Hands-on Software Testing Tutorial: From Basics to Beyond

Software testers are in high demand, and this trend is predicted to continue. For those with the necessary skills and a will to guarantee software quality, this offers substantial job chances. QA testers in India typically make about ₹4,20,000 per year, while their salaries might increase depending on their experience and skill set. Learn the fundamentals in this software testing tutorial for beginners. Get started with our software testing course syllabus.

Fundamentals of Software Testing

Here are the fundamentals of software testing required for beginners to know:

What is Software Testing?

The process of assessing and validating a software program to make sure it satisfies specifications, performs as intended, and is error-free is known as software testing. It uses a variety of approaches and strategies to find problems and enhance the software’s overall dependability and quality prior to release.

Why is Testing Necessary?

A product or an application must be tested to guarantee its performance, quality, and dependability. It lowers expenses and enhances the user experience by assisting in the early detection and correction of faults in the development process. Testing increases product trust and promotes customer happiness by confirming that the product satisfies requirements and operates as intended.  

Software Quality Attributes:

Features that affect a software product’s performance and ability to satisfy user needs are known as software quality attributes. These qualities are essential for creating software that is dependable, easy to use, and maintainable. Key characteristics of high-quality software include:  

• Functionality: The capacity of the software to carry out its designated duties and adhere to particular specifications.
• Usability: The software’s ease of learning, comprehending, and using.
• Reliability: The software’s capacity to consistently carry out its intended tasks without experiencing any issues.
• Performance: The speed, responsiveness, and resource utilization of the software, as well as its overall effectiveness and efficiency.
• Security: The program’s capacity to guard against misuse, harm, and illegal access to data and resources.
• Maintainability: The ease with which the software can be improved, adjusted, and changed over time.
• Portability: The ability of the software to be moved and run on various hardware and software environments.
• Testability: The software’s ease of testing to make sure it satisfies specifications and is error-free.
• Availability: The extent to which users can access and utilize the program when they need it.
• Interoperability: The software’s capacity to cooperate with other programs and systems.
• Scalability: The capacity of the program to accommodate growing workloads and demands without seeing a decline in performance.
• Flexibility: The capacity of the software to adjust to shifting conditions and demands. 

Recommended: Software Testing Online Courses

Principles of Software Testing:

Let’s examine the basic concepts that underpin efficient software testing. Despite their apparent simplicity, these guidelines serve as the cornerstone for guaranteeing software quality.

The seven widely recognized concepts of software testing are as follows:

• Testing shows presence of defects, not their absence: It can not demonstrate the absence of defects.
• Exhaustive testing is impossible: Due to time and resource limits, as well as the complexity of most software, it is typically not practical to test every potential input, execution path, and condition.
• Early testing: The software development life cycle (SDLC) should begin with testing as soon as feasible.
• Defect clustering: Most flaws are typically found in a small number of modules or components.
• The pesticide paradox: It states that if the same tests are conducted over time, they will eventually stop detecting any new flaws.
• Testing is context dependent: It depends on the circumstance. The kind of software being built, the industry standards, and the risks involved will all influence the testing strategy.
• Absence-of-errors fallacy: Just because a lot of bugs have been found and fixed doesn’t mean that the software is functional or fits user needs.

These guidelines offer a strong foundation for organizing, creating, and carrying out efficient software testing.

Popular Software Testing Terminologies

Below is a list of frequently used software testing phrases, arranged for ease of understanding:

• Test Case: It is a particular set of inputs, execution conditions, expected outcomes, and preconditions created for a specific test goal, like exercising a specific program route or confirming adherence to a particular requirement.
• Test Suite: It refers to a grouping of test cases for planning and execution.
• Test Plan: It is a written statement of the goals, methodology, timetable, resources, and scope of the testing process.
• Test Data: The information needed to run a test case. Simple values to intricate datasets can fall under this category.
• Test Environment: The hardware, software, and network setup used for testing.
• Test Execution: Executing test cases and monitoring the outcomes.
• Test Result: The result of running a test case that shows if it was successful or unsuccessful.
• Bug, Defect, or Fault: It is an imperfection in software that may prevent it from fulfilling its intended purpose. Despite some minor differences, both phrases are frequently used interchangeably.
• Failure: When a software system or component is unable to carry out its necessary tasks within predetermined performance parameters. The visible result of a flaw is a failure.
• Risk: The potential for a bad thing to happen that could affect the project or the software’s quality. Prioritizing testing efforts is aided by risk analysis.
• Requirement: It is a state or capacity that a user must have in order to accomplish a task or address an issue. Testing confirms that the program satisfies these specifications.
• Traceability Matrix: A document that links requirements to test cases and makes sure that every requirement is tested.

