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23Jun

Unlocking the Benefits of Performance Engineering in QA: Key Practices and Techniques

Performance engineering is a cultural shift in the way organizations view their essential processes. Performance engineering embraces practices and capabilities that build quality and performance throughout an organization." - Joe Colantonio Performance Engineering is a practice that has emerged as a vital discipline within Quality Assurance (QA) to address performance-related challenges throughout the software development lifecycle. By proactively focusing on performance aspects, organizations can deliver high-performing applications that meet user expectations. Q-Pros has proven excellence in quality assurance and software testing using high-quality software and tools. This article explores the significance of performance engineering in QA and highlights its benefits and key practices. Performance engineering represents a proactive and continuous approach to application performance testing and monitoring. It fosters collaboration among various teams, tools, and processes by establishing continuous feedback loops. Unlike traditional performance testing, which solely relies on testers for quality assurance, performance engineering involves developers, performance engineers, product owners, and business analysts in ensuring the overall performance and quality of the application. It encompasses a cultural shift in organizations, emphasizing practices and capabilities that promote performance and quality throughout the development process. Benefits of Performance Engineering Performance engineering provides numerous benefits to organizations and their applications. By optimizing performance, it improves application responsiveness, enhancing the user experience and fostering customer satisfaction. It also enables scalability, allowing applications to handle increased loads and adapt to evolving business requirements. Through cost optimization, it ensures efficient resource utilization and infrastructure scaling. By proactively detecting and addressing performance issues early in the development process, it reduces future expenses and efforts. Furthermore, performance engineering enhances application stability, making them reliable under varying conditions, and facilitates data-driven decision-making through performance metrics analysis. Overall, performance engineering is vital for achieving high-performance, user-friendly, scalable, cost-effective, and stable applications. Practices and Techniques in Performance Engineering 1. Identifying tier-based engineering transactions: Dividing the application's load scripts into transactions that represent specific tiers of the deployment helps isolate and focus on the specific tier causing degradation. 2. Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs): Monitoring front-end and resource-related KPIs to understand the current capacity and workload trends. Examples of KPIs include TCP connection rate, requests per second, enqueue/dequeue count, queries per second, CPU average idle, waiting requests, free worker threads, enqueue/dequeue wait time, and free connections in the thread pool. 3. Reducing the number of transactions for analysis: Analyzing a large number of transactions can be overwhelming. Choosing a subset of transactions based on the characteristics of the application, including the landing page, log-in, business transactions with the highest and lowest response times, and engineering transactions. 4. Waiting for the test to be completed before analyzing: Avoid analyzing test results while the test is still running. Instead, let the test complete before interpreting the results and trends. 5. Ensuring reproducible results: Running each test scenario three times without making any changes to the performance test harness. This helps identify and remove any irreproducible results and ensures consistent and reliable test outcomes. 6. Ramping up the load: Starting with ghost tests to check system behavior without user activity. Then, single-user load tests to establish a baseline and identify transactions with the highest and lowest response times. Finally, concurrent user load scenarios to capture KPI metrics at different load levels. 7. Using visualization to spot anomalies: Comparing the expected behavior of a scalable application, as depicted in architectural diagrams, with the actual test results. Looking for discrepancies and anomalies to identify potential bottlenecks. 8. Looking for KPI trends and plateaus: Analyzing the trends of KPI values and focusing on the first occurring plateau in monitored hit rate KPIs. This plateau indicates a limitation in throughput and can help identify the server with the limitation. Graphing the free resources of that server to understand the root cause of the bottleneck. Performance Requirements Elicitation: Identifying clear and measurable performance requirements is crucial. Performance engineering collaborates with stakeholders to define response time, throughput, and resource utilization targets based on business needs. 9. Performance Monitoring and Alerting: Continuous performance monitoring in production environments helps identify performance degradations, abnormal behavior, and bottlenecks. Real-time monitoring tools provide insights into system health, enabling proactive measures to maintain optimal performance. Performance engineering is a vital discipline within QA that promotes a proactive and continuous focus on application performance. By involving stakeholders and implementing key practices, organizations can deliver high-performing applications that meet user expectations. Performance engineering brings collaboration, cultural shifts, and practices that enhance performance and quality. It offers benefits such as improved user experience, scalability, cost optimization, early issue detection, stability, and data-driven decision-making. Through practices like identifying transactions, monitoring KPIs, reducing analysis complexity, ensuring reproducible results, ramping up load testing, using visualization, and analyzing KPI trends, organizations can optimize performance and achieve their goals. With clear requirements and continuous monitoring, organizations can proactively address performance issues and ensure successful applications. Q-Pros is a leading test services provider, we offer software testing as one of our main services, as we understand its importance in today’s competitive market. If you would like to know more about us and our services, check out our list of offers. Find out more about us and request a testing service through our https://q-pros.com/online-test-request/...

