Types of Software Testing: Different Testing Types with Complete Details

Testing of any software is an important and critical part of the software development process. Testing allows you to ascertain whether the software developed is worth using or not. Under the testing phase, the structure, user interface, user-friendliness, run-time performance, operating system compatibility, and other aspects of the software are checked. Hence it is quite important to test the software before launch and make the required changes, modifications, and improvements if any.

But the process of software testing is not single-folded. This means that there are various types of software testing or QA testing that you can conduct under the testing phase of development. Different tests help in ascertaining the compatibility and working of the software under the given circumstances. To help you understand better, we will list all types of testing in software engineering. Having information about these tests will allow you to ascertain which tests you need to conduct on your software for the best results. So, let’s have a look at the types of testing below.

What are the Different Types of Testing in Software Engineering?

Below are the main types of software testing that you can use to test your software. All of these tests allow you to ascertain the working of the software based on various grounds. Hence, use the tests according to your requirements.

Unit Testing

Unit Testing is one of the basic types of testing in software testing. Under this test, the focus is on the smallest unit of the software structure. Under this test, all the individual or interrelated units are tested to ascertain the performance of the unit or collection of units. Generally, the developer or QA uses sample units to conduct unit testing. After this, the related output from the unit is ascertained.

To conduct such types of testing in software development, you need to use tools like XUnit, NUnit, JUnit, etc. This test allows you to find the defect in the unit levels of the software and then fix it if required.

Also Read –  Difference Between Unit Testing and Integration Testing

Integration Testing

One of the most commonly used types of software testing in software engineering is integration testing. With the help of this test, you can ascertain whether a group of units will produce the desired output or not. Hence, the terminology used is integration testing. Generally, for this type of testing, the existing unit-tested units are used further.

There are four types of testing in software engineering under interaction testing viz. Bottom-up, Top-down, Big-Bang, and Sandwich. Under these tests, the flow of command from one dependent module to another dependent one is checked and verified.

Regression Testing

If you are adding some component or unit to the existing structure, then performance changes are bound to appear. Regression testing is one of the type of software testing that allows you to ascertain the changes after the introduction of the new component. Hence, regression testing allows you to know whether you should add the component to get the desired results or make the changes required.

This is one of the most important and commonly used types of testing in software development. This type of testing is best suited to test all the automation tools. This test is conducted after fixing the bugs present in the software, just to ascertain the effect of such changes on other elements of the software.

Smoke Testing

Smoke Testing is among the types of QA testing that allows you to ascertain whether you should test the software further or not. If any software is undergoing any type of tests already, then you can use the types of QA testing to know whether you should conduct further tests or not.

If the software is divided into two or more collections of units/modules. You should use the smoke testing techniques to know whether the previous module is compatible or accurate to move on to the next one or not. Although, different types of testing in software engineering, this testing is the only one concerned with connected modules.

Alpha Testing

Alpha Testing, just like its name, is one of the types of testing in software testing that is related to the initial testing stages. The Alpha technique and the acceptance testing technique are common names of one testing technique. This means that you conduct this test before launching the software for the use of others.

As such, types of testing in software development are related to the pre-launch period. Generally, it is the responsibility of quality analysts to conduct such tests.

Beta Testing

Just like its name, Beta Testing is one of the type of software testing that you can conduct after software launching. You can conduct this testing in real-time after sharing the software with a handful of users and then collecting the feedback and bug/crash reports afterward.

The creators use this type of testing to know if there are any major crashes or failures in the software. Generally, you conduct such types of testing in software development after the Alpha Testing.

System Testing

System Testing is also among the most popular types of software testing. Operating system testing or system testing’s are one and the same thing. This is because, under this type of testing, you check the compatibility of the software with different operating systems. Here, the developer ascertains whether the internal working of the software is compatible with the desired operating system to provide the required output.

System Testing is a part of types of software testing in software engineering under black-box testing.

Also Read: Difference Between White Box and Black Box Testing

Stress Testing

Stress Testing is among the smartest and most required type of software testing. Just like its name, under Stress Testing, the developer ascertains the working of the software under stress. This means that you provide some unfavorable and “stressful” conditions to the software and see how the software will work if this happens while the user uses the software.

To perform tests under stress testing, as a part of the types of testing in software development. You need to assemble together the required resources and information to conduct the test in various circumstances.

Performance Testing

Performance Testing is one of the software testing that is related to the working of the software. Using this testing, you can ascertain the run-time working or performance of the developed software. This means that you get the idea about the speed and efficiency of the software using the performance testing methods.

Load testing or performance testing allows you to ascertain the load or performance of the software. Such types of testing in software engineering also help in ascertaining the response time of the software.

Ad-hoc Testing

Just like the name of the test, Ad-hoc Testing is one of the types of testing in software development that does not require any data to test the software. Hence, under this type of testing, you test the software under different unknown conditions and situations. As this testing does not require prior information, anyone can conduct the same. Under the ad-hoc testing, you introduce the software to random stress or circumstance and ascertain its performance.

Object-Oriented Testing

The last one of the most popular type of software testing is object-oriented testing. Just like its name, this form of testing is related to the object. Hence using this form of test you can ascertain the performance of the software under different cases or objects. This testing allows you to ascertain the spring of the software as per your requirements.

Also Read – White Box Testing Types, Tools, and Examples

Major Types of Software Testing Under Software Development: Explained

So, above were the main types of software testing that you can conduct over your app. These will allow you to know the working and the structure of the software you want with ease. You can use any or all of the above-listed testing methods to ascertain the effectiveness of your software. If you have any doubts related to the same, write to us in the comments section below.