Mobile App Testing Archives - Page 8 of 13

A Quick Guide To Load Testing: Why is it Crucial For Your Mobile App?

Posted on April 25, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

The app that you are about to launch lately is not just a product. It holds the beacon of your company.

It has been estimated that 26% of the app that has been download from various app stores are uninstalled within an hour itself.

So how do you ensure, that your app does not suffer the same fate?

Performance!

What better way to test it than performing a load test on your app.

Let’s have a look at it in detail.

Load Testing – What is it?

Load testing process involves artificially creating various load environments for your app, so that the performance of your app will be monitored closely to determine it is stable or not.

How is it Performed?

Check the Parameters and Creating a Work Load Model

First of all there are certain parameters that need to considered before the test begins. They are,

Response Time:

The time in which your app responds to certain inputs

Communication Rate:

Rate at which the software can send and receive requests

Resource Utilization:

While performing the test it has to be closely monitored that how much load the system is taking while interacting with the app.

User Load:

Concurrent user load the app can withstand

The Work Load Model

A work load model will make sure that the app is being injected with correct load parameters at different point of time.

For better understanding here is the detailed video regarding how to construct a work load model.

The test is basically done in definite intervals,

Exactly like that of the diagram below

Creating The Test Cases

While creating test cases it has to be kept in mind that expected result should have a fail or pass section for marking as it would be useful later.

While creating test cases make sure that,

Actions and scenarios of the testing procedure
Customise the test case for various inputs
Replay test cases for verifying the simulation

Execution of Test

When you run the test make sure that the load is increased slowly against the user profile. Between tests make sure that the system has enough breathing time so that it can stabilize. Last but not least, while incrementing make sure that the output of the app is being monitored and recorded.

Slow increase of the load will make sure that the threshold point of the app is marked well.

It is important that the load test is performed in cycles so that each cycle should have a load increment. After each analysis results should be verified and analysed.

Report Analysis:

Indentifying the hindrance for the good performance of any app application is an art. For effective analysis a well experienced testing engineer or the help of

an established software testing company is required as it requires chart analysis and various other forms of mathematical data interpretation.

The result obtained should be compared to that of respective industrial standard benchmark.

Benefits of Performing Load Test on Mobile Apps

All the functions of the app can be validated
Speed accuracy and stability of a app can be measured
User experience can be guaranteed once the app is deployed
Issues can be rectified before the deployment
Load capability can be improved

Factors That Need To Be Checked While Performing Load Test On Apps

First of all performance of the app should be impeccable and for that to happen these factors has to be perfect.

App Loading time
Power consumption
Memory consumption
Hardware /software integration
Integration with other apps
How app behaves if its retrieved from background

API/ Server Interaction

While an app interacts with Server via API these factors needs to be checked

Data transfer between app and the server
Number of app calls generated to the server
Server switch time

Network Performance

Delay time in receiving information from network
In case of packet loss, the request to the server should be resend
Network speed

Challenges That Can Come Up in Performing Load Test

Since Mobile phone comes in various size, shape and OS it’s hard to organize them
Device fragmentation
Different app types such as native, web app and hybrid app
Security of cloud server which performs testing

Reliable Tools Used For Load Testing Apps

Jmeter:

An open source modular GUI oriented tool that’s out to use the most now

Gatling:

Written in Scala based DSL the tool has been download over million times

Locust:

Written in Python the tool is developer friendly tool renowned for its user friendliness

What You Need to Know About Localization Testing

Posted on January 3, 2018 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Localization testing is a software customization process in which a product or application that was earlier designed for a particular market can be made available to foreign markets. Its all about quality checking the localized version of a product. Principles of this method are concerned to check if your product is in line with the locale settings that are governed by the culture of the geographical location that will be native to your product.