19Jun

Shift-Right Testing: Advantages and Types for Improved Software Quality

by q-pros

in Types of Testing

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In the fast-evolving world of software development, where agility and user satisfaction are paramount, a new approach called Shift-Right Testing has emerged in software quality assurance, Similar to the Shift-Left testing approach, which was introduced earlier, Shift Right Testing advocates for testing in production or close-to-production environments, enabling organizations to identify issues in real-world scenarios. This article explores the concept of shit-right testing, its different types and approaches, and how it has the potential to transform the way software testing is approached, ultimately delivering faster time-to-market and improved overall software quality. Using high-quality software and tools, Q-Pros has proven excellence in defect prevention and software testing. In this article, we will explore the concept of Shift-Left Testing, an introduction to its different types, and the advantages this testing approach offers its users. Types of Shift-Right Testing When it comes to Shift Right Testing, there are several different types of approaches that organizations can adopt. These types of Shift Right Testing include: Production Monitoring: this type of Shift Right Testing involves closely monitoring the production environment to identify any issues or anomalies that may arise. By leveraging various monitoring tools and techniques, organizations can gain insights into the system's behavior, performance, and user interactions, allowing them to detect and address potential problems in real time. Canary Releases: In this approach, a small percentage of the user base is exposed to new features or updates before a full release. By gradually rolling out changes to a subset of users, organizations can gather valuable feedback, monitor the impact on performance, and identify any issues or bugs early on. This helps in mitigating risks and ensuring a smoother rollout to the wider user base. A/B Testing: A/B testing, also known as split testing: this type involves comparing two or more versions of a software feature or user interface to determine which performs better. By randomly dividing users into different groups and presenting each group with a different version, organizations can measure user preferences, engagement, and conversion rates. A/B testing in production allows organizations to make data-driven decisions and iterate on their software based on real user feedback. Chaos Engineering: this type of Shift Right Testing involves intentionally injecting failures or disruptions into the system to identify weaknesses and build resilience. By simulating real-world scenarios and stress-testing the system, organizations can proactively identify and address potential vulnerabilities or bottlenecks, ensuring the system can withstand unexpected events and recover gracefully. User Feedback and Telemetry: user feedback and telemetry data collection are essential components of Shift Right Testing. By actively soliciting feedback from users, such as through feedback forms or user surveys, organizations can gather valuable insights into user experiences, identify pain points, and prioritize areas for improvement. Additionally, telemetry data, which includes logs, performance metrics, and usage patterns, provides organizations with a wealth of information to analyze and optimize their software continuously. Benefits of Shift-Right Testing Shift-right testing and shift-left testing are two approaches that aim to enhance the software testing process. While shift-right testing focuses on involving testers earlier and more frequently in the SDLC, shift-left testing emphasizes the early involvement of testers in the requirements and design phases. Here are some benefits of shift-right testing compared to shift-left testing: Early user feedback: Shift-right testing allows for early user feedback by involving testers throughout the development process. Testers can provide valuable insights and suggestions based on their understanding of user needs and expectations. This helps in refining the software requirements and design, leading to a product that better meets user requirements. Agility and adaptability: Shift-right testing aligns with agile and iterative development methodologies. Involving testers throughout the SDLC, enables quick iterations, adjustments, and enhancements based on feedback. This agility and adaptability are particularly beneficial in dynamic development environments where requirements evolve rapidly. Comprehensive test coverage: Shift-right testing complements shift-left testing by providing additional test coverage. While shift-left testing focuses on early validation of requirements and design, shift-right testing expands the testing scope to cover functional, non-functional, and user-centric aspects of the software. This results in more comprehensive testing and a higher level of quality assurance. Improved defect detection: By involving testers earlier in the development process, shift-right testing enhances defect detection. Testers can identify bugs and issues that may have been missed during the design or coding stages. This early detection allows for timely resolution and prevents the accumulation of critical defects. Collaborative approach: Shift-right testing fosters collaboration between testers, developers, and other stakeholders. By working closely together throughout the SDLC, teams can address issues, share knowledge, and align their efforts toward delivering high-quality software. This collaborative approach promotes better communication and teamwork. Test automation leverage: Shift-right testing encourages the use of test automation tools and frameworks. Testers can automate repetitive and time-consuming test cases, enabling faster execution and freeing up time for more exploratory and user-centric testing. This automation leverage improves efficiency and productivity in the testing process. Both shift-left and shift-right testing approaches have their own unique benefits, and their effectiveness may vary depending on the specific project and context. Employing a combination of these approaches, commonly referred to as "shift-left-right testing," can provide the advantages of both methodologies and help achieve comprehensive testing and quality assurance. Q-Pros is a leading test services provider, we offer software testing as one of our main services, as we understand its importance in today’s competitive market. If you would like to know more about us and our services, check out our list of offers. Find out more about us and request a testing service through our https://q-pros.com/online-test-request/...

