How Software Applications Are Tested?

Before diving into the different aspects of testing types, investigate the quick summary of software test types. With functional testing types, you can test the various aspects of software testing in a lot of different processes. In this blog article, the eight different functional testing types are elaborated along with the discussion of when they should be used in the cycle of software development.   

In the process of software testing, functional testing is a method that can deliver great benefits in the software development process. If it is done correctly, it enhances the connection between the developers, testers, and analysts involved in the project. By examining the process of passing and failing functional tests, the progress of the project can be monitored at any time by the management. This helps in improving the speed and performance of the project because here the requirements are communicated very well resulting in the decrease of all the extra re-works. Thus, such a testing process drives the architecture that is more modular with subsystems that have very clear responsibilities.

This blog article is specifically focused on the advantages of different types of testing in software, their importance, and the requirement and time to execute them. Say, for example, a process known as smoke testing is performed on each build that is delivered to QA due to the reason that this can verify the functionality at a higher level during the process of regression testing when the bugs are being fixed each time at subsequent releases.

Sterling Technolabs provides top-quality testing and QA services that are carried out by a highly skilled and experienced team of experts who have long-term prior experience in such projects. Their highly efficient workforce implements robust testing practices. Such methods are capable enough to deliver very high-quality software. You can completely rely on them, and you can connect with them to avail of their class-leading services which they provide internationally.

Different Functional Testing Types

1.     Unit Testing

The unit testing among the different software test types makes sure that every part and parcel of the programmed codes that are developed in components are delivering the output that is expected. In the process of unit testing, the developer team mainly focuses on the interface and the specification of the components. It also provides all the documentation within the code development. This is because each unit of code is being thoroughly and deeply tested standalone before progressing to another unit.

Unit tests are used because they support functional tests. This is done by exercising the codes that are most likely to break. There is a very high chance that you may experience several smells if you use functional tests without unit tests. It is very hard to diagnose the tests that are failed. The test fixtures generally work within already known issues instead of fixing them by diagnosing.

2.     Component Testing

Component testing is basically the independent testing of a module component to verify its expected output. Usually, the component testing is carried on for the verification of the functionality and dependability of components but just restricted only to these. In this one among other testing types, a component can be anything that is taking inputs and delivering output. For example, the module of the code, web page, screens, and the system inside another bigger system are components of it.

• Testing UI for accessibility and utility

• Testing page loading time to verify performance

• To ensure security, trying SQL injection with the UI components

• With valid and invalid credentials of the users, testing the login functionality

3.     Smoke Testing

Smoke testing is the process in functional testing types that is performed upon the new builds that are given by the developer team to the QA team that works on verifying whether the basic functionalities are working properly or not. It is one of the most important aspects of functional test types. At smoke testing, the cases of the tests are chosen to cover the most crucial functionalities or components within the system. The main objective is not just to perform exhaustive testing. But along with that, it is done to verify that the critical functions within the system are working successfully.

Whenever the build can pass the process of smoke testing, then it can be considered a stable build. Upon the stable build, the QA team again performs functional testing for the features and functionalities that are added newly. After that, they perform regression testing which depends on the situation. But in case the build is unstable, which means that the smoke testing has failed in that trial. At that time, the build is rejected by the team and is further forwarded to the team of developers so that they fix all the and create a new build.   

For example, if you have built a portal acting as the application portal for your clients, managed by the employees, and you follow test types continuously, you must test each build after it is developed. Your client wants you to build a portal that contains different features like applications, reports, stores, employee data, etc.  

Firstly, the team of developers makes an application feature which is passed on to the QA team for testing. At that time, they found out that the entire build needs 80-100 cases of tests for all the seasons.

The following are the things that need to be implemented:

• Login portal

• All leave counts and types

• Date Selection

• The users must be able to fill up the information

• Sent to the manager after applying request

• The leave is approved by the manager

• Employee is notified

• Leave is deducted from the total count

• Logout function

In this test type, smoke testing comes into the picture. The team decided only to test the critical functionalities which only had 20 different cases. These test cases have covered the scenarios given below:

• Login

• Select date

• Fill in other details

• Request sent to the manager

  
  

Now you can see that you have taken only the major features to test that are critical. Say, for example, if your employee cannot select the date button, then you must understand that there is no further need for testing. In test types, this functional testing type saves a lot of time for the developers in fixing bugs.

