As of 2016, software bugs cost companies about $1.1 trillion.
Software companies are under great pressure to deliver a product that is fast, useful, and works on all types of devices. This isn’t easy to do, especially if you’re trying to be first to market.
It could be a business-killer to release software that’s buggy or slow. That’s why you need application testing before you release your product to the masses.
Do you want to know what application tests are?
Keep reading to find out.
What Is Application Testing?
Application testing is the process of testing apps or software before they are released. App testing can serve many different purposes, from improving the overall design, or catching software conflicts that could cost thousands more to fix later on.
Application testing is a critical part of the development process. You want to have a process in place to develop your software and create a product that end-users will love.
Types of Software Testing
There are many different types of application tests that you can rely on to deliver a great product. Each type of test serves a certain purpose and should be used at certain points of the development process.
These tests are the ones you’ll want to implement throughout the development process.
Functional Testing
This is a standard application test where you test the source code to make sure it works. You give the source code certain inputs and you examine the outputs. You also want to test how much resources are consumed when you operate the app.
Security Testing
Application testing for security cannot be overlooked. Hackers will try to compromise your program to steal user data. Your job is to make sure that your program is as tight as possible.
You need to test ways to authenticate user data, ensure that data transmission is secure, and check that secured files and pages can’t be accessed.
Automated Testing
Automated testing is being used more often by development teams to minimize errors. Automated testing means that you automate the scripts, the tests run on their own, as are the results.
Automated testing is good to use when you are running the same tests often. For instance, you could run functional tests that are automated during every stage of development.
User Testing
You need to get your tests into the hands of potential users as you’re developing your app. This will help you make improvements to the usability of the app and the overall design of the app.
You can test the functionality, navigation, and user interface at the same time.
Compatibility Testing
There are bound to be software conflicts in your app. Compatibility testing lets you uncover what those conflicts are. You can test your app to make sure it works with all browsers, operating systems, and devices.
You don’t want to run compatibility tests for all three at once. Pick one type of compatibility test at a time.
Beta Testing
One of the final steps in software development is to run beta tests. This is where you release a close to a finalized version of the app to a test group of real users.
These users will use the app in everyday environments and note how the app performs. You’ll use that feedback to make final adjustments before the app is released.
How to Perform Application Tests
Now that you know what the different types of testing are, you’ll want to start running application tests immediately. You want to make sure that you’re running the right tests before you dive in.
You should start planning which tests you’ll run when before you start developing your app. This will enable you to map out your entire development strategy and implement a certain type of testing at the appropriate time.
As an example, in the early stages of software development, you’ll have a shell for your software application. It’s important here to uncover any bugs or issues early on. That’s why you need to apply functional testing first.
Later on, as you get closer to releasing your app, you can move on to user testing and beta testing.
It’s important to note that your testing strategy is fluid. Outcomes of tests will often change your development path. That means you have to adjust your testing strategy as well.
Test Outlines
When you approach application testing, you’re testing based on certain assumptions. In the function test, you’re assuming that the software will work a certain way.
With each and every test, you need to note the assumptions you make with the test and the expected result of the test. You can compare your hypothesis with the results of the test.
Using Test Data
The data that’s generated from the test can either prove or disprove your working hypothesis. Developers get tripped up because they get attached to the hypothesis, and they use the test to prove they’re right.
That is a huge mistake because it makes it easier to ignore the data and go with your gut feeling. Your gut is likely to be wrong and could delay the entire project.
Look at the results of the test and make decisions based only on the data at hand.
Creating the Testing Environment
There’s a huge difference between testing on a computer on your network and testing on another device. Your testing environment won’t be perfect, but it should mimic an end user’s experience as much as possible.
If your application is a mobile app for Android, it can seem impossible to test on all of those Android devices. What you can do is test on the most popular Android devices.
If you’re testing iOS applications, you want to make sure that you’re testing on a variety of iOS devices.
Improve Your App With Application Testing
Application testing is one of the most important things you can do before you release your app to the public. If it turns out that your app is buggy, then you’ll get bad reviews and a failed business because no one trusts your app.
With the right strategy in place to run application tests, you can create a much better app that performs well and is user-friendly. You can then work on new versions of your app to make even more improvements.
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