16Jun

AI-Based Defect Prediction and Prevention

by q-pros

in software testing

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In the rapidly evolving world of software development, the adoption of high-qualitysoftware is essential for success. Defects and bugs can lead to dissatisfiedcustomers, increased maintenance costs, and even security vulnerabilities.Traditional quality assurance (QA) approaches heavily rely on manual testing and bug fixing, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. However, with the emergence of AI technologies, a new era of defect prediction and prevention has begun. AI-based defect prediction and prevention leverage advanced algorithms to proactively identify potentialsoftware defects, enabling organizations to save time, reduce costs, and deliver higher-quality software. In this article, we will delve into the transformative power of AI in defect prediction and prevention and its significant impact on software quality assurance. Using high-quality software and tools,Q-Pros has proven excellence in defect prediction and prevention. In this article, we will explore the challenges of defect detection, how AI is harnessed for defect prevention, and the way it functions in doing so, in addition to the benefits of this practice. The Challenge of Defect DetectionTraditional QA approaches primarily focus on identifying and rectifying defects after they occur, often during the testing phase. However, this reactive approach can prove inefficient and result in defects escaping into production. Moreover, manual detection of defects is time-consuming and prone to human error. This is where AI-based defect prediction and prevention come into play, offering a proactive and intelligent solution to mitigate software defects. Harnessing AI for Defect PredictionAI algorithms, such as machine learning and data mining, possess the capability to analyze extensive data sets and identify patterns that might indicate potential defects. By training on historical data, these algorithms can learn from past defects, their characteristics, and associated factors. Consequently, they can predict the likelihood of future defects based on various code attributes, complexity metrics, development practices, and other relevant factors. This enables the early identification of high-risk areas, allowing developers and testers to efficiently allocate resources and focus on critical code sections. Preventing Defects with AI-Based Defect PredictionAI-based defect prediction is only one aspect of the equation. AI can also play a pivotal role in preventing defects from arising in the first place. By analyzing code repositories, bug-tracking systems, and other software artifacts, AI algorithms can identify common coding mistakes, anti-patterns, and design flaws that often lead to defects. Developers can then receive automated recommendations, coding guidelines, and best practices to adhere to, reducing the chances of introducing defects during the development process. By providing proactive guidance, AI empowers developers to make informed decisions, enhancing code quality and preventing potential defects before they materialize. Benefits of AI-Based Defect Prediction and PreventionThe adoption of AI-based defect prediction and prevention offers numerous compelling benefits for organizations striving to enhance their software quality assurance practices: 1. Early Defect Detection: by harnessing AI algorithms, defects can be identified early in the development lifecycle, reducing the cost and effort associated with rectifying them later. 2. Resource Optimization: AI-based predictions enable QA teams to focus their efforts on high-risk areas, optimizing resource allocation and improving testing efficiency. 3. Reduced Time-to-Market: proactive defect prevention facilitated by AI accelerates the software development process, enabling faster time-to-market while maintaining high quality. 4. Cost Savings: by minimizing the occurrence of defects, organizations can save costs associated with post-production bug fixing, customer support, and maintenance. 5. Improved Customer Satisfaction: high-quality software with fewer defects leads to heightened customer satisfaction and enhanced loyalty. 6. Continuous Improvement: AI algorithms continuously learn from new data and feedback, improving their accuracy and effectiveness over time. ConclusionAI-based defect prediction and prevention are revolutionizing the field of software quality assurance. By leveraging AI algorithms, organizations can proactively identify potential defects, prioritize testing efforts, and prevent defects from arising in the first place. This shift from reactive to proactive defect management saves time, reduces costs, and enhances software quality. As AI continues to evolve, its impact on defect prediction and prevention will only become more profound. Q-Pros is a leading test services provider, we offer software testing as one of our main services, as we understand its importance in today’s competitive market. If you would like to know more about us and our services, check out our list of offers. Find out more about us and request a testing service through our online request form....