4.     Integration Testing

Another testing type, integration testing is performed. It is carried out to test whether the modules are working properly or not, individually, and are not showing any sort of bugs or issues when the modules are integrated. It is one of the most applied functional testing types. Integration testing is performed to understand how the individual components are working.

Usually, the team of developers makes various modules of the system software simultaneously and is not focused on others. The black box and white box functional verification are extensively performed by these testing types. Commonly known as unit tests within the individual modules. These integration testing types in functional testing types, causes operational commands and data to flow in between modules. This means that these modules must work as different parts of the whole system instead of individual components. This testing type unfolds different bugs and issues, with the operations of UI, formats of data, the timing of the operation, API calls, and the access of the database and operation of the user interface.

Now take, for example, there is another project on the functionality of search on e-commerce websites. There it shows the different results that are based on the different texts used by users at different times. Here are the following four modules when the complete search function works:

• Module 1; The search box is visible on the user interface where they enter text and click the search button.

  
  

• Module 2: It works as a converter and in simple terms, the program that can convert entered text into XML.

  
  

• Module 3: This is known as the engine module which sends XML data to the database.

  
  

• Module 4: Database

In your circumstances in such functional testing types, the data that has been entered into the search function in module 1, gets converted into XML through module 2. The EN module also receives the set of results and converts them into an XML file and then it returns to the UI module which converts the results into user-readable form and displays it.

To test if the data is flowing in the correct order, integration testing is used. In this case, it is validating the XML files. The things that are tested in integration testing are:

• XML file generation

• Data correctness

• Data transfer from one to another module

  
  

5.    Interface Testing

In functional testing type, interface test type is a testing of software that verifies whether the connectivity within two separate software systems is properly functioning or not. The interface acts as a link and this link connects two different components. In the world of software, user interfaces are graphical, which are tested to make sure that the interface meets the desired specifications. This process is carried out with the use of a variety of test types.

Say for example, that the interface of your application software can accept an XML file format as an input and can return output as JSON file format. It is very important to test the interfaces of such software applications. All that is needed to test the interface of this application is to know the parameters of XML file format and JSON file format.

6.    Regression Testing

Regression testing is another very important software testing method that ensures that the application software is capable of functioning still after many changes in coding, updates, improvements, etc. It is a testing type that is responsible to ensure the overall stability and functionality of the features which are already existing. It is a functional testing type that re-runs the functional and non-functional tests to make sure that the previously developed and tested software is still performing after changes.

Take an example that your software application is a database managing tool. There are three main works of such software testing tools. Add, save, delete. Such features allow its users to input data or delete a complete row. In the new build version, an update feature is introduced so that the users have access to edit and save the changes in input.

7.    Sanity Testing

In the functional test types of application software, sanity testing is a test type where it plays the role of the subset of regression testing. Sanity testing is performed after receiving the software build to understand that the changes introduced in coding are working as per the requirements and expectations. This testing is a checkpoint to determine whether the testing for the build can proceed or not. This sanity check is a basic test to evaluate in less time the possibility of a claim whether the result of the calculation is true or not. It is done to ensure rationality.

For example, sanity checking acts as a quick check on something to observe and see if it is making sense at a basic surface level. A sanity test works as a good test in terms of speed in calculation check. If you are going to check the payment gateway function of a smartphone application, you must ensure that the taxes are computed correctly.

8.    System Testing

System testing is also known as system level tests and system integration testing also. This is a method where the evaluation is done by the QA team regarding the functioning of various components of a software application that can interact with each other within a fully integrated system or application software. System testing is a process that is conducted on a completely integrated system for evaluating the compliance of the system with its specific requirements. System testing takes as output all the components integrated and have passed integration testing.

Take an example: system testing is all about the testing of the whole product build to see if it is working in a proper manner or not. Data migration is done to make sure that the system software can be moved from the prior infrastructure of the system to the latest updated infrastructure of the system without any bugs and issues.

Conclusion

To conclude about functional testing types, you must know that at Sterling Technolabs, they give importance to the test types which play very crucial roles in delivering the client’s requirements in terms of customer needs into the software applications which meet the requirements of their client’s businesses. Releasing software applications through rigorous testing in a series of different methods ensures that users use the apps to their full potential. Without testing, users will face serious consequences for sure. But the experienced and talented team in Sterling Technolabs takes care of the fact that they are delivering quality software products. So, you can get in touch with them to develop your own software application for your business.