#performance and functionality testing

[flutteragency]

Top 5 Challenges in Mobile Wallet App Development and How to Overcome Them

The world has already gone mobile, and our wallets are following suit.

Digital wallets are the most convenient and useful man-made invention in this century, eliminating the need for carrying hard cash or chequebooks or card transactions everywhere. All you need is to make sure your bank account is linked to a wallet app, specifically designed for transactions, and you’re good to go.

With the global mobile payments market projected to reach about $23 trillion by the next year, there is no reason why people wouldn’t flock to build their own mobile wallet apps. The key, however, is to actually build them from scratch.

This comprehensive guide will help you understand the key areas of mobile app custom development, from idea inception to launch.

Understanding The Market And Your Audience

Every idea begins somewhere, and when you build something while targeting an audience or a specific market, it starts with understanding your audience’s needs and demands in the specific niche. Researching the mobile wallet landscape is the first step before taking a deep dive into mobile wallet app development.

Analyze the already existing players in the arena, and then try to make sense of the apps’ functionalities, as well as shortcomings. This would include all kinds of global wallet apps as well as regional apps.

Your research questions should be catered to your audiences; like if there are any redundant functionalities, any issues with UI, or any niche problems that need addressing. This is what your mobile wallet app will be offering to your audience- better functionalities to be on board.

DEFINING YOUR APP’S CORE FEATURES

Doing primary market research is always key to establish a clear understanding of the audience needs that aren’t being met in the current mobile wallet market, and the functionalities that they have become familiar with, so any other UI wouldn’t do for those. This is key to defining your mobile wallet app’s core features.

Of course, there are the absolutely essential features that you cannot do without, like:

Security:

There is nothing more important in a finance related app than security and encrypted data related to financial information of your mobile wallet app users. Ensure to pay extra attention to the layers of security as well as the authentication features – especially when dealing with larger amounts.

Payment Methods:

There are different methods that people use to pay their dues- normally, credit or debit cards. Integrating such information allows for smoother transactions and allows the user to not worry about punching in the information over and over again. And since not everyone might have credit cards, debit card users also enjoy the same benefits of the mobile wallet app.

Bill Payments:

Bill payment is another crucial need of mobile wallet users. Every month, a good chunk of any person’s salary goes towards bill payments. Integrating such features like mobile recharges, electricity bills, insurance payments, etc. are crucial for a user to fully accept the mobile wallet payment system- bringing in more audience for your app.

Budgeting and Tracking:

This is a feature not usually found in all mobile wallet apps. Budgeting and tracking would allow a unique experience for people who don’t usually keep track of their money flow. Integrating this simple feature into your app, with multiple categories to help a student, an employed, a freelancer, or an investor track their finances would definitely get you more users for your mobile wallet app.

Flutter: For A User-Centric Experience

Here’s the exciting part- Development phase! While every app’s development phase brings in new challenges and breathes life to incepted ideas, the framework on which you build your app is also important- for uniqueness, time-efficiency, cross-platform use, and more.

Here’s why investing in a Flutter app development company can help you build one of the best mobile wallet apps ever:

FASTER DEVELOPMENT:

Time is perhaps more crucial than actual currency in today’s day and age, and the most solid reason to choose Flutter for your mobile wallet app. The best feature of the flutter framework that helps you build interactive and smooth apps is the Hot Reload feature – allowing you to see real-time changes in your code.

REDUCED COSTS:

By using Flutter- notorious for its cross-platform seamless performance, you effectively reduce both the cost and the time required to develop an app that works on both iOS and Android.

INTUITIVE UX/UI:

Any Flutter app development company will make sure that the UX as well as UI for the mobile wallet app that you are building has a smooth and intuitive UI, for user ease and trust, especially with the app security. 

Designing Your Mobile Wallet App: App Flow, UI, And Security Audits

While designing a mobile wallet app, there are a few crucial things that should be considered:

SIMPLE INTERFACE:

The simpler your app’s UI is, the better experience your users will have. A clean, uncluttered and intuitive UI is the key to making sure your users have a good experience with the app.

Apart from this, it is also crucial to integrate some tutorials and FAQs that people can refer to if they are unable to access a feature or do not know how to authenticate a payment.

BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION:

This one’s a no-brainer. If you aren’t making use of digital fingerprints or facial recognitions for secure logins and transactions, you may be risking your users’ sensitive data.

