Black Box or Functional Testing

Black Box Testing is testing without knowledge of the internal workings of the item being tested. The Outside world comes into contact with the test items, only through the application interface, an internal module interface, or the INPUT/OUTPUT description of a batch process. They check whether interface definitions are adhered to in all situations and whether the product conforms to all fixed requirements. Test cases are created based on the task descriptions
Black Box Testing assumes that the tester does not know anything about the application that is going to be tested. The tester needs to understand what the program should do, and this is achieved through the business requirements and meeting and talking with users.
Functional testing: This type of tests will evaluate a specific operating condition using inputs and validating results. Functional tests are designed to test boundaries. A combination of correct and incorrect data should be used in this type of test.

Web Testing- Functional System Testing

System tests check that the software functions properly from end-to-end. The components of the system include: A database, Web-enable application software modules, Web servers, Web-enabled application frameworks deploy Web browser software, TCP/IP networking routers, media servers to stream audio and video, and messaging services for email. A common mistake of test professionals is to believe that they are conducting system tests while they are actually testing a single component of the system. For example, checking that the Web server returns a page is not a system test if the page contains only a static HTML page

Task Oriented Functional Testing

The task-oriented functional test (TOFT) consists of positive test cases that are designed to verify program features by checking the task that each feature performs against specifications, user guides, requirements, and design documents. Usually, features are organized into list or test matrix format. Each feature is tested for:

• The validity of the task it performs with supported data conditions under supported operating conditions.
• The integrity do the task’s end result
• The feature’s integrity when used in conjunction with related features

Functional Acceptance Simple Test

The functional acceptance simple test (FAST) is run on each development release to check that key features of the program are appropriately accessible and functioning properly on the at least one test configuration (preferable the minimum or common configuration).This test suite consists of simple test cases that check the lowest level of functionality for each command- to ensure that task-oriented functional tests (TOFTs) can be performed on the program. The objective is to decompose the functionality of a program down to the command level and then apply test cases to check that each command works as intended. No attention is paid to the combination of these basic commands, the context of the feature that is formed by these combined commands, or the end result of the overall feature. For example, FAST for a File/Save As menu command checks that the Save As dialog box displays. However, it does not validate that the overall file-saving feature works nor does it validate the integrity of save files.

