In my experience, knowing how to code makes you a better tester. First of all,it adds value to the overall product by being able to run the same tests overand over again after the first automation effort is done. Secondly, it gives youa better understanding on how the implementation works and you can find new waysto break it. Last but not least, it frees you to do more exploratory testinginstead of spending time redoing the same scenarios over and over again