Dynamic

Ad Hoc Testing vs Automated Testing

Developers should use ad hoc testing during early development phases, after bug fixes, or when rapid feedback is needed, as it helps uncover unexpected issues and usability problems meets developers should learn and use automated testing to improve software reliability, reduce manual testing effort, and enable faster release cycles, particularly in agile or devops environments. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

Ad Hoc Testing

Developers should use ad hoc testing during early development phases, after bug fixes, or when rapid feedback is needed, as it helps uncover unexpected issues and usability problems

Ad Hoc Testing

Nice Pick

Developers should use ad hoc testing during early development phases, after bug fixes, or when rapid feedback is needed, as it helps uncover unexpected issues and usability problems

Pros

  • +It's particularly valuable for exploratory testing to understand application behavior, complementing formal testing methods like unit or integration tests
  • +Related to: exploratory-testing, manual-testing

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Automated Testing

Developers should learn and use automated testing to improve software reliability, reduce manual testing effort, and enable faster release cycles, particularly in agile or DevOps environments

Pros

  • +It is essential for regression testing, where existing functionality must be verified after code changes, and for complex systems where manual testing is time-consuming or error-prone
  • +Related to: unit-testing, integration-testing

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Ad Hoc Testing if: You want it's particularly valuable for exploratory testing to understand application behavior, complementing formal testing methods like unit or integration tests and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Automated Testing if: You prioritize it is essential for regression testing, where existing functionality must be verified after code changes, and for complex systems where manual testing is time-consuming or error-prone over what Ad Hoc Testing offers.

🧊
The Bottom Line
Ad Hoc Testing wins

Developers should use ad hoc testing during early development phases, after bug fixes, or when rapid feedback is needed, as it helps uncover unexpected issues and usability problems

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev