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Best Practices for Software Testing

Testing is a crucial part of the software development life cycle. It cannot be forgotten or marginalized because the product's success depends on testing. Creating a mobile application or website is a demanding process, and there is no way to avoid making any mistakes or anticipate all situations. And testing helps to detect errors and imperfections at every stage of software product development. It is vital to carry out tests on an ongoing basis because the sooner a bug is found, the sooner it can be fixed without incurring additional costs. Errors detected too late increase software development costs and extend the implementation time.

Please remember that every digital product should be tested, regardless of whether you are creating a website, mobile or web application. On our blog, you will find articles devoted to the testing of mobile applications and web development testing. Based on our experience, we've also compiled the best practices for software testing to help you navigate the process smoothly.

What is Software Testing?

Software testing is a set of methods and tools that allow you to check whether the created software meets all the necessary requirements and is error-free. Both the entire software and selected elements are tested. However, regardless of the type of testing and its scope, the goal of testing is always to detect errors and gaps of all kinds.

Why is Testing Important?

Testing is crucial because of the quality assurance of the entire product. The words "testing" and "quality" should be synonyms in the software development process. As the best product development company, we can confidently say that you cannot create successful software without continuous testing. Software development is a complex process that consists of millions of different elements. Every element of the application and every piece of code must be tested, but what is equally important is that testing must be carried out on an ongoing basis after even the smallest change. Only this will guarantee the timely creation of high-quality software. Early detection of bugs allows them to be corrected immediately without delay or budget impact. However, if bugs are not discovered until late in development, resolving the problem has serious financial and time implications.

Best Practices for Software Testing

For software testing to be effective, it must be done in a specific way, by best software testing practices. Below you will find universal best practices that can be applied to mobile and web testing.

• Define the Goals for Testing

For software testing to be effective, it must be done in a specific way, by best software testing practices. Below you will find universal best practices that can be applied to mobile and web testing.

As we mentioned earlier, software testing aims to identify and verify the software's functionality. But this goal is too general. It must be clarified so that at every stage of software development, developers and testers know what tests must be performed and what aspects should be paid special attention to. The tests you plan to perform must help you create high-quality software. There are thousands of software tests, so you can't do them all naturally. Therefore, tests must be appropriately selected for the project you run.

• Make Sure Your Tests Cover All Key Areas

Test coverage of all critical areas is crucial because tests verify the software's functionality and check for potential errors and gaps. If only part of the system is tested, you probably won't find all the bugs. And that will doom your project to failure. By following these software testing practices, you can ensure that your software has been adequately tested and that any potential issues have been identified and fixed.

• Make a Test Plan

During the software development process, various types of tests must be performed (e.g., regression testing, automated testing, performance testing, security testing, and many others). Each test must be performed at the right point in the process. Create a test plan to ensure all necessary tests are completed on time. Of course, the test plan must include a timeline to perform the tests at the right time. Thanks to this document, you will be sure you have not forgotten anything, and the testers will know precisely what to do.

• Establish Test Procedures

Test procedures are there to ensure accurate and consistent test results. Thanks to procedures, each process runs in a specific way, eliminating chaos and introducing a predictable way of working. Therefore, be sure to develop a test procedure. It includes setting up the environment and software to represent the actual environment and using the same software and version as the production system. Feel free to use different programs and versions to simulate real conditions. It will help identify software issues that may be absent when using a single performance or environment. Also, test multiple scenarios, use different inputs, and test automation to speed up the testing process.

Test procedures will also help you improve your testing processes on an ongoing basis.

• Create a Test Environment

A secure testing environment is key to reducing the cost and time of software development. It can protect against malicious attacks, data loss, and other common issues. Furthermore, by investing in a secure test bed, developers can guarantee that their software meets user needs while being free of pesky bugs.

A secure testing environment helps protect your data and the testing process. It protects your information and prevents anyone from tampering with the results of the tests. By storing all data securely, you can be sure that only authorized users have access to it.

