Why should you consider 8 Types of Testing?

Software testing methodologies are in fact different approaches to testing, including procedures like unit testing, system testing and much more. So far as the methods of software evaluation are concerned, there is no formally recognized body present, and there is hardly any uniform set of definitions. However, there are certain common categories of testing. Before we learn about them, it is good to take a look at the five elements that are essential for software testing.

The five necessary things for software evaluation

• Test strategy: This is important for guiding you on the categories of evaluation that should be conducted, the sequence for performing as well as executing them, along with the optimal effort that needs to be put into every evaluation for deriving maximum effectiveness. An ideal strategy is usually based on the major requirements or information regarding what is significant to the clients.
• Evaluation plan: It involves the testing tasks, dealing with who will be conducting which tasks, along with the starting and ending time as well as the effort required. The plan provides a comprehensive list of the evaluation requisites, including the preparation done during each testing phase.
• Test cases: These are designed depending upon the strategy which confirms the amount of each evaluation that should be done. The development of the cases is based on the prioritized requirements along with the software's acceptance criteria. The quality and risk assessment parameters are also kept in mind.
• Test data: Along with the steps for test case execution, you are also required to systematically arrive at the test data to be used. This might often incorporate sets of product orders, addresses or names, or any other information the system leverages. Development of valuation data is usually carried out along with development of test case.
• Test Environment: The evaluation process definitely calls for the right place and the right equipment. Evaluation environments might be scaled down editions of the real scenario, but every part is required to be present so that the system can run efficiently.

Kinds of software testing to be considered

Considering the five essentials of software testing, let us now take a look at the different kinds of evaluation that can be taken into account. Broadly the process can be divided into two categories: Manual Testing and Automation Testing.

Manual testing involves evaluating the software without any kind of automated tool or script. The tester assumes the role of the end-user and evaluates the software for identification of any unanticipated bug or behavior. On the other hand, in automation testing, the evaluator composes script and makes use of another software to test the software in question. This procedure is often utilized to re-run the evaluation scenarios that were done manually, repeatedly as well as quickly.

Apart from these broad types, the process of software evaluation may also be categorized into the following major types:

• Black Box Testing: These evaluation procedures are based on functionality as well as requirements and not on the knowledge of coding or internal design.
• White Box Testing: This depends on the knowledge of internal logic pertaining to an application's code. The evaluations revolve around coverage of code statements, conditions, paths as well as branches.
• Unit Testing: This is in fact 'micro' scale of evaluation involving particular code modules or functions. The programmer and not the tester usually does this, as it calls for extensive knowledge regarding the internal program, code and design.
• Functional Testing: This category revolves around functional essentials of an application, and should be carried out by certified software testers.
• Integration Testing: Herein the combined components of an application are evaluated to determine whether they are functioning in unison appropriately. The components may be individual applications, code modules, server and client applications across a network, and so on.
• System Testing: Based on the requirement specifications as a whole, this procedure takes into account all of a system's combined components.
• Load Testing: This involves evaluating an application by subjecting it to heavy load, for instance, checking a website against load ranges for finding out under what condition the response time of the system fails or degrades.
• Usability Testing: Carried out to determine the 'user-friendliness', this subjective procedure depends on the client or end-user.

All these categories have one common aim- to ensure that the software runs effectively and renders the desired output. When all the five testing essentials are in place, the different evaluation types can be leveraged appropriately leading to organizational success.

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