4 Major Levels of Software Testing and Their Advantages
The process of software testing mainly involves four levels, namely;
- Unit Testing
- Integration Testing
- System Testing
- Acceptance Testing
Unit Testing
The smallest constituent of the software that is capable of being tested is referred to as a Unit. In this stage, testing of the software is performed on separate units individually, with a common goal of making sure that each unit is operating in the expected or right manner. It often comes with a single output along with a few inputs. It offers or provides the opportunity to execute Functional Testing and White Box Testing at this stage.
For Instance, Consider you are manufacturing a water bottle that comes along with a sipper. In this process, you’ll first be required to manufacture the water bottle and later assess each unit separately like the cap, the straw, and the bottle separately.
Few Benefits of performing unit testing:
- The codes used for unit testing are much simpler.
- It gives clarity and simplifies the process of debugging.
- It increases the trust to preserve and alter codes.
- It is economical.
- It helps in making sure the process of development is quicker.
- It enhances the overall attributes of code.
- The process is made quick and easy.
Integration Testing
During this stage, units that are separated or independent are first grouped together to perform testing. The main goal or intention behind this level is to detect any errors that may arise in the integrated units’ interaction.
For Instance, Consider the same example we used above of you manufacturing a water bottle which has a sipper. After meticulously examining each unit separately, the entire unit will then be assessed to check for its functioning together. You will need to make sure about several things like, whether the straw is able to fit or pass through the lid or if the cap closes the bottle tightly in order to avoid any leakage.
The best part about this level is that all the three types of approaches used in software testing can be used at this level.
Few Benefits of Integration Testing are:
- It is fast and favourable in detecting issues at the system-level
- It helps in ensuring that each and every unit is functioning together.
- It is possible to perform this by using individual modules of the software.
- It is possible to perform this even in the initial stages.
System Testing
During this stage, the unified or fused software is tested as a single entity. The main aim of this stage is to evaluate the correspondence or correlations of the software with end-to-end testing and the requirements that have already been accepted. At this level, the most appropriate form of testing is Black Box Testing.
For instance, you evaluate the overall quality of the sipper bottle and if it is in sync with or meets the requirements of the end user fittingly.
Few Benefits of performing System Testing are:
- It helps in understanding the level of confidence of the team by making sure that the software is operating in a smooth manner.
- It evaluates the system keeping the technical and practical requirements in mind along with the work of the user.
- It helps in determining any bugs that could have been neglected during Integration and Unit Testing.
- It assists in recognizing or pinpointing the maximum number of bugs.
Acceptance Testing
During this stage of testing, the software is evaluated for acceptability. To ensure it is sufficient to be delivered, the software is checked or authenticated against the requirements.
For instance, after the production of the sipper water bottle is completed, you can evaluate its suitability and correctness prior to delivering it for sale.
Few Benefits of performing Acceptance Testing are:
- It helps in recognizing any bugs that could have been left out during the levels preceding this.
- During the production stage, it decreases the risk of discovering any major bugs.
- It helps in making sure that the end product being sent out is working properly.
- It helps in making sure that the present conditions are in sync with the requirements that have been established.
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