Have you just developed any software and you are thinking of how to test it out? Testing your software will lend credence to its authenticity and convince the intended users that the software truly works and could be trusted. There are different levels of testing that your software needs to pass through before it would be released into the market for the general public. So, what are those levels of testing?
Unit testing
The unit testing otherwise known as component testing involves verifying if the various components or specific units of the software truly work. It is intended to make sure that the codes are working and everything would be able to meet the users’ specifications. The least unit test involves the constructors and the destructors. One function could sometimes be subjected to multiple tests. Most times, these tests are carried out by the developers before they hand the software over to the testing team. This test usually helps to detect any software errors early enough in order to reduce risks associated with the development of the software, as well as save time and cost associated with correcting errors in the long run.
Integration testing
Integration testing is about putting together all the units within a program and then testing them to see how they function against a software design. It helps in discovering any defects in the interfaces and the way the integrated components or modules interact. Everything is progressively tested until the software is able to function as a system.
Component interface testing
This is used for testing the handling of data that are passed from one unit to the other or between the system components. It goes further than the full integration testing that those units are exposed to.
System testing
System testing otherwise known as end-to-end testing helps to test a system that is completely integrated, to ensure that its requirements are met. For instance, when doing a system testing, you may need to login, create and edit an entry, send or print results, as well as summary processing of entries before logging off.
Operational Acceptance testing
This is the final level of testing, and it involves checking if the software is ready to be released. At this point, the users have the opportunity to test the software to see if it meets their needs. This stage is necessary because some changes might have been effected in the course of developing the software, which could have been a misinterpretation of the intended purpose. With this final phase of testing, the actual users will have to test it to see if it can take care of their needs. If the software passes the test at this stage, it is then sent to the production unit to produce it for the market.
Conclusion
Software is not just conceived, produced and dumped on the intended users. They are subjected to series of tests to ensure that they meet the basic and specific requirements before they are finally produced for the market. For software to be accepted, it has to first go through the process of testing and approval. Otherwise, the software would not be trusted in terms of performance and security.