Localization testing, as you have just understood will require the translation of all native language strings into the targeted languages. Along with the target language requirement, your product should also look into Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Content and GUI are the two parameters that come under the umbrella of localization testing with efforts directed to match your product with the innate requirements of your target market. In a nutshell, localization testing is mainly concerned about quality checking the parameters linked to linguistics, content or UI, culture and all those that are dictated by the geographical placement of your product.
A Testing Concept That Surpasses All Language Barriers
A tester who has the source code commonly written in English will perform the same set of test cases on both the localized and source codes; simultaneously.
Say for example, you are launching a Chinese product and wish to test it as part of your localization activities. You don’t need a tester who is proficient in speaking the official Chinese language of Mandarin Chinese or Standard Mandarin.
You can assign the testing job to a tester who can test your Chinese product with the code written in English and execute a set of test scripts on it; without any hassles. He will ensure that the localized product will behave exactly the way in which the English version was designed.
The Requirements of a Localization Tester
You should understand the fact that localization testing is conducted once functional testing is completed. Localization testing is conducted by testers who do not follow any of the testing languages. Such testers who are tech-savvy simply add the native language of the locale to your product mix. They are also concerned about all the parameters that will impact the usability and functionality of localized platforms.
Localization testers thus ensure that the local version looks, feels, behaves and functions exactly the same as the source version. The only difference is that your product mirrors the native language linked to the locale in which it is launched and operates.
A Localization Tester should:

Demonstrate some technical expertise
Understand and identify issues that fundamentally come along with the software during localization
A skill to holistically identify key differences in languages so that he/she can spot a number of issues that emerge due to localization

Scope of Localization Testing
You may have the opinion that functional, linguistic and localization testing procedures are entwined. But, it is not the case. They are distinct procedures that need different types of testing resources. Hence it is important that you have a clear and precise understanding of each and every testing procedure, with specific reference to Localization testing which is now the topic of discussion.
Below are the various issues that can be tackled by Localization Testing.

Defects in the user-interface and layout including redundant or missing controls, overlap of content and issues concerning alignment
All the non-functional features of your product
Since the content of a localized product is assembled dynamically, Localized Testing procedures will identify the presence of jumbled dialog boxes and scrambled web pages
Bugs in concatenated strings and strings which are composed using placeholders, can be unveiled
You can also address the issues concerning text expansion, namely text bleeding and truncations with Localization Testing procedures
When you experience a problem with all the extended characters in accepting a tested system
Any issue concerning the “search and replace” functionality
You can rectify incorrect formats of calendar along with date and time that should match your geographical locale
When you encounter and have to manage files with extended characters featuring in their file name or directory path
Localization testing allows you to sort issues concerning the language and grammar of your target market
You can effortlessly rectify the bugs in converting from different currencies to your home currency along with the inclusion of the monetary symbol of your country or area in which your product operates
You can check for consistency in messages along with online help that is offered to your customers
Printed documentation and command key sequences can be also checked
Scenarios concerning Windows applications mirroring redundant or missing hot keys can be tackled
When your product is battling incorrect metric conversions with unmatched numeric formats, negatives and separators
Input, display and system requirements can be checked against the demands your environment comes up with along with confirming their adherence
While you can unveil and fix typographical errors, you can also check the usability of the UI
Localization testing procedures handhold you to assess your product to check whether it is matching the cultural requirements of your target market
To identify and address scenarios which have omitted politically sensitive content; the significant part of your product
Along with checking for the appropriateness of video content, you can also ensure the adherence to basic parameters like keyboard, mouse, operating system, audio interface language and accent

The Importance of Localization Testing To Your Global Business Model
The premise behind localization testing is to introduce a product that delivers functionalities in accordance with the demands of the target language. Calling digital marketers across the globe to spend time and money on localization, localization testing should only come as a revenue-saver.

If your product is released with a number of language-centric bugs, it does not do you any good except showing your product in a bad light to global customers. Hence, the onus is on localization testing to ensure that your product is error-free so that customers across the globe will embrace and patronize it.
You should also be wary of the fact that you can expect bugs even after you have localized your product. Which means localization testing is the only instrument that helps you steer clear of the issues that can cost you a fortune if they are remain undetected. This way, localization testing procedures ensure quick and budget-friendly means to fix issues and come up with a localized product that is user-friendly in more ways than one.
Final Thoughts
All in an attempt to come up with a holistically interpreted product that matches the cultural and geographical needs of your target market, you should strive towards the implementation of appropriate business processes.
You should also be watchful of governmental and regulatory requirements that are innate to every geographical area. Thus, it is a big task to localize your business logic so that consumers across the globe patronize your product and bestow you with a good return on investment.

Performance Testing – Types, Stages, and Advantages

Posted on November 24, 2017 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Performance testing has proved itself as a crucial success factor of projects with an aim to demonstrate an application which works as per benchmarked specification within a given response time and on a practical database.

