The document provides a comprehensive overview of different software testing types essential for ensuring the functionality and stability of applications and websites. It categorizes software testing into functional and non-functional types, detailing various specific tests like unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing, among others. Additionally, it discusses the principles of software testing and techniques applicable across testing types to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.

1. The Different Types of Software Testing: A
Comprehensive Overview
Mobile applications and websites play a crucial role in helping organizations connect with their
customers; this makes it essential to build an application or website that functions well. A critical
aspect that makes this possible is testing.
Testing helps ensure the application is stable, its code works well and meets all the users'
requirements. However, there are different software testing types with their unique purpose.
These software testing types affect various aspects of the development process, from inception
to production.
With so many different software testing types, it's essential to get a clear understanding of each
one. This blog will explore two fundamental software testing types: Functional and
Non-Functional, and all the tests under them.
What are The Different Types of Testing?
Unit Testing

2. Developers run unit tests during the application's development phase to ensure individual
components or sections of code function well. This software testing type helps developers catch
bugs and uncover specific issues before the app can go to the QA teams.
The simplest example of a unit test is when a developer runs a unit test on a calculator app. The
purpose of this test will show the developer if entering two numbers produces the correct
response. Two types of tests that come under Unit testing are:
a) White Box Testing
White box tests help developers check the output of an action on an app and the code that is
responsible for the output. Developers run this test to check for faults in the business logic and
verify the code's integration with the app's infrastructure.
b) Gorilla Testing
Developers run Gorilla tests to ensure the practical functionality of specific modules within an
application. The main objective is to check for faults in module installation and address them.
Developers run this test manually.
Integration Testing
Integration testing usually involves testing a group of modules of an application. The goal of this
software testing type is to check for any defects or bugs in the interfaces between these
modules. This type of testing adds value to the Unit tests.
A test that comes under Integration testing is:
a) Gray box testing
Gray box testing is a testing technique developers use to test an application. It involves having
partial knowledge of the structure of the application. It helps developers identify problems with
code or the use of the application.
System Testing
System testing involves running tests on the entire system to check if it meets specific
requirements. System tests evaluate all the modules that have passed the integration tests.
System testing includes these software testing types:
a) End to End Testing
Testers run end-to-end tests to check the app's capabilities in real-world settings, like using
network communications, interacting with a database, applications, or other hardware. These
test results help the tester validate an app and its internal systems before launch.

3. b) Black Box Testing
Black box testing involves testing the functionalities of an app without knowing the internal
design, code, system, or structure. Its primary focus is on the input and output of the app based
on software specifications and requirements.
c) Smoke Testing
Smoke testing ensures the stability of the deployed software build. It is a confirmation to the QA
teams that the build is ready for further testing. The main goal is to check if the app's essential
features work perfectly well and that there aren't any bugs in the software.
d) Sanity Testing
Sanity testing, a subset of regression tests, is a software test that ensures that bug fixes or
newly added functionalities work fine. Testers run sanity tests to confirm the stability of the build.
e) Happy path Testing
Happy path testing involves testing an application through a positive flow. The tester runs
scripted test scenarios that a user would perform to check if the application generates expected
outputs without breaking functionality.
f) Monkey Testing
Monkey tests run with the assumption that a monkey is using the app. If this were the case, a
monkey would use the app, entering random values and inputs without understanding the
application.
This test aims to check if the application crashes when testers provide it with random
values/inputs. Testers perform this test at random; they do not have scripted test cases and do
not have to be fully aware of the system functionality.
Acceptance Testing
Acceptance testing helps check the app's functionality concerning business requirements and
assess if it's ready for delivery. The client can accept that app if it meets specific acceptance
criteria. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is the last software testing phase before production.
a) Alpha Testing
Alpha testing helps validate the functionality of a new app. The internal staff carries out alpha
tests early on in the development process. The goal is to identify and eliminate defects before
releasing the software.
b) Beta Testing