13Jun

Shift-Left Testing: Accelerating Quality and Efficiency in Software Development

by q-pros

in Types of Testing

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In today's ever-growing software development, organizations prioritize delivering high-quality software rapidly. However, conventional testing practices often encounter delays and increased costs, leading to compromised software quality. To address these challenges, the concept of "Shift-Left Testing" has emerged as a prominent approach. In this article, we will explore the essence of Shift-Left Testing, its various types, and the advantages it brings to organizations aiming to enhance their software development processes. Using high-quality software and tools, Q-Pros has proven excellence in defect prevention and software testing. In this article, we will explore the concept of Shift-Left Testing, an introduction to its different types, and the advantages this testing approach offers its users. Shift-Left Testing is an approach that involves moving testing activities and responsibilities earlier in the software development lifecycle. Traditionally, testing is conducted after the development phase is complete, leading to delayed bug detection and longer feedback loops. Shift-Left Testing aims to involve testers, quality assurance (QA) teams, and relevant stakeholders from the project's inception, allowing for early detection and prevention of defects. By focusing on collaboration, continuous feedback, and test automation, Shift-Left Testing aims to accelerate development cycles and improve software quality. Types of Shift-Left Testing Traditional Shift Left Testing: traditional shift left testing moves the focus of testing from acceptance and system-level testing towards unit and integration testing. This approach concentrates on testing individual components and their interactions, utilizing tools such as API testing. By catching defects earlier in the development process, this method helps reduce costs and improve overall quality. Incremental Shift Left Testing: Incremental shift left testing is commonly used in projects that follow a more iterative and incremental development approach. It involves breaking down the development cycle into smaller increments, with corresponding shorter durations. Testing activities from the larger waterfall V-model are shifted left to become increments in the smaller incremental V-models. This approach allows for continuous testing throughout the development process, including both developmental and operational testing. Agile/DevOps Shift Left Testing: Agile/DevOps shift left testing aligns with Agile and DevOps methodologies, emphasize frequent iterations and continuous delivery. Testing activities are organized into numerous short-duration sprints. The shift left occurs because the types of testing in the early sprints are positioned to the left of the corresponding types of testing in the larger V-models. This approach enables continuous testing throughout the development process, promoting early defect detection and faster feedback. Model-Based Shift Left Testing: Model-based shift left testing focuses on testing executable requirements, architecture, and design models. Instead of waiting for the software to be developed, testing begins almost immediately by validating these models. This approach allows for the early detection of defects in the requirements, architecture, and design stages, reducing the risk of implementing flawed software. As executable models and simulation/testing tools become more prevalent, model-based shift left testing is gaining popularity. Each of these shift-left testing methods offer advantages in terms of early defect detection and cost savings. They represent a progression, with each method building upon the previous one to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of testing. Benefits of Shift-Left Testing Early Bug Detection and Prevention: One of the key benefits of Shift-Left Testing is the early detection and prevention of defects. By involving testers and QA teams in the requirements gathering and design phases, potential issues can be identified and addressed early on. This reduces the chances of critical bugs making their way into the later stages of development, resulting in higher software quality. Improved Collaboration and Communication: Shift-Left Testing fosters collaboration between developers, testers, and stakeholders throughout the software development life cycle. Testers actively participate in discussions, provide valuable inputs, and work closely with developers to ensure quality standards are met. This improved collaboration leads to better communication, shared understanding, and a collaborative mindset that enhances the overall efficiency of the development process. Faster Feedback and Iterative Improvement: With shift-left Testing, feedback loops become shorter and more frequent. Testers can provide early feedback on requirements, designs, and prototypes, enabling developers to make necessary adjustments promptly. This iterative approach allows for continuous improvement, reduces rework, and ensures that the final product meets the desired quality standards. Increased Test Coverage and Efficiency: Shift-Left Testing emphasizes the early creation of test assets, including test cases, test scripts, and test data. By starting testing activities earlier, testers have more time to create comprehensive test suites that cover various aspects of the application. Test automation plays a crucial role in achieving increased test coverage and efficiency by automating repetitive tasks and enabling faster test execution. Cost and Time Savings: by catching defects early in the software development life cycle, Shift-Left Testing helps organizations save costs associated with fixing issues in later stages. Early defect detection reduces the time and effort required for bug fixing, resulting in shorter development cycles and faster time-to-market. Additionally, the increased efficiency and collaboration among team members contribute to overall cost savings. Continuous Quality Improvement: Shift-Left Testing promotes a culture of continuous improvement. Testers and QA teams continuously learn from their experiences, gather feedback, and refine their testing strategies. By incorporating lessons learned into subsequent iterations, organizations can continuously enhance their testing practices and deliver higher-quality software with each release. Shift-Left Testing is a powerful approach that transforms the way software development teams approach testing and quality assurance. By involving testers early in the software development life cycle, organizations can proactively address defects, improve collaboration, and optimize the overall development process. The benefits of Shift-Left Testing, including early bug detection, improved communication, faster feedback, and continuous improvement make it an essential practice for organizations aiming to accelerate development cycles and deliver high-quality software in today's fast-paced. Q-Pros is a leading test services provider, we offer software testing as one of our main services, as we understand its importance in today’s competitive market. If you would like to know more about us and our services, check out our list of offers. Find out more about us and request a testing service through our https://q-pros.com/online-test-request/...

02Jun

Top 7 Automated Tools for Software Testing in 2023

by q-pros

in News & Topics

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In this day and age, automation of services is becoming a necessity to scale up production,whether it be in terms of speed, accuracy, or simply to offer an easier solutionfor average users.Software testing has always been a fast-shifting industry. Developers and software providersContinue to look for ways to create suitable AI solutions to base the testing processes from all angles on an automated tools foundation. As a testing service provider, Q-Pros relies on a heavy arsenal of software and tools to aid us in our QA process and to provide ultimate results for our clients. In this article, we will list the market-leading automation tools to use in 2023. Here is a top 7 list (in no order) of the best-automated tools for software testing in 2023: 1. Katalon StudioKatalon Studio is an automation software testing tool that allows its users to build test scriptswithout code. Katalon offers a list of plugins and sub-tools that benefit the overall testing process,and the platform works with Java scripting languages.Katalon Studio supports data-driven and behavior-driven approaches and CI/CD integration. Thetool can be used for exploratory testing allowing rapid feedback.Katalon Studio offers a great deal of pre-built coding templates to make it easier forbeginners and experienced testers. You can take advantage of its auto-completion, codeinspection, and auto-formatting features during execution.Katalon can be used for web, desktop, API, and mobile testing. It provides an excellentdocumenting service and is suitable for all environments, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. 2. AutifyAutify is an automated tools that offers a no-code testing service for web and mobileapplications. It is considered one of the simplest test automation tools available as it allows you tocreate test scenarios by simply using and interacting with the application as if you were an average user.It also offers parallel test execution to work on tests on more than one component simultaneously.Autify allows running multiple cross-browser tests at the same time, and its AI-based frameworkautomatically updates any test case if a change occurs.Autify integrates with bug-tracking tools like Jenkins, TestRail, Slack, and many more. 3. MablMabl is a low-code automation testing platform that gives you the ability to create and executefunctional tests and API integration suites from a single platform.During test execution, Mabl provides diagnostic data and feedback on failed tests, and an AI powered auto-healing system to learn from previous tests.Mabl uses user experience scenarios and integrates automated end-to-endtesting to the entire development process and CI/CD. 4. KobitonKobiton is a cloud-based mobile testing platform that offers manual, automated, and visualtesting options for mobile applications on Android and IOS. Services can be non-scripted orscripted using its AI-assisted script tool.Kobi ton's specialty is that it allows you to run complete device labs using local devices and privateand public cloud devices, as well as offering testers the ability to run tests in paralleland concurrently running multiple tests.Unlike the previous market leaders in mobile testing, such as Appium, Kobiton allows you torun scriptless automated tools tests and gives you the ability to transform manual tests into simpleautomated tests. 5. TestGridTestGrid is a testing platform that can run on cloud or local spaces. The platform offers testingservices for mobile apps and websites.It also provides you with a no-code automation testing option and an auto-healing technology thatworks with Selenium and Appium scripts.TestGrid is an adaptable platform, meaning it offers its users the ability to reuse tests ondifferent versions of the app without needing to rewrite test cases from scratch. The platform alsooffers parallel testing features to allow testers to test in bulk. 6. Cucumber (Supported by SmartBear)Cucumber is a behavior-driven development (BDD) automation testing tool. It allows you to writetest scenarios in natural language to ease the testing process for beginners and users with noextensive programming skills.Cucumber is considered one of the simplest testing tools for automation, and its featurefiles are easy to use for both users and primary stakeholders. It is a useful tool to enablecommunication for BAs, developers, designers, QA analysts, and end-users.The platform is open-source and comes with free services and paid plans. 7.IBM RationalTest WorkbenchIBM's Rational Test Workbench is a testing tool that offers functional testing, integrationtesting, and API testing services. It uses virtual components to discover errors in the preliminarystages.IBM's Rational Test Workbench supports DevOps and can integrate with other platforms to facilitatethe testing process for Web, Mobile, and desktop applications.Rational Test Workbench makes it simple for users to run automated tests by offering code-freeauthoring and storyboard testing for functional and regression testing, mixing natural languagetests, and visual editing.The platform uses Script Assure to adapt to frequent user interface changes and constant systemupdates, as well as allowing you to reuse objects through its object repository.The platform also offers a scriptless performance testing service using automatic management ofrobust service responses that speed up the delivery of performance testing groups. Find out more about us and request a testing service through our online request form...

