Introduction

Testing is an essential component in quality assurance and ensures our software applications and websites work as expected. For example: Suppose you have built your own website and it has a few hundred visitors everyday, one day an article you have published goes viral , suddenly a million people are visiting your site and the website crashes. From the example given above, we see that the website created wasn’t prepared for an higher increase in the number of visitors over time and as such crashed. Testing although could have predicted this or even prevented it.

What is Testing?

Software Testing is a process of evaluating and verifying the various software applications and products in terms of performance, correctness and completeness. It helps identify bugs, gaps in the product, defects and missing requirements with set expectations. Testing although was primarily done in the later stages of the software life cycle. Now though, it has evolved to be integrated at the early stages as well.

A brief history of the concept called Testing.

It all started in the early days of computers. Software developers back then relied heavily on debugging, a process for detecting and removing software errors. After the 1980’s, the software grew in size , several different testing types and products also grew in parallel depending on the requirements.

The Efficiency of the Testing Concept.

The efficiency of the testing type is dependent on how well written it is. The ideal test scenario is to have the least tests written to find the largest number of defects. It is also important to note that while software testing is important in any scenario, the real test of the product comes when it is launched to the market. There, it’s judged by stake holders and users.

We live in an internet age, products with bugs especially in the early stage may likely make consumers loose interest very quickly as many alternatives are readily available else where. Therefore, testing plays an important role when it comes to consumer’s retainability. Here are a few reasons why it can help:

1. Testing helps detect poor design.
2. Testing helps change inefficient flow of functionality.
3. Testing helps address scalability concerns.
4. Testing helps find security vulnerability.
5. Testing helps to find AB testing to find the best suitable option.
6. Testing helps to address compatibility with platform and devices.
7. Testing also provides assurance to the stakeholders and a better experience for end users.

To achieve optimal results though, there are a few good practices that must be followed. These are:

1. Making sure to create a test code allowing reusability of test.
2. Test must be traceable to the requirement test.
3. Test written must be purpose driven, efficient and allow for repeatability.
4. The testing techniques from here on can then follow a procedural approach according to the type of testing used.

The testing life cycle in general, can broadly be described as planning, preparation, execution and reporting. The steps involved in achieving this can include:

1. Writing scripts in test cases.
2. Compiling test results.
3. Correcting defects based on them.
4. Generating reports from our test results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, testing is a very important concept in the software development life cycle. Test cases can improve functionality flow and finding defects. A well written test case eventually provides good coverage, reusability, better user experience, reduces cost and increases overall satisfaction. Note though, that testing in software development can be seen as the anchor of a ship or insurance for your vehicle. You can hope that everything operates smoothly but the reality is that often times, it does not and when you can aim for perfection, there is always potential for human error but this can at least be minimised with testing.