Software Testing: Tools, Training And Testing Lifecycle

In the world of software engineering, software testing helps in the process of evaluating the functionality of a software system or application. When a software application has bugs or technical issues, this is where a software tester comes in to improve its usability, accuracy, and efficiency.

This detailed software testing tutorial will look at the concept of software testing, the life cycle, and everything you should know.

What Is Software Testing?

Software testing is the process of determining the functionality of a software application. Before installing and going live, the process checks for mistakes and gaps, as well as whether the application’s outcome matches the required expectations.

Software testing is the final stage of application development, during which software testers assess code by questioning it. This evaluation might be brief or continue until all stakeholders are satisfied. It detects faults and issues during the development process, allowing them to be repaired before the product is launched. This technique assures that only high-quality products are given to consumers, hence increasing customer happiness and confidence.

5 Software Tools Used by Software Testers

The availability of testing tools simplifies software testing. These tools help with a variety of test activities, such as planning, data collection, building creation, test execution, and analysis.

Different tools are available for the automated testing approach, which can be used depending on the requirements. Some of the most popular software testing tools for software testing are discussed here.

1. BrowserStack Test Management

BrowserStack Test Management is the most recent software test management technology that combines a centralized test case repository with best-in-class UI/UX. Integrates with various BrowserStack software testing solutions, including Live, Test Observability, Automate, and App Automate.

Enables two-way interaction with Jira, improving traceability for test cases and runs. Provides a comprehensive dashboard for real-time reports and insights. Users can import data from existing tools via APIs or CSVs, with intelligent parsing for CSV fields.

Test results can be uploaded via Test Observability or report formats such as JUnit-XML/BDD-JSON. Supports various test automation frameworks, including TestNG, WebdriverIO, Nightwatch.js, Appium, and Playwright.

Integrates with CI/CD technologies including Jenkins, Azure Pipelines, Bamboo, and CircleCI.

2. Ranorex

Ranorex Studio is a GUI test automation framework for online, desktop, and mobile applications. It does not have a scripting language for automating applications.

It facilitates the automation of tests on the Windows desktop, which may then be executed locally or remotely on physical or virtual machines. It conducts tests in parallel to speed up cross-browser testing for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and others. It runs testing on genuine iOS or Android devices, simulators, and emulators.

3. LambdaTest

LambdaTest is an artificial intelligence-powered test orchestration and execution tool. It allows you to execute manual and automated tests at scale and provides access to over 3000 real devices, browsers, and operating systems. This platform allows you to test web apps cross-browser and in real-time, as well as mobile applications in the cloud.

Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Puppeteer, Taiko, Appium, Espresso, XCUITest, and other automation testing frameworks and tools can all be integrated into this platform.

4. Selenium

Selenium is an open-source automated testing tool that tests web applications across a variety of browsers and operating systems. It is a top automation testing framework for web application testing. When testing an application in a browser, it can automate the process, allowing it to be completed more quickly.

5. Cypress

Cypress is a popular end-to-end automation testing tool for modern websites. It is built on JavaScript and employs DOM modification techniques directly in browsers. It allows you to write unit, end-to-end, and integration tests. It is not necessary to add explicit or implicit wait commands.

Software Testing Course

1. Manual to Automation Testing: A QA Engineer.

The Complete Guide to Software Testing and Automation [GFG] by GeeksforGeeks is one of the best courses for beginners looking to improve their software testing skills. This comprehensive 10-week curriculum will teach you what automated testing is and how to become a software quality assurance expert. It is a live lesson in which a skilled instructor with years of expertise delivers a lecture. This certification course will help you gain expertise in automated testing tools, frameworks, and techniques.

2. Software Testing and Automation Specialization

Beginners in software testing can develop their careers with Coursera’s Software Testing and Automation Specialization program. The University of Minnesota offers an intermediate-level degree that will help you strengthen your abilities in software testing. Instructors Mike, Kevin Wendt, and Sanjai Rayadurgam lead the program. This curriculum helps you practice and master the concepts, methodologies, and tools for properly testing software products.

3. Automated Software Testing

edX’s Automated Software Testing is a professional certification course that teaches industry best practices. Arie van Deursen and Maurcio Aniche, instructors at Delft University of Technology (DelftX), will be conducting lectures. This is a highly practical training that emphasizes automated testing approaches and best practices.

