Software Testing | Basics – GeeksforGeeks

Software testing can be stated as the process of verifying and validating whether a software or application is bug-free, meets the technical requirements as guided by its design and development, and meets the user requirements effectively and efficiently by handling all the exceptional and boundary cases. 

The process of software testing aims not only at finding faults in the existing software but also at finding measures to improve the software in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and usability. It mainly aims at measuring the specification, functionality, and performance of a software program or application. 

Software testing can be divided into two steps: 
1. Verification: it refers to the set of tasks that ensure that the software correctly implements a specific function. 

2. Validation: it refers to a different set of tasks that ensure that the software that has been built is traceable to customer requirements. 

Verification: “Are we building the product right?” 
Validation: “Are we building the right product?” 

What are different types of software testing? 

Software Testing can be broadly classified into two types: 

1. Manual Testing: Manual testing includes testing software manually, i.e., without using any automation tool or any script. In this type, the tester takes over the role of an end-user and tests the software to identify any unexpected behavior or bug. There are different stages for manual testing such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing. 

Testers use test plans, test cases, or test scenarios to test software to ensure the completeness of testing. Manual testing also includes exploratory testing, as testers explore the software to identify errors in it. 

2. Automation Testing: Automation testing, which is also known as Test Automation, is when the tester writes scripts and uses another software to test the product. This process involves the automation of a manual process. Automation Testing is used to re-run the test scenarios quickly and repeatedly, that were performed manually in manual testing.

Apart from regression testing, automation testing is also used to test the application from a load, performance, and stress point of view. It increases the test coverage, improves accuracy, and saves time and money when compared to manual testing. 

What are the different types of Software Testing Techniques ? 

Software testing techniques can be majorly classified into two categories: 

1. Black Box Testing: The technique of testing in which the tester doesn’t have access to the source code of the software and is conducted at the software interface without any concern with the internal logical structure of the software is known as black-box testing. 

2. White-Box Testing: The technique of testing in which the tester is aware of the internal workings of the product, has access to its source code, and is conducted by making sure that all internal operations are performed according to the specifications is known as white box testing. 

Black Box TestingWhite Box TestingInternal workings of an application are not required.Knowledge of the internal workings is a must.Also known as closed box/data-driven testing.Also known as clear box/structural testing.End users, testers, and developers.Normally done by testers and developers.This can only be done by a trial and error method.Data domains and internal boundaries can be better tested.

What are different levels of software testing? 

Software level testing can be majorly classified into 4 levels: 

1. Unit Testing: A level of the software testing process where individual units/components of a software/system are tested. The purpose is to validate that each unit of the software performs as designed. 

2. Integration Testing: A level of the software testing process where individual units are combined and tested as a group. The purpose of this level of testing is to expose faults in the interaction between integrated units. 

3. System Testing: A level of the software testing process where a complete, integrated system/software is tested. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the system’s compliance with the specified requirements. 

4. Acceptance Testing: A level of the software testing process where a system is tested for acceptability. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the system’s compliance with the business requirements and assess whether it is acceptable for delivery. 

Note: Software testing is a very broad and vast topic and is considered to be an integral and very important part of software development and hence should be given its due importance. 

Next : Type of Software Testing 
This article is contributed by Aditya Gupta. If you like GeeksforGeeks and would like to contribute, you can also write an article using write.geeksforgeeks.org or mail your article to [email protected]. See your article appearing on the GeeksforGeeks main page and help other Geeks. 

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