There is a lot of scope in both the software development and test
automation domain. Of these two highly efficient platforms, if one needs to be
decided that may have a better future than the other can prove to be quite
tricky. The reason being the corporate world, especially dealing with IT
projects has seen a tremendous shift in the way businesses, projects and
technologies work. Today, there are a plethora of technologies available
through which a software development project can be easily completed. To test
the product or application, the powerful platform of test automation is used,
so that a bug-free and fully functional product can be delivered. In this
example, you will get to know the pros and cons of both software development
and test automation, which, in turn, helps you to decide as to which one is
better.
Following
is a comparative study of software development and test automation:
1.
Software development:
Pros:
·
A Broader scope
of work: The software that is being developed reaches a vast
audience, who will eventually use it based on their needs. On the contrary,
work related to test automation can only be allotted to the assigned members of
an organization.
· The value is
directly linked with experience: There are a huge lot of jobs all around
the globe for experienced software developers with some of the best pay
packages. You only have to struggle till you get a decent amount of experience.
Cons:
·
It can be
stressful: Developing software from scratch is not an easy task. You
need to have an in-depth practical knowledge of certain specific technologies
along with excellent logical skills. You will have to use your skills time and
again and stretch them at times to obtain feasible results. A developer needs
to work under a tight timeframe as there is constant pressure to deliver.
·
It is difficult
to get an entry-level job: There are many organizations that look out for
experienced developers as they do not have to train them again on specific
aspects of technology and project development. The times have changed, and now
the situation is such that many organizations are coming forward and recruiting
freshers, provided they have a decent academic track record coupled with good
programming and analytical skills.
2.
Test Automation:
Pros:
·
Continual work: There is
generally a notion that once specific testing activities are automated, then
there is no more work to do. But, that’s not the case as the specific testing
activity that is being automated will be growing/changing constantly. This
means the test automation engineer needs to work on a continual basis and thus
monitor and track the progress of automation activities regularly.
· Huge demand: The current
era of technological advancement is witnessing a steady ongoing demand for
software testing. Test automation is a prominent and highly productive
component of software testing. With the inclusion of agile, test automation is
gaining even more popularity and thus the demand is increasing.
Cons:
· Insecurity
about job security: Test automation is a highly sophisticated job
that has its own unique value and rewards. But, unlike, software development
where there is a constant demand for developing software products or
applications, test automation platforms can only be used in certain projects
and that too depending upon the project scope, budget constraints and
expertise.
·
It is a
thankless job: if you are performing test automation activities seamlessly,
then issues are being detected and fixed at the earliest with greater accuracy.
Automation testing is important, but, there is not much appreciation involved in
it. Finally, whatever the scenario, if the project needs the implementation of
test automation, then it better needs to be implemented in a planned manner and
thus expect optimal testing results.
Conclusion: If you are looking forward to
implementing software testing for your project, then do get connected with a
top-notch software testing services company that will provide you with a
comprehensive testing roadmap that is precisely in line with your project
specific requirements.