Functional Testing https://www.testingxperts.com Thu, 12 Oct 2023 11:45:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.8 Functional and Non Functional Testing – Overview, Key Differences, and Tools https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/functional-and-non-functional-testing?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=functional-and-non-functional-testing-overview-key-differences-and-tools Tue, 22 Nov 2022 15:16:19 +0000 https://www.testingxperts.com/?p=25520 Functional and Non-Functional Testing

A comprehensive quality assurance plan features Functional as well as non functional testing. While both ensure a seamless, high-performing, and secure application, these types of software testing serve distinct purposes. This blog is a comprehensive guide to understanding the difference between functional and non functional testing, its key features, benefits, types, tools, and more.

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Functional and Non-Functional Testing

Content 1. An Overview of Functional and Non Functional Testing 2. Role of Functional Testing 3. Role of Non Functional Testing 4. Different Types of Functional and Non Functional Testing 5. Functional and Non Functional Testing: Key Differences 6.Top Functional Testing Tools 7.Top Non Functional Testing Tools 8. Conclusion

An Overview of Functional and Non Functional Testing

Functional Testing and Non Functional Testing

There is no denying the fact that comprehensive quality assurance strategies feature Functional as well as Non Functional testing. Therefore, it is important for digital businesses to understand the difference between the two. While both processes are an essential part of the application’s QA process, they serve distinct purposes.

Functional testing verifies that the app’s functionalities work according to the requirements by identifying the areas where performance does not meet the desired results.

On the other hand, Non Functional testing helps identify the broader quality concerns in an app by verifying all the non functional aspects, such as usability, performance, compliance, etc.)

Role of Functional Testing

Role of Functional Testing

Functional testing checks the application’s functionality against the defined requirements or specificationsalong with validating the snippets of the underlying code.

Comparing the actual outputs against the desired results provide a clearer picture than testing individual modules in isolation. Interactions between modules are frequently the areas where errors occur.

The role of functional testing is critical in validating the quality and functionality of the application. It is through techniques of functional testing, the quality assurance teams are able to verify the software functionality based on the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) and ensures the system performs as per the user specifications.

Functional testing helps to ensure the application is ready for release and is free of bugs and errors. Functional testing does not depend on any assumptions about the structure of the system and focuses on delivering a high-quality product. Various kinds of functional testing  methods are used to test usability features, error conditions, ease of accessibility, as well as testing other important functions of the software.

Role of Non Functional Testing

Role of Non Functional Testing

Non Functional testing validates the app features that may not be critical to functionality but are responsible for ensuring a seamless end-user experience.

Something that fails a Non Functional test does not always cause an issue that users would notice, but it can indicate a problem in the system — especially at scale.

In case non-functional testing is not performed for an application, it is not possible to measure the application’s ability to handle massive traffic, especially when the application experiences peak load. In scenarios such as holiday seasons or other scenarios when the app faces higher than usual traffic, the application may become slower or even crash. In another scenario, if the application is not tested for vulnerabilities and security, then it is prone to face cyber-attacks and even lead to exploitation of sensitive customer data. Incidents like these not only lead to a poor performing application that users might abandon, but also hamper the business’s reputation.

It is evident that non-functional testing is as critical as functional testing for a successful application. Non functional testing ensures the application performs seamlessly, while establishing reliability. It ensures the application may be counted on even during extreme conditions as it has been tested to meet all kinds of business criteria. After performing non functional testing, it may be assured that the application will be compatible with multiple devices and OS, ensure a user-friendly and accessible interface, meet the performance and load criteria, and meet the host of other vital business parameters.

Different Types of Functional and Non Functional Testing

Different Types of Functional Testing and Non Functional Testing

Common Functional testing types:

Unit testing: It is the first software testing phase in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Software testers perform this functional testing type by creating and running test scripts to ensure the small units of the app individually work as desired.

Component testing: This functional testing type is similar to unit testing. However, the critical difference is that testers perform and test each application object separately with/without isolation from other software elements during component testing.

Smoke testing: Smoke testing is performed after every build release. Smoke testing helps to ensure all the test environment aspects are operating successfully and the build is stable for further testing.

Sanity testing: Testers perform sanity testing after smoke testing, which ensures the code changes continue to perform meet as desired.