It actually enables developers to elicit the diagnostic information needed to eliminate bottlenecks in the performance of a system or software or application in users’ system. In otherwise it determines the readiness of the system to third party use.
Type of Performance tests
Performance testing is a comprehensive terminology. It entails five types of tests such as performance testing, load testing, scalability test, volume testing and stress testing.
1) Performance testing
This is the first task and it includes testing each part of the system to detect which part is slow. Based on the results of this test, efforts are made to make the response faster.
2) Load testing
This test is done to test whether the application or system is user ready in terms of expected load or not. The applications performance is examined by the response time it takes for a specified user load.
3) Stress testing
The test is done to understand at what level of stress or user number, the system starts generating errors and whether it is able to come back online after a massive spike in user number or a crash. The time taken to come back online is another factor to reckon with in this test.
4) Scalability testing
Scalability testing is done to ensure that the software is handling increasing workload effectively. This is done by gradually adding work load or users and continuously monitoring performance of the software or application.
5) Volume testing
This ensures how effectively the system is able to handle a large amount of data. That is why, it is also known as flood testing. The data is then gradually increased with the apps usage.
Performance Testing Stages
There are basically 7 important steps in performance testing.
1) Identifying the testing environment:
The testing team has to identify the hardware, software, network configurations and tools needed to start the test. This may include the actual production system or a replica of the same. Sometimes a subset of the production system with same or lower specification is also used.
2) Identifying the performance metrics:
Performance metrics is very important which determines the parameters on which the performance has to be tested. The metric must include response time, wait time, average load time, peak response time, error rate, concurrent users, throughput, request per second, CPU utilisation, memory utilisation, constraints etc. The success criterion differs from application to application. Therefore, corresponding success criteria must be included in the metrics.
3) Planning and designing the test:
At this stage the test team has to identify test scenarios taking into account variability of users, test data and testing parameters. This may lead to creation of more than one model for testing.
4) Configuring the testing environment:
At this stage the testing environment consisting of hardware, software and testing instruments needs to be prepared to monitor the performance of the application or system.
5) Capturing the data:
When everything is ready testing is begun and the data captured on different parameters is captured for analysis.
6) Analysis and report generation:
The data captured in the previous step is analysed and shared with the team. Based on the analysis corrective action is taken to rectify the problems.
7) Retesting:
The test is again performed on the same parameters to test if the rectification work is sufficient or needs fine tuning. Once this is found to be okay testing is carried out using different parameters and rectification, if needed, conducted.

Advantages of Performance Testing
Performance testing helps to –

Assess the amenability of the system to growth
Identify weak points in the architecture
Detect bugs in the software that could not have been identified otherwise
Tune up the system
Verify resilience and reliability of the system

When Should Performance Testing be Performed?
To save money and time, performance testing should be done early in the application or system development life cycle. This helps in testing the basic technology such as network performance, load balancing, application server performance, database server performance and web server performance. However, this should be done with expected load levels.
Detecting and correcting a performance problem after the website has gone live can be a prohibitively costly proposition for you. As soon as all the web pages are built and working load testing should be initiated. Thereafter, every time a module or part of software or application is implemented it should be tested for performance.
Conclusion
To avoid delay and cost overrun the best practice to be adopted is testing the application early in its development cycle. So individual units or modules should be tested for performance as and when these are complete.
Moreover, a single test does not resolve all queries. So repeated, but smaller tests need to be performed to come up with a robust system.

How Do You Test Application Scalability

Posted on November 9, 2017 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Are you aware of the various factors that must be checked for the scalability of your app? As you can understand by its name, application scalability is how much you will scale the product with the increased workload. To make you understand better, suppose the users of your system increase by 2 times the load it can take, you will have to increase the server performance and lessen the server response time for a good UI experience.

Scalability testing is your answer to all the woes. It defines of the common problems like:

How is the server performing when the hardware and software are changed?
In that case, can we upgrade the system’s capability and increase productivity?

