If you know anything about software development, you’d know that it is impossible to have bug-free software. That fact, however, doesn’t in any way undermine the importance of Testing in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). In this blog, we do just that: explore what bugs are, how they can be tested and how testing is integral to delivering software that a client wants to be built.
What is a bugA is old computer term for something that happens in software or an application that is not as expected. Bugs...?
A bug is an old computer term for something that happens in software or an application that is not as expected.
Bugs can be categorized into various types:
- Low-impact or trivial bugs that do not affect system users.
- High-impact bugs that can affect users and some level of functionality. Thankfully, the application is still usable, and there is a bugA is old computer term for something that happens in software or an application that is not as expected. Bugs... workaround.
- Critical bugs that impede the main functionality and prevent usage.
Software always has bugs, and it’s practically impossible to deliver a complete working application without bugs.
Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance is the process of reviewing a piece of work to ensure that the quality and standards are met.... and Testing
Let me reiterate: no software can be bug-free. All that can be done is one can aim to minimize the volume and severity of the bugs present. And that’s where Quality Assurance and Testing come into play.
Testing in software development not only improves reliability and performance but also saves millions in the long run.
Testing in the Software Development Life Cycle
Importance of testing cannot be undermined anymore. With so many options available, a modern user is spoilt for choice and, for that reason, rather impatient. When an unknown bugA is old computer term for something that happens in software or an application that is not as expected. Bugs... pops up or there’s a glitch in the system, the user simply chooses to switch to something else in the market. Testing is done so that such bugs are detected and debugged before things get out of hand.
A software development life cycle has many stages, from planning to analysis, design, development, testing, deploymentDeployment is the process of releasing your application or software out onto the specific environment where it will need to..., and maintenance. Testing, in essence, should be a continuous process throughout.
Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a series of tasks that are aimed at verifying and validating the functionality of the software developed before its deploymentDeployment is the process of releasing your application or software out onto the specific environment where it will need to... and before recommending any improvements. STLC checks whether the specific requirements asked by the user are met.
Here’s what I mean:
- Testing in the Discovery Phase
In this phase, a test engineer understands the needs of the project. Requirements from the client are gathered and analyzed to understand the project’s needs.
- Testing in the Planning Phase
In this phase, a tester tries to understand how the project needs to be developed. Various planning tools are used.
- Testing in the Design and Execution Phases
In this phase, developers play an important role. They help with the design of the software. A useful test design can not only discover the potential bugs, but it can also eliminate the bugs before they are coded.
A tester has to ensure that all requirements are being traced through test cases. System testing and integration testing are necessary for this phase.
- Testing in the Improve Phase
In this phase, if any defects or bugs are found, then they are re-tested, and regression testing comes to play. With regression testing, reliable products come out.
It is with the help of testing in SDLC that your basic product stands a chance of being transformed into a strong and reliable product that a user would gravitate towards.
Functional and Non-Functional Testing
Broadly there are two types of testing: functional and non-functional.
Both are there to ensure that glitches, voids, and incomplete configurations are taken care of. The differences between the two:
Why is Testing Important in Software Development Life Cycle?
The primary function of software testing is to ensure a thorough check of the entirety of the software and everything manufactured individually or collectively.
Software testing has the following benefits:
1. Reduce expenses
When a bugA is old computer term for something that happens in software or an application that is not as expected. Bugs... is detected in the early stages and fixed, it reduces a ton of expenses in the long run.
Let’s take an example of an app that was released to users without testing. It so happened that the ‘download’ and ‘register’ features were not tested, so there was no way of knowing if those functioned. When the users tried to register, they got the notification that there was an error in the system. The users then simply moved on to another app. And because of their bad experience, they never returned to using that app.
Had the features been tested before the app was released to the users, this hypothetical loss would not have occurred, and the company would not have lost money.
2. Ensures security
We are all a little weary of apps and software that do not guarantee the security and safety of our data.
When it comes to software development, not all bugs and glitches are related to the end users. Some glitches in the system are a pathway for hackers, and once a hacker enters a system, that’s likely a doomsday in the making.
Testing ensures security by:
- Ensuring that end users would get well-authenticated software.
- Protecting private information of the user.
- Enabling the software to be invulnerable.
- Dealing with hitches and uncertainties in earlier stages.
3. Improves quality
The goal of any development is to develop a product as imagined—the product has to function as programmed. Testing helps ensure that the actual outcome and the expected outcome are aligned. Surely, it helps improve the quality of the product.
For example, when developing software, many procedures need to be followed. Software testing for that would include ensuring that the app’s visual images are appropriately coordinated, scrutinizing to ascertain that the layout is comprehensible, and reviewing the principal performance, among others.
Encountering bugs and resolving them through an agile process will ensure that the quality of the product is up to the mark.
4. Proves Usability and Operability
A product needs to be both usable and operable. Usability testing is where the software is released to a select group of users, and their product use is observed. All aspects of a user’s interaction with the software, like the ease of use and problems faced, are recorded and analyzed.
The foremost objective in the mind of a developer would include providing avenues to maximize the users’ delight when using the features, thereby encouraging customer content with the product.
Conclusion
Testing makes sure that the software is feasible, viable, and usable. The growth of a business, after all, depends on user satisfaction and their buy-in; and testing plays a key role in making this happen.
At Aerion Technologies, our competent team of Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance is the process of reviewing a piece of work to ensure that the quality and standards are met.... Engineers works round the clock to ensure that your software or application has been tested to meet your needs. Get in touch for a free consultation today, and we’ll work with you through the product development life cycle and help you build a profit-making and sustainable business.