Integration testing: During Integration testing, individual modules of the app are merged and validated as a group to identify the bugs and errors.

Regression testing: This functional software testing method helps ensure the changes made to the code are not affecting the application’s already existing features or functionalities.

System testing: System testing is performed after integration testing and is used for validating the fully integrated application.

User acceptance testing (UAT): This is the final software testing phase, wherein end-users or clients take up the roles of test engineers to validate whether the developed application meets the requirements or not. UAT is an essential functional testing type performed before moving the application to production.

Common non functional testing types:

non functional testing types

Performance testing: This testing process evaluates the system’s overall performance and ensures the app meets the desired response time.

Load testing: Load testing evaluates whether the system’s performance is as expected under normal and maximum conditions. Load tests identify the peak operational capacity of the app, and detects the causes of performance bottlenecks that lead to app degradation.

Stress testing: This testing process helps evaluate the system’s performance when it is low on resources. Stress testing measures low memory or low disc space on clients/servers that reveal defects that cannot be found under normal conditions.

Security testing: Security testing ensures no loopholes that may lead to data loss or breach. One important non functional testing type, security testing, includes testing the app for authentication, authorization, integrity, and availability.

Volume testing: Volume testing evaluates the app’s behavior when a significant amount of data is to be processed and checks the extent to which the app is able to handle large amounts of data.

Usability testing: This method of Non Functional testing evaluates the system for human use. GUI testing ensures the output is correct, meaningful, and the same as expected per the predefined goals.

Scalability testing: The scalability tests measure the ability of an application to scale its non-functional characteristics when required. This may be in the form of load the app can support, transaction count per second, data volumes, and so on.

User Interface (UI)testing: UI testing evaluates the GUI and ensures the GUI is consistent and provides easy navigation for application use.

Compatibility testing: This non functional testing evaluates the application for compatibility with other hardware/software with minimum as well as maximum configurations.

Documentation testing: Documentation testing validates user guides, set-up instructions, readme files, release notes, etc.

Failover testing: Failover testing ensures that the system is capable enough to handle additional resources, such as servers, in case of a system failure.

Compliance testing: Compliance testing is done by running audits to verify if the standards defined by the industry or government are being followed, such as GDPR, HIPAA, W3C, etc.

Localization testing: Localization testing verifies the app’s availability across cultures and locales.

Functional and Non Functional Testing: Key Differences

S.No.

Functional Testing

Non Functional Testing

1 Validates the app’s operations and actions Validates the app’s behavior
2 It is based on the requirements of end users It is based on the expectations of end users
3 Performed to enhance the app’s behavior Performed to enhance the app’s performance
4 Easy to execute manually Difficult to execute manually
5 Validates what the product does Validates how the product does
6 Based on the business requirement Based on the performance requirement
7 It is carried out manually, such as Black box testing It is ideal to test using automated tools, such as LoadRunner.

Top Functional Testing Tools

Top Functional Testing Tools

Top Non Functional Testing Tools

Top Non Functional Testing Tools

Conclusion

Functional testing and Non Functional testing are the critical types of software testing that play a major role in ensuring the delivery of a high-end product. By facilitating end-to-end functional testing in the software testing process, testers can evaluate what the process is up to and how the app will behave under any given circumstances. With Non Functional testing, testers are able to deal with the system’s performance and describe how it performs under any given circumstances. Both have their distinct benefits and must be leveraged to ensure the final product is error-free and delivers a great CX.

Leverage functional testing and non functional testing services from next-gen QA testing service providers to deliver applications that perfectly meets your customer requirements and business objectives.

As a Leading QA testing services provider, how can TestingXperts help businesses?

TestingXperts (Tx) is one of the 5 largest pure-play software testing services provider globally. Tx has been chosen as a trusted QA partner by Fortune clients and ensures superior testing outcomes for its global clientele. We have rich expertise in enabling end-to-end testing services for global clients across various industry domains like healthcare, telecom, BFSI, retail & eCommerce, etc.

Our range of QA testing services include:

Functional Testing: Tx has years of experience providing functional testing services for clients across domains. Our wide range of functional testing services includes automation, manual, regression, and mobile application testing. We have in-house mobile test labs with numerous mobile devices.

