Types of Software Testing: A Complete Guide with Flowchart
Software testing is essential to ensure the software works correctly, meets user expectations, and is free from bugs or issues. This guide covers all the major types of testing and includes a visual flowchart to make it easy to follow.
Software testing is essential to ensure the software works correctly, meets user expectations, and is free from bugs or issues. This guide covers all the major types of testing and includes a visual flowchart to make it easy to follow.
Why Software Testing Matters
Effective software testing is crucial for delivering high-quality products and ensuring user satisfaction.
- Detects bugs early
- Improves product quality
- Reduces future costs
- Increases customer satisfaction
- Validates that business needs are met
Effective software testing is crucial for delivering high-quality products and ensuring user satisfaction.
- Detects bugs early
- Improves product quality
- Reduces future costs
- Increases customer satisfaction
- Validates that business needs are met
Software Testing Categories
Testing is broadly divided into two main categories, each with its unique approach to quality assurance.
Manual TestingAutomated TestingEach of these includes functional and non-functional types of testing.
Testing is broadly divided into two main categories, each with its unique approach to quality assurance.
Each of these includes functional and non-functional types of testing.
Types of Software Testing (Flowchart)
This flowchart provides a visual overview of the different categories and types of software testing.
Software Testing↓Manual Testing↓Functional Testing↓Unit TestingIntegration TestingSystem TestingAcceptance TestingAutomated Testing↓Non-Functional Testing↓Performance TestingLoad TestingStress TestingSecurity TestingUsability Testing
This flowchart provides a visual overview of the different categories and types of software testing.
Types of Functional Testing
Functional testing methods verify that each feature of the software operates according to its specifications and user requirements.
- Unit Testing: Tests individual code units or functions.
- Integration Testing: Verifies interaction between modules.
- System Testing: Tests the complete system for compliance.
- Acceptance Testing: Validates software against business needs.
Functional testing methods verify that each feature of the software operates according to its specifications and user requirements.
- Unit Testing: Tests individual code units or functions.
- Integration Testing: Verifies interaction between modules.
- System Testing: Tests the complete system for compliance.
- Acceptance Testing: Validates software against business needs.
Types of Non-Functional Testing
Non-functional testing evaluates the software's performance, reliability, usability, and other "how" aspects, rather than "what" it does.
- Performance Testing: Evaluates responsiveness under load.
- Load Testing: Tests software under expected usage volume.
- Stress Testing: Pushes system beyond normal conditions.
- Security Testing: Identifies vulnerabilities.
- Usability Testing: Ensures good user experience.
Non-functional testing evaluates the software's performance, reliability, usability, and other "how" aspects, rather than "what" it does.
- Performance Testing: Evaluates responsiveness under load.
- Load Testing: Tests software under expected usage volume.
- Stress Testing: Pushes system beyond normal conditions.
- Security Testing: Identifies vulnerabilities.
- Usability Testing: Ensures good user experience.
Manual vs Automated Testing
A comparison of key features between manual and automated testing highlights their distinct roles in the QA process.
A comparison of key features between manual and automated testing highlights their distinct roles in the QA process.