Importance of Core Functional Testing

With the present market getting flooded by loads of apps and software that are launched regularly, it has become essential for any software or app to make a first impression on the users. The basic reason behind this is if you don’t get it right on the first chance, you stand no ground. Owing to the huge abundance of software and apps available in the market today, users can easily discard one app and move on to a better alternative that delivers superior service. So, to make a long lasting impression on the users that caters to their instant gratifying nature, releasing quality software is a must. For this, software testing service of high caliber acts as the need of the day.

Although neglected at times, software testing is one of the most important aspects of the development lifecycle of software. Such testing stands for validation and verification of a program or software that is designed to meet specific requirements of the clients and work faultlessly. Software testing accounts for an unbiased and objective view of the software being tested, which if done properly can minimize the risks associated with its implementation. Releasing software into the market without going through meticulous quality assurance (QA) checks can result in nightmare for the developer. This is mostly because his/her developed product will gain high chances of facing rejection at the hands of the users, in case it fails to match their demands and expectations.

Any newly developed software is bound to come up with several errors and fault. These need proper addressing in order to secure a good-to-go certificate. So, finding bugs in the functionality of the software and getting those fixed before the software is launched into the market is imperative. The basic level of testing that is done to check the quality assurance of software is ‘functional testing’. In this, an app or software is exposed to a group of people who can represent the potential user base accurately and give the much needed feedback on the effectiveness of the functionality of the software. This lends the developers an advantage to fix bugs and errors before the users get chance to see the developed software. Basically, anything that goes on the screen or in other words on the interface, need to be validated by the testers.

Core functional testing encompasses various components such as Regression, Database, GUI and Functional testing. Each of these components is inter-related and takes care of specific areas of testing that their names indicate. Since, our focus here is functional testing and its interrelation with GUI, let us take a close look at how functional testing services are important at the user interface level. Firstly, this sort of testing brings forth numerous deficiencies that might not have revealed when a source code review was conducted. Checking the complexity of the internal workings of software is essential for any software to hit success, but it is all the more crucial to test the usability of the software. After all, it is vital that users enjoy smooth navigation, ease of use and efficient qualitative experience while using the software. Any error in any of these aspects will compel a user to toss the software away and go for a more competent alternative. Combating this possibility is one of the major challenges in the way of success for any software.

Moreover, functional testing is important to confirm the overall quality of software. When performing functional testing, testers can analyze individual pieces of software separately within the context of the entire software. By testing a particular item inside the software, testers can recognize integration points between that particular item and other parts of the software. Following this, testers can formulate a plan on how those points that differ from each other can be made to work in harmony. Only when each and every component of the software works perfectly and keeps in tandem with the graphical user interface (GUI), can the software attempt to capture the market. After all, it is very important that the user interface matches the quality of the underlying code and offer a great experience to the users.

Now that you know how important functional testing at the user interface level is, let us consider the steps involved in such kind of testing. Before you start with any testing, documenting a test plan is mandatory; to which functional testing is no exception as well. This test plan is supposed to detail out the procedure involved to effectively test the software in totality. Once the test plan gets approval, testers need to start testing various aspects of the software, keeping business requirements of the particular client in mind. Using different test scenarios, testers put each component of the software to test.

Since coming up with flawless software is the end goal for any developer and tester, it is essential to ensure that every business requirement gets fulfilled with the software. For this, one or more scenarios can be used for testing single business requirement as well. Once these are done, test cases that point out the defects are written down or recorded in a test tracking tool like JIRA or Mercury’s Test Director. Then these defects are arranged as per priority and fixed, leading to regression testing of that software. In regression testing, all the components of the software are re-tested along with the fixes, which are verified by the tester. This procedure is carried out throughout to attain stable, faultless and effectively engaging software that users will enjoy getting involved in.

Thus, the purpose of functional testing is to offer quality software that are user friendly in nature as well. For this user friendliness, developers and testers have to ensure that the integral code of the software presents a friendly user interface that entices users to use the software. Moreover, it should be designed in such a manner that it can hold on to the user’s attention for long. When any software passes through all these stages of testing, it can be released into the market.

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