In automation, what is the main advantage of modular test design?

The main advantage of modular test design lies in its ability to reduce maintenance effort. When tests are designed in a modular way, they are broken down into smaller, reusable components or modules. This structure allows for more straightforward updates and changes, as modifications can often be made within individual modules without requiring a complete overhaul of an entire test suite.

For example, if a particular functionality changes in the application being tested, only the relevant module needs to be updated, rather than having to revise every test that touches on that functionality. This aspect significantly cuts down on the time and effort required for maintenance, making the test suites more sustainable in the long term. Furthermore, if a module is functioning correctly and hasn’t changed, it can remain untouched, keeping the integrity of the tests intact while reducing the risk of introducing new errors.

While increasing test execution speed, limiting test scope, or eliminating the need for assertions could have their own benefits, they are not the primary advantages of modular test design. The true strength of this approach lies in its focus on maintainability, which is crucial in ever-evolving software development environments.