online avatar was dead.

All along, I thought the player was prisoned for killing an avatar in an online game... which is really weird 'coz I never heard such law in online games. But as I read on, it was because of hacking that made her go to jail.

Over all, it was a pretty interesting read. The strategy on presenting the article was really effective. What do you think?

A Woman's Worth

The Hebrew Talmud says: "Be very careful if you make a woman cry because God counts her tears. Every tear a woman shed is equivalent of man's sacrifices in life. The woman came from a man's rib, not on his feet to be stepped on; not on his head to be superior, but on his side to be equal; under his arms to be protected and near his heart to be loved."

Wow! I received this text message today and even though my day was not good because of a terrible argument earlier this morning, it really made my day! I heard this before, but it was only now that it really went straight to my heart. It's probably because I am a bit older now and see things in a different manner? Probably...

Anyways, have you had any text messages where it brightened your day or had affected you in any way? Mind if you make a sharing? Thanks!

Sexual Six: the Six Health Benefits of Sex

Sex is everywhere -- from advertisements to the mode of dressing, even in music. I mean, it's part of life and even as early as tweens, they already now the existence of sex. Due to this fact, did you know that there are some people who are actually against sex? Well, for all our information, sex is not that all evil. In fact, sex has it's own health benefits. One of which is greater immune system. Curious, eh? Just click on the link to find out more.

Sexual Six: the Six Health Benefits of Sex

This article is really educating -- more of an eye-opener. Read on... you'll see! ;)