Most of us are not familiar with the term “Software Testing“. We always think developers are the only people responsible for successful software. How many of us know that the software developed by developers is of little worth unless it is tested and proved error free? This very essential phase is called “Testing”, which involves “Verification” and “Validation” of the product.
The first barrier to a successful career in software testing is our attitude towards this field: we feel it is inferior. “What is testing, but playing with software?” is what even most developers think. Truth be told, there is nothing so inferior about testing to developing.
The testing team is technically called Q.A. ie; Quality Assurance. As the name says it all, it is these people who deliver the product, quality assured. Why this field is challenging than developing is because you will have to spot the area developers overlooked. As a matter of hard fact, developing primarily focuses on the brighter side of the project. They don’t deviate from their regular path of glory which they relive for years together, which is why developers don’t make good testers.
The very essential characteristics of a good tester would be:
–> understand customer perspective
–> Out of the box thinking
–> Domain knowledge
–> Basic manual testing strategies
Two basic testing methodologies are:
1) Manual Testing
2) Automated testing
Manual testing suggests testing without any tools involved. It is entirely manual, as the name says. Unlike in manual testing, some of the major tools used in automated testing are listed below.
1) QTP (Quick Test Professional)
2) Load Runner
3) Win Runner
4) QC
LIFE CYCLE OF SOFTWARE TESTING:
* Requirement gathering: Includes collecting requirements, functional specifications, and other necessary documents.
* Obtain end dates for completion of testing.
* Identify resources and their responsibilities, required standards and processes.
* Identify application’s high risk area, prioritize testing, and determine scope and assumptions of testing
* Determine test strategy and types of testing to be used – Smoke, System, Performance etc
* Determine hardware and software requirements
* Determine test data requirements
* Divide the testing into various tasks
* Schedule testing process
* Create test cases: A test case is a document that describes an input, action, or event and an expected response, to determine if a feature of an application is working correctly.
* Review the test cases
* Finalize test environment and test data. Make sure the test environment is separated from development environment.
* Get and install software deliveries (basically the developed application)
* Perform tests using the test cases available
* Analyze and inform results
* The defect needs to be informed and assigned to programmers who can fix those.
* Track reported defects till closure
* Perform another cycle/s if needed : After the defects is fixed, the program needs to be re-tested, for the fix done and also to confirm that defect fixing has not injected some other defect.
* Update test cases, test environment, and test data through life cycle as per the change in requirements, if any.
What should a fresher do if he is impressed by testing?
1) Gain wide-spread knowledge on testing methodologies
2) Study blogs and websites which provide plenty of information for free.
3) Possibly get certified by an institute.
What are the recommended certifications?
1) Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)
2) Certified Associate in Software Quality (CASQ)
As the IT industry becomes more competitive, the ability for management to distinguish professional and skilled individuals in the field becomes mandatory. CAST Certification demonstrates a foundation-level understanding of quality testing principles and practices.
Acquiring the designation of CAST and CASQ indicate a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of software testing in the IT profession. Certified candidates become members of an acclaimed professional group, receiving recognition of their competence by business and professional associates, and are potentially prone to a more rapid career advancement.
Prerequisites checklist for CAST and CASQ:
To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet one of three prerequisites:
- A 3-year degree or 4-year degree from an accredited college-level institution
- A 2 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 1 years experience in the information services field
- Three years experience in the information services field
3) Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA)
Prerequisites:
To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet one of four prerequisites:
- A 4 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 2 years experience in the information services field
- A 3 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 3 years experience in the information services field
- A 2 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 4 years experience in the information services field
- Six years experience in the information services field
4) Certified Software Tester (CSTE)
| Checking Prerequisites |
To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet one of four prerequisites:
- A 4 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 2 years experience in the information services field
- A 3 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 3 years experience in the information services field
- A 2 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 4 years experience in the information services field
- Six years experience in the information services field
and Currently working, or having worked at any time within the past 18 months in the field covered by the certification.
Author
C.Vignesh
Vignesh is a Testing Engineer working in a reputed company at Chennai. He has years of experience in Software testing and development.
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