REAL-TIME TRANSACTION TRACKING:

A secure connection with banks ensures that users are immediately notified, via messages or emails, about any and every transaction and transfer that they have made. This ensures complete financial transparency- building trust within the app.

Before the launch of your mobile wallet app, crucial audits are a must. This includes performance and functionality testing to ensure the app works smoothly across different Operating systems and devices, and to evaluate the responsiveness of the app when under load. Security testing will entail testing any vulnerabilities that need to be fixed before launch.

Launching Your Mobile App

Deploying a new mobile wallet app in the market is no easy feat. It requires careful planning and strategizing to make sure it reaches your target audience. For this, you’ll need to leverage:

PRE-LAUNCH MARKETING:

This will involve generating some buzz around your new mobile wallet app through social media campaigns, targeted ads, and even influencer partnerships.

APP-STORE OPTIMIZATION:

Drafting compelling descriptions that include relevant keywords for SEO, and using multiple high-quality previews of your app will definitely help your app get discovered quickly after the launch.

Conclusion

The mobile wallet revolution is here to stay. There is no two-ways about the fact that constant innovation is key to conquering any market.

By understanding the key aspects of building a mobile wallet app mentioned in this guide, you’ll be able to break into the market with a great mobile wallet app. As for making it thrive, make sure to stay ahead on the latest financial trends like blockchain integration to make your app stand out.

[seilon]

love when this is referred to as the gifted kid website. shockingly my mental disorders made me mentally disordered and school never really vibed with that so. couldn’t be me

[chthonicmoons]

i want to buy transistor on my laptorp but i have no moneyyyyy

[bmpmp3]

when people complain about getting like, a 98% grade on something because it was "so close to perfect" its like. i understand what you're saying on a technical level. but that is a line of thought so far away from my experiences and ways of thinking that i do feel like im from another planet. 100% isnt even a real number to me

[hydrachea]

I decided to switch Wriothesley over to a Marechaussee build, the flower and circlet are... Bad, and I really need attack on them, but those stats are absolutely hysterical.

Bonus with the leyline buff of the Marechaussee domain: how much crit damage is too much crit damage?

The answer is yes.

[veiledinviolet]

low-level optimization is wild, i observed a consistent 25% performance difference between two functions that, in the relevant part, were identical to the machine instruction. i eventually managed to identify the cause as the order in which the functions are defined and therefore their offset in the binary, though i have no idea why this would have such a large impact. maybe something to do with caches?

[sensationsolutions]

Looking to improve your software testing process in 2023? The question of whether to use automation testing or manual testing has been a hot topic in recent years, and it's no different this year. Let's dive into the debate and see which one is better for your organization. Read this blog for Automation Testing or Manual Testing

[laurelnose]

did you know that the well-known factoid that male anglerfishes degenerate after attachment until they’re basically just a pair of testes is false? i knew of course that they don’t just become “growths” on the female because I’ve handled dozens of attached pairs and every male I’ve ever seen has been very much obviously a whole and complete second fish, but I sort of assumed there was internal degeneration, perhaps muscle atrophy, etc. i can’t believe no one ever corrected me on this but this just doesn’t happen. in obligatorily parasitic species, the male actually continues to grow and increases considerably in size after he attaches to the female, because the two of them can only reach sexual maturity together. me, an octavia butler fan: is this the height of romance??

what is true is that attached males do have hugely enlarged testes proportionate to the rest of their bodies & organs, and that they receive all nutrition from the female’s bloodstream so their stomachs are always empty, though their own gills seem to still be functional, as are their fins and muscles—you can even induce movement and swimming motions on recently dead attached males. I can only assume that at some point someone said that basically the only biological function a male anglerfish needs to perform is sperm production and this got taken out of context and luridly exaggerated over time. he’s not just a pair of testicles! he’s her forever partner! one flesh one end!

[5data-inc]

Revolutionizing Industries: Smarter Decisions with Predictive AI

Uncover the power of predictive analytics and AI in decision-making across industries. Learn how businesses stay ahead Read the blog now! https://bit.ly/4fyRjqC

[hrdiagnostics-blog]

Comprehensive Renal Function Tests for Kidney Health | H.R. Diagnostic

Renal Function Tests: Understanding the Importance for Kidney Health

Your kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining overall health. They filter waste, balance electrolytes, and regulate fluids in your body. However, many people don’t realize their kidneys may be failing until symptoms become severe. That’s why Renal Function Tests are essential. These tests help detect problems early and allow for timely treatment. At H.R. Diagnostic, we offer a range of Kidney Function Tests to assess your kidney health accurately and efficiently.