Non-Functional Testing: Tx provides a wide range of non-functional testing services such as performance and load testing, security testing, usability testing, and accessibility testing. We also have an in-house performance testing accelerator, ‘Tx-PEARS,’ which helps with all non-functional testing requirements, including continuous monitoring of your infrastructure in production as well as in lower environments.

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Significance of Functional Testing for Businesses in Agile & DevOps https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/functional-testing-in-agile-devops/ca-en?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=significance-of-functional-testing-for-businesses-in-agile-devops Wed, 29 Dec 2021 14:45:45 +0000 https://www.testingxperts.com/?p=21098 functional testing

Today’s businesses are rapidly adopting agile and DevOps to achieve faster and quality releases. DevOps methodology embeds faster releases achieved through continuous integration and continuous delivery of software along with continuous testing. Many software testing methods such as functional, regression, performance, security testing, etc., are leveraged to ensure high-quality products. Out of these methods, the … Continue reading "Significance of Functional Testing for Businesses in Agile & DevOps"

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functional testing

Today’s businesses are rapidly adopting agile and DevOps to achieve faster and quality releases. DevOps methodology embeds faster releases achieved through continuous integration and continuous delivery of software along with continuous testing. Many software testing methods such as functional, regression, performance, security testing, etc., are leveraged to ensure high-quality products. Out of these methods, the functional testing method plays a major role in the software release in the agile and DevOps processes. It helps businesses achieve fully functional and high-quality software in less time through faster and quality releases.

Table of Contents
  1. What is Functional testing?
  2. Types of functional testing methods
  3. Why do businesses need functional testing?
  4. Differences between functional testing and non-functional testing
  5. Unit testing vs Regression testing vs Functional testing
  6. How to do functional testing?
  7. Functional test case examples
  8. Significance of Functional testing in Agile
  9. Significance of functional testing in DevOps
  10. Various functional testing tools
  11. Conclusion


What is Functional testing?



What is functional testing



Functional testing in software testing is a black box type of software testing, and quality assurance method performed to test the software’s functionality and its related components. The main aim of this testing type is to validate the functionalities of an application against business requirements by providing certain inputs and validating the outputs.

Types of functional testing methods



functional testing methods



1. Unit testing:

It is the first phase of the software testing process, where developers test the smallest possible units of the software in isolation to validate its functionality.

2. Component testing:

In this software testing type, software components are tested individually without integrating them with other components.

3. Smoke testing:

This form of testing is also named build verification testing, which is used to determine the stability of the software. It helps testers know whether the code can be shared for further testing.

4. Sanity testing:

In this software testing technique, testers perform basic tests on the software. Whenever the build is received after some changes, this testing type is performed to ensure the bugs are fixed and the software functions properly.

5. Integration testing:

In this software testing type, various individual software modules are combined and tested as a group to ensure their proper functioning.

6. Regression testing:

In this software testing method, the software is tested to ensure that recent code changes or newly added functionalities do not affect the existing functionalities of the software.

7. System testing:

In this testing type, the quality assurance team evaluates the software to know how various components interact together. It ensures that the software works properly.

8. User acceptance testing:

In this testing method, the end-user/client/product owner tests the product to verify its functionality and usability before it is released in the market.

Why do businesses need functional testing?



functional testing in DevOps



Helps to validate the functionality and proper working of application/software/product

It helps to improve the quality of the software

Helps to verify the software functionality based on Software Requirements Specification (SRS) and ensures the system functions as per the user specifications.

Helps to test specific error conditions and other important functions of the software.

Helps to achieve fully-functional software which is defect-free to deliver a great CX.

Differences between functional testing and non-functional testing



functional testing vs. non-functional testing



Functional testing
Non-functional testing
Tests the functionalities/features of the software Test the non-functional aspects of the software, such as performance, usability, accessibility, etc.
Validates outputs against the inputs to ensure software functions properly Validates the app against defined SLAs or standards to ensure all the non-functional testing requirements are met.
Focuses on end-user requirements Focuses on end-user experience
Describes the behavior of the system Describes usability/performance of the system
It is based on functional testing requirements of the software It is based on non-functional testing requirements of the software
Various testing types: • Smoke testing • Sanity testing • Unit testing • Component testing • Integration testing • System testing • Regression testing • User Acceptance testing Various testing types: • Performance and load testing • Security testing • Usability testing • Accessibility testing • Compatibility testing • Localization testing