30May

What is Visual testing?

by q-pros

in software testing

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In this article, we will learn about a type of software testing known as Visual Testing. We will investigate the various subjects surrounding this testing approach and how we at Q-Pros adopt its various methods to guarantee excellent results. What is Visual testing?"Visual Testing" is observing an application’s visible output while monitoring for visual bugs and assessing the output in comparison to what is expected by demand. Examining an application's interface is done during the production period by developers, and later end-to-end users (a person who intend to use a product) will seal the deal with the product in the final stages. The front-end developer’s main concern is to make sure that an application looks good on all browsers and devices with no obvious defects in terms of appearance. HTML and CSS as well as JS are interchangeable and can behave differently from one platform to another. This causes the risk of errors that not only affect appearance but also the functionality. Considering such concerns, Visual testing is highly demanded by clients as a major step in QA (Quality Assurance).The distinct value of Visual TestingTesting your application's script and making sure each input delivers an expected output on a basic level is not enough. Changes regarding layout and interface could occur due to a lack of compatibility. Certain elements such as height, width, background color, font style, font size, and position within screen coordinates could change from one platform to another. This change is a result of different operating systems using various rendering methods.Developers need to have their code written in a way that includes all previous versions of script input. Tools such as Babel could ease up the process by re-writing a code to make sure it could be rendered by all browsers in the same way. Cross-browser testing is a different approach with similar objectives. It includes other aspects than visual ones and focuses on how an application behaves in various browsers, making sure an application is operating based on business requirements and has achieved the desired quality level on all available browsers.Manual Visual Testing Vs Automatic Visual Testing Manual Visual Testing Manual Visual Testing involves testing an application by sheer observation through usage and excavating any notes or anomalies that might stick out. This form of testing is becoming less popular because it is time-consuming. To put it in perspective, testing an application "manually" will require testing it on all available browsers, in all operating systems, and taking into consideration, available devices and different screen configurations and screen displays. This will take a lot of time to accomplish, and it will open room for false readings. Automated Visual Testing In Automated Visual Testing, developers use tools and software to automate the test process and compare visual elements across different screen combinations. Automated tools such as Selenium or Appium ease the process by running the script and creating UI variations. As good as it may seem to have all screen combinations generated automatically, it still leaves the burden of testing it yourself to check for any bugs or defects. One way to make things even easier is to rely on a method called Snapshot Testing.In short, Snapshot testing creates a bitmap of multiple screen combinations and compares pixels, reporting/highlighting any unexpected changes in color hex code. By comparing each pair of pixels in combination A & combination B, a snapshot test highlighted the difference as shown in the third table. The Issue with Automated Visual Testing and The Snapshot Method: As good as it may seem, Automated Visual testing is not perfect. While companies are relying on automated means of visual testing, the need for manual observation is essential.Rendering will always cause deference – Relying on an algorithm to detect differences is almost redundant, as the algorithm will always report bugs. This is because pixels do not represent visual elements. Certain rendering activities include algorithms that create pixel differences to run a script. Encountering some differences on a UI level does not always translate to bugs – some operating systems/browsers adjust CSS codes in a way that is seen as suitable. For Example, Minor changes may occur to the text based on the browser being used. /*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 26-03-2024 */.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Benefits of Visual Testing Visual Testing offers a multitude of advantages: Improved User Experience: By identifying visual inconsistencies and UI defects, Visual Testing ensures a polished and user-friendly experience for everyone.Early Defect Detection: Visual bugs can be caught early in the development cycle, leading to faster and more cost-effective fixes.Reduced Maintenance Costs: Consistent visual appearance across platforms minimizes the need for rework and maintenance efforts later in the development process.Faster Release Cycles: Automated Visual Testing can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines, enabling faster release cycles with the confidence of a visually sound product.Peace of Mind: Visual Testing provides developers and stakeholders with the assurance that the software's visual presentation aligns with design expectations. The Future of Visual Testing Visual Testing is poised for further evolution: Machine Learning Integration: Machine learning algorithms can be employed to analyze visual data and automatically identify potential UI issues.Self-Healing UIs: Imagine UIs that can self-adjust for optimal display across different devices. Visual Testing combined with AI could pave the way for such advancements.Focus on Accessibility: Visual Testing will likely play a bigger role in ensuring UIs are accessible to users with visual impairments.Q-ProsVisual testing is a field that co-exists with a lot of other non-functional testing methods; it is an inseparable need of QA. At Q-Pros We run scripts on various scenarios to make sure the script runs well on all available platform combinations. We rely on automated tools as well as manually checking visual elements via a team of QA experts....

