How A Software Test Engineer Ensures A Product Is Ready

Software testing is the process of ensuring a software program’s quality and usability.  The process includes trying to find bugs and issues and eradicating them before the product's launch. There are two processes when it comes to software testing that are integral: verification and validation.

Verification ensures the product meets the conditions at the start of the development phase. Validation ensures the product satisfies specified requirements at the end of the development phase. There are many different types of specific testing used to make sure a product is ready for its consumers. Here are some common testing methods that are familiar.

Smoke testing

Smoke tests include preliminary tests to find simple errors that could result in severe problems within a software program. Smoke tests cover the most basic questions, such as: 'Does the software program run?' or 'Does the interface open correctly?' Even questions like, 'Does clicking a big button that says STOP actually work?'

Penetration test

A penetration test reveals the potential vulnerabilities a program may have. This  includes network penetration testing and application security testing.

Unit testing

Within a program there are individual units or groups of functionalities - and these need to be tested at the individual or group level. Taking into account the internal mechanisms of a program are important to the overall testing process.

Integration testing

To be sure groups of components are working properly to produce the proper output, integration testing is done. The interaction of software and the hardware it’s installed on (if it is on-premised based) also falls under integration testing.

Functional testing

This type of testing is done to make sure specified functionality requirements within the system work. Functional testing focuses on the output generated against the input of a system or program.

System testing

This is done when the software is placed in different operating systems, such as Windows or Linux, to ensure it works properly within each.

Stress testing

This type of testing sees how a system or program behaves or works under bad conditions. Testers doing stress testing do their best to 'break' a product and note what it took to do so.

Performance testing

This test assesses the speed and efficiency of a system. It also is used to ensure results are generated within a specified time.

Usability testing

Usability testing is conducted to make sure the interface of a product makes sense and is easy to use by its ultimate consumers, or 'users.' How quickly can a user learn the product? How pleasing is the look? These are questions answered during usability testing.

Beta testing

When a product is near launch, beta testing begins. This entails end users - any team outside the development team of a product - using the product and looking for any errors that may have gone under the radar during other testing periods.