Introduction to Software Testing

Posted: Oct/08/2009 By: Guru Points:15 Category: Testing - Manual Testing Views:130 Vote Up (0) Vote Down (0)

This article will provide a brief introduction and overview of software testing, discuss both manual and automated testing, and introduce the concept of blended testing. It is intended as a brief primer on the software testing process.
Software testing is both a discipline and a process. Though software testing is part of the software development process, it should not be considered part of software development. It is a separate discipline from software development. Software development is the process of coding functionality to meet defined end-user needs. Software testing is an iterative process of both validating functionality, and, even more important, attempting to break the software. The iterative process of software testing consists of:

Designing tests
Executing tests
Identifying problems
Getting problems fixed

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Test Plan Introduction

A test plan is a systematic approach to testing a system such as a machine or software. The plan typically contains a detailed understanding of what the eventual workflow will be.

Testing Without a Formal Test Plan

A formal test plan is a document that provides and records important information about a test project, for example:

project and quality assumptions
project background information
resources
schedule & timeline
entry and exit criteria
test milestones
tests to be performed
use cases and/or test cases

What is Localization Testing?

Localization (L10N) is the process of customizing a software application that was originally designed for a domestic market so that it can be released in foreign markets. This process involves translating all native language strings to the target language and customizing the GUI so that it is appropriate for the target market. Depending on the size and complexity of the software, localization can range from a simple process involving a small team of translators, linguists, desktop publishers and engineers to a complex process requiring a Localization Project Manager directing a team of a hundred specialists. Localization is usually done using some combination of in-house resources, independent contractors and full-scope services of a localization company.

What is Agile Testing?

Agile software development is a conceptual framework for software engineering that promotes development iterations throughout the life-cycle of the project.
There are many agile development methods; most minimize risk by developing software in short amounts of time. Software developed during one unit of time is referred to as an iteration, which may last from one to four weeks. Each iteration is an entire software project: including planning, requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, and documentation. An iteration may not add enough functionality to warrant releasing the product to market but the goal is to have an available release (without bugs) at the end of each iteration. At the end of each iteration, the team re-evaluates project priorities.

Globalization Testing

The goal of globalization testing is to detect potential problems in application design that could inhibit globalization. It makes sure that the code can handle all international support without breaking functionality that would cause either data loss or display problems. Globalization testing checks proper functionality of the product with any of the culture/locale settings using every type of international input possible.

Internationalization Testing

In I18N testing, first step is to identify all the textual information in the system. This includes all the text present on the application's GUI, any text/messages that application is producing including error message/warning and help/documentation etc. Main focus of the I18N testing is not to find functional defects, but to make sure that product is ready for the global market. As in other non functional testing it is assumed that functional testing has been completed and all the functionality related defects are identified and removed.

I18N testing can be divided in to two parts. First, to make sure that application's GUI or functionality will not be broken with the translated text. Second to make sure that translation of all the strings have happened properly. This activity is called Translation Verification Testing and is normally conducted by person who knows the language very well.

Steps for Manual testing

A manual tester would typically perform the following steps for manual testing:

Understand the functionality of program
Prepare a test environment
Execute test case(s) manually
Verify the actual result
Record the result as Pass or Fail
Make a summary report of the Pass and Fail test cases
Publish the report
Record any new defects uncovered during the test case execution

Functional Testing Definition

In this type of testing, the software is tested for the functional requirements. The tests are written in order to check if the application behaves as expected. Although functional testing is often done toward the end of the development cycle, it can-and should, -be started much earlier. Individual components and processes can be tested early on, even before it's possible to do functional testing on the entire system. Functional testing covers how well the system executes the functions it is supposed to execute-including user commands, data manipulation, searches and business processes, user screens, and integrations

Stress Testing Definition

The application is tested against heavy load such as complex numerical values, large number of inputs, large number of queries etc. which checks for the stress/load the applications can withstand. Stress testing deals with the quality of the application in the environment. The idea is to create an environment more demanding of the application than the application would experience under normal work loads. This is the hardest and most complex category of testing to accomplish and it requires a joint effort from all teams. A test environment is established with many testing stations. At each station, a script is exercising the system.

Load Testing Definition

The application is tested against heavy loads or inputs such as testing of web sites in order to find out at what point the web-site/application fails or at what point its performance degrades. Load testing operates at a predefined load level, usually the highest load that the system can accept while still functioning properly. Note that load testing does not aim to break the system by overwhelming it, but instead tries to keep the system constantly humming like a well-oiled machine.In the context of load testing, extreme importance should be given of having large datasets available for testing.