What types of software testing do QA professionals need to know?

QA professionals need to be familiar with various types of software testing to ensure the quality and reliability of software products. Here are some key types of software testing that QA professionals should know: 1. Integration Testing 2. System Testing 3. Regression Testing 4. Performance Testing 5. Security Testing 6. Usability Testing 7. Acceptance Testing But in my experience most of the QA testers should be aware of the below two. 8. Functional Testing: This type of testing focuses on verifying that the software functions correctly and meets the specified functional requirements. 9. Exploratory Testing: It allows testers to uncover unexpected issues and evaluate the user experience of the software.

Functional testing is the method of verifying that the software meets the customer requirements and specifications. Functional testing involves testing the features, functionalities, external interfaces of the product. Functional testing can also be done manually or using automated tools. We can do Functional testing at different testing levels, such as component testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing.

Non-functional testing is the method of evaluating the performance, security, usability, accessibility, compatibility, and reliability of the product. Non-functional testing focuses on how the product behaves under different application conditions and situations, rather than what it does. We can perform Non-functional testing using various tools and techniques, such as load testing, stress testing, security testing, usability testing, accessibility testing, compatibility testing, and reliability testing.

Regression testing is the method of retesting the software after making changes or updates to ensure that the existing functionalities and features are not affected due to new changes. Regression testing helps to detect and prevent bugs and errors that may arise due to the modifications or enhancements of the product. We can do Regression test manually or using automated tools, depending on the scope and complexity of the changes.

Exploratory testing is the method of testing the software without a predefined test plan or script. Exploratory testing involves using creativity, intuition, and experience to explore the product and discover potential issues, risks, or bugs. Exploratory testing is generally performed in parallel with the other testing types, such as functional testing or non-functional testing, to complement and supplement them. Anyone can do Exploratory testing either testers, developers, or users, depending on the context and purpose of the testing.

Smoke testing is the method of performing a quick and basic check of the software before conducting more detailed and comprehensive testing. Smoke testing objective is to verify that the software is stable, functional, and ready for further testing. We can do smoke testing manually or using automated tools, depending on the availability and feasibility of the test cases. We can perform Smoke at different stages of the software development lifecycle, such as after each build, after each deployment, or before each release.