We are living in an age of automation, there is no question about it. Everything from our lights to our appliances to our steps taken per day seem to be automated. This has unquestionably helped to make our lives easier and more efficient.
But not everything in life should be automated. Software testing, for example, is something that often requires close personal attention to be done right. If you miss some of the nuances that could affect your software performance in subtle ways, you can end up with problems that may be hard to fix.
What characterizes manual testing?
Let’s now take a look at some of the main characteristics of manual software testing services and what you should be looking for when you choose a provider.
Flexibility
You wouldn’t necessarily think that flexibility is paramount when it comes to something like software testing. After all, a program either works or it doesn’t, right?
Not necessarily. Actually, one of the main advantages of manual testing is the ability to assess system requirements foe updates and changes. Software usually undergoes updates on a regular basis, and some systems are not equipped to adapt easily. Test scripts can be subject to rewriting, and you might need to know how to do this yourself or you will be stuck.
Preventative action
A lot of software can be buggy. As time goes on, these bugs can cause greater and greater problems with your overall system functioning and the results of your work. If you and your staff are trained to look for bugs early on, you will know how to detect them when they arise and deal with them before they cause major problems.
Perspective variety
When you test your software manually, you gain an individual perspective on the process that you would not otherwise get. This leads to a deeper understanding of how your software functions, and can provide you with greater insight into the processes involved. It can even improve the quality of your work as you know the components of your system better and understand more precisely what you are building on.
Manual software testing types
Let’s now take a look at the different types of manual software testing. Each type is suitable for particular applications.
Black box testing
Black box testing takes its name from the fact that testers go into the process with no prior knowledge of the codes or structure of what they are working with. Its purpose is to test the overall functionality of a given software, and also assess its security and other particular features. It aims to examine these things independently of the code that the software is based upon.
White box testing
White box testing is basically the opposite of black box testing in that testers do pay attention to the code they are working on, and in fact the whole testing process is based upon it. White box testing looks at inputs and outputs, and it does so by testing every line of code within a given program. This helps to optimize the software’s security.
Grey box testing
Grey box testing lies between white box and black box testing in the sense that the testers have some knowledge of the system they are working with, but not full knowledge. This type of testing is good for assessing how appropriately applications are being used, and whether or not there are any underlying structural problems.
Unit testing
Unit testing isolates code in its most minute form. In it, the smallest units of code are isolated and tested to ensure that each of them functions in the most optimal way.
Exploratory testing
Exploratory testing involves testing in which testers examine a program of which they have no prior knowledge. It is a way of going into a process without preconceptions to see what types of issues might arise. Sometimes this style of testing can be worthwhile because testers aren’t overly focused on one or more particular problems. It allows for a more objective type of search.
System testing
System testing can be a valuable way of assessing how well your system as a whole functions. While testing individual software is useful to test particular applications, you also need to be sure that the system your software is based on is in good shape.
Worth your time
Each of these testing types is valuable at different times in the cycle of your systems and application operations. Depending on your particular needs at any given time, you might need testing of different levels of specificity. It will be well worth your while to find a solid partner that can help you with all your needs.
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