The use of software to control the execution of tests, the comparison of actual outcomes to predicted outcomes, the setting up of test preconditions and other test control and test reporting functions.
[Source: BCS]
Comment
In any environment where tests have to be repeated more than once, automated tests are almost always more cost effective than manual tests. For example
regression testing suites are usually good candidates for automation. Automated tests run much more quickly than manual tests, and with a much greater reliability (there are no typos when you use a computer to do direct data entry). In addition, the repeatable nature of
testing automation enables developers to reproduce faults more quickly and easily.
