What Is Software Testing? Introduction, Types, Process And Approaches

The process of evaluating the functionality of a software application or program to detect errors, technical glitches, authenticity is called software testing. This is arguably the most integral part of software designing to ensure that the product meets the guidelines and requirements of the purpose it has designed for. 

It may include execution of software parts or system components to ensure technicality and the quality of the software program. It not only helps in detecting errors, but also identifies gaps in user’s requirements and effectiveness too. It can be either performed manually or through automated software testing tools. There is a systematic procedure of software testing called ‘software testing life cycle’ that brings everything in a planned manner to promote error-free testing and improve the quality of product. If your STLC is slow, then here’s how to gear up your software testing life cycle. 

Here is an introduction, types of software testing (Manual and Automatic), testing process, and approaches.

Introduction: Software Testing

In simple and straight manner, software testing means Verification of Application Under Test (AUT), but according to the American National Standards Institute and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards - An approach to analyze a software program or application to measure the difference between actual and required features or quality (Errors, authenticity, technicality) and to get the measure of features is software testing. 

Types of Software Testing

Manual Testing: It is a process to test a software by hand to analyze the pros and cons of the software program and to ensure whether or not it meets the level of requirement. It involves deep verification of all the features mentioned in the requirements documents. It can vary from scripted test, testers detailed testing to use software with user’s perspective, to high-end provisional software testing. 

Automated Software Testing: Automated software testing tools involve the automation testing of software programs to detect errors and functionality at the best. Everything goes automatically in this procedure as the testers plan test scripts and execute to get the most accurate software testing results automatically. 

Software Testing Methods

Static Testing: It is the verification process to check requirement documents and files and then gauge through the software functionality to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the executed plan. It is to make sure that the product is being developed as per user’s or requirements mentioned in the documents.

Dynamic Testing: Also known as validation in the terms of software testing, this is the dynamic process to test any software application or program to make sure that it is 100% authentic and error-free. It includes testing of the real product to cover up any development error or gaps of static testing. 

Approaches of Software Testing

There are three types of software testing approaches to test behaviour or functionality of the software you have developed. 

1. White Box Testing: Also known as Glass Box, Clear Box and Structural Testing, White Box testing is based on the internet code structure of any software application or program. The testing plan executed at a unit level using internal information of the system to design and programs to develop test cases.

2. Black Box Testing: This is a popular software testing method that doesn't rely on the internal code structure as the testers analyze the functionality of the software. This is also known as Behavioral, Specification-Based, Input-Output Testing.

3. Grey Box Testing: Comes with the combination of both Black and White box testing, Grey Box Software Testing requires the tester to gauge through the design documents of the software program or application to bring the best test cases in the software testing.

With an ease to resolve some of the most critical problems, software testing is an integral part to ensure security and product quality.