The Need for Scalable Testing
Why do you need a scalability test? Well, the answer is clear. It helps you determine how your application performed with increased load and helps you understand the total number of users it can withstand. The reason behind this is to understand at what point the systems starts lagging and what can be done to overcome such challenges.
How to Create a Scalability Test
Scalability testing is performed by conducting a series of load tests with complementary hardware and software changes made while keeping the other conditions same. It tests for various attributes as below:

System throughput
Network/Memory Usage
Performance measurement
Load with a number of users using the application
Screen Transition
Request and response time
Hits/Transactions per second

The scalability test should be performed systematically to ensure that all the attributes are covered and the data is collected. Obviously, the type of load may differ for each system depending upon its web server, users and type of system. Think about all the other parameters that might get affected when load increases.
Essential Requirements for Conducting the Scalability Test
Clear and concise requirements before the tests are performed is a basic necessity. The pre-requisites for scalability testing includes:
Memory: Evaluate the need for memory allocation for all the virtual users using the system
Processor: Check the requirements of the processor before you start
Operating System: Check which OS acts as an agent and tests the load
Load distribution capability: Make sure you have a centralized system where all the results are collected and evaluated from multiple users and machines.
Steps to Create a Scalability Test

1. Create and monitor all the scenarios
Try changing the scenarios and check the attributes that get affected due to the change
Re-check the scenario to make sure they perform the same way each time
Define a set of virtual users for the testing system
Create the load test by specifying settings that allow you to evaluate the application’s performance
Run your tests
If any lags, make changes to the server and run repeat the tests.

Analysing the Test Results
By running the test cases, you are actually just determining 40% of your performance testing objective. The critical part of this being the analyses and rectification of results. The scalability testing results can be compared and analysed in the following manner:
1. Virtual Users vs Response time
Some companies set a specific time interval, say for 2 minutes, in which they increase the number of users for a specific server load and test the behaviour of the application. In short, you will be testing the applications response time for a specified number of users.
2. Users vs Latency
This analysis is done to check the latency of the network on which the users operate.
3. Hits vs users
Hits per second are observed after 3 minutes of response and latency time starts.
4. Users vs errors
The load on the system giving rise to errors and bugs are tracked against a specific number of persons.

Conclusion:
Once the scalability testing has ended, whatever the outcomes are, make sure you have all the data recorded for further enhancing the load capacity of the system at any given time. It is always a good practise to have a backup in plan for the tests. Meaningful reference is essential for the next time you perform the same tests.

Need for Quality Assurance Initiatives in Automation Testing

Posted on October 10, 2017 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Automation testing is the process in which an automation tool is used to test a particular product for its functionality and other features. This process of testing is preferred over manual testing due to a number of reasons like it is cost-effective, less time consuming, easy to conduct testing on multi-lingual sites, does not require human intervention as well as increases test coverage.
However, automation testing aims to increase the test efficiency and software’s value, implementing this process also involves a number of risks. Some of these include high starting cost, limited features that can be set for automated testing, requires one to have good understanding of programming, etc. Therefore, it is important for the person conducting automation testing to be sure about the choice he/she makes of the software to conduct this test and also be vigilant of all the risks involved.

Since, testing is the process that is carried out before launching a product in the market and in fact, even after that. Therefore, it becomes important to maintain highest quality standards and take some quality assurance initiatives so as to ensure that the product delivered is flawless and best in terms of quality.
Need of Quality Assurance Initiatives
Quality assurance is a planned and organized set of activities that are carried out to ensure that the product delivered is highest in quality as well as conform to the set requirements, procedures and standards. This is not a one stage process but a regular initiative that needs to be taken during the entire software development life cycle (SDLC).
Almost every company follows this practice and ensures that the product delivered by it has been delivered in compliance with pre-determined requirements and standards. Ensuring the best quality in its product is one of the simplest yet most effective way to retain customers for long and make sure that the product manufactured is used by the intended audience.
Quality Assurance Initiatives in Automation Testing
Like every testing process, it is also important in case of automation testing to ensure that the utmost level of quality is maintained. It is the responsibility of the testing team and other members of the project to ensure that the necessary quality assurance initiatives are taken. This is to ensure that testing a product using automation testing tools does not degrade its quality.
Apart from this, there are a number of other reasons that make it essential for the companies to take quality assurance initiatives in automation testing. Some of these include:

Maximize performance:

Testing a product using automation testing does not imply that all the bugs would be easily identified and fixed. It is important to understand that automation testing does the majority of testing job but manual intervention is important to ensure that there are no errors or flaws that might act as a hurdle in the product’s performance.
Setting high quality standards ensures that the product delivered in the market after testing is free from flaws and hence, can be used to maximize performance and output.

