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Why Not Everything Can Be Automated in Test Automation
In the world of software testing, automation is often hailed as a silver bullet, a one-stop solution to all testing woes. But here’s the truth: not everything should or can be automated.
As much as automation adds speed, reliability, and efficiency, it also has limits, especially in certain scenarios that demand human intuition and adaptability.
Let’s dive into why, despite the appeal, automation doesn’t cover everything.
1. Automation Isn’t a Substitute for Human Insight
There are some areas of testing that simply can’t be captured by a script. Exploratory testing, for example, is one such area. This type of testing is all about a tester navigating the application in real time, spotting unexpected behaviors, and uncovering potential improvements. It’s hard to predict what might pop up without actually diving into the application.
Imagine you’re using a website for the first time. You’d probably look at how the colors blend, how smooth the navigation feels, or whether the layout makes sense. These aren’t things you can automate. Even the best scripts can’t gauge user-friendliness or detect if a button’s color makes it hard to read.