Types of Software Testing: Different Types of Testing Explained 

Software testing, as we all know, is the process of evaluating an application’s functionality in accordance with the requirements of the client. The different sorts of software testing must be carried out if we want to be sure that our software is stable and free from bugs, as testing is the only process that can make an application bug-free. 

We will learn about the many kinds of software testing in this part and how they may be used to the Software Development Life Cycle.

1. What is a Software Testing Type?

Software Testing Type is a categorization of various testing activities into groups, each of which has a specific test objective, test plan, and test outputs. Validating the Application Under Test (AUT) for the specified Test Objective is the aim of having a testing type. 

1.1 Manual Testing

Manual testing is the process of verifying an application’s functionality in accordance with client needs without using any automation techniques. Without the use of any automation technology, manual testing is performed by a tester manually. It can find both obvious and covert flaws. In this type of software testing, users’ perspectives are frequently used as the testers test the software. The techniques might range from completely written test cases to high-level roadmaps for exploratory testing sessions. It is one of the most fundamental testing processes. 

1.2 Automation Testing

The process of testing software using an automation tool to find bugs is known as automation testing. In this process, testers execute test scripts and generate test results on a regular basis utilizing automation technologies. Selenium and QTP/UFT are two popular automation testing solutions for functional testing. 

Automation testing necessitates a significant financial and resource commitment and entails the use of specialized automation technologies. It is one of the testing methods that seeks to reduce the number of manual test cases. In this scenario, testers manage test scripts and automatically return the result. Tools are used to record test suites, which can then be replayed by testers as necessary. Automation testing doesn’t require any human involvement. Selenium and QTP/UFT are two common automation tools.

2. Types of Manual Testing

Manual testing is further classified as: 

• White-box Testing
• Black-box Testing
• Grey-box Testing

2.1 White box Testing

White box testing, sometimes called structural testing, clear box testing, open box testing, and transparent box testing, is another name for this type of testing. It examines a software’s internal code and infrastructure with an emphasis on comparing predetermined inputs to anticipated and intended outputs. It is based on an application’s internal operations and centers on internal structure testing. The creation of test cases for this kind of testing necessitates programming knowledge. Focusing on the inputs and outputs through the software and enhancing its security are the main objectives of white box testing. 

2.2 Black-box Testing

You have the least amount of knowledge about the product’s code when conducting this kind of testing. The product’s code, logic, and structure are all unknown to you. As an end user, you would use the product. Functional testing uses black box testing since you would have the same amount of information as your consumer. 

2.3 Grey Box Testing

Grey box testing, also known as grey box testing, is a software testing approach used to evaluate a software product or application while only knowing a portion of the application’s underlying structure. Grey box testing is used to look for and pinpoint flaws caused by poor program usage or code structure.

3. Types of Black Box Testing

• Functional Testing 
• Non-Functional Testing 

Functional testing and Non-Functional testing are the two subsets of black-box testing once more. 

3.1 Functional Testing

One of the testing types that ensures every Software function performs in accordance with the functional requirement specifications is functional testing. This kind of testing examines the system as a “black box” and determines whether all the Software’s components are operating properly. 

3.2 Types of Functional Testing

3.2.1 Unit Testing 

Unit testing is the process of evaluating the smallest piece of software, or unit. Additionally covered are the interconnected software components. 

3.2.2 Accessibility Testing 

Testing for accessibility involves making sure your mobile and online applications are functional and useable for both users with and without disabilities, such as vision impairment, hearing loss, and other physical or mental issues. 

3.2.3 Smoke Testing 

Build verification testing is another name for this kind of testing. Most of the test cases aren’t exhaustive, but they aim to exercise the product’s key functional areas. It aids in determining a build’s stability and determines whether to continue running tests or not. 

3.2.4 Integration Testing 

After unit testing is implemented effectively, we will move on to integration testing. Integration testing is the second stage of functional testing in which the data flow between related modules or the interface between two features is examined. 

3.2.5 System Testing 

When the unit and integration testing is complete, we may move on to the system testing. The test environment for system testing is identical to the production environment. Another name for it is end-to-end testing. 

3.2.6 Sanity Testing 

Sanity testing, which is carried out following bug fixes, ascertains that the bugs are repaired and that no new problems have been brought about by these changes. 

3.2.7 Ad-hoc testing 

Ad-hoc testing is testing done on the spot, in which the tester randomly tests various system features to “break” the system. The testing team oversees doing it. 

3.2.8 Beta Testing 

A sort of acceptability testing called “beta” aims to include the customer’s perspective in the validation process. It indicates that the actual user (the end user) has the chance to examine the product’s usability, functionality, compatibility, and reliability. 

3.3 Non-Functional Testing

One of the testing types is non-functional testing, which verifies a software’s performance, compatibility, compliance, and other non-functional features. Such testing verifies that the application satisfies non-functional requirements that are not covered by functional validation. 

Types of Non-Functional Testing 

3.3.1 Security Testing 

A procedure to check that an information system retains functionality and safeguards data as intended. Teams of testers or specialized security-testing businesses can carry it out. 

3.3.2 Compatibility Testing 

Compatibility testing is a non-functional test done on the application to see how well it works in various contexts. Both forward compatibility testing and backward compatibility testing are possible types. 

•  Testing for compatibility with Linux, Mac OS, and Windows  
• Oracle SQL Server database compatibility testing  
• Testing for Browser Compatibility with IE, Chrome, and Firefox  
• Web servers, networking/messaging tools, and other system software 

3.3.3 Volume Testing 

A type of software testing called volume testing involves exposing the software to a significant amount of data. It is additionally known as flood testing. By increasing the amount of data in the database, volume testing is done to evaluate the system’s performance. 

3.3.4 User Acceptance testing 

This ensures that the project is completed by evaluating the entire system to the required specifications.

4. Automation Testing Types

4.1 Security testing

This guarantees that the program is free of known bugs, security gaps, and possible vulnerabilities that could harm the user system and data. Penetration testing is typically used to do security testing. 

4.2 Performance testing

 Analyzing the software’s responsiveness to various workloads. For instance, load testing is performed to assess performance under actual load situations. 

4.3 Regression Testing

The program is altered each time a new module is added. This kind of testing ensures that the entire component functions correctly even after other components are added to the entire application. 

4.4 Stress Testing

Software testing, sometimes known as stress testing, is a crucial assessment technique used by numerous businesses that uses the solid venture framework. This test primarily evaluates the system’s robustness and error handling under conditions of extremely high load. 

4.5 Load Testing

A software testing approach called load testing is used to look at how a system responds to both typical and irrational load circumstances. To discriminate between two distinct systems, load testing is typically done in a controlled testing environment. 

Conclusion 

There are countless additional methods of software testing in addition to those on this list. The general techniques, strategies, and levels involved in the testing process have all been covered in this blog.