Software Testing is a method to check whether the actual software product matches expected requirements and to ensure that the software product is Defect free. It involves the execution of software/system components using manual or automated tools to evaluate one or more properties of interest. The purpose of software testing is to identify errors, gaps, or missing requirements in contrast to actual requirements.
Some prefer saying Software testing definition as a White Box and Black Box Testing. In simple terms, Software Testing means the Verification of Application Under Test (AUT). This Software Testing course introduces testing software to the audience and justifies the importance of software testing.
Software Testing is Important
Software Testing is Important because if there are any bugs or errors in the software, they can be identified early and can be solved before delivery of the software product. Properly tested software product ensures reliability, security, and high performance which further results in time-saving, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.
Testing is important because software bugs could be expensive or even dangerous. Software bugs can potentially cause monetary and human loss, and history is full of such examples.
In April 2015, Bloomberg terminal in London crashed due to a software glitch that affected more than 300,000 traders on financial markets. It forced the government to postpone a 3bn pound debt sale.
Nissan cars recalled over 1 million cars from the market due to software failure in the airbag sensory detectors. There has been reported two accident due to this software failure.
Starbucks was forced to close about 60 percent of stores in the U.S and Canada due to software failure in its POS system. At one point, the store served coffee for free as they were unable to process the transaction.
Some of Amazon’s third-party retailers saw their product price is reduced to 1p due to a software glitch. They were left with heavy losses.
Vulnerability in Windows 10. This bug enables users to escape from security sandboxes through a flaw in the win32k system.
In 2015 fighter plane F-35 fell victim to a software bug, making it unable to detect targets correctly.
China Airlines Airbus A300 crashed due to a software bug on April 26, 1994, killing 264 innocents live
In 1985, Canada’s Thorac-25 radiation therapy machine malfunctioned due to a software bug and delivered lethal radiation doses to patients, leaving 3 people dead and critically injuring 3 others.
In April of 1999, a software bug caused the failure of a $1.2 billion military satellite launch, the costliest accident in history
In May of 1996, a software bug caused the bank accounts of 823 customers of a major U.S. bank to be credited with 920 million US dollars.
Skills Required
Regardless of how you prepare for a software testing career, here are the skills you should have or plan to develop:
Create and document automated and manual test plans and procedures, execute tests, analyze results, and report test problems and bugs.
Perform software testing in all phases of the design-develop-test-release-maintain software life cycle
Understand various development methodologies, such as Agile and Scrum
Possess thorough knowledge of several testing tools
Be fluent in UNIX, Linux, and/or Windows, as well as scripting and command-line tools
Be an excellent communicator
Software Testing
Here are the benefits of using software testing:
Cost-Effective: It is one of the important advantages of software testing. Testing any IT project on time helps you to save your money for the long term. In case if the bugs are caught in the earlier stage of software testing, it costs less to fix.
Security: It is the most vulnerable and sensitive benefit of software testing. People are looking for trusted products. It helps in removing risks and problems earlier.
Product quality: It is an essential requirement of any software product. Testing ensures a quality product is delivered to customers.
Customer Satisfaction: The main aim of any product is to give satisfaction to its customers. UI/UX Testing ensures the best user experience.
Testing Strategies in Software Engineering
Here are important strategies in software engineering:
Unit Testing: This software testing basic approach is followed by the programmer to test the unit of the program. It helps developers to know whether the individual unit of the code is working properly or not.
Integration testing: It focuses on the construction and design of the software. You need to see whether the integrated units are working without errors or not.
System testing: In this method, your software is compiled as a whole and then tested as a whole. This testing strategy checks the functionality, security, portability, amongst others.
Program Testing
Program Testing in software checking out is a method of executing actual software to check out program behavior and find errors. The software is completed with taking a look at case records to analyze this system behavior or reaction to the take a look at the information. An amazing software testing has a high chance of finding bugs.