27May

Understanding Negative Testing in Software Quality Assurance

by q-pros

in Types of Testing

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Software development thrives on creating robust systems. But how do you ensure your creation can withstand not just ideal conditions, but also unexpected user behavior and invalid inputs? This is where negative testing comes in. Often referred to as error path testing or failure testing, negative testing is a crucial aspect of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) that focuses on intentionally providing invalid inputs and exploring scenarios where the system might fail. What is Negative Testing? Negative testing is one of two main software testing strategies (Positive and Negative). Unlike its adversary, Negative testing focuses on test cases that drift away from common use(I.e., providing improper data as input) While positive testing follows an application’s intended steps to make sure it runs as intended. Take for example an application that has a conditional insert field, what will happen if the user enters a space or a character inside an input field for numbers? Negative testing looks for ways that can challenge the application and get it outside its comfort zone to make sure it holds its ground. Some bad results might include system crashes or null outputs of no use. While performing quality tests, we must include all possible events. Our testing engineers look for the most sophisticated way of improper use to make sure the system is aquept for everything. Why is Negative Testing Important? Imagine a website login form that crashes when someone enters a special character in the username field. This might seem like a rare occurrence, but negative testing helps identify and address such vulnerabilities. Here's why negative testing is essential: Improved Stability: By proactively testing how the system reacts to unexpected inputs, negative testing helps prevent crashes and unexpected behavior in real-world scenarios. This leads to a more stable and reliable system. Enhanced User Experience: Users can be unpredictable. Negative testing helps identify scenarios where user errors or invalid inputs might lead to a frustrating experience. By anticipating these situations and implementing proper error handling, you can ensure a smoother user experience. Increased Security: Malicious actors often exploit unexpected system behavior. Negative testing can help uncover security vulnerabilities that could be targeted by hackers. By identifying and addressing these weaknesses, you can make your system more secure. Better Quality Assurance: Negative testing complements positive testing, which focuses on validating expected functionality. Together, they provide a more comprehensive picture of the system's behavior, leading to a higher quality product. How Does Negative Testing Work? Negative testing involves a systematic approach to identifying and testing invalid inputs, boundary conditions, and error scenarios. Here's a breakdown of the process: Identifying Test Cases: This is where testers put on their creative thinking caps. They need to consider various scenarios where users might provide invalid data, exceed expected limits, or perform unexpected actions. For example, a test case might involve entering letters in a numeric field, leaving required fields blank, or submitting unreasonably large data. Executing Test Cases: The identified test cases are then executed by providing the system with invalid inputs and observing the behavior. This might involve manually entering data or using automated testing tools. Evaluating Results: The system's behavior under negative testing is then evaluated. Ideally, the system should gracefully handle invalid inputs by displaying appropriate error messages or preventing the action from being completed. In some cases, the system might be expected to log the error for further investigation. Examples of Negative Testing: Here are some real-world examples of negative testing in action: E-commerce Website: A tester might try entering negative quantities for an item in the shopping cart or use nonsensical characters in the billing address. The system should prevent the purchase from being completed and display appropriate error messages. Login Form: Negative testing might involve entering an excessively long username or password, leaving both fields blank, or using special characters that are not allowed. The system should handle these scenarios gracefully by displaying clear error messages. Mobile App: Testers might try swiping in unexpected directions on the app screen, entering invalid characters in search fields, or attempting to use the app with a weak internet connection. The app should handle these scenarios without crashing and provide appropriate feedback to the user. Best Practices for Negative Testing To get the most out of negative testing, consider these best practices: Think Like a User (and a Hacker): Put yourself in the mindset of a user who might make mistakes or a malicious actor trying to exploit vulnerabilities. This will help you identify a wider range of negative test cases. Start Simple, Then Go Extreme: Begin with basic invalid inputs and gradually move towards more extreme scenarios like entering massive amounts of data or using special characters. Document Everything: Keep a record of the test cases you execute, the results you observe, and any bugs you discover. This documentation becomes valuable for tracking progress and improving future testing efforts. Combine with Positive Testing: Negative testing is most effective when used in conjunction with positive testing. This comprehensive approach ensures that the system not only functions as expected but can also handle unexpected situations. Conclusion Negative testing is an invaluable tool for building robust and user-friendly software. By proactively identifying and addressing potential failures, you can create a system that is more stable, secure, and provides a positive experience for your users. So, the next time you're developing software, don't be afraid to break things – through negative testing, of course! By embracing the unexpected, you can build a system that is truly prepared for anything. Request a Service ...