Review your skills with our Software Testing Interview Questions and Answers.

SDLC and Testing

In the software industry, testing and the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) constitute a dynamic pair! Here is the details:

• Requirements Gathering: Clear, succinct, and testable requirements are essential.
• Design: Testability is taken into account throughout the design stage. Developers and architects consider how various components will work together and how to test them efficiently.
• Implementation (Coding): Unit testing frequently takes place concurrently with developers writing code.
• Testing: This is the role of specialized testing teams. Various testing levels are carried out:
  • Unit Testing: Developers frequently use unit testing to examine individual components.
  • Integration Testing: Confirms the interoperability of various modules.
  • System Testing: It compares the entire integrated system to predetermined standards.
  • Acceptance Testing: Performed by end users or stakeholders to ascertain whether the system satisfies their requirements and is prepared for implementation.
• Deployment: Monitoring and maybe user acceptance testing for updates are two ways that testing continues even after deployment.
• Maintenance: Regression testing is carried out to make sure that any changes or fixes made during maintenance haven’t caused new flaws in other areas of the system.

While different SDLC models, including Waterfall, Agile, and DevOps, take slightly different approaches to integrating testing, the basic idea of doing so is always the same.

Recommended: DevOps Training in Chennai.

Types of Software Testing

There are many different kinds of software testing, which are generally divided into functional and non-functional categories. 

They are further divided into testing tiers (unit, integration, system, and acceptance) and testing methodologies (manual, automated, and exploratory). 

While non-functional testing evaluates features like usability, security, and performance, functional testing confirms that the program satisfies predetermined requirements. 

Functional Testing: 

• Unit Testing: Examines separate parts or modules separately.
• Integration Testing: It examines the interactions between various modules or components.
• System Testing: Testing the complete integrated system as a whole.
• Acceptance Testing: Before the software is released, acceptance testing confirms that it satisfies user and business requirements.
• Regression Testing: It involves running previous tests again after making modifications to make sure no new problems have been introduced. 

Non-Functional Testing:

• Performance Testing: It includes load, stress, and endurance testing, assessing the software’s performance under various workloads.
• Security Testing: Examines the program for flaws and vulnerabilities. It includes vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.
• Usability Testing: It checks how user-friendly and intuitive the program is.
• Accessibility Testing: Testing for accessibility ensures that individuals with disabilities can use the program.
• Compatibility Testing: Confirms that the program works with various devices and systems.
• Globalization Testing: Testing for globalization ensures the program can work with various languages, locations, and cultural norms. 

Black-Box Testing: Testing without being aware of the internal structure is known as “black-box” testing. Among the methods are:

• Boundary Value Analysis (BVA)
• Equivalence Partitioning (EP)
• Decision Table Testing
• State Transition Testing
• Use Case Testing
• Exploratory Testing

White-Box Testing: Testing while being aware of the internal structure is known as “white-box” testing. Among the methods are:

• Statement Coverage
• Branch Coverage
• Path Coverage
• Condition Coverage
• Mutation Testing

Test Design Techniques

Here are the test design techniques:

• Test Case Design: The fundamentals of creating successful test cases that are traceable, repeatable, unambiguous, and succinct.
• Test Data Management: Techniques for generating, organizing, and concealing test data are referred to as test data management.
• Test Scenario Identification: Identifying test scenarios involves taking requirements, user stories, and use cases and turning them into test scenarios.
• Traceability Matrix: Connecting requirements to test cases and faults is done with a traceability matrix.

