Categories of Testing

Categories of Testing

Based on the V-Model mentioned above, we see that there are two categories of testing activities that can be done on software, namely,

Ø Static Testing

Ø Dynamic Testing

The kind of verification we do on the software work products before the process of compilation and creation of an executable is more of Requirement review, design review, code review, walkthrough and audits. This type of testing is called Static Testing. When we test the software by executing and comparing the actual & expected results, it is called Dynamic Testing

Widely employed Types of Testing

From the V-model, we see that are various levels or phases of testing, namely, Unit testing, Integration testing, System testing, User Acceptance testing etc.

Let us see a brief definition on the widely employed types of testing.

Unit Testing: The testing done to a unit or to a smallest piece of software. Done to verify if it satisfies its functional specification or its intended design structure.

Integration Testing: Testing which takes place as sub elements are combined (i.e., integrated) to form higher-level elements

Regression Testing: Selective re-testing of a system to verify the modification (bug fixes) have not caused unintended effects and that system still complies with its specified requirements

System Testing: Testing the software for the required specifications on the intended hardware

Acceptance Testing: Formal testing conducted to determine whether or not a system satisfies its acceptance criteria, which enables a customer to determine whether to accept the system or not.

Performance Testing: To evaluate the time taken or response time of the system to perform it’s required functions in comparison

Stress Testing: To evaluate a system beyond the limits of the specified requirements or system resources (such as disk space, memory, processor utilization) to ensure the system do not break unexpectedly

Load Testing: Load Testing, a subset of stress testing, verifies that a web site can handle a particular number of concurrent users while maintaining acceptable response times

Alpha Testing: Testing of a software product or system conducted at the developer’s site by the customer

Beta Testing: Testing conducted at one or more customer sites by the end user of a delivered software product system.

1.3 The Testing Techniques

To perform these types of testing, there are two widely used testing techniques. The above said testing types are performed based on the following testing techniques.

Black-Box testing technique:

This technique is used for testing based solely on analysis of requirements (specification, user documentation.). Also known as functional testing.

White-Box testing technique:

This technique us used for testing based on analysis of internal logic (design, code, etc.)(But expected results still come requirements). Also known as Structural testing.

These topics will be elaborated in the coming chapters