What is software testing?
Software testing means evaluating software to check whether it can perform the tasks it is supposed to perform or not. There are many different approaches to software testing. But all of them focus on how to make sure an application does not malfunction when an end-user is accessing it. Software testing reduces bugs, which in turn reduces additional costs and advances the performance of the software. Software testing methodologies and the process of developing end-to-end test cases have evolved drastically with the advent of new technology.
Evolution of software testing
Software testing has come a long way from its initial phase, which was only programming and debugging. Debugging was equivalent to testing in that era. Testing and debugging were recognized as different activities in the stages of software development from the late 1950s and early 1960s. In these stages, error finding was the primary goal of software testing. From the 1980s, software testing became an assessment of software quality. Before the 80s, software testing was only concerned with the proper functioning of the software. There was no quality assessment going on during the testing phase. The 1980s is also noted for the advent of automation in software testing. Undoubtedly, the Field sales software platform is also a part of software evolution.
Automation quickly replaced manual software testing, which made huge testing volumes manageable in very little time compared to manual testing. The 1990s ushered in the era of continuous testing. It meant that a software testing environment was concerned with the software’s complete life cycle. Software testing was defined as a separate, well-defined process of the software development life cycle. In the late 1990s, software testing itself had its own distinct, manageable life cycle.
The 90s also saw the emergence of the agile testing method, and techniques such as exploratory testing, rapid testing, and risk-based testing. From the 200s, automation testing gained momentum. Automation led to higher efficiency and accuracy, which is profitable for all enterprises. Modern software testing methodologies are dependent on automation to a large extent.
Agile Testing Method
The current world of software testing is greatly founded on the principles of the agile testing method. The agile testing method adopts the best practices of agile software development. The agile software development method was developed in 2001 by a group of seventeen software developers. Agile software development principles emphasize a collaborative effort of self-organizing groups with cross-functional teams and the end-users.
These software development principles were translated to the field of software testing by adopting their best methods and practices. Improvement is the keyword in agile software testing methodology, not correction. Testing and development happen simultaneously, and the software tester is also the software developer who brings in suggestions, advancements, and test cases to be included in the software.
The testers and developers focus on quick changes on the software based on feedback from users without following a fixed testing schedule. This results in better products in a shorter amount of time. Testers need to monitor the entire life cycle of the software to do this effectively. In agile testing methodology, testing is seen as a continuous cycle as opposed to an isolated phase. All users, developers, testers participate in the testing process directly or indirectly.
DevOps
DevOps and agile share many common concerns and practices. DevOps came up in 2009, and this model prioritizes the delivery of software by blending development and operation. Like agile, collaboration among different user groups of an application is essential to the DevOps model. Similarly, end-user satisfaction is also highly emphasized. Automation is vital to the DevOps model. To get the highest results, in the least tests brings value to the software testing process and DevOps focuses on this, for lean management and efficient delivery.
What is end-to-end testing?
End-to-end testing is better understood by understanding how end-to-end test cases are built. End-to-end test cases focus on a full and substantial user experience. If the test case passes, it means the user will be able to complete the said task without any glitches.
In the world of agile software development and testing, end-to-end testing is a fundamental and common testing methodology. The objective of end-to-end testing is to check the functioning of software from start to end. Software testing is done beyond the developer environment, in external environments where the application is integrated. End-to-end testing checks the behavioral flow of an application. Robust and thorough testing is done to figure out any flaw or error in the product-user interaction or workflow of the application.
End-to-end testing methodology simulates a real user scenario and checks the system and its components for date integration and integrity. The risk of a subsystem of a software failure can be avoided with end-to-end testing, and that is why this methodology has been widely adopted.
Conclusion
Software testing has come a long way and is sure to constantly develop due to the rate of technological disruption. It is a vital step for companies to ensure they are continuously improving the quality of their offerings. It is suggested that companies stay updated with the developments in the software testing industry to gain a competitive advantage and, hopefully, customer loyalty.