The 6 Software Testing Life Cycle

Each program goes through multiple stages of the program Testing Life Cycle (STLC). It is the series of actions taken during the testing process to ensure that the software meets its quality requirements. Details on the various phases of software testing include the following:

1. Requirement analysis

Requirement analysis is the first step in the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC). In this phase, the quality assurance team understands the criteria, such as what will be tested. If there are any missing or unclear requirements, the quality assurance team consults with stakeholders to ensure a thorough understanding.

The actions that occur during the Requirement Analysis stage include:

• Reviewing the software requirements document (SRD) and any relevant documents
• Interviewing stakeholders to get more information.
• Identify any ambiguities or inconsistencies in the requirements.
• Identify any missing or incomplete prerequisites.
• Identifying any potential dangers or concerns that could affect the testing procedure.
• Developing a requirement traceability matrix (RTM) to link requirements with test cases

2. Test Planning

Test planning is the most efficient step of the software testing life cycle, during which all testing strategies are established. During this phase, the testing manager and team estimate the testing effort and cost. This phase begins once the requirement-gathering phase is complete.

During the test planning stage, the following activities take place:

• Identifying the test objectives and scope
• Creating a test strategy: deciding which testing methodologies and procedures will be employed
• Identifying the testing environment and the resources required
• Identifying the test cases to be conducted and the test data that will be used.
• Estimate the time and cost required for testing
• Identify the test deliverables and milestones.
• Assigning roles and tasks for the testing team
• Reviewing and approving the test plan

3. Test Case Development

The test case development phase begins once the test planning phase is completed. During this phase, the testing team takes thorough notes on test cases. The testing team also creates the necessary test data for the testing. When test cases are completed, they are reviewed by the quality assurance team.

During the test case development stage, the following activities take place:

• Identifying the test cases to be developed
• Writing test cases that are clear, concise, and simple to understand.
• Creating test data and test scenarios for usage in the test cases
• Identifying the predicted outcomes for every test case
• Reviewed and validated the test cases.
• Update the requirement traceability matrix (RTM) to map requirements to test cases.

4. Test Environment Setup

Setting up the test environment is an important step in the STLC process. The test environment determines the conditions in which software is tested. This is a separate activity that can be begun concurrently with test case development. This process does not include the testing team. Either the developer or the client creates the testing environment.

5. Test Execution

The test execution phase begins following the preparation of test cases and the configuration of the test environment. In this phase, the testing team begins executing test cases based on the test cases created in the previous stage.

During the test execution stage of the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC), the following actions are performed:

• Test execution: The test cases and scripts produced during the test design stage are executed against the software application to detect any flaws or errors.
• Defect logging: Any defects or issues discovered during test execution are recorded in a defect tracking system, together with information on the severity, priority, and description of the problem.
• Test Data Preparation: Test data is prepared and loaded into the system for testing.
• Configuring the test environment: The required hardware, software, and network configurations are established for test execution.
• Test Execution: The test cases and scripts are executed, and the results are compiled and examined.
• Test result analysis: The test results are analyzed to determine the software’s performance and find any flaws or problems.
• Defect retesting: Any problems discovered during test execution are retested to confirm that they have been properly corrected.
• Test Reporting: Test results are documented and communicated to the appropriate parties.

6. Test Closure

Test closure is the final stage of the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC), in which all testing-related tasks are performed and documented. The primary goal of the test closure stage is to guarantee that all testing-related activities are complete and that the program is ready for release.

At the end of the test closure stage, the testing team should have a clear understanding of the software’s quality and reliability and any faults or issues discovered during testing should have been addressed. The test closing stage also includes documenting the testing process and any lessons learned, which can be utilized to improve future testing operations.

The primary activities that occur during the test closure stage include:

• Test summary report: A report is generated that describes the entire testing process, including the number of test cases run, the number of faults discovered, and the overall pass/fail ratio.
• Defect tracking: All faults found during testing are tracked and managed until they are addressed.
• Test environment cleanup: The test environment is thoroughly cleaned, and all test data and artifacts are archived.
• Test Closure Report: A report is generated to document all of the testing-related activities that occurred, including the testing objectives, scope, timeline, and resources utilized.
• Knowledge transfer: Information about the software and testing process is shared with the rest of the team and any stakeholders who may be required to maintain or support the program in the future.
• Feedback and improvements: Feedback from the testing process is gathered and used to enhance future testing procedures.

Conclusion