Test-Driven Development (TDD)

Test-driven development starts with developing test for each one of the features.
The test might fail as the tests are developed even before the development.
Development team then develops and refactors the code to pass the test.

Test-driven development is related to the test-first programming evolved as part of

extreme programming concepts.

Test-Driven Development Process:

 Add a Test
 Run all tests and see if the new one fails
 Write some code
 Run tests and Refactor code
 Repeat

Example:

Context of Testing:
 Valid inputs
 Invalid inputs
 Errors, exceptions, and events
 Boundary conditions
 Everything that might break

Benefits of TDD:
  Much less debug time
 Code proven to meet requirements
 Tests become Safety Net
 Near zero defects
 Shorter development cycles

Release Testing
Release testing is the process of authenticating that a specific release of a software product
fulfills the specified requirements. It ensures that the release of a software product is “ready for
release” to the end users. It is carried out to detect and eliminate any defects, bugs, or issues that
may have been left unattended during the development process.
The key objective of a release test is to authenticate that the software works as per plan and
fulfills the stipulated requirements.
It helps in identifying errors and eliminates the defects leading to failures.
Release test facilitates the implementation of tests at different levels. Thus, it leads to fewer
errors and also fulfills the customer’s needs.
It guarantees software compatibility with various hardware configurations, operating systems,
and other software products.
It assesses software’s performance under different contexts, including stress testing and peak
usage.
It ensures that the software fulfills stated data privacy and security requirements.
It makes the software more reliable and stable.
It curtails the odds of customer complaints and enhances customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Release Test

 Improves software product quality and performance:
This test helps to detect and solve any defects or issues in the software prior to its release. Hence,
it always ensures high-quality software products. Moreover, it assures that the software functions
as intended under different conditions. So, it leads to overall better performance and user
experience.
 Increases teamwork efficiency:
This test frequently entail collaboration between different departments and teams. Consequently,
it leads to improved teamwork and communication. This helps the team members work more
efficiently.
 Decreases risks:
The ability to find and fix bugs in the testing process allows this tests to minimise the risk of lost
business, user complaints, and deterioration of the organisation’s prestige in the market.
 Cost-effective:
It is less expensive to fix bugs in the testing phase compared to fixing them after the software has
been released.
 Increases customer satisfaction:
Effective release test of a software product suggests that it will have fewer issues. Therefore, it
increases the likelihood of fulfilling the users’ requirements and expectations and thus increases
customer satisfaction.
 Better project management:
With the help of this test, you can determine the required resources, tasks, and schedules
contributing to an effective software release. So, it lets you better plan and manage the project.

User testing
User testing in software testing is a process where actual users of a software or application
evaluate its functionality to ensure that it meets their needs and expectations. The main goal is to
identify any usability issues, gather feedback on user experience, and ensure that the software is
user-friendly.
1. Selection of Users: A diverse group of real users, representing the target audience, is chosen to
participate in the testing.

2. Test Environment: Users are provided with a controlled environment where they can interact
with the software.

3. Test Scenarios: Test scenarios are designed to cover different aspects of the software. These
scenarios often mimic real-life situations to assess how well the software performs under various
conditions.

4. Observation: Testers or facilitators observe users as they navigate through the software,
paying attention to any challenges, confusion, or issues encountered.
5. Feedback Collection: Users provide feedback on their experience, highlighting what they
liked, disliked, and any difficulties they faced. This feedback is crucial for improving the
software.

6. Analysis: The collected data and feedback are analyzed to identify common issues, patterns,
and areas for improvement. This information is then used to make necessary adjustments to
enhance the software's usability.

7. Iterations: Based on the findings, developers may make changes to the software and conduct
additional rounds of user testing to ensure that improvements have been effective.

User testing is valuable for uncovering issues that might not be apparent during other types of
testing, such as functional or performance testing. It helps ensure that the final product aligns
with users' expectations, leading to a more user-friendly and successful software application.

Acceptance Testing
Acceptance Testing is a method of software testing where a system is tested for acceptability.
The major aim of this test is to evaluate the compliance of the system with the business
requirements and assess whether it is acceptable for delivery or not.
It is formal testing according to user needs, requirements, and business processes conducted to
determine whether a system satisfies the acceptance criteria or not and to enable the users,
customers, or other authorized entities to determine whether to accept the system or not.
Acceptance Testing is the last phase of software testing performed after System Testing and
before making the system available for actual use.
Types of acceptance testing
Alpha Testing
Alpha testing is a type of acceptance testing, which is performed to identify all possible
bugs/issues before releasing the product to the end-user. Alpha test is a preliminary software
field test carried out by a team of users to find out the bugs that were not found previously by
other tests. Alpha testing is to simulate a real user environment by carrying out tasks and
operations that actual user might perform. Alpha testing implies a meeting with a software
vendor and client to ensure that the developers appropriately meet the client's requirements in
terms of the performance, functionality, and durability of the software.
 Alpha testing needs lab environment, and usually, the testers are an internal employee of the
organization. This testing is called alpha because it is done early on, near the end of the software
development, but before beta testing.
Beta Testing
Beta Testing is a type of acceptance testing; it is the final test before shipping a product to the
customers. Beta testing of a product is implemented by "real users "of the software application in
a "real environment." In this phase of testing, the software is released to a limited number of end-
users of the product to obtain feedback on the product quality. It allows the real customers an
opportunity to provide inputs into the design, functionality, and usability of the product. These
inputs are essential for the success of the product. Beta testing reduces product failure risks and
increases the quality of the product through customer validation. Direct feedback from customers
is a significant advantage of beta testing. This testing helps to tests the software in a real
environment. The experiences of the previous users are forwarded back to the developers who
make final changes before releasing the software product.
Differences between the Alpha testing and Beta testing are:

Alpha Testing Beta Testing

1. Alpha testing performed by a team of Beta testing performed by clients or end-users in a

highly skilled testers who are usually real-time environment, who is not an employee of
the internal employee of the the organization.
organization.

2. Alpha testing performed at the Beta testing doesn't need any lab environment or
developer's site; it always needs a the testing environment; it is performed at a
testing environment or lab client's location or end-user of the product.
environment.

3. Reliability or security testing not Reliability, security, and robustness checked

performed in-depth in alpha testing. during beta testing.

4. Alpha testing involves both white box Beta testing uses only black-box testing.
and black-box techniques.

5. Long execution cycles maybe require Only a few weeks are required for the execution of
for alpha testing. beta testing.
6. Critical issues or fixes can be Most of the issues or feedback is collecting from
identified by developers immediately the beta testing will be implemented for the future
in alpha testing. versions of the product.

7. Alpha testing performed before the At the time of software product marketing.
launch of the product into the market.

8. Alpha testing focuses on the product's Beta testing concentrates on the quality of the
quality before going to beta testing. product, but gathers users input on the product
and ensures that the product is ready for real-time
users.

9. Alpha testing performed nearly the Beta testing is a final test before shipping a product
end of the software development. to the customers.

10. Alpha testing is conducting in the Beta testing reversed of alpha testing.
presence of developers and the
absence of end-users.