Test Execution and Management

Two separate but related procedures that are essential to guaranteeing the caliber of software applications are test management and execution. 

While test management includes the more comprehensive planning, organization, and control of the full testing life cycle, test execution concentrates on running test cases and confirming expected results.

Test Execution: 

Executing test cases against a software program to verify that it meets predefined requirements and operates as intended is known as test execution.   

• Purpose: The goal is to find flaws, evaluate the software’s performance, and make sure it works as planned.
• Process: It entails establishing the test environment, getting test data ready, executing test scripts (either manually or automatically), comparing the results to what was anticipated, and recording the results.

Tools: Test execution tools are capable of managing test data, automating test execution, and producing results reporting. 

Suggested: Appium Training in Chennai.

Test Management:

Test management is the process of organizing, organizing, and controlling all aspects of testing. The purpose is to make sure that testing is successful, efficient, and in line with the project’s overarching objectives.

• Process: Consists of tasks like formulating test plans, assigning resources, overseeing test environments, monitoring test execution, and reporting findings.
• Key Components: Test planning, test case design, test environment setup, test execution, defect tracking, and reporting.

Tools: Test management tools can help team members communicate and work together more easily, automate test management chores, and give traceability.  

Relationship between Test Execution and Management: 

• An essential component of the larger test management procedure is test execution.
• More efficient and effective testing results from well-planned, coordinated, and tracked test execution, which is ensured by good test management.
• Effective testing process management enables businesses to lower risks, enhance quality, and provide software applications that satisfy client demands.  

Software Test Automation

Fundamentally, test automation involves leveraging automation tools to write and run test scripts. These programs automatically check to see if the program operates as intended by simulating a user’s interactions with it.

Why Automate Testing?

Adopting test automation makes sense for a number of reasons:

• Enhanced Efficiency and Speed: Automated tests may be run far more quickly than manual tests, which enables them to provide code changes with feedback more quickly.
• Increased Accuracy and Consistency: Automated tests minimize the possibility of human error and guarantee consistent results by carrying out the same procedures in the same manner each time.
• Greater Test Coverage: Compared to manual testing alone, automation enables you to conduct more tests, covering a greater range of scenarios and edge situations.
• Early Defect Detection: Defects can be found and addressed earlier in the development cycle, saving time and money, by regularly executing automated tests.
• Decreased Testing Costs: Although automating a process requires an initial investment, it can result in significant cost reductions over time, particularly for big and often updated applications.
• Improved Utilization of Tester Skills: Automation allows manual testers to concentrate on more complicated, exploratory, and usability testing that calls for human intuition and critical thinking.
• Faster Feedback Loops: Automation gives developers quick feedback on their code changes and works well with CI/CD pipelines.

Recommended: LoadRunner Testing Training in Chennai.

What to Automate?

Not every test case lends itself well to automation. In general, tests of the following kinds are good candidates for automation:

• Regression Tests: Tests that confirm that previously solved flaws haven’t resurfaced and that recent modifications haven’t caused new problems are known as regression tests. These are excellent candidates for automation because they are regularly used.
• Repetitive Tests: Tests that repeatedly use the same procedures and data are known as repetitive tests. These can be automated to save a great deal of time and work.
• High-Risk Tests: Essential features that require regular, in-depth testing.
• Performance Tests: Tests that assess an application’s scalability, stability, and responsiveness under varied loads.
• API Tests: Tests that confirm the dependability and functionality of application programming interfaces (APIs) are known as API tests.
• Data-Driven Tests: Tests that employ several data sets to confirm how the application behaves in various scenarios are known as data-driven tests.

Test Automation Frameworks

The foundation that gives your automated testing endeavors organization, structure, and best practices are known as test automation frameworks. Some of the common test automation frameworks are as follows:

• Linear Framework (Record and Playback): The most basic kind is the linear framework, which frequently involves “playing them back” once user interactions are recorded in order to automate tests.
• Modular Framework: The application being tested is separated into several parts using it. Every module has a test script written for it. These modular scripts are then run by a main driver script.
• Data-Driven Framework: Test data is kept in external files (such as databases, Excel sheets, and CSV files) and is kept apart from the test scripts. Then, alternative data sets can be used to run the same test script.
• Keyword-Driven (Action Word) Framework: An external table (such as Excel) defines test actions or keywords (such as “click button,” “enter text”). Test scripts then use these keywords and test data to guide the application.
• Hybrid Framework: It combines the best aspects of two or more of the previously listed frameworks to maximize their benefits. For instance, a framework may employ a data-driven strategy for test data management and a modular strategy for script organization.