Value Customers’ time:

Companies should understand that it is extremely crucial and important to value the time of their customers. It is easy to simply develop and launch a product in the market. But, this might turn out to be a major loss causing decision ever taken by the company.
Launching the product without rigorous testing and ensuring quality even in the testing process might lead to a delivery of poor performing product. This, in turn, might end up wasting a lot of customers’ precious time as well as their trust in the company.

Increased Business:

Delivering a high-performing and reliable product in the market help ensure higher retention rate of the company. Retention rate implies the rate at which a company is able to hold back its customers or increase their loyalty towards the company.
A product without a flaw is sure to gather higher attention and more users. This, in turn, helps the company to win more customers and hence, attain more positive publicity.

Optimum Quality:

Taking quality assurance initiatives in automation testing is not just about bug fixing, it is also about fulfilling promises made to the customers. Whether the demand for the product was raised by the customer or it is a company owned product, taking some extra initiatives pays back in long run.
Higher product quality implies that the customer would be able to trust the company as well as its products easily.

Ends Scope of Error:

While it is true that testing in itself is the process that helps ensure the delivery of best quality products in the market, taking extra caution can be an added advantage. A product might have been developed by the best team of developers but this does not end the scope of errors and flaws. This, in turn, proves that a product without proper testing is very likely to fail.

If a product is under automation testing process and one still opts to take quality assurance initiatives, this is sure to ensure the product delivered will be without any sort of flaws and complications.
Quality assurance initiatives in automation testing is not about doubting the proficiency of the team or the process. It is just about being extra careful and making sure that the company is able to win a happy and satisfied clientele. Also, taking quality assurance initiatives in automation testing is not about lengthening the process, it is actually more about improving the results for the company in long run.

5 Major Steps to Test Automation Assessment

Posted on October 6, 2017 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Gone are the days when the companies used to hire several employees to conduct manual testing on its products. A majority of companies these days rely on the invaluable process of test automation. Being a cost and time-saving process, it is important to make the best possible utilization of the process. In order to do so, it is important for the companies to assess the actual value of the process and try to obtain maximum benefit from the same.
It is important to run these processes on an automation assessment tool so as to identify if there are any sort of loopholes present and fix them so that, the maximum benefit is obtained out of these. It is also beneficial to run these tests because it helps an organization determine whether it is ready to implement the test automation process or not.
The key areas where this assessment focuses are automation framework in which reusable function libraries, test object maps, etc are detailed; integration in which test and defect managed is detailed; and the process’ fitment that includes details about existing/target automation coverage, test prioritization etc. in the software development life cycle (SDLC).
Test automation assessment can be implemented in five simple steps as mentioned below:

Understanding the Existing System

At this stage, an understanding of the existing system, technology and processes is developed to check the present quality standards as well as testing processes that are followed. It is also good to develop a thorough understanding of the objectives, their technology stack, user flow as well as manual test cases if any.

Assessment

A thorough assessment in terms of the tools usage and the extent to which they are ready to be automated is determined. This is done by preparing a requirement traceability matrix breakdown that contains the complete details of the extent of test cases, the exact business requirements, details of the exact functional requirements as well as the areas where there are chances of quality improvement.
Apart from these, the feasibility of a particular tool, its confirmation as well as an analysis report on automation ROI (return on investment) is also done. Some of the most business-critical test cases are also identified at this step.

Conduct a Proof of Concept (POC)

The POC is implemented to identify the type of test cases that are feasible for a particular product. In other words, it includes the process in which a few selected test cases are implemented to conduct POC and determining the exact need of a complete automation.

Recommendation & Implementation

On the basis of these tests and their results, necessary recommendations are made so as to improve the product quality, its performance and deliverability.

Implementation

The recommendations made are, then, implemented at this stage. Apart from this, certain specific test automation tools, feasibility, and its approach is also defined clearly at this stage. The best and appropriate automation strategies are executed at this stage so that it helps in enhancing the testing quality as well as reducing the required testing effort and time.

The outcome of a perfect test automation assessment process comes from following the right automation strategy and helps in enhancing test quality, reduce testing efforts, on-time delivery and get return in investments. Assessing test automation is not only beneficial in terms of improving the testing process but it is also advantageous for the companies, who plan to deliver the best and most advanced products to the market.

How to Create Test Cases For Android Application

Posted on September 23, 2017 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

A test case is a set of test inputs, their implementation conditions and expected results that are developed keeping a particular outcome in focus. In simple words, a test case is a set of conditions under which a tester checks in a particular system to determine if it meets the specific test requirements and functions properly.