What Are Kidney Function Tests?

Kidney Function Tests measure how well your kidneys are working. They evaluate the ability of your kidneys to filter blood, remove waste, and maintain proper chemical balance. These tests also check if your kidneys are effectively removing excess fluids from your body. Early detection through these tests can help prevent further damage and complications.

Why Kidney Function Tests Are Important

Kidney diseases often progress without noticeable symptoms. Therefore, regular Kidney Function Tests are vital, especially if you are at risk. These tests give you a detailed insight into how well your kidneys are functioning. If there is an issue, you can address it early. Early intervention can improve the chances of treatment success and prevent severe kidney problems.

Who Should Get Nephrological Tests?

While everyone can benefit from Nephrological Tests, some individuals are at higher risk of kidney problems. Therefore, they should consider testing regularly.

Diabetes Patients: High blood sugar can damage kidney filters over time. Regular monitoring is crucial for those with diabetes.

People with High Blood Pressure: Hypertension can impair kidney function, so frequent testing is essential for early detection.

Individuals Over 60: As you age, kidney function naturally declines. Testing helps monitor this decline and manage any arising issues.

Family History of Kidney Disease: If kidney disease runs in your family, you may be at a higher risk.

People on Long-term Medications: Certain medications can affect your kidneys. Monitoring kidney health ensures that medications are not causing harm.

At H.R. Diagnostic, we offer comprehensive Nephrological Tests that suit your specific needs. We use advanced technology for accurate results, helping you stay proactive about your kidney health.

Common Renal Function Tests

Several tests fall under the category of renal function tests. Each provides unique insights into different aspects of kidney health.

1. Serum Creatinine Test

Creatinine is a waste product that your kidneys remove from your blood. The Serum Creatinine Test measures how much creatinine is in your bloodstream. High levels indicate that your kidneys are not filtering blood effectively.

Why It’s Important:

A high creatinine level is often the first sign of kidney dysfunction. This test is simple but offers critical insights into your kidney health. Therefore, it is one of the most commonly used renal function tests.

2. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) measures how well your kidneys are filtering blood. It estimates the rate at which your kidneys remove waste from the bloodstream. A lower GFR indicates reduced kidney function.

Key Insights:

GFR is a highly accurate measure of kidney function. Doctors often use it to stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and determine the level of kidney impairment.

3. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test

The Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your blood. Urea is a waste product that kidneys normally remove. High BUN levels may suggest kidney dysfunction.

Why This Test Matters:

While a high BUN level could indicate kidney disease, it may also be a sign of dehydration or excessive protein intake. Therefore, doctors often interpret this test alongside others for a more comprehensive assessment.

4. Urinalysis

Urinalysis is a routine test that checks for protein, blood, or other abnormalities in your urine. It helps detect kidney damage early, even before noticeable symptoms occur.

Importance of Urinalysis:

If protein or blood is present in your urine, it could indicate kidney damage. Therefore, this test is critical for those with diabetes or hypertension who are at risk of kidney problems.

5. Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (ACR)

This test measures the amount of albumin (a protein) in your urine. A high albumin level suggests that your kidneys may be leaking this protein, which they shouldn’t be.

Why It’s Important:

The Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (ACR) helps detect early kidney damage. It is particularly useful for individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure. Therefore, early detection allows for timely treatment, preventing further deterioration.

Symptoms That May Indicate Kidney Problems

Kidney diseases often progress silently. However, certain symptoms suggest that it’s time for a Renal Function Test. If you experience any of the following, it’s essential to seek testing:

Swelling: When kidneys aren’t working efficiently, excess fluids build up in the body, causing swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles.

Fatigue and Weakness: Kidney dysfunction can lead to anemia, resulting in feelings of extreme tiredness and weakness.

Frequent Urination: If you are urinating more often, especially at night, this could indicate a kidney issue.

Foamy Urine: This may suggest that your urine contains too much protein, which is a sign of kidney damage.

Blood in the Urine: Blood in your urine is never a good sign. If you notice this, seek medical help immediately.