Unit testing vs Regression testing vs Functional testing



Unit testing vs Regression testing, vs Functional testing



Unit Testing
Regression Testing
Functional Testing
Tests the code in isolation to ensure it functions well Tests the existing code to ensure it remains unaffected due to recent code changes Tests the functionality of the software to ensure it works well
It is not complex, as small codes are tested in isolation It is complex, as software is to be tested repetitively after every code change It is complex, as the whole software is to be tested
To perform unit testing, the white box testing technique is used Either a white box or black box testing technique can be used to perform regression testing To perform this testing method, the black box testing technique is used
Focuses on the smallest possible units/codes of the software Focuses on existing functionalities/features of the software Focuses on the entire software
Performed by developers and also testers sometimes Performed by testers Performed by testers
Cost and maintenance are low The cost of maintenance is comparatively higher than unit testing. But, it is said to be lower than the cost of fixing a production defect The cost of maintenance is comparatively higher than unit testing. But, it is said to be lower than the cost of fixing a production defect
There are no further types in this testing method Testing types: • Corrective regression testing • Retest-all regression testing • Selective regression testing • Progressive regression testing • Complete regression testing • Risk-based regression testing Testing types: • Smoke testing • Sanity testing • Unit testing • Component testing • Integration testing • System testing • Regression testing • User acceptance testing


How to do functional testing?



functional testing in software testing



1. Identify the testing needs/requirements:

The first step of functional testing involves the testers who need to understand the business requirements and take a stance on the testing needs in detail.

2. Prepare a test plan:

The next step involves preparing the test plan. The test plan should clearly state the objective of the test, test methods, testing techniques, etc.

3. Write test cases:

It is an essential step wherein testers create test cases. The functional test cases should be prepared in a way that ensures maximum test coverage.

4. Create input data based on function specifications:

Now, to test the specific functionality of an application, testers have to create data and use it as an input. The data that is used to test the application is known as input data.

5. Execute the test case:

Testers execute the test cases using the input data that are identified during the preparation of test cases.

6. Compare the actual and expected output:

This is an essential step, where testers compare the actual output with the expected outcome. It is done to determine whether the test is a pass or a fail.

7. Log defects:

In the last step, testers note the variations between actual and expected outcomes and log these variations or defects to let teams know about the same.

Functional test case examples

Functional test case examples

Situation: Suppose there is an online music app, and below are the set of test cases to be evaluated:

User logs in with user account and password

The login page contains two text fields, i.e., username and password

It also has options, i.e., login and cancel

When the user enters the correct credentials, the action is successful, and the login page directs the user to the music app home page

If the user clicks on the cancel option, the login is canceled



Test Case ID
Specifications
Steps to Execute
Expected Result
TC 01 User Id – Minimum 6 characters, Maximum 10 characters, numbers (0-9), Letters (a-z, A-z), Special characters (only underscore, period, hyphen allowed) Password – Minimum 6 characters, Maximum 8 characters, Numbers (0-9), Letters (a-z, A-Z), All special characters *Both ID and password cannot be left blank 1. Open music app 2. Enter incorrect User ID and Password 3. Click on the Login button An error message should be displayed stating “Invalid ID or Password”
TC 02 User Id – Minimum 6 characters, Maximum 10 characters, numbers (0-9), Letters (a-z, A-z), Special characters (only underscore, period, hyphen allowed) Password – Minimum 6 characters, Maximum 8 characters, Numbers (0-9), Letters (a-z, A-Z), All special characters *Both ID and password cannot be left blank 1. Open music app 2. Enter correct User ID and Password 3. Click on the Login button The user should be directed to the music app home page


Significance of Functional testing in Agile



Significance of Functional Testing for Businesses in Agile



In traditional testing models like the waterfall model, the development and testing of the software happen one after the other, and usually, testing starts once the development is complete. However, in agile methodology, the product is simultaneously developed and tested in sprints, and features are rolled out in each cycle.

In an agile environment, at one end, the developers develop the software, adds new features, or make improvements to the code, while simultaneously, on the other hand, testers perform functional testing of the software. If some changes are introduced to the software, regression testing is performed to ensure the software’s existing functionality remains unaffected.