Developing test cases is also helpful in determining the issues, requirements and design of a particular application being tested.
Test cases are categorized into two, which include formal and informal test cases. A formal test case includes a well-defined input and an expected output that is written before the execution of a test.
The aim behind writing an input beforehand is to test a precondition and that of output is to test a post condition. To test an application for all the requirements, there are at least one positive and one negative test case that is created for each requirement.
In case any of these requirements has a sub-requirement, then each sub-requirement will also have at least two test cases. Informal test cases are used when there are no formal requirements for a test.

These are written on the basis of the accepted normal operation of the programs of a similar class. To conduct these tests, imaginary situations are used to enable a tester to think about different probabilities in a complex situation.
However, these are not written in detail, these test cases can be as simple as a diagram or a description written in prose.
How to Write a typical Test Case?
Generally, there are different types of test management tools that are used by the companies to determine the elements that are to be included in a test case. This, in turn, leads to an inclusion of a different set of elements in each test. But, there are certain elements that are common in almost every test case as mentioned below:

Test suite ID
Test case ID
Test case summary
Related requirement
Prerequisites of conducting the test
Procedure to conduct the test
Test data or links to the same
Expected result
Actual result
Status of the test
Comments, if any
Creator and date of creation of the test case
Name of the executor
Date of execution
Test environment

Android Testing

Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world with its number of varied versions available in the market. Like any other software, it is important to test an android apps rigorously to avoid any sort of flaws in its functioning such as, installation failure, crash during execution, scaling issues, layout problems, hang issue and issue with its landscape/portrait mode.
Levels of Writing Test Cases for Android Testing
Writing test cases is important to ensure the optimum functioning of any application. The test cases that are written by a team are typically categorized as per different levels. This is done to ensure that there are no duplicate efforts of a team being invested in a single function.
The levels of writing test cases are:

Level 1: This level includes the writing of test cases that are based on the available information about the product’s specification and user documentation
Level 2: Considered to be a practical stage, this level includes writing of test cases on the basis of actual functional and system flow of the application
Level 3: At this level, some test cases are grouped together to write a test procedure. Test procedure refers to a group of small test cases and can include a maximum of 10 test cases
Level 4: The process is automated at this level. This helps in minimizing the human interaction with the system, which enables the QA to focus only on currently updated functionalities to test

Tips to Write Test Cases for Android Application

Writing a good test case is easy. However, it just requires an individual’s hard work, determination and clear focus. Some of the simple tips to write an effective test case for Android application include:

Test cases should be written in such a way that they allow a person to test only one feature at a time
One should not overlap or complicate test cases
Cover all the positive and negative probabilities of the test outcomes
Write in simple language with exact and accurate names of forms, fields, etc.
Android developers should make sure that they continue to create test cases when the application code is still in the process of writing
Test cases should be stores in version control along with source code
The focus should also be on continuous integration of the new test cases
Tests should be run every time the code is changed
Avoid using emulators and rooted devices

Conclusion
Apart from these, it is also important that the test cases are accurate and meet the exact purpose of conducting a test. These should also be free from any sort of unnecessary information and be capable of being reused.

Conducting a test on an Android application is essential as this is one crucial step that can decide the fate of the entire application. If conducted properly, one can fix all the bugs and launch a superb quality product in the market. Therefore, make sure that launch of your next product is preceded by its thorough testing so as to ensure a superb quality.

A Beginner’s Guide to iOS Automation Testing

Posted on September 21, 2017 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Needless to mention, iOS is the official name of the platform licensed by Apple for its applications. And it is only through Apple devices that this platform allows applications to be installed and run. This is a sharp contrast to the Android operating system which authorizes other devices to operate its applications. Apple through its world-famous patented iOS platform makes its presence felt through devices such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod and iPad Mini. And these are the four devices that will demand the intervention of iOS app testing.

Tagged as an important characteristic for developers who churn out mobile applications provided by Apple, iOS automation testing comes with certain pre-defined objectives. Supporting a new instrument called as “Automation”, this is a type of UI testing that delves deep into looking into the functionalities of various applications teamed with Instruments that are tested for. Additionally, iOS Automation testing looks into the productivity of the JavaScript library. All in an attempt to authenticate an application, here is the rundown of the basic uses of iOS Automation testing.