If you experience any of these symptoms, renal function tests can provide clarity. At H.R. Diagnostic, our specialists will guide you through the process and recommend the necessary tests.

Risk Factors for Kidney Disease

Certain factors increase the risk of kidney disease. If you have any of these, regular renal function tests become even more critical.

Diabetes: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. High blood sugar can damage the kidney’s filtering units.

High Blood Pressure: Chronic hypertension puts added stress on your kidneys, causing long-term damage.

Obesity: Carrying excess weight can lead to kidney problems. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for kidney health.

Smoking: Smoking reduces blood flow to your kidneys, accelerating the loss of kidney function.

Family History: A family history of kidney disease increases your risk of developing kidney problems.

If you fall into any of these categories, don’t delay. Get your renal function tested regularly.

How to Prepare for Renal Function Tests

Most renal function tests are straightforward, but preparation is key to ensuring accurate results. Here are a few simple steps to follow:

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

Avoid Heavy Meals: Some tests may require fasting. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding food and drink.

Inform Your Doctor: If you’re on medications, let your doctor know. Some drugs can affect test results.

At H.R. Diagnostic, we provide you with all the information you need to prepare for your renal function tests. Our goal is to make the process smooth and stress-free.

Why Choose H.R. Diagnostic for Renal Function Tests?

At H.R. Diagnostic, we prioritize accuracy, convenience, and patient care. Here’s why you should choose us for your Renal Function Tests:

Accurate Results: We use state-of-the-art technology to ensure your test results are precise. Therefore, you can trust us to provide reliable data about your kidney health.

Experienced Staff: Our team of healthcare professionals is highly skilled in conducting renal function tests and interpreting the results. They are always available to address your concerns and answer any questions.

Affordable Testing Packages: We offer a variety of renal function test packages that are affordable and comprehensive. Therefore, you can take care of your health without financial strain.

Convenient Locations: We have multiple locations, so you can choose the most convenient one. Additionally, we offer home sample collection for your convenience.

When Should You Get a Renal Function Test?

The frequency of Renal Function Tests depends on your health status. However, here are some general guidelines:

Every 6 Months: If you have diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease, consider testing twice a year.

Annually: For individuals over 60 or those taking medications that may affect the kidneys, annual testing is recommended.

Immediately: If you experience any symptoms of kidney disease, such as swelling, fatigue, or blood in your urine, seek testing as soon as possible.

Regular testing is crucial for maintaining kidney health. At H.R. Diagnostic, we make it easy to stay on top of your health with our advanced renal function tests.

How to Book a Renal Function Test at H.R. Diagnostic

Booking your Renal Function Test at H.R. Diagnostic is quick and easy. Follow these simple steps:

Visit Our Website: Go to our H.R. Diagnostic website and select the renal function test you need.

Choose Your Location: Select a convenient location or opt for home sample collection.

Pick a Time: Schedule your test at a time that suits you.

Get Tested: Arrive at the clinic or have your sample collected at home. Results will be available online within a few days.

Taking care of your kidney health has never been easier!

Read More…..

Author Bio: Simi Gajala has been working in digital marketing since 2018, amassing 6 years of experience. Currently Working as a Digital Marketing Executive at H.R. Diagnostics. Simi specializes in SEO, SMO, Google Ads, Meta Ads, and blogs & content writing, Boosting Brands, Increasing Visibility, And Enhancing Online Performance.

[apexon-digital]

Maximizing Application Efficiency with Performance Testing Services

In today's digital age, where users expect fast and seamless experiences, the performance of an application can make or break its success. Whether it’s a mobile app, website, or enterprise software, ensuring optimal performance is critical. This is where performance testing services come into play, offering businesses the assurance that their applications can handle real-world demands.

What is Performance Testing?

Performance testing is a non-functional testing process that evaluates how a system performs under various conditions. This testing checks the application's speed, scalability, stability, and responsiveness to ensure that it meets the required performance benchmarks. Unlike functional testing, which focuses on the software's features, performance testing assesses how the software behaves under stress and how it responds to multiple user interactions.

Why are Performance Testing Services Important?

Improved User Experience In a competitive market, user experience is king. Slow load times or unresponsive applications can drive users away, affecting customer retention and satisfaction. Performance testing services help identify bottlenecks that could degrade the user experience, ensuring fast and smooth application performance.

