21 Best Network Scanning Tools for Network Security

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Network scanning tools are designed with only one intention. To prevent and monitor threats like misuse and unauthorized manipulation of a network.
Network scanning tools, a covenant of Network Security, identify loopholes and vulnerabilities of the network to safeguard it from unprecedented and abnormal behavior that poses a threat to the system spoiling any confidential and personal information.
What is network scanning?
For proper maintenance and assessment of the network security system, the following processes are carried out:

  • Detection of two active hosts on a network and identification of filtering systems between them
  • Scanning of frequently used TCP and UDP network services
  • Detection of TCP Sequence Number of both the hosts
  • Scanning and transfer of data packets to a specified port number

There are various Network Scanning Tools (IP and Network Scanner) intended for the maintenance and assessment of a Network Security System.
How-does-a-scan-work
The top 15 has been mentioned here:
1. Acunetix
2. OpenVas
3. Wireshark
4. Nikto
5. Angry IP Scanner
6. Advanced IP Scanner
7. Qualys Freescan
8. SoftPerfect
9. Retina Network Scanner
10. Nmap
11. Nessus
12. Metasploit Framework
13. Snort
14. OpenSSH
15. Nexpose
16. SolarWinds Network Device Scanner
17.ManageEngine
18.Intruder
19.Syxsense
20. PRTG Network Monitor
21.Fiddler
1) Acunetix

Acunetix Online is a fully automated versatile scanning tool which is able to identify and report on a plethora of known network threats and misconfigurations.
Key features:

  • Running services and open ports are discovered
  • Security of routers, firewalls, switches, and load balancers is assessed
  • DNS zone relocation, weak passwords, weak SNMP community strings, and TLS/SSL ciphers, poorly configured Proxy Servers, are tested.
  • A comprehensive audit of network security over the audit of Acunetix web application is carried out by incorporating this tool with Acunetix online.

Website:  https://www.acunetix.com/
2) OpenVAS

Key Features:

  • The Open Vulnerability Assessment System (OpenVAS) tool is a free and reliable tool for scanning network security.
  • Lots of OpenVAS components are licensed under the General Public License or GNU.
  • The Security Scanner that comprises the key component of OpenVAS operates in a Linux environment only.
  • OpenVAS can be incorporated with Open Vulnerability Assessment Language (OVAL) to note down vulnerability tests.
  • Scanning alternatives offered by OpenVAS are:
  • Full scanning of the entire network.
  • Scanning of the web server and web applications.
  • Scanning for WordPress vulnerability and WordPress web server issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform as a robust network vulnerability scanning tool with a smart customized approach.

Website: http://www.openvas.org/
3) Wireshark

Key Features:

  • Being an open-source tool, Wireshark has marked its utility as a network protocol analyzer capable of performing on various platforms.
  • Data vulnerabilities cropping up between the active client and server on a live network are scanned with this tool.
  • Network traffic can be viewed and the network stream can be pursued.
  • The Wireshark tool operates on Linux, Windows, as well as on OSX.
  • It demonstrates the stream development of TCP session and comprises tshark, a tcpdump support rendition (tcpdump is a packet analyzer operating on a command line).
  • Experience of Remote Security Exploitation is the lone issue with Wireshark tool.

Website: https://www.wireshark.org/
4) Nikto

Key Features:

  • Nikto functions as an open-source web server scanner.
  • It performs fast testing to identify suspicious activities on the network along with other network programs capable of exploiting network traffic.
  • The most excellent highlights of Nikto are:
  • Full HTTP substitute support.