A robust tool that permits you to collate information about the response and performance of a single or multiple processes that are running on the iOS platform
Permits you to collect varied types of data in addition to facilitating you to understand them closely by keeping all the information next to each other
Every instrument is tagged as a source of a different type of information that can either be classified under the head of “memory use” or “file access”
Can offer purse-friendly results by cutting down your cost of developing software alongside helping you garner increased productivity
Plenty of open source testing frameworks which support iOS automation testing can be incorporated

iOS Automation Testing – A One-Stop Solution to a “Bug-Free” Application
Not withstanding the fact that it takes a lot of time and effort to design and implement an iOS application, a word of caution is to ensure that every application is free from bugs. Given the numerous common bugs, these errors when overlooked will adversely affect the functioning of the application. Below is the list of the number of ways in which the name and fame of the iOS platform and the globally-renowned features of Apple can be safeguarded, alongside meeting your quality standards.

Instances of application crashing can be averted
Developers can steer clear of incompatibilities in an application
Can tighten the data security feature of iOS devices, thereby preventing them to be hacked
Can offer a strong retort to memory leaks

Below is an iOS Testing Mind Map, a graphical representation of the different facets that the iOS tester has to keep in mind while subjecting an application to Automation testing.

Types of iOS automated tests:

Unit Test – This is a test to validate a specific case in a class which ensures that the class can work and deliver results as a stand-alone operation.
UI Test – Also called as Integration test, UI test helps in testing user interactions of the application, ensuring that all the classes as in perfect sync with each other to deliver the intended result.

Having understood the basic information concerning iOS automation testing, now let’s get started with writing iOS automation testing cases.

Make use of XCTest: This is a helpful tool provided by Apple to facilitate Unit testing process. The XCTest framework is used to create a new Xcode project which includes 3 important factors:

A separate target for each and every test
A group for every test class
An example test

Create your first iOS Unit Test

Under this head, you need to create a new test case class while naming a new subclass
Exclude the boilerplate code
Next is to link your test with the class that should be tested
Write a test code
Add a private category
Initiate and run the test by pressing Command-U
Analyze the results which will be displayed via the Test Navigator

With the entire guidelines in place, you can create unit tests to verify and validate the performance of an iOS application through an automated and programmed manner. All for the sake of churning out a verified and fool-proof software, the iOS automation testing cracks the whip on data breaches and memory leaks that can damage the goodwill of Apple and its patented iOS platform.

Challenges in Implementing Automation Testing in an Agile Environment

Posted on July 25, 2017 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Test automation is an important part of mobile software testing. By using automated testing services, companies accelerate the process of software testing and expand the performance area. However, when it comes to implementation of automation testing in an agile environment, there are a lot of challenges.
If these problems are not addressed, there is a good chance that software automated testing might fail.

In agile development, the focus in on building the right product and cutting down the long-term risk associated with software development. Agile development process promotes and favors change, and to keep the change within the permissible constraints, investment in the test automation is compulsory.
Moreover, investment in continuous integration is necessary to curtail feedback cycles and to evade the execution of the repetitive task.
A key fundamental of agile development is that testing is done at every stage and regular assessment of the working of product that is being developed. Implementing teams face many challenges, a few of which have been mentioned below. A well-organized test automation process helps tone down these challenges:
Sparse Test Area
Change in coding leads to poor test coverage as the changes were expected beforehand. Regression automation (which ensures that any change in the code hasn’t altered any existing functionality and software is working as per requirement) could be a good solution.
Unplanned Breaking of Codes Due to Frequent Changes
Since the codes are altered on a daily basis, the possibility of code (comprising of working features) breaking, is much high. To tone down this problem, a proper automation process has to be crafted with continuous integration.
Sparse API Testing
Most mobile apps are now developed with a service-orientated architecture that reveals their APIs to everyone, thereby allowing third-party developers to supplement the solution. When designing APIs, it is possible to neglect API testing, due to the high complexity of its implementation. Testing of application programming interfaces requires high coding skill set, which can be done using automation tools. This makes certain that APIs are tested thoroughly every time.
Performance Issues
More the functionality of the software more will be the complexity of its code structure. To make it easy, more lines are added, and it further results in performance issues if the focus sidelines the end-user performance experience. The solution is to find out the line of codes causing performance issues and their impact over time. A variety of load testing software can assist in the search for the slow area and can record the performance over time, to make the performance efficient from version to version.