Scalability for Growth As your business grows, so do the demands on your applications. Performance testing services ensure that your systems can scale to handle increasing user loads without crashing or slowing down. They also help anticipate how much traffic or data your system can manage before performance is impacted.

Cost Savings Detecting performance issues early in the development cycle can save businesses significant costs. When an application fails after launch due to performance problems, the cost of fixing it—along with the potential loss in reputation—can be far higher. Regular performance testing helps avoid these financial pitfalls.

Ensuring Stability Under Stress Performance testing services simulate different user behaviors and stress conditions to determine how the system reacts. Whether it's peak traffic during a sale or a sudden surge in app downloads, testing helps ensure that the system remains stable under pressure.

Key Types of Performance Testing

Load Testing This test assesses how the system performs with a specific load of users or transactions. It helps identify at what point the system’s performance degrades.

Stress Testing Stress testing pushes the system beyond its normal operating limits to see how it behaves under extreme conditions. This helps determine how the application recovers from crashes or heavy loads.

Endurance Testing Endurance testing, also known as soak testing, checks the system’s performance over an extended period. This ensures that the application can maintain its performance levels even after long hours of continuous use.

Spike Testing This test checks how the system handles sudden spikes in traffic or data input. It ensures that the application can quickly recover and remain operational after such an event.

Performance Testing Best Practices

To get the most out of performance testing services, it's essential to follow some best practices:

Set Clear Goals Define what you aim to achieve with performance testing. Is it improving load times? Ensuring stability under stress? Setting measurable goals ensures a focused testing process.

Test Early and Often Performance issues are easier and cheaper to fix when caught early in the development process. Incorporate performance testing as a continuous part of the development lifecycle.

Use Realistic Test Environments Ensure that your testing environments closely mirror real-world conditions, including network configurations, hardware, and concurrent users. The more realistic the test environment, the more accurate the results.

Monitor and Analyze Results After each test, carefully analyze the results. Identify bottlenecks, understand how the system performs under different conditions, and take action to resolve issues before they become bigger problems.

Choosing the Right Performance Testing Services

Selecting the right performance testing services provider is crucial. Look for providers that offer:

Comprehensive Testing Coverage: Ensure they cover all major types of performance testing—load, stress, endurance, and spike testing.

Customizable Solutions: Each application has unique requirements. Opt for services that can tailor their testing approach to meet your specific needs.

Advanced Tools and Techniques: The provider should utilize the latest testing tools and methodologies, ensuring accurate and actionable insights.

Experienced Team: A skilled and experienced testing team can quickly identify potential problems and provide solutions that optimize your application's performance.

Conclusion

In the fast-paced world of technology, application performance is more critical than ever. Investing in performance testing services ensures that your software meets the demands of modern users while delivering an optimal experience. From identifying bottlenecks to ensuring scalability and stability, performance testing is essential for any successful digital solution.

By leveraging expert performance testing services, businesses can stay ahead of the competition, reduce downtime, and improve customer satisfaction—all while saving costs in the long run.

[sdettechnologies]

Shift your focus to innovation by eliminating repetitive testing. With our Test Automation Services, you can free up your team's time and enhance productivity. Let automation handle the routine tasks so your team can concentrate on what truly matters – driving your business forward. https://bit.ly/3rioafL #TestAutomation #Innovation #Productivity #AutomationServices #TechSolutions #SoftwareTesting SDET Tech Pvt. Ltd.

[sparktechnologiesforallservices]

QA & SOFTWARE TESTING - Spark Technologies

We design, develop, implement, manage and optimize access to systems and information to answer your business processing, application and infrastructure needs. Whether you are a private or public sector organization, or whether you want to run our solutions on your own hardware, or outsource your IT through us, Spark Technologies has the expertise you need to overcome the business challenges you face.

[accessiblemindstech]

Embark on a global bug hunt with our SDET team, leveraging cloud-based mobile testing to ensure your app achieves flawless performance across all devices and networks. With cutting-edge tools and a meticulous approach, we identify and eliminate bugs before they impact your users. https://rb.gy/jfueow #SDET #BugHunt #CloudTesting #MobileAppQuality #FlawlessPerformance SDET Tech Pvt. Ltd.

