Application testing is a test people do to test the entire application. It is also a type of software testing which is goes through scripts to identify errors in the software.
You can do application testing in different categories: graphical user interface, load test, backend database, functionality, and a lot more. The quality of the applications may also be enhanced and at the same time save development time, reduce cost, and increase return on investments.
The lifecycle in application testing involves different phases. They are requirement analysis, test design, test analysis, test execution, bug reporting, test planning, and a lot more.
TWO CATEGORIES OF APPLICATION TESTING
Application testing is categorized into two parts: Desktop Application Testing and Web Application Testing.
Desktop Application Testing
Desktop application testing involves Usability Testing, UI Testing, Compatibility Testing (Software/ Hardware), Performance Testing, Usability Testing, Security Testing, and Functional Testing.
Web Application Testing
The types of testing included in Web application testing are:
- Cross-browser Testing
- Functional and Performance Testing
- Exploratory and Smoke Testing
- Load and stress Testing
- User Acceptance Testing
- Beta Testing
- Multilanguage support and compatibility Testing
METHODOLOGIES USED IN APPLICATION TESTING
Application testing methodologies ensure that application testing is done properly. They also see to it that software applications are undergo full testing. If not, it may result to poor quality and even an unstable product.
Gray Box Testing
This is a technique that we use in testing a software application with little or partial knowledge of the functionality of an application.
Similarly, in gray box testing, errors which are related to web systems are detected and identified. Because this testing method allows for concentration on all layers of any complex system. This also increases the coverage of testing.
Black Box Testing
Black box testing‘s other name is Behavioral Testing. This software testing method is also where the internal structure, design, and implementation of the item being tested is not known to the tester. Similarly, just like a black box, its contents are not visible.
Behavioral tests can be functional or non-functional, but they are usually functional. Black box testing also aims to find errors like incorrect or missing functions, errors in data structures or external database access. And also initialization and termination errors, behavior or performance errors, and interface errors.
White Box Testing
Other names for white box testing are Clear Box Testing, Open Box Testing, Glass Box Testing, Transparent Box Testing, or Structural Testing.
In this method of testing, the implementation, design, and internal structure of the item being tested is known to the tester. For the tester, the software program is like a transparent box where a tester can see everything clearly.
APPLICATION TESTING TOOLS
The application testing uses various application testing tools. As a result, below are some of these application testing tools.
- IBM Rational Robot
- RFT (Rational Functional Tester)
- Selenium
- Load Runner ( HP Performance Tester)
- Apache Jmeter
APPLICATION TESTING PRACTICES
In order to do the testing properly, testers follow certain procedures and practices. These practices also include the definition of functional specifications. and testers perform reviews and inspections.
In conclusion, among the other practices are functional test variations. In addition, this includes multi-platform testing, formal entry and exit criteria, and automated test execution.
CHALLENGES IN APPLICATION TEST
Application test may also be done to ensure that application users get the best software products a company has to offer. But while doing the tests, testers may encounter challenges. For instance, these challenges may also include:
- No visibility into application and operational errors
- Time consuming
- Inability to anticipate the impact of changes
- To identify issues, application users should make a call
Above all, these challenges are part of application testing. But whether a tester likes it or not, he gets to encounter or come across these challenges. All a tester needs to do then is to prepare for these challenges. It is best to have solutions ready in case these issues pop up.