23May

Understanding Bugs in Software Testing

by q-pros

in QA Tips

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The objective of QA activities is to find and detect defects and ensure fulfillment of requirements as desired by stakeholders. We at Q-Pros put this on the top of our priorities when serving our clients. In this article, we will investigate bugs in software Testing, what are the criteria followed to report a bug, the terminology used, and why we get bugs? To start, let us look at the definition of bugs in a software system. Definition of “Bugs in Software Testing” A bug is a way to define a certain defect that is blocking an application to work as required. Finding bugs can be defined as the main objective of the entire testing process. Bugs might be caused due to several kinds of mistakes made by developers in the development phase. Types of Bugs in Software Testing Bugs are segregated into categories based on casualty as such: · Coding Error: A bug caused due to a mistake in the coding phase (Internal mistakes). · Design Error: A bug caused due to a designer’s mistake, these bugs could cause issues in functionality and behavior. · New suggestion: This type of bug is concerned with enhancement. A testing expert would suggest a change rather than a severe fix. · Documentation issue: Documentation issues could cause ambiguity and misunderstanding amongst involved developing teams. Which in turn results in bugs and defects. · Hardware problem: Bugs caused by hardware issues interfering with the application of the software. Types Of Bug Severity In order to prioritize QA efforts, we separate bugs in terms of severity. Bugs in Software Testing are defined based on effect level into the following types: · Blocker: Blocks a certain function or test to be actioned. · Critical: Causes system crash and major loss of data. · Major: Causes a huge abnormality of function. · Minor: Causes a small/minor loss of function. · Trivial: UI enhancements required. · Enhancement: A suggestion for a certain change or modification. - Using Jira as a bug-tracking tool Jira is an open-source tool that is used for bug tracking, project management, and issue tracking in manual testing. It offers services and features that include reporting, recording, and workflow. Jira is a prominent project management tool that is easy to use and works best for projects that require multiple teams and levels of involvement. Characteristics of a Valid Bug (Bug Criteria) Reporting defects can be trickier than you would think. For us to consider a bug valid for reporting, it must follow a certain criterion. First, a Bugs in Software Testing should be unique and have its own unique ID, this means that we cannot relate to more than one defect regardless of how close they are in the scope of application. Then you must consider the fact that bugs should be reproducible, meaning that more than one tester can get the same bug when following the same steps leading to that bug. Thirdly you should dedicate as much time as possible to make sure that the bug report is clear and cohesive and can be transferred from one team to another to get the issue fixed. - Read Also “Mobile App Testing Checklist for a Defect Free App” Where do Bugs come from? There are several reasons why we get bugs in Bugs in Software Testing. The top two factors of bugs immerging are: · Poor communication Communication during the development stages is highly significant and is a key factor in project management. Post-production bugs come about due to miscommunication which leads to ambiguity, meaning that there was an unclear or misunderstood transfer of information during the initial stages of requirement planning and design on what the software is required to do. · Programmer’s mistake Programmers might make mistakes during the coding phase, which will most certainly open the door to several bugs and defects. Testing experts have methods to check internally to root out the cause of a defect from the source code directly. Learn more about software testing approaches at Q-Pros and request a service via our online test request. https://q-pros.com/online-test-request/...

Globalization testing and localization testing

16May

Globalization and Localization Testing in Software Development

by q-pros

in software testing

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Globalization testing and localization testing are two types of tests that are incredibly important in software testing. It is vital for business owners to have their applications suited specifically for a desired market or market. And it is our role at Q-Pros as a leading testing provider to ensure that for our clients. In this article, we will investigate the differences between the two and why we perform these forms of tests. What is Globalization Testing? A type of software testing that is performed to ensure that an application is compliant with global standards and is available in multiple languages while including several features based on various regional conditions. Examples of global applications would include Google. It adjusts itself based on the user's location, ensuring a unique experience for each country. Various features will include languages, time zones, currencies, and many more. Globalization testing is done via a team of testing experts who ensure the software is set for the global market based on modern demands. This could be done while collaborating with translators and business experts who can guarantee the level of inclusivity the application would have based on clients’ requests. What is Localization Testing? A type of software testing in which the intent is to make sure the application is designed for a fixed region. This includes showing regionally relevant content and optimizing the application for a specific language. An example of a localized website is a government website, such as bundesregierung.de, which is only available in German, French, and English. It is specifically designed for German citizens and features information that is exclusively relevant to Germany. - Globalization Testing Vs Localization Testing - Globalization Testing Localization Testing A test was performed to make sure that an application could be used by various users around the globe A test is performed to make sure that the application is designed to be used eventually in a specific region It is used to validate different currencies, addresses, and mobile numbers in software It is used to validate particular currencies, addresses, and mobile numbers Takes more time to conduct Takes less time to conduct Requires higher cost to include various elements Takes a lesser cost to perform It separates the translator from the developer to guarantee independent results Testing is only done on limited levels Why is Localization Testing important? Studies have shown that localized apps generate more stable revenue, this is because region-customized applications maintain a loyal and frequent following as users become more dependent on them. Localized applications would include specific features that are adjusted for a certain country or some countries. These features are of unique design and are made to be suitable and accessible for a limited group. Why is Globalization Testing important? To include as many users as possible, it is obvious that business owners would want to globalize their software. Globalized applications would include specific features that adjust or adhere to certain countries. These features are also compliant with cultural norms and take into consideration the difference in display and perception between regions. It is incredibly significant for companies to ensure as much usage as possible. This helps establish the strong and weak points concerning geographical areas. Future marketing analysis relies a lot on Globalization testing as it helps get a clear image of why certain applications might not perform as well in separate places. Q-Pros is a leading IT company providing testing services to our clients to ensure excellence. If you want to know more about us https://q-pros.com/online-test-request/ ...