[redactedconcepts]

Never forget a test

Testing is the process of evaluating a system or its component(s) with the intent to find whether it satisfies the specified requirements or not. Testing is executing a system in order to identify any gaps, errors, or missing requirements contrary to the actual requirements. This tutorial will give you a basic understanding of software testing, its types, methods, levels, and other related terminologies.

Code that is not tested can’t be trusted

Bad reputation

“Testing is Too Expensive”: Pay less for testing during software development => pay more for maintenance or correction later. Early testing saves both time and cost in many aspects. However, reducing the cost without testing may result in improper design of a software application, rendering the product useless.

“Testing is Time-Consuming”: Testing is never a time-consuming process. However diagnosing and fixing the errors identified during proper testing is a time-consuming but productive activity.

“Only Fully Developed Products are Tested”: No doubt, testing depends on the source code but reviewing requirements and developing test cases is independent from the developed code. However, iterative or incremental approaches to a development life cycle model may reduce the requirement of testing on the fully developed software.

“Complete Testing is Possible”: It becomes an issue when a client or tester thinks that complete testing is possible. It is possible that all paths have been tested by the team but occurrence of complete testing is never possible. There might be some scenarios that are never executed by the test team or the client during the software development life cycle and may be executed once the project has been deployed.

“A Tested Software is Bug-Free”: No one can claim with absolute certainty that a software application is 100% bug-free even if a tester with superb testing skills has tested the application.

“Testers are Responsible for Quality of Product”: It is a very common misinterpretation that only testers or the testing team should be responsible for product quality. Testers’ responsibilities include the identification of bugs to the stakeholders and then it is their decision whether they will fix the bug or release the software. Releasing the software at the time puts more pressure on the testers, as they will be blamed for any error.

“Test Automation should be used wherever possible to Reduce Time”: Yes, it is true that Test Automation reduces the testing time, but it is not possible to start test automation at any time during software development. Test automaton should be started when the software has been manually tested and is stable to some extent. Moreover, test automation can never be used if requirements keep changing.

Basic

This standard deals with the following aspects to determine the quality of a software application:

Quality model

External metrics

Internal metrics

Quality in use metrics

This standard presents some set of quality attributes for any software such as:

Functionality

Reliability

Usability

Efficiency

Maintainability

Portability

Functional Testing

This is a type of black-box testing that is based on the specifications of the software that is to be tested. The application is tested by providing input and then the results are examined that need to conform to the functionality it was intended for. Functional testing of a software is conducted on a complete, integrated system to evaluate the system’s compliance with its specified requirements.

There are five steps that are involved while testing an application for functionality:

The determination of the functionality that the intended application is meant to perform.

The creation of test data based on the specifications of the application.

The output based on the test data and the specifications of the application.

The writing of test scenarios and the execution of test cases.

The comparison of actual and expected results based on the executed test cases.

An effective testing practice will see the above steps applied to the testing policies of every organization and hence it will make sure that the organization maintains the strictest of standards when it comes to software quality.

Unit Testing

This type of testing is performed by developers before the setup is handed over to the testing team to formally execute the test cases. Unit testing is performed by the respective developers on the individual units of source code assigned areas. The developers use test data that is different from the test data of the quality assurance team.

The goal of unit testing is to isolate each part of the program and show that individual parts are correct in terms of requirements and functionality.

Limitations of Unit Testing:

Testing cannot catch each and every bug in an application. It is impossible to evaluate every execution path in every software application. The same is the case with unit testing.

There is a limit to the number of scenarios and test data that a developer can use to verify a source code. After having exhausted all the options, there is no choice but to stop unit testing and merge the code segment with other units.

Integration Testing

Integration testing is defined as the testing of combined parts of an application to determine if they function correctly. Integration testing can be done in two ways: Bottom-up integration testing and Top-down integration testing.

Bottom-up integration: This testing begins with unit testing, followed by tests of progressively higher-level combinations of units called modules or builds.

Top-down integration: In this testing, the highest-level modules are tested first and progressively, lower-level modules are tested thereafter.

In a comprehensive software development environment, bottom-up testing is usually done first, followed by top-down testing. The process concludes with multiple tests of the complete application, preferably in scenarios designed to mimic actual situations.

System Testing

System testing tests the system as a whole. Once all the components are integrated, the application as a whole is tested rigorously to see that it meets the specified Quality Standards. This type of testing is performed by a specialized testing team.

