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Limits of Fully Automated Testing

publish date: 2026/06/16 21:34:58.450151 UTC

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Testing can never be completely automated. Which of the following represent limitations of automated testing? Select all that apply.

Automated tests cannot check that a program does not have unanticipated side effects

It is practically impossible to use automated testing for systems that depend on how things look, such as GUIs

Automated tests require too much hardware to run effectively

Automated tests cannot run without an internet connection

Automated tests can only check that a program does what it is supposed to do

Correct Answer

(1) Automated tests can only check that a program does what it is supposed to do

(2) It is practically impossible to use automated testing for systems that depend on how things look, such as GUIs

(3) Automated tests cannot check that a program does not have unanticipated side effects

Explanation

Automated tests are limited in three key ways: they can only verify expected behavior (not detect unanticipated issues), they are impractical for visually-dependent systems like GUIs, and they cannot detect unanticipated side effects. Human judgment is required for these aspects of testing.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition

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