Common functional testing types performed in an agile environment include smoke, sanity, unit, component, etc. Functional testing in agile speeds up the software testing process, ensures early identification and removal of defects, enhances collaboration between teams and saves time.

Significance of functional testing in DevOps



functional testing in DevOps



In a DevOps environment, the main focus is building, testing, and releasing the software faster and more frequently. DevOps streamlines and automates the entire software delivery lifecycle by integrating it with the Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) pipeline. In DevOps, everything starting from development to the software release is continuous and automated. The software is continuously developed, continuously tested, continuously integrated, continuously deployed, and continuously monitored.

Automated DevOps functional testing is performed at each stage of the DevOps CI/CD pipeline to ensure software quality. During the development stage, unit testing is performed to ensure code quality. Also, in the DevOps environment, developers frequently commit changes to source code and merge those code changes to a central repository. Regression testing is performed to ensure code changes do not break the software’s existing functionality. At the continuous integration stage, integration testing is performed to ensure the proper integration of all codes and modules. Finally, the whole software is tested by leveraging system testing techniques to ensure the proper functioning of the software. This is how functional testing fits in the DevOps environment and helps businesses achieve high-quality software.

Some of the benefits of functional testing in DevOps include it helps to remove functional defects from the software much early and faster, ensures the software quality starting from build stage to release stage, delivers fully-functional software in less time, eliminates the chances of manual errors, as the process is automated, and saves significant time and cost.

Various functional testing tools



functional testing automation tools



Tricentis Tosca:

It is an intelligent test automation tool that can be used to test the software’s functionality. This tool allows continuous testing and integrates easily into the DevOps CI/CD pipeline.

Appium:

It is an automated software testing tool that can be used to test the functionality of native, hybrid, and mobile web applications. This tool allows testers to test mobile apps on various platforms, such as android, iOS, and Windows. This test automation tool supports various languages and works on JSON wire protocol (extension of Selenium JSON wire protocol).

Ranorex:

It is an all-in-one test automation tool for desktop, mobile, and web. This tool allows codeless test automation and can be used for testing software functionality. This software testing tool supports cross-browser and cross-platform testing. Ranorex easily integrates with the DevOps pipeline.

Selenium:

It is one of the widely used test automation tools best suited for web applications. This tool has various components, such as Selenium WebDriver, Selenium IDE, and Selenium Grid. This automation testing tool supports a majority of OS, browsers, and languages. Selenium also has a record and playback feature that makes software testing easy.

TestComplete:

It is a widely used test automation tool for mobile, desktop, and web. This tool supports various languages and can be used to perform keyword-driven and data-driven testing.

Conclusion

Today’s businesses are rapidly adopting agile and DevOps processes to achieve quality software in less time. But the quality of the software depends on its proper functioning, which can be ensured through end-to-end functional testing. This testing type helps businesses in many ways, such as improving the functionality of the software, enhancing customer experience, and saving significant costs. Businesses should leverage end-to-end functional testing from a next-gen QA and independent software testing services provider to achieve high-quality software in less time.

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Functional Testing – An Informative Guide for Beginners https://www.testingxperts.com/blog/functional-testing?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=functional-testing-an-informative-guide-for-beginners Thu, 27 Aug 2020 16:32:34 +0000 https://www.testingxperts.com/?p=16692 Functional Testing

This week, we have come up with a new informative blog that can be more like a guide for beginners to understand what is functional testing and its key role for delivering quality as per user specifications.

This form of testing helps to check if the system is fixed for release and is error-free. This testing does not depend on any assumptions about the structure of the system and ensures to deliver high-quality products. Basically, this testing method is used to test usability features, specific error conditions, checks accessibility features along with testing other important functions of the software. Read more

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Functional Testing

Content 1. What is Functional Testing? 2. Why Functional Testing is required? 3. What are the different types of Functional Testing? 4. How to perform Functional Testing? 5. Best practices for taking up Functional Testing 6. What are the different Functional Testing techniques? 7. Functional Testing vs. Non-Functional Testing 8. Some of the important Functional Testing tools 9. Conclusion

What is Functional Testing?