Popular Test Automation Frameworks (by Technology):

Here are the popular test automation frameworks:

• Web Application Testing: Selenium, Playwright, and Cypress.
• Mobile Application Testing: Appium, XUITest for iOS and Espresso for Android.
• API Testing: RestAssured (Java), Requests (Python), and Postman/Newman.
• Unit Testing Frameworks (Language-Specific): JUnit (Java), TestNG (Java), pytest (Python), unittest (Python), NUnit (.NET), and RSpec (Ruby).

A crucial choice that can have a big impact on the outcome of your automation efforts is selecting the appropriate test automation framework. Take into account the requirements of your project, the expertise of your team, and the test suite’s long-term maintainability.

Suggested: Selenium Testing Course in Chennai.

Agile Testing

Agile testing is integrated into every step of the process, from the initial requirements collecting to deployment and beyond, in contrast to traditional testing approaches that typically test at the end of a development cycle. It places a strong emphasis on cooperation, ongoing feedback, and change adaptation.

Key Principles of Agile Testing:

• Continuous Testing: Testing is a continuous process carried out concurrently with development rather than as a distinct stage. Faster feedback and early defect discovery are made possible by this.
• Collaboration Between the Whole Team: Testers collaborate closely with product owners, developers, business analysts, and even customers. We all share responsibility for quality.
• Early Feedback: To facilitate prompt modifications and stop problems from getting worse, testers give input as soon as they can.
• Customer Focus: To make sure the product satisfies the needs and expectations of the client, testing is in line with user stories and acceptance criteria.
• Embrace Change: Agile testing easily adjusts to changing priorities and requirements. Test strategies and programs are adaptable.
• Continuous Improvement: Groups constantly evaluate their testing procedures in an effort to increase their efficacy and efficiency.
• Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD): They involve writing tests before code in order to direct development and guarantee testability.
• Automation: To manage frequent regression testing and guarantee quick feedback, agile testing significantly depends on automation.
• Fewer Documents: Although documentation is still crucial, functional software and clear communication are prioritized over copious, inflexible documentation.
• Face-to-Face Communication: To promote clarity and prevent misunderstandings, direct communication within the team is preferred.

Common Agile Testing Methodologies and Techniques:

• Scrum: A well-known agile framework that incorporates testing into brief iterations known as sprints.
• Kanban: A lean methodology that emphasizes continuous delivery and workflow visualization, with testing taking place as items pass through the workflow.
• Test-Driven Development, or TDD: Writing tests prior to writing code.
• Behavior-Driven Development, or BDD: Writing tests in a language that is focused on the user (such as Gherkin syntax).

Accelerate your skills with our Agile training in Chennai.

Specialized Testing Areas

Here are the testing areas you can choose according to your desire. All of the following have scope on their own. 

• Mobile Testing: Issues and methods for testing mobile apps (iOS, Android).
• API Testing: Testing the interfaces between software components.
• Database Testing: It is the process of confirming the consistency and integrity of data.
• Cloud Testing: Things to think about while testing apps in cloud settings.
• Security Testing: Various kinds of security flaws and testing methods.
• Performance Engineering: Advanced ideas in performance optimization.

Emerging Trends in Software Testing

• AI and Machine Learning in Testing: Applying AI to test optimization, defect prediction, and test generation.
• Big Data Testing: Difficulties and Methods for Testing Big Data.
• IoT Testing: It involves examining linked systems and gadgets.

Learn trending software training courses at SLA.

Conclusion

Our software testing tutorial has addressed key ideas in a logical order, beginning with the basics and working our way up to more complex subjects, frequently with real-world examples and interactive tasks. Jumpstart your career in this in-demand field by enrolling in our software testing training in Chennai.