Negative Testing Archives | Independent Testing Company

30May

What is Visual testing?

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 ...