Functional Testing

Functional testing is a form of testing and is a quality assurance process that helps to validate the system or components against various functional specifications and requirements outlined. Functional testing is a type of black-box testing as the source code of the application is not considered during the testing process.

The main purpose of this form of software testing is to test each functionality of the application by providing certain inputs and validating the outputs against the functional requirements.

In simpler words, this form of testing verifies whether the software performs in a way the users expect. As this type of testing is completely based on program specifications, it is also known as specifications-based testing. In this testing process, QA engineers focus on validating the system against the functional specifications and verifies the features against specified set of user specifications.

Why Functional Testing is required?

functional testing services

The need for functional testing is vital in validating the quality and functionality of the software. Through this software testing technique, quality assurance teams verify the software functionality based on the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) and ensures the system functions as per the user specifications.

This form of testing helps to check if the system is fixed for release and is error-free. This testing does not depend on any assumptions about the structure of the system, however, it ensures to deliver high-quality product. Basically, this testing method is used to test usability features, specific error conditions, checks accessibility features along with testing other important functions of the software.

What are the different types of Functional Testing?

 functional testing types

Unit Testing:

Functional testing - Unit Testing

Unit testing is the first phase of software testing in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This functional testing type is performed by developers and they write the scripts to validate whether the small units of the application are working as per the requirements or not.

Component Testing:

Functional testing -Component Testing

This functional testing type is much similar to unit testing, but the critical difference is that it is performed by testers and it tests each object of the application separately with or without isolation of other software objects.

Smoke Testing:

Functional testing - Smoke Testing

Smoke testing is performed after each build is released. This functional testing type is also known as build verification testing. This process helps to test whether all the test environment aspects are running successfully and whether the build is stable or not and justifies if the build can be used for further testing process.

Sanity Testing:

Functional testing - Sanity Testing

Sanity testing is usually performed after smoke testing, i.e. after receiving a software build with minor changes made. In simpler words, it is used to validate the code changes introduced continue to work as expected.

Integration Testing:

Functional testing - Integration Testing

Integration Testing is one of the important software testing method where individual modules of the application are combined and tested as a group to identify the functionality after combining different modules.

Regression Testing

This functional software testing method helps in ensuring the new changes made to the code are not affecting the already existing features or functionalities of the application.

System Testing:

System Testing Functional testing

This is also a functional testing method that is performed after integration testing. This system testing phase is used for validating the fully integrated software application.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT):

User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

This is the final software testing phase, wherein end-users or clients take up the roles of test engineers to validate whether the developed application is meeting the requirements or not. UAT is an important functional testing type that is performed before moving the application for production.

How to perform Functional Testing?

perform functional testing

Understand the requirements:

Before moving ahead for the functional testing process, the initial step is to have a thorough understanding of the business requirements. This is one of the very important steps to make further steps successful.

Prepare a test plan:

For successful functional testing, a good test plan is very important. Test engineers have to work on the test objectives so that it becomes easier to schedule and organize the test activities.

Write test cases:

Another important step after analysing the requirements and having a test plan is the creation of functional test cases. Here, three important aspects have to be worked upon which includes test data, test input, and test output.

Create input data according to requirements:

To test specific functionality, testers should create data and use it as an input to test the functionality of the application. This type of data is known as input data and this data which is used to test the applications is known as test input data.

Execute test cases:

The next step is executing the test cases by using the test input data identified during the creation of test cases.

Compare actual and expected outcome through result validation:

This is the major step where the actual test output is verified against the expected test result to mark pass or fail of the tests.

Log defects:

When comparing both actual and expected outputs, the variation of the difference identified between them is noted as log defects. Testers log defects to notify the development teams so that the defects get fixed at the earliest.

Best practices for taking up Functional Testing

functional testing best practices

1. Prioritize test cases & start writing early:

It is preferred to prioritize the test cases based on the complexity-levels and start writing test cases early in the requirements analysis and design phases to better achieve functional testing objectives.

2. Plan for writing reusable test cases:

Test cases needs a lot of time and skills to work on them. Thus, it is preferable to have reusable test cases to save time. And, to write reusable test cases, it is essential to write them in simple language and ensure they are short and easy to execute.

