Software Testing- Fundamentals

QA-Santosh Sonawane

Software Testing- Fundamentals

What is Software Testing:

Software testing is a process of evaluating a software application or system to detect any discrepancies between expected and actual results. It involves verifying that the software behaves as intended, meets specified requirements, and is free of defects or bugs. The primary goal of software testing is to ensure the quality, reliability, and correctness of the software.

Type Of Testing :-

Unit Testing: Testing individual components or modules of the software to ensure each works correctly in isolation.

Integration Testing: Testing the interaction between different components/modules to ensure they work together as expected.

System Testing: Testing the entire software system as a whole to verify that it meets specified requirements.

Acceptance Testing: Testing to determine whether the software meets the user's requirements and is accepted for delivery.

Regression Testing: Testing to ensure that changes or updates to the software haven't introduced new defects or broken existing functionality.

Performance Testing: Testing to evaluate the software's performance under various conditions, such as load, stress, and scalability.

Security Testing: Testing to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the software that could be exploited by attackers.

Usability Testing: Testing to evaluate the software's user interface and user experience to ensure it is intuitive and easy to use.

Compatibility Testing: Testing to ensure that the software functions correctly across different platforms, devices, and environments.

Smoke Testing: A quick, preliminary test to determine whether the basic functionalities of the software are working properly before more extensive testing is carried out.

Exploratory Testing: Testing where testers explore the software without predefined test cases, allowing them to uncover unexpected issues and defects.

Alpha Testing: Testing performed by a limited number of end-users before the software is released to the general public.

Beta Testing: Testing performed by a larger group of end-users in a real-world environment to gather feedback and identify any remaining issues before the official release.

A/B Testing: Testing where two versions of the software are compared to determine which performs better in terms of user engagement, conversions, etc.

Different Type Of STLC:-

Waterfall STLC: This follows a linear sequential flow, where each phase must be completed before the next one begins. In this approach, testing typically occurs after the development phase is completed.

V-Model STLC: This model correlates to the waterfall model but emphasizes a corresponding testing phase for each development stage. For instance, unit testing is associated with the module development stage, and acceptance testing corresponds with the requirements phase.

Agile STLC: In Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban, testing is integrated throughout the development process rather than being a separate phase. Testing activities are conducted iteratively in short cycles, with continuous feedback and adaptation.

Spiral STLC: This model combines elements of the waterfall model with iterative development. It involves multiple cycles of development and testing, with each cycle adding new features or refining existing ones based on feedback and evaluation.

Incremental STLC: Similar to Agile, this approach involves incremental development and testing of the software in smaller, manageable increments. Each increment adds new functionality and undergoes testing before integration with previous increments.

Difference between Waterfall model to Agile

FeatureWaterfallAgile
Development ApproachSequentialIterative and Incremental
Flexibility and AdaptabilityLess flexible, less adaptableHighly adaptable and flexible
Customer InvolvementLimited involvement, mostly at the beginning and endClose collaboration throughout the project
Risk ManagementHigher risk due to inflexibilityMitigates risk through iterative development and regular feedback