System testing is important because of the following reasons:

System testing is the first step in the Software Development Life Cycle, where the application is tested as a whole.

The application is tested thoroughly to verify that it meets the functional and technical specifications.

The application is tested in an environment that is very close to the production environment where the application will be deployed.

System testing enables us to test, verify, and validate both the business requirements as well as the application architecture.

Regression Testing

Whenever a change in a software application is made, it is quite possible that other areas within the application have been affected by this change. Regression testing is performed to verify that a fixed bug hasn’t resulted in another functionality or business rule violation. The intent of regression testing is to ensure that a change, such as a bug fix should not result in another fault being uncovered in the application.

Regression testing is important because of the following reasons:

Minimize the gaps in testing when an application with changes made has to be tested.

Testing the new changes to verify that the changes made did not affect any other area of the application.

Mitigates risks when regression testing is performed on the application.

Test coverage is increased without compromising timelines.

Increase speed to market the product.

Acceptance Testing

This is arguably the most important type of testing, as it is conducted by the Quality Assurance Team who will gauge whether the application meets the intended specifications and satisfies the client’s requirement. The QA team will have a set of pre-written scenarios and test cases that will be used to test the application.

More ideas will be shared about the application and more tests can be performed on it to gauge its accuracy and the reasons why the project was initiated. Acceptance tests are not only intended to point out simple spelling mistakes, cosmetic errors, or interface gaps, but also to point out any bugs in the application that will result in system crashes or major errors in the application.

By performing acceptance tests on an application, the testing team will deduce how the application will perform in production. There are also legal and contractual requirements for acceptance of the system.

Alpha Testing

This test is the first stage of testing and will be performed amongst the teams (developer and QA teams). Unit testing, integration testing and system testing when combined together is known as alpha testing. During this phase, the following aspects will be tested in the application:

Spelling Mistakes

Broken Links

Cloudy Directions

The Application will be tested on machines with the lowest specification to test loading times and any latency problems.

Beta Testing

This test is performed after alpha testing has been successfully performed. In beta testing, a sample of the intended audience tests the application. Beta testing is also known as pre-release testing. Beta test versions of software are ideally distributed to a wide audience on the Web, partly to give the program a “real-world” test and partly to provide a preview of the next release. In this phase, the audience will be testing the following:

Users will install, run the application and send their feedback to the project team.

Typographical errors, confusing application flow, and even crashes.

Getting the feedback, the project team can fix the problems before releasing the software to the actual users.

The more issues you fix that solve real user problems, the higher the quality of your application will be.

Having a higher-quality application when you release it to the general public will increase customer satisfaction.

Non-Functional Testing

This section is based upon testing an application from its non-functional attributes. Non-functional testing involves testing a software from the requirements which are nonfunctional in nature but important such as performance, security, user interface, etc.

Some of the important and commonly used non-functional testing types are discussed below.

Performance Testing

It is mostly used to identify any bottlenecks or performance issues rather than finding bugs in a software. There are different causes that contribute in lowering the performance of a software:

Network delay

Client-side processing

Database transaction processing

Load balancing between servers

Data rendering

Performance testing is considered as one of the important and mandatory testing type in terms of the following aspects:

Speed (i.e. Response Time, data rendering and accessing)

Capacity

Stability

Scalability

Performance testing can be either qualitative or quantitative and can be divided into different sub-types such as Load testing and Stress testing.

Load Testing

It is a process of testing the behavior of a software by applying maximum load in terms of software accessing and manipulating large input data. It can be done at both normal and peak load conditions. This type of testing identifies the maximum capacity of software and its behavior at peak time.

Most of the time, load testing is performed with the help of automated tools such as Load Runner, AppLoader, IBM Rational Performance Tester, Apache JMeter, Silk Performer, Visual Studio Load Test, etc.

Virtual users (VUsers) are defined in the automated testing tool and the script is executed to verify the load testing for the software. The number of users can be increased or decreased concurrently or incrementally based upon the requirements.

Stress Testing

Stress testing includes testing the behavior of a software under abnormal conditions. For example, it may include taking away some resources or applying a load beyond the actual load limit.

The aim of stress testing is to test the software by applying the load to the system and taking over the resources used by the software to identify the breaking point. This testing can be performed by testing different scenarios such as:

Shutdown or restart of network ports randomly

Turning the database on or off

Running different processes that consume resources such as CPU, memory, server, etc.