3. Test early and test often:

It is essential to test early during the software development phase to know the bugs and issues and as features keep changing functional regression testing should be taken up to ensure existing functionalities remain unaffected with the new changes

4. Automate wherever possible:

Test automation is helpful to avoid repeated manual tasks and helps to automate processes to save time and cost. But, it is not possible to automate all test cases and hence it is essential for testers to decide which of the test cases should be automated.

5. Create a traceability matrix:

It is essential to create a traceability matrix to capture all requirements given by the client and it maps the user requirements with the test cases. It is helpful to ensure that all functionalities are covered while performing software testing trends.

What are the different Functional Testing techniques?

functional testing techniques

End-user based tests:

In this functional testing technique, the system is tested to validate all the components work perfectly in combination or not.

Equivalence tests:

In this equivalence test technique, the test data is divided into various partitions and the data in each of the partitions has to respond in a similar way. Thus, tests are performed on one condition; if any one of the conditions fails in any partition, then the others stop working.

Boundary value tests:

This technique helps in validating how the system performs when boundary data limits are implemented. Typically, if the provided inputs are less than the boundary values, then the test is considered as negative testing.

Decision-based tests:

This decision-based test technique helps in verifying the possible outcomes that can be achieved when a particular condition is satisfied.

Ad-hoc tests:

This testing technique helps in identifying the bugs that were not identified in any other tests. Ad-hoc testing works as a smart way to discover the bugs that are not identified earlier.

Functional Testing vs. Non-Functional Testing

Functional vs Non-functional testing
Functional Testing
Non-Functional Testing
It checks the actions and operations of the applications. It checks the application’s behavior.
Functional testing is performed according to the business requirements. This form of testing is performed according to customer expectations based on the required app performance.
Functional testing helps in testing the software functionality. Non-functional testing helps in validating the performance parameters and scalability of the system.
Functional test cases can be easily executed with manual testing methods. Non-functional testing is tough to do with manual testing.
Examples of Functional testing types are: • User acceptance testing • Unit testing • Regression testing • Smoke testing Examples of Non-functional testing types are: • Volume testing • Usability testing • Performance testing • Security testing

Some of the important Functional Testing tools

 Functional testing tools
Tools mentioned in alphabetical order

1.  AccelQ:

AccelQ - Functional testing tool

This is one of the popular automation tools designed for testing APIs. This tool allows an effective integration process between functional testing and API testing.

2.  Appium:

Appium - Functional testing tool

This is an open-source functional testing tool commonly used for performing functional testing for Android and iOS mobile apps. This tool supports multiple programming language such as Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, etc.

3. Selenium:

Functional testing tool - Selenium

Selenium is one of the popular open-source automation testing frameworks used testing web applications. Selenium tool supports a number of operating systems, environments and browsers. It provides a playback tool for authoring functional tests and runs on Windows, Linux, Mac, etc.

4. Tricentis TOSCA:

Functional testing tool -Tricentis TOSCA

With this tool, it is easier to perform end-to-end functional testing. This tool helps to automate all the layers of modern enterprise architecture and helps in extending the already existing tests by allowing continuous testing within the CI/CD process.

5.  TestComplete:

Functional testing tool - TestComplete

This is one of the widely preferred functional automation tools for desktop, mobile, and web applications. This tool supports a number of languages such as C#, VBScript, C++, etc. and is used to create automated tests across desktop, web, and mobile applications.

Conclusion

Functional testing works as an integral part of a software testing and quality assurance process and helps in validating how well the software functionalities are working based on user requirements. This functional testing method helps in ensuring that the software functions in the conformance with the requirements specifications.

This testing method results in delivering quality software that assures satisfying user experiences. There are many benefits with this testing method and there are various forms of functional testing that are useful when performed while testing software products. Leverage functional testing services from next-gen QA testing service providers to deliver applications that perfectly meets your customer requirements and business objectives.

   

Related Queries on Functional Testing

Q1. What are the types of functional testing?

Ans. Different types of functional testing are unit testing, component testing, smoke testing, sanity testing, integration testing, regression testing, system testing and user acceptance testing (uat).

Q2. What are the functional testing tools?

Ans. Some of the important functional testing tools are Selenium, Tricentis TOSCA, AccelQ, TestComplete, Appium.

Q3. What is functional level testing?

Ans. As this type of testing is completely based on program specifications, it is also known as specifications-based testing.

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