4. The clients/customers/users run beta tests. They perform these tests in real environments
before the organization officially releases the product into the market. This test aims to ensure
that no errors remain in the product and that it meets all business requirements from the user's
perspective.
An example of a beta test is when games are pre-released on the Play or App Store. The
developers release these games to get user feedback, identify glitches, fix the errors, and
release the app with all issues resolved.
c) Operational acceptance testing (OAT)
Operational acceptance testing, or OAT, helps system administrators ensure their systems
continue to work well. They test the backup and restore features, user management, maintain
the software, update recovery processes, keep tabs on the installing and uninstalling aspects,
and ensure software upgrades.
Non-Functional Testing
Security Testing
Security testing involves identifying flaws in the security systems of an app or website. This
software testing type helps prevent security breaches and keeps the software secure from
viruses and malicious programs. It also helps check the security and strength of the
authentication and authorization processes.
a) Penetration Testing
Penetration testing, also called Pen testing, is the intentional authorization of a cyberattack on
the system. The idea behind this is to find out the system's vulnerabilities regarding security.
Ethical hackers usually perform Pen testing, which is also called ethical hacking. They perform
URL manipulation, session expiry, SQL injection, Privilege Elevation, and more.
Performance Testing
Performance testing tests an application's response time and stability under load. Testers run
performance tests to check app speed, reliability, and overall health. This test aims to eliminate
performance bottlenecks and ensure the app meets the required service levels and a positive
user experience.
a) Load testing
As the name suggests, load testing involves putting an application through a specific load to
check its stability and response time. This load helps identify the app's behavior when multiple
users simultaneously access it.

5. For example, if your application can handle 1000 users with a response time of 3 seconds, you
would run load testing to check if your app meets this expectation or falls short.
b) Stress Testing
Stress testing tests an application's ability to maintain its level of effectiveness under stress or
load. With stress testing, testers run an application through extreme conditions to check its
functionality.
Continuing the earlier example of your application handling 1000 users at a response time of 3
seconds, you would test your application's performance with 10,000 users and track its stability
and response time with stress testing.
c) Scalability Testing
As the name suggests, scalability testing tests the application's ability to scale up or down in
response to more users. To put it simply, it checks the application's performance when the
number of users drastically increases or decreases.
If your application can handle 1000 users at a response time of 3 seconds, what happens when
you introduce 1500 or 5000 users? Would this affect the response time? Scalability testing helps
note under what load the application crashed so that the team can work to fix it.
d) Volume testing
Volume testing subjects software to massive volumes of data to analyze the system's
performance. The goal is to check the impact on response time and system stability.
e) Endurance Testing
Endurance testing tests an application's ability to endure heavy loads for long periods. The goal
is to check if the application's performance drops or if it loses its stability.
Automobile companies run endurance tests to check if their users can use the particular
automobile without experiencing difficulties, continuously for hours.
Usability Testing
Usability testing helps testers check if their application is user-friendly and easy to use. The test
focuses on the users and if they can use the application with ease.
a) Exploratory testing
Exploratory testing relies on an individual tester and his ability to explore the application to
identify otherwise not easily found defects. Testers will need to use their business domain
knowledge to explore the application.

6. This testing allows users to explore the user story by themselves. They can add assertions,
annotate defects, and create voice memos and documentation to help QA teams better
understand the faults in the application.
b) Cross-browser testing
Testers running cross-browser tests use it to test their application on different operating
systems, browsers, and mobile devices. This test aims to check how the application performs on
various platforms. Cross-browser testing is essential because users access apps and websites
on different devices. If your application has bugs on one platform, you can lose many users.
The HeadSpin Platform gives you access to real devices so you can connect to different
browsers and operating systems. It integrates into your CI/CD workflows, enabling functional
and performance testing pre and post-release. It also fully supports all testing frameworks,
including native Appium.
c) Accessibility Testing
Making applications accessible for ones with disabilities is very important. Accessibility testing
ensures that your application meets all the requirements for accessibility.
It is essential to check if your application meets the disability requirements for mental disability,
visual impairment, deafness, and others.
Compatibility testing
As the name suggests, compatibility testing helps check if your application runs well on different
browsers, databases, configurations, network environments, web servers, hardware, and more.
Principles of Software Testing
Software testing principles are foundational guidelines that help conduct various types of
testing effectively. These principles ensure testing efforts are focused and aligned with the
SDLC's goals.
1. Testing Shows Presence of Defects: Testing can only confirm the presence of defects,
not their absence. Even when no defects are found, claiming flawless software is
impossible. Each type of testing you employ should aim to uncover different issues,
thereby increasing the quality of the product.
2. Exhaustive Testing is Impossible: Testing every possible scenario is challenging.
Instead, focusing on the most critical and high-risk areas through different types of
testing can help identify significant issues without overextending the testing process.
3. Early Testing: Initiating testing early in the software development lifecycle, particularly
using methods like unit and integration testing, can significantly reduce the cost and time