Usability Testing

Usability testing is a black-box technique and is used to identify any error(s) and improvements in the software by observing the users through their usage and operation.

According to Nielsen, usability can be defined in terms of five factors, i.e. efficiency of use, learn-ability, memory-ability, errors/safety, and satisfaction. According to him, the usability of a product will be good and the system is usable if it possesses the above factors.

Nigel Bevan and Macleod considered that usability is the quality requirement that can be measured as the outcome of interactions with a computer system. This requirement can be fulfilled and the end-user will be satisfied if the intended goals are achieved effectively with the use of proper resources.

Molich in 2000 stated that a user-friendly system should fulfill the following five goals, i.e., easy to Learn, easy to remember, efficient to use, satisfactory to use, and easy to understand.

In addition to the different definitions of usability, there are some standards and quality models and methods that define usability in the form of attributes and sub-attributes such as ISO-9126, ISO-9241-11, ISO-13407, and IEEE std.610.12, etc.

UI vs Usability Testing

UI testing involves testing the Graphical User Interface of the Software. UI testing ensures that the GUI functions according to the requirements and tested in terms of color, alignment, size, and other properties.

On the other hand, usability testing ensures a good and user-friendly GUI that can be easily handled. UI testing can be considered as a sub-part of usability testing.

Security Testing

Security testing involves testing a software in order to identify any flaws and gaps from security and vulnerability point of view. Listed below are the main aspects that security testing should ensure:

Confidentiality

Integrity

Authentication

Availability

Authorization

Non-repudiation

Software is secure against known and unknown vulnerabilities

Software data is secure

Software is according to all security regulations

Input checking and validation

SQL insertion attacks

Injection flaws

Session management issues

Cross-site scripting attacks

Buffer overflows vulnerabilities

Directory traversal attacks

Portability Testing

Portability testing includes testing a software with the aim to ensure its reusability and that it can be moved from another software as well. Following are the strategies that can be used for portability testing:

Transferring an installed software from one computer to another.

Building executable (.exe) to run the software on different platforms.

Portability testing can be considered as one of the sub-parts of system testing, as this testing type includes overall testing of a software with respect to its usage over different environments. Computer hardware, operating systems, and browsers are the major focus of portability testing. Some of the pre-conditions for portability testing are as follows:

Software should be designed and coded, keeping in mind the portability requirements.

Unit testing has been performed on the associated components.

Integration testing has been performed.

Test environment has been established.

Test Plan

A test plan outlines the strategy that will be used to test an application, the resources that will be used, the test environment in which testing will be performed, and the limitations of the testing and the schedule of testing activities. Typically the Quality Assurance Team Lead will be responsible for writing a Test Plan.

A test plan includes the following:

Introduction to the Test Plan document

Assumptions while testing the application

List of test cases included in testing the application

List of features to be tested

What sort of approach to use while testing the software

List of deliverables that need to be tested

The resources allocated for testing the application

Any risks involved during the testing process

A schedule of tasks and milestones to be achieved

Test Scenario

It is a one line statement that notifies what area in the application will be tested. Test scenarios are used to ensure that all process flows are tested from end to end. A particular area of an application can have as little as one test scenario to a few hundred scenarios depending on the magnitude and complexity of the application.

The terms ‘test scenario’ and ‘test cases’ are used interchangeably, however a test scenario has several steps, whereas a test case has a single step. Viewed from this perspective, test scenarios are test cases, but they include several test cases and the sequence that they should be executed. Apart from this, each test is dependent on the output from the previous test.

Test Case

Test cases involve a set of steps, conditions, and inputs that can be used while performing testing tasks. The main intent of this activity is to ensure whether a software passes or fails in terms of its functionality and other aspects. There are many types of test cases such as functional, negative, error, logical test cases, physical test cases, UI test cases, etc.

Furthermore, test cases are written to keep track of the testing coverage of a software. Generally, there are no formal templates that can be used during test case writing. However, the following components are always available and included in every test case:

Test case ID

Product module

Product version

Revision history

Purpose

Assumptions

Pre-conditions

Steps

Expected outcome

Actual outcome

Post-conditions

Many test cases can be derived from a single test scenario. In addition, sometimes multiple test cases are written for a single software which are collectively known as test suites.

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