Complex Mobile Testing
The manual process of mobile testing is a time-consuming process, and the complexity is further increasing the number of new arrivals in the market. To ensure that the proper functioning of the code, there is a requirement of well-built automation software to help mobile app testing services.
Automation testing in the agile environment and its approach is decided based on the requirement of the project, as different projects require different automation tools.
There are IT service providers who excel in automation testing services and Testbytes is one among them. Consult our experts and learn how a right software can improve the performance and productivity.

5 Major Types of Test Automation Frameworks

Posted on July 17, 2017 by tbsupadminnxtbackendacc

Test automation frameworks uses a software to execute tests and then determine whether the resulted outcomes and the predicted outcomes are the same or not. Every organization needs software testing adequately, as quickly and thoroughly as possible. To accomplish this, organizations are turning to use automated testing methods.
As test automation frameworks are application independent, it has the ability to expand with the needs of each application. It promotes automation technologies to improve test coverage and gain better quality products. These frameworks help testers to save thousands of manual test execution hours and reduce costs significantly.
Let’s briefly look into the 5 main test automation categories and its functions:

#1) Linear Automation Framework:
This is the most simple framework of all types. Here, individual scripts are used for each test case and they are executed individually. This process enables the conversion of small or medium sized manual scripts to corresponding automation scripts.
Key Features:

Very little planning is required to work with this framework
Testing doesn’t take much time
A tester does not need detailed knowledge of the framework as it uses record and playback to create linear scripts
Created scripts are independent of each other

#2) Module-based Testing Framework:
This framework is based on object oriented programming method and uses the concept of abstraction. While testing, the application is divided into different modules, where each module consists of individual test scripts. The separation of modules is done using an abstraction layer, so that if any changes occur, it wouldn’t affect the other modules.
Key Features:

This framework includes a high level of modularization, which reduces cost and makes maintenance much easier
It’s pretty much scalable
If defects are detected, only that part of the test script needs to be changed. The rest remains untouched
Create new driver scripts for performing tests easily

#3) Data-Driven Testing Framework:
In this type of testing, the necessary inputs and expected output results are stored in separate data files. Here, a single driver test can execute all the necessary test cases with different sets of data. A driver script consists of functions like reading the data files, navigating through the entire program etc.
Key Features:

It reduces the number of overall test scripts to implement all the available test cases
Test data used can be created before test implementation gets ready or even before the testing system or environment is set up
When it comes to maintenance and fixing of bugs, this framework ensures greater flexibility
To generate test cases, less amount of codes are used

#4) Keyword-Driven Testing Framework:
This is an application independent framework that utilizes data tables and self-descriptive keywords, which explain the functions to be performed on the testing application.
The external input data file showcases the functions through ‘directives’, which are seen within the test scripts. These directives are called keywords. Therefore, this keyword based testing is considered to be an extension of the data-driven framework.
Key Features:

Keywords can be re-used in multiple test cases
An automation expertise is not required to create new or maintain the existing test cases
Reduce the number of overall test scripts
Use a minimal amount of codes to generate test cases
For each test, the functionalities are documented in a table as step by step instructions

#5) Selenium Automation Framework (SAF):
SAF is the most widely used, customized, open-source framework today for automated web application testing. As it reduces the initial coding efforts, SAF increases the efficiency of automation than any other framework.
SAF helps enterprises to speed up the testing mechanism by using accelerators at the test design layer and provides a comprehensive reporting strategy for managing tests.
Key Features:

Intuitive and user-friendly interface for creating and executing test suites
Flexible, robust and extensible framework to carry out test automation on diverse sets
Enables users to perform multiple testing processes for web apps
Detailed reports on test execution results with consolidated summary and snapshot of errors
SAF is built on open source tools, libraries or frameworks that reduce cost for users
Avoid redundancy on test case execution
Increased test coverage to enhance quality and reliability of the end product
Has high interaction with Selenium community, therefore, enables quick updates and shorter learning curve
Increases flexibility of used resource and time

In order to move with the pace of software testing process, development and delivery, it is essential to implement the most effective, reliable and reusable test automation frameworks. It’s not advisable to still hang on to the traditional methods as tools alone can never provide a long-term automation success, when compared to the other latest test automation frameworks.