Software testing is more than just testing. It’s about improving the quality of the software and providing quality products to the user while growing your business. This makes it very important for all the software features to be properly tested with the best testing tools so you can release high-quality products to your users.
Software testing can be manual or automated depending on your business needs or the results you are after. But how do you unlock the potential of these tools so your business can benefit from them?
Overview of Testing
Automation in software testing leads to efficiency and improves the accuracy and usability of the final product by allowing for faster and more thorough testing, reducing the risk of human error, and providing faster feedback on the system’s functionality. It also helps in reducing extra costs, provides a superior user experience, and makes the software more reliable. To unlock all these benefits and more, there are some tips you have to use, but before that, let us take a brief overview of software testing.
Software testing is a necessary step in verifying the quality of your software or applications. It checks the product’s functionality, performance, usability, and security. In software testing, there is automated testing and manual testing.
Automated testing uses testing software to verify that the product contains no bugs and is as expected. In contrast, manual testing involves a developer or a team running tests one after the other. Nevertheless, automated testing is more efficient as it saves time and cost during the testing process.
An example of an automation testing tool you can use is Functionize. It can be used for software testing in record time, helping you accelerate your releases, gain enough time to be channeled into delivering tasks with higher value, and increase your automation output. Functionize does not require advanced knowledge in coding to be used, so it can be used easily by your team, and you don’t have to worry about competence.
Also, tools like Sonarqube can be used to find bugs and static analyze code to find security issues.
Importance of Testing
Before a product or software is released, it must be tested to ensure no bugs or errors. Apart from these, testing provides other benefits like:
Improvement in user experience
Suppose your site or platform gives users an incredible experience. In that case, they’re more likely to come to it, boosting the application’s popularity, profitability, and sales. Great user experience involves your users surfing with speed and ease. A software tester ensures that the product provides value for the end users. To achieve this, they have to test the software for performance and speed, among other things.
Prevention of malware
There are often malware attacks on software. When this occurs, the host company usually shuts down the app to protect the end user from the virus. This momentary stoppage can cost the company gravely. However, you can prevent such a scenario by constantly testing the software.
Releasing an application free of bugs
Nobody likes an application burdened by bugs, but the good news is that the quality assurance team can ensure that the software that is being released is bug-free. When an application is free of bugs, it enhances user experience. It also draws more customers to the organization, increasing sales and business reputation.
Generation of more sales
Clients have an array of applications to select from. Therefore it is crucial to give them a reason why they should not just choose yours but stick to it. Doing this requires your application to be bug-free and provide value and performance. This way, clients and investors will flock to it, improving sales and market share.
Tips to get the best out of testing
Testing can be tenuous and time-consuming, but it is still a crucial part of software development. Here are great tips you need to get the best out of testing;
Apply User Acceptance Testing
User Acceptance Testing, UAT, is a test conducted to determine if the software will be accepted by customers or end users. This test is also known as end-user or beta testing. It is the last test after functional, system, and regression testing. The test aims to ensure that the software meets business requirements.
Combine Exploratory and Ad-hoc Testing
Although this testing is similar to User Acceptance Testing, it has its purpose. The tests are conducted based on a unique understanding of the product and exceptional creativity. Ad-hoc tests are informal but creative. There are no rules or purpose to it. It involves random testing of the software based on experience. Exploratory testing, on the other hand, is more formal. It is essential for projects that need minimal documentation. Exploratory testing involves focusing on predefined goals.
Conclusion
There are other ways you can use to get the best results for your testing, and they include:
- Optimizing the use of automated testing
- Reporting bugs effectively
- Testing plan and QA processes
- Using test-driven development strategies
- Conducting formal technical reviews
- Building a supportive team
- Measuring code quality
When all these methods are followed, the value in testing will be more pronounced, and your business will begin seeing the result you desire. It will also improve the product’s functionality and usability while saving maintenance costs.