Different Types of Testing

Performance testing
a. Performance testing is designed to test run time performance of software within the context of an integrated system. It is not until all systems elements are fully integrated and certified as free of defects the true performance of a system can be ascertained
b. Performance tests are often coupled with stress testing and often require both hardware and software infrastructure. That is, it is necessary to measure resource utilization in an exacting fashion. External instrumentation can monitor intervals, log events. By instrument the system, the tester can uncover situations that lead to degradations and possible system failure
Security testing
If your site requires firewalls, encryption, user authentication, financial transactions, or access to databases with sensitive data, you may need to test these and also test your site’s overall protection against unauthorized internal or external access
Exploratory Testing
Often taken to mean a creative, internal software test that is not based on formal test plans or test cases; testers may be learning the software as they test it
Benefits Realization tests
With the increased focus on the value of Business returns obtained from investments in information technology, this type of test or analysis is becoming more critical. The benefits realization test is a test or analysis conducted after an application is moved into production in order to determine whether the application is likely to deliver the original projected benefits. The analysis is usually conducted by the business user or client group who requested the project and results are reported back to executive management
Mutation Testing
Mutation testing is a method for determining if a set of test data or test cases is useful, by deliberately introducing various code changes (‘bugs’) and retesting with the original test data/cases to determine if the ‘bugs’ are detected. Proper implementation requires large computational resources
Sanity testing: Typically an initial testing effort to determine if a new software version is performing well enough to accept it for a major testing effort. For example, if the new software is crashing systems every 5 minutes, bogging down systems to a crawl, or destroying databases, the software may not be in a ’sane’ enough condition to warrant further testing in its current state
Sanity testing
Typically an initial testing effort to determine if a new software version is performing well enough to accept it for a major testing effort, For example, if the new software is crashing systems every 5 minutes, bogging down systems to a crawl, or destroying databases, the software may not be in a ’sane’ enough condition to warrant further testing in its current state
Build Acceptance Tests
Build Acceptance Tests should take less than 2-3 hours to complete (15 minutes is typical). These test cases simply ensure that the application can be built and installed successfully. Other related test cases ensure that Testing received the proper Development Release Document plus other build related information (drop point, etc.). The objective is to determine if further testing is possible. If any Level 1 test case fails, the build is returned to developers un-tested
Smoke Tests
Smoke Tests should be automated and take less than 2-3 hours (20 minutes is typical). These tests cases verify the major functionality a high level. The objective is to determine if further testing is possible. These test cases should emphasize breadth more than depth. All components should be touched, and every major feature should be tested briefly by the Smoke Test. If any Level 2 test case fails, the build is returned to developers un-tested
Bug Regression Testing
Every bug that was “Open” during the previous build, but marked as “Fixed, Needs Re-Testing” for the current build under test, will need to be regressed, or re-tested. Once the smoke test is completed, all resolved bugs need to be regressed. It should take between 5 minutes to 1 hour to regress most bugs
Database Testing
Database testing done manually in real time, it check the data flow between front end back ends. Observing that operations, which are operated on front-end is effected on back-end or not.
The approach is as follows:
While adding a record there’ front-end check back-end that addition of record is effected or not. So same for delete, update, Some other database testing checking for mandatory fields, checking for constraints and rules applied on the table , some time check the procedure using SQL Query analyzer
Functional Testing (or) Business functional testing
All the functions in the applications should be tested against the requirements document to ensure that the product conforms with what was specified.(They meet functional requirements)Verifies the crucial business functions are working in the application. Business functions are generally defined in the requirements Document. Each business function has certain rules, which can’t be broken. Whether they applied to the user interface behavior or data behind the applications. Both levels need to be verified. Business functions may span several windows (or) several menu options, so simply testing that all windows and menus can be used is not enough to verify the business functions. You must verify the business functions as discrete units of your testing
* Study SRS
* Identify Unit Functions
* For each unit function
* Take each input function
* Identify Equivalence class
* Form Test cases
* Form Test cases for boundary values
* From Test cases for Error Guessing
* Form Unit function v/s Test cases, Cross Reference Matrix
User Interface Testing (or) structural testing
It verifies whether all the objects of user interface design specifications are met. It examines the spelling of button test, window title test and label test. Checks for the consistency or duplication of accelerator key letters and examines the positions and alignments of window objects
Volume Testing
Testing the applications with voluminous amount of data and see whether the application produces the anticipated results (Boundary value analysis)
Stress Testing
Testing the applications response when there is a scarcity for system resources
Load Testing
It verifies the performance of the server under stress of many clients requesting data at the same time
Installation testing
The tester should install the systems to determine whether installation process is viable or not based on the installation guide
Configuration Testing
The system should be tested to determine it works correctly with appropriate software and hardware configurations
Compatibility Testing
The system should be tested to determine whether it is compatible with other systems (applications) that it needs to interface with
Documentation Testing
It is performed to verify the accuracy and completeness of user documentation
1. This testing is done to verify whether the documented functionality matches the software functionality
2. The documentation is easy to follow, comprehensive and well edited
If the application under test has context sensitive help, it must be verified as part of documentation testing
Recovery/Error Testing
Testing how well a system recovers from crashes, hardware failures, or other catastrophic problems
Comparison Testing
Testing that compares software weaknesses and strengths to competing products
Acceptance Testing
Acceptance testing, which black box is testing, will give the client the opportunity to verify the system functionality and usability prior to the system being moved to production. The acceptance test will be the responsibility of the client; however, it will be conducted with full support from the project team. The Test Team will work with the client to develop the acceptance criteria
Alpha Testing
Testing of an application when development is nearing completion, Minor design changes may still be made as a result of such testing. Alpha Testing is typically performed by end-users or others, not by programmers or testers
Beta Testing
Testing when development and testing are essentially completed and final bugs, problems need to be found before the final release. Beta Testing is typically done by end-users or others, not by programmers or testers
Regression Testing
The objective of regression testing is to ensure software remains intact. A baseline set of data and scripts will be maintained and executed to verify changes introduced during the release have not “undone” any previous code. Expected results from the baseline are compared to results of the software being regression tested. All discrepancies will be highlighted and accounted for, before testing proceeds to the next level
Incremental Integration Testing
Continuous testing of an application as new functionality is recommended. This may require various aspects of an application’s functionality be independent enough to work separately before all parts of the program are completed, or that test drivers are developed as needed. This type of testing may be performed by programmers or by testers
Usability Testing
Testing for ‘user-friendliness’ clearly this is subjective and will depend on the targeted end-user or customer. User interviews, surveys, video recording of user sessions, and other techniques can be used. Programmers and testers are usually not appropriate as usability testers
Integration Testing
Upon completion of unit testing, integration testing, which is black box testing, will begin. The purpose is to ensure distinct components of the application still work in accordance to customer requirements. Test sets will be developed with the express purpose of exercising the interfaces between the components. This activity is to be carried out by the Test Team. Integration test will be termed complete when actual results and expected results are either in line or differences are explainable/acceptable based on client input
System Testing
Upon completion of integration testing, the Test Team will begin system testing. During system testing, which is a black box test, the complete system is configured in a controlled environment to validate its accuracy and completeness in performing the functions as designed. The system test will simulate production in that it will occur in the “production-like” test environment and test all of the functions of the system that will be required in production. The Test Team will complete the system test. Prior to the system test, the unit and integration test results will be reviewed by SQA to ensure all problems have been resolved. It is important for higher level testing efforts to understand unresolved problems from the lower testing levels. System testing is deemed complete when actual results and expected results are either in line or differences are explainable/acceptable based on client input
Parallel/Audit Testing
Testing where the user reconciles the output of the new system to the output of the current system to verify the new