Types Of Software Testing
Introduction
Every software must undergo a testing phase before it is launched in the market. This is to ensure that the software is working as intended and that there are no bugs that can cause major issues. Moreover, it is also important to test the software to see if it is compatible with the hardware it will be used on.
Different types of software testing are used to achieve these objectives. Each testing type in software engineering has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to select the right one for the project.
Here is an overview of some of the most common types of software testing.
Different Types of Software Testing
As we know, software testing is the process of verifying the functionality of a software program. On a broader scale, there are two types of software development testing: automation and manual testing.
Manual testing types in software engineering can be further classified primarily into the white box, black box, and grey box testing. Of the three, black box testing is the most common. It focuses on the functionality of the software or the Application Under Testing (AUT) rather than the internal code structure. In black-box testing, the software’s source code is unknown to the tester. Hence, it is called black box testing.
Black box-type testing in software engineering can be further classified into functional and non-functional testing. Since these two are the most common types of software development testing when it comes to black box testing, we will discuss them in detail.
Function Testing
Functional testing, as the name suggests, is a type of black-box testing that verifies the functionality of AUT. In functional testing, test cases are designed to check if the software is working as per the requirements. In a nutshell, functional testing checks if the system under test is doing what it is supposed to do.
Types of Functional testing
There are different types of function software development testing, such as unit testing, integration testing, and system testing, based on the level at which the system is tested.
Unit Testing
Unit testing is a type of functional testing that is done at the component or module level. In unit testing, individual components or modules of the software are tested to verify that they are working as expected.
Integration Testing
Integration testing is a type of functional testing in which smaller parts are combined and tested as a whole. Integration testing aims to check if the components are working together as expected.
System Testing
System testing is a type of functional testing that checks the overall functionality of the software. In system testing, the complete system is tested to see if it meets the requirements.
Non-Functional Testing
Non-functional testing is a type of black-box testing done to check the non-functional aspects of the system. Non-functional testing includes performance, security, scalability, reliability, etc.
Types of Non-Functional Testing
Performance Testing
Performance testing aims to check if the system can handle the expected load and perform as per the requirements.
For example, an app can be tested to check whether it can handle the expected number of users and still provide the required response time.
Security Testing
The objective of security testing is to check if the system is safe from external and internal threats.
Scalability Testing
The objective of scalability testing is to check if the system can handle an increased or decreased load.
Reliability Testing
The objective of reliability testing is to check if the system can handle unexpected inputs and still perform as expected.
Other Types of Testing
In addition to the testing methods discussed above, other types of software development testing can be performed on a software system. Some of the other types of testing are discussed below:
Acceptance Testing
This is a type of testing that is done to check if the system meets the acceptance criteria. Acceptance testing is usually done by the client or customer.
Regression Testing
Regression testing is a type of testing that is done to check if the changes made to the system have not introduced any new bugs. Regression testing is usually done after the system has undergone changes such as bug fixes, new features, etc.
Smoke Testing
Smoke testing is a type of testing that is done to check if the system is stable enough to be tested. Smoke testing is usually done before starting the formal testing process.
Globalization Testing
The objective of globalization testing is to check if the system can be used in different languages and regions. It is done to ensure that the system can be used by users from different parts of the world.
Localization Testing
The objective of localization testing is to check if the system can be used in a specific language or region.
Must Read: Globalization Vs. Localization Testing
Adhoc Testing
Adhoc testing is a type of testing that is done without any formal test plan or test cases. In Adhoc testing, the tester tries to break the system by giving unexpected inputs. It is used to find hidden defects in the system.
Exploratory Testing
Exploratory testing is a type of testing in which the tester tries to learn about the system while testing it. The objective of exploratory testing is to find new bugs in the system.
Also Read: Best Practices of Exploratory Testing
Software Testing in Industries
Software testing is done in almost all industries that use the software. Some of the industries where software testing is commonly used are discussed below:
Information Technology (IT)
The IT industry is one of the largest users of software testing. Software testing is done in almost all the phases of the software development life cycle in the IT industry.
Banking
Software testing is extensively used in the banking industry. The banking industry has to deal with a lot of customer data and transactions. Hence, it is important for the banking industry to ensure that the software used by them is error-free.
Telecommunications
The telecommunications industry has to deal with a lot of data and calls. Hence, it is important for the telecommunications industry to ensure that their software can handle the load of data and calls.
Healthcare
Software testing is also done in the healthcare industry. The healthcare industry has to deal with a lot of patient data. Hence, it is important for the healthcare industry to ensure that the software used by them is highly secure against cyberattacks, runs smoothly, and is easy to use.
In addition to the industries mentioned above, software testing is also done in other industries, such as retail and manufacturing, to name a few.
Conclusion
We hope that now you have a better understanding of software testing and the different types of software testing. We discussed almost all types of testing in software testing with examples. There are several other types of software testing methods as well. As you can see, software testing is an important process that is done in almost all industries that use any kind of software for their operations.
If you need any help with software testing, please feel free to check ImpactQA. We would be happy to help you. We have a team of experienced software testers who can help you with all your software testing needs. Contact us today to get started.