• Use a Shift-Left Continuous Testing

Continuous testing is the process of automating tests for software to make sure it's up-to-date and functional. It guarantees that the product will always be able to meet customer demands. One way to achieve this is by running tests continuously rather than waiting for a specific point in the development process. This approach, known as continuous left-shift testing, allows you to test more frequently and identify issues earlier.

The advantages of constantly testing different variations include the following:

• Shorter development time and smaller costs,
• Increased reliability and quality,
• Quicker feedback and problem-solving,
• More effective teamwork.

 

• Use a Two-Tier Approach to Test Automation

A two-tier approach to test automation makes software testing much more efficient and accurate. Testers first manually or automatically identify system requirements in the pre-testing phase. They then use automated tools to verify that these requirements are met during testing. This simple division of labor helps ensure that nothing falls through the cracks while also ensuring that testers use their time most effectively.

The two-tier approach to test automation is a standard software testing best practice that allows testers to focus on different aspects of the testing process. Testers use manual or automated tools in the pre-testing phase to identify and verify system requirements. It helps them understand what needs to be tested in the second phase. During the testing phase, they use automated means to verify that the system meets those requirements. Automating this second stage saves time and ensures more accurate results.

• Developers Shouldn't Write Tests

Tests should be written before coding. And programmers should not write tests or test cases for their own code because this introduces a lack of objectivity in the evaluation and creativity in creating tests.

• Rely on a Controlled Security Environment

Software testing in an uncontrolled environment can introduce vulnerabilities in the system. Therefore, rely only on a controlled security environment for software testing. It seems obvious, but in our experience, many people forget this simple rule.

• Create the Right Working Environment

Testing is a process that requires focus, mindfulness, and creativity. Therefore, create the right work environment conducive to this challenging testing task. The absolute minimum is peace and relative silence, so if your QA team works in an open space, try to find a separate room for them.

• Separate Different Types of Tests

Security testing and performance testing aim to guarantee software quality. Security tests find and fix vulnerabilities, making the software less prone to attack. In contrast, performance tests observe how well the software functions under a set of conditions.

To ensure the software does what it's supposed to, we test it in a specific environment that meets all the conditions necessary for its proper functioning. Doing things this way can determine how individual changes might affect how the software works. It requires us to divide security tests from performance ones and carry out each type in a different setting: security testing must be done someplace secure, while performance testing ought to happen somewhere controlled.

• Use Internal and External Teams

Organizations can optimize efficiency and flexibility by combining internal and external teams. By having a centralized team, companies can resolve issues rapidly while simultaneously permitting other teams in different locations more independence and space to be adaptable. Furthermore, various teams will enable businesses to quickly evaluate their own strengths and shortcomings so that any needed changes can be made without delay.

The issue of objectivity is also important here: the external team is usually impartial in its opinions, while the internal team may have a problem with an objective assessment.

• Perform Regression Tests

Regression testing is a crucial test that verifies changes to a system don't have negative consequences. It also prevents new features or changes from being released before they've been thoroughly tested.

Several things must be kept in mind while performing regression testing. The appropriate tests to run need first to be selected. Secondly, the testing process has to be planned out carefully so the tests will take as little time as possible without jeopardizing effectiveness. And finally, results have to be constantly monitored once the test has been put into effect.

• Run Negative Tests

It's important to remember that during the testing process, you should also test potential weak points. By doing this type of testing, you can prevent minor issues from turning into Big problems. Additionally, This helps guarantee that the software adheres to any requirements the customer or client sets.

Negative testing may not be easy, but it's critical for guaranteeing software quality. By doing negative tests, developers can ensure that their software is dependable and satisfies their customers' needs.

Summary

Creating a quality product requires testing. We have collected the above best practices for software testing based on our several years of experience creating successful products. However, it is worth remembering that the way software tests are conducted is crucial for their reliability and usability. That is why it must be done by a proven team that you trust. In addition, the testing process must be well thought out and run according to plan.

If you want to talk about your project with specialists who have been creating successful projects for years, make an appointment for a free consultation at a convenient time.