15May

Codeless Testing – Automated Testing & Tools

by q-pros

in News & Topics

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In this article, we will get to know more about a term commonly used in the QA (Quality Assurance) world. It is associated with automated means of testing a product. Codeless testing, or codeless automated testing, provides solutions for developers and testers by ensuring everybody’s involvement in the testing process regardless of their level of technical knowledge. So, what is Codeless testing? What are the specifics of implementing codeless automated tests? And how we at Q-Pros take advantage of such practices to ensure better and more guaranteed results for our clients. What is Codeless automated testing? Codeless automated testing is a type of testing that involves no writing of code. It allows teams to automate writing tests without the need for code-writing skills. By relieving the testers from the time-consuming code/scriptwriting process required in many manual code-based tests, Codeless Automation allows for more time within the Dev-Ops cycle, accelerates the software development lifecycle (SDLC), and channels more energy toward development and innovation for developers and testers alike. Codeless vs Code-based Testing By distinguishing testing approaches based on code usage/dependency, we produce terms such as low-code, no-code, and code-based testing. These terms are regarded as frameworks adopted by testing experts based on the business needs and requirements. Some products require simple forms of testing by following the logic of use. These approaches require little-to-no-code knowledge, while other more complex forms of testing rely extensively on script knowledge. Codeless Code-based Little to no coding skill Requires strong coding skills ~ Less than an hour a test ~ 5 to 6 hours per test Relies on self-handling tools Proactive in nature Tested on web and mobile Mobile native (Appium) & desktop web (Selenium) Test scenarios are flow-based Test scenarios are page-based When to use Codeless testing? To achieve top-quality results, any organization should ensure a healthy balance of code-based & codeless testing methods. Not all tests can be done via codeless means, some tests are too complex, and unpredictable, and it would be impossible to get accurate results without a hefty use of code. Certain tests for behavior for example are difficult to test for using codeless automation methods. An application being blocked on certain devices, or cases where different results are erupting irregularly. In the QA world, tests are segregated based on objective, and by understanding the required goal of the test, one can choose a testing method that is fitting for the mission at hand. Rather than scanning all aspects of an application using one code-based methodology, relying on codeless testing first-hand regarding certain aspects saves a lot of time. Components, features, and approach. Selenium is an open-source medium used for automated testing. It provided companies with a good ROI (Return on Investment) in their projects by accelerating the testing process. While companies relied on Selenium for automated testing, Selenium offered a component that allows the recording, editing, and debugging of functional tests, called Selenium IDE (Integrated development environment). Selenium IDE recorded testing steps and later provided the option to convert these testing steps into a programming language. Basic features for Selenium IDE: Allows test case reuse via the Run command. Provides automation cross-browser testing using the Selenium SIDE runner. Supports a mix of commanding options like loops and raise asserts. Runs a specific test or a testing suite. Records scripts, which can be later accessed manually for editing. Its benefits can be extended using plug-ins (Third-party services provided by Selenium). Another highly-ranked automation tool that offers a codeless feature is Katalon Studio. It is described as simple to use with unique features. Basic features for Katalon Studio: Very minimal coding skills are required. Built-in test case libraries, project templates, and keywords. It allows for recording and playback. Used for API, desktop, and mobile. Allows for the use of plug-ins. Many other tools that are unique in features are provided for test experts to make use of. Software development companies are adding and enhancing versions of their testing applications so that they can offer faster and easier ways of testing more efficiently. These innovative tools not only benefit testing experts or developers but also provide a sense of comfort for clients looking for better results. Codeless Automation using Cloud By utilizing cloud technology, we can speed up the testing process even more. Removing the supervising human user from the process and making sure that every aspect of an application is tested. Several benefits include: Adjusting workload as needed automatically. Automation on a cloud test for scalability easily without the need for hardware. Cloud automation testing can be accessed anywhere, anytime. Security is provided by the cloud provider. Cloud automation meets robust requirements. Q-pros is a leading Quality assurance company, with years of experience, we managed to stay ahead of the curve in all state-of-the-art testing utilities. You can request our automation testing services via our list of offers. By reducing limitations, Codeless testing strengthened the cooperation between the developing team, testing team, and clients/end-users. This enriches the Dev-Ops cycle and in return guarantees better results and cost-effectiveness. ...