Importance of Functional Software Testing

Importance of Functional Software Testing How to make it more Beneficial

Almost similar to black box testing, functional software testing is an efficient method to validate the stability of an application. It is one of the common methods known and is far more popular than any other testing techniques. One of the main reasons behind its popularity is its usage during the development phase. Other than that, it is used for testing whether a particular piece of software is capable enough to be used by the organization or it has issues or technical glitches.

 Why such a testing is often needed?

Often, a new code or program is added to the existing software. At such times, it is essential to have the system, i.e. the software along with its newly added and previously available functionality tested to know whether it is still working after the modifications.

As the test will require you to include the components of the application, the network, and the code database of the entire system software, it will also help you make out if everything within the software system from its code to its design structure is working in equilibrium. In other words, it will verify how smooth each of the parts of the system works when put together.

Why is effective software testing an integral to better software functionality?

Any organization needs to have an effective functional software testing scenario for ascertaining that their software products are fulfilling the needed requirements and are producing the expected results. This will further allow the software developer to make sure that the code base has the functional requirements integrated into it. In other words, it will suggest whether the code on the test really satisfies the expected requirements.

Another area where it proves most useful is in checking the status of the requirement, i.e. it clarifies if certain functionalities are really needed or not. This saves the developer from implementing any inaccurate functionality in the software. In the process, it prevents unwanted rewrites, dissatisfaction of the end users or your clients and in several cases; it even helps in avoiding project failure.

How to Benefit the Most From the Testing Practice?

In order to ensure that your functional software testing process turns out to be successful and remains completely result oriented throughout the process, it gets important that you take care of the extension of the requisite within your management policy. With a working management policy, you’ll be able to clearly mention the methodology for developing the test cases for testing particular features scheduled for the market release.

Again, the management should have a proper description of the ways to map out the cases for converting them into test cases capable of verification. This way, it will be easier to ensure if the software is capable enough to satisfy the functionality requirements. At the same time, it will prove beneficial in making sure that the software functionality remains unchanged even when you have introduced modifications into it.

Next, it is important to be clear about how you want your software to operate. It is also advisable to conduct the test on the basis of operational needs of the software. It will ensure that your program is working exactly the way you expected it to. Along with that, it will also give conformity that the program follows industry standards.

It is always suggested to follow proper guidelines for the process as guidelines ensure effective results. Merging stipulated guidelines along with supporting technology and related configuration into your software development cycle is a wisest known move. Such integration not only gets you most viable results but also gives proper direction to your test. Also on regularizing these processes will add more stability and reliability to your software.

Using functional software testing tools

Your to do list must include the usage of some relevant tools for carrying out the entire process in more effective manner. Some of the benefits of using tools are –

• They are portable.

• They have playback feature.

• They offer validation and verification.

• Their scripting capabilities are much higher than manual

  methods.

• They offer reporting function.

If a developer conducts all the steps manually, he will have to look at the script creation process for making sure whether or not the processes that are being used are really simplified. Again, it will become essential for the scripting capabilities to include the ability to record various different elements starting from the child or the parent frames, the pop-ups, the modal, and the modeless dialogs. At the same time, ‘a learn mode’ will also be needed for the development of the scripting capabilities along with the Unicode support.

On the other hand, using special tools will ease up the entire process. The portability will record the scripts right in Windows and could also be run in Linux operating system later on. With validation and verification considerations, the result will be more authentic. In the nut shell, using tools will add more to the testing capabilities and the software development will also get easier as you’ll have added handling capabilities such as database, screen, and file handling, date and dynamic property handling and so on.

About Verifaya

Our company was founded in 2005 and since our inception; we have delivered automated software testing solutions to companies of all sizes – from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Intel Capital invested with us in 2011 and in 2013 we launched Verifaya Automation Platform – Verifaya Studio, which allows customers to rapidly automate and run their automated test suites regularly, in a repeatable and economical way.

www.verifaya.com