Different Types of Testing

This article explains about different testing types Unit Test. System Test, Integration Test, Functional Test, Performance Test, Beta Test and Acceptance Test.

Introduction:

The development process involves various types of testing. Each test type addresses a specific testing requirement. The most common types of testing involved in the development process are:

• Unit Test.
• System Test
• Integration Test
• Functional Test
• Performance Test
• Beta Test
• Acceptance Test.

Unit Test – The first test in the development process is the unit test. The source code is normally divided into modules, which in turn are divided into smaller units called units. These units have specific behavior. The test done on these units of code is called unit test. Unit test depends upon the language on which the project is developed. Unit tests ensure that each unique path of the project performs accurately to the documented specifications and contains clearly defined inputs and expected results.

System Test – Several modules constitute a project. If the project is long-term project, several developers write the modules. Once all the modules are integrated, several errors may arise. The testing done at this stage is called system test.

System testing ensures that the entire integrated software system meets requirements. It tests a configuration to ensure known and predictable results. System testing is based on process descriptions and flows, emphasizing pre-driven process links and integration points.
Testing a specific hardware/software installation. This is typically performed on a COTS (commercial off the shelf) system or any other system comprised of disparent parts where custom configurations and/or unique installations are the norm.

Functional Test – Functional test can be defined as testing two or more modules together with the intent of finding defects, demonstrating that defects are not present, verifying that the module performs its intended functions as stated in the specification and establishing confidence that a program does what it is supposed to do.

Acceptance Testing – Testing the system with the intent of confirming readiness of the product and customer acceptance.

Ad Hoc Testing – Testing without a formal test plan or outside of a test plan. With some projects this type of testing is carried out as an adjunct to formal testing. If carried out by a skilled tester, it can often find problems that are not caught in regular testing. Sometimes, if testing occurs very late in the development cycle, this will be the only kind of testing that can be performed. Sometimes ad hoc testing is referred to as exploratory testing.

Alpha Testing – Testing after code is mostly complete or contains most of the functionality and prior to users being involved. Sometimes a select group of users are involved. More often this testing will be performed in-house or by an outside testing firm in close cooperation with the software engineering department.

Automated Testing – Software testing that utilizes a variety of tools to automate the testing process and when the importance of having a person manually testing is diminished. Automated testing still requires a skilled quality assurance professional with knowledge of the automation tool and the software being tested to set up the tests.

Beta Testing – Testing after the product is code complete. Betas are often widely distributed or even distributed to the public at large in hopes that they will buy the final product when it is released.

Black Box Testing – Testing software without any knowledge of the inner workings, structure or language of the module being tested. Black box tests, as most other kinds of tests, must be written from a definitive source document, such as a specification or requirements document.

Compatibility Testing – Testing used to determine whether other system software components such as browsers, utilities, and competing software will conflict with the software being tested.
Configuration Testing

Testing to determine how well the product works with a broad range of hardware/peripheral equipment configurations as well as on different operating systems and software.

Independent Verification & Validation – The process of exercising software with the intent of ensuring that the software system meets its requirements and user expectations and doesn’t fail in an unacceptable manner. The individual or group doing this work is not part of the group or organization that developed the software. A term often applied to government work or where the government regulates the products, as in medical devices.

Installation Testing – Testing with the intent of determining if the product will install on a variety of platforms and how easily it installs.

Integration Testing -Testing two or more modules or functions together with the intent of finding interface defects between the modules or functions. Testing completed at as a part of unit or functional testing, and sometimes, becomes its own standalone test phase. On a larger level, integration testing can involve a putting together of groups of modules and functions with the goal of completing and verifying that the system meets the system requirements. (see system testing)

Load Testing -Testing with the intent of determining how well the product handles competition for system resources. The competition may come in the form of network traffic, CPU utilization or memory allocation.

Performance Testing – Testing with the intent of determining how quickly a product handles a variety of events. Automated test tools geared specifically to test and fine-tune performance are used most often for this type of testing.

Pilot Testing – Testing that involves the users just before actual release to ensure that users become familiar with the release contents and ultimately accept it. Often is considered a Move-to-Production activity for ERP releases or a beta test for commercial products. Typically involves many users, is conducted over a short period of time and is tightly controlled. (see beta testing).

Regression Testing – Testing with the intent of determining if bug fixes have been successful and have not created any new problems. Also, this type of testing is done to ensure that no degradation of baseline functionality has occurred.

Security Testing – Testing of database and network software in order to keep company data and resources secure from mistaken/accidental users, hackers, and other malevolent attackers.

Software Testing – The process of exercising software with the intent of ensuring that the software system meets its requirements and user expectations and doesn’t fail in an unacceptable manner. The organization and management of individuals or groups doing this work is not relevant. This term is often applied to commercial products such as internet applications. (contrast with independent verification and validation)

Stress Testing – Testing with the intent of determining how well a product performs when a load is placed on the system resources that nears and then exceeds capacity.

White Box TestingTesting in which the software tester has knowledge of the inner workings, structure and language of the software, or at least its purpose.