In today's world, we rely on a variety of technologies that must function flawlessly. The key to their reliability and security lies in one of the most important processes - automated testing. This is a method of software testing where test scenarios are executed automatically using specialised tools to detect defects and ensure compliance with requirements.

We can make mistakes, get tired, and forget to check something important. Automated tests don't sleep, don't get tired, and check every last "pixel." It's like having your own perfectionist robot that monitors the quality of your product with obsessive diligence.

According to various software development studies, the cost of fixing defects increases exponentially as you progress through the development lifecycle.

In other words, the later you find an error, the more expensive it will be for you. Automated tests allow you to identify problems at an early stage, saving you money and stress. You reduce the time spent on testing, and the number of errors in production, which in turn reduces the cost of bug fixing. As your project grows and evolves, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain quality through manual testing. Automated tests are easily scalable to any volume, ensuring stability and quality even under the most challenging conditions.

"Automated testing doesn't replace manual testing, but it enhances it by allowing you to cover more scenarios in less time," writes Lisa Crispin in her book Agile Testing.

Think about the most mundane things in our lives: when you order food at Delicatessen or a pizza through a mobile app, all you have to do is tap the screen, but behind this simplicity lies a complex system where automated tests help ensure that your order is fulfilled. From the correct price of a cappuccino to the correct calculation of bonus points, every element, every click, and every order goes through a series of checks before it reaches you.

This helps to avoid potential issues and ensures a high level of service. When we make bank transactions, book appointments with doctors, or purchase items online, automation testing ensures reliability and security in each of these areas.

Let's delve deeper into the world of automation testing. Behind the beautiful reports and quick checks lies an entire ecosystem of different tools and approaches. Each "brick" is responsible for its own part of the work, and together they guarantee quality.

The main types of testing are:

• Unit tests are the smallest and fastest tests that check individual modules or functions of code.
• UI tests check the user interface, usability, and display of elements.
• API tests check the interaction between system components through APIs.
• Regression tests are repeated tests to check if the existing functionality has broken after changes have been made.
• Stress tests - testing the system under extreme load to identify its limits.

These and other types of tests form a comprehensive ecosystem that helps developers and testers ensure the maximum quality of software.

Automation of testing appears to be an ideal solution, but any technology carries with it difficulties. Auto-tests do not replace the critical thinking of experienced specialists, but complement it.

It is important to test the most critical areas of code. Full automation is a myth, because it is impossible to cover absolutely all possible scenarios. As Martin Fowler wrote in the book Refactoring:

“Focus on testing those areas where the probability of an error is the highest and the consequences are the most serious.”

Automated tests have great potential, but their effectiveness depends on the level of trust in the team. If tests are difficult to interpret or they miss errors, the trust in them decreases.

• Setting up CI/CD: the results of automated tests should be available to all project members.
• Regular updates to tests: code and tests should evolve together.
• Feedback from the team: testers and developers should discuss bugs and improve test coverage.

The "pesticide paradox" applies to testing as well: if tests use the same scenarios repeatedly, they become less effective. It is important to regularly update test cases and testing methods.

Automation testing is not the end, but a new stage in product development.

This is an opportunity to evolve from routine checks to creative solutions. However, success requires careful planning and constant monitoring. Only a balanced approach to automation can transform the development culture into a more agile and results-oriented one.