Software Testing Basics

19 Jan 2018
Software Testing Basics

If you have ever bought a car, then you will know that the car’s specifications are the first thing you check. These specifications list the basics, such as how many passengers can sit in the car, the length and weight of the car, the power of the car, etc. Similarly, in software testing, there are a number of specifications that need to be checked and tested before a product can be launched.

In an email application, for example, specifications can include that the user should be able to read any email that was sent to his unique email address. The user would also be allowed to write and send emails. All of these are software specifications. With software testing, the testers need to ensure that the software is able to perform according to the specifications in the product brief.

Software Testing Questions

Software needs to be fit for the purpose that it is going to be used for. Software testing needs to answer the following questions:

  • Does the software meet the requirements fully and correctly?
  • Does it work correctly? Do all features work?
  • Are there defects in the software?
  • What is the quality of the software?
  • What is the overall risk if the software is live?

Software testing does not improve the quality of the software. It is the data that is provided to the developers and the client so that an informed decision can be made regarding whether the software is ready to go live or not. This is a very important step in launching a product to the public.

Software Testing Steps

Some of the steps that form part of the basics of software testing include the following:

  • Testing:
    This involves identifying bug/error/defect in software - without correcting it.
  • Debugging:
    During this phase, problems are identified, isolated and fixed.
  • Audit:
    It is a systematic process to determine how the actual testing process is conducted in an organisation or a team. Generally, it is an independent examination of the processes involved during the testing of a software programme.
  • Inspection:
    This is a formal evaluation technique in which software requirements, designs or code are examined in detail by a person or a group other than the author to detect faults, violations of development standards and other problems.

Need software testers who can do a comprehensive and thorough test on all your applications and software? Then contact Inspired Testing today.

Sastri Munsamy

Executive: Technology and Innovation for Inspired Testing

Sastri is a passionate and engaging mentor, educator and speaker with extensive experience of real-world testing and automation projects. He has worked in the consultancy industry for over 17 years. He has implemented test automation on various systems ranging from desktop, Web, SAP and mobile applications in multiple industries across the world, with an emphasis on defining an efficient and profitable automation strategy. As a mentor, Munsamy has hosted testing community meetups in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and has guest spoken at numerous industry events.


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