7. required to fix defects. Different types of testing at various stages ensure
comprehensive coverage.
4. Defect Clustering: Experience shows that most defects are often found in a few
modules. Prioritizing these modules for testing, particularly through regression and
functional testing, can lead to more effective bug detection.‍
5. Pesticide Paradox: Repeating tests eventually leads to diminishing returns as the same
defects are found. To counter this, it's important to continually update and diversify test
cases, exploring different types of testing to uncover new issues.
What are Software Testing Techniques and How are They
Different from Testing Types?
Introduction to Software Testing Techniques
Testing techniques are specific procedures used to ensure that software behaves as expected.
Unlike testing types, which categorize tests based on what they evaluate (like functionality,
performance, or security), testing techniques focus on how testing is conducted. Techniques can
apply across different testing types, optimizing tests' efficiency and effectiveness.
Overview of Various Techniques and Their Relation to Testing Types
● Static vs. Dynamic Testing: Static testing involves reviewing the code without
executing it (e.g., walkthroughs, and inspections), whereas dynamic testing involves
executing the code and observing outputs.
● Black-box Testing: This technique focuses on the input and output of software systems
without knowing the application's internal workings. It applies to most types, such as
functional, integration, and system testing.
● White-box Testing: Known as clear or glass box testing, it involves looking inside the
software structure and is based on coverage of code statements, branches, paths, and
conditions.
Examples of Technique Applications
● Equivalence Partitioning: Used in functional testing to reduce the number of test cases
by dividing inputs into groups expected to exhibit similar behavior.
● Boundary Value Analysis: Often used in performance testing to explore the limits of
software capabilities by testing at the upper and lower ends of input values.
Manual vs. Automated vs. Continuous Testing
Definition and Differences

8. ● Manual Testing: Testers manually operate and verify the software for defects. It's
flexible but time-consuming and can be prone to human error.
● Automated Testing: Uses software tools to run tests automatically, repeat them, and
compare expected and actual outcomes. Ideal for regression tests and large-scale tests
but can be expensive to set up.
● Continuous Testing: Part of the Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
pipeline, where tests are automatically triggered every time a change is made to the
codebase.
Pros and Cons
● Manual Testing: Pro: Allows for real user feedback; Con: Less efficient.
● Automated Testing: Pro: Faster and more reliable over multiple iterations; Con: High
upfront cost.
● Continuous Testing: Pro: Immediate feedback on the impact of changes; Con:
Requires a mature development process.
Choosing the Right Approach
Selecting between these methods depends on several factors like: project size, budget,
criticality, and the stage of development. A combination of these approaches is often used to
leverage their benefits.
Seven Principles of Software Testing
Introduction to the Principles
The seven software testing principles are guidelines that help testers manage the complexities
of testing activities and improve testing effort quality.
Exploring Each Principle
1. Testing Shows Presence of Defects: Testing can show defects are present but cannot
prove that no defects exist.
2. Exhaustive Testing is Impossible: Instead of attempting to test everything, prioritize
tests based on risk and importance.
3. Early Testing: The earlier testing is started in the SDLC, the more cost-effective it is to
fix defects.
4. Defect Clustering: Defects are often grouped; identifying one defect means more may
be nearby.
5. Pesticide Paradox: Running the same tests repeatedly will stop finding new bugs; tests
must be reviewed and revised.
6. Testing is Context Dependent: Testing is influenced by the context in which the
software operates, like safety-critical software vs. commercial software.

9. 7. Absence-of-Errors Fallacy: Just because no defects are found doesn't mean the
software is ready for production.
Implications
Understanding these principles helps testers optimize their strategy, ensuring thorough and
effective testing practices that align with business goals and project requirements.
Conclusion
Testing to check if your users can use your application smoothly is essential. However, it is
equally important to test your application's functionality in unexpected scenarios. Anticipating
human errors is fundamental to creating a good user experience.
Remember, tests are code. So, it's essential to review them. Testing your application's security
is vital to building trust with the user. And finally, testing your application beyond its limit will help
you understand its actual capability.
The HeadSpin Platform provides you with a global device infrastructure that can help you test
your website & apps on real devices across the world.
And finally, tests are code too! So don't forget them during code review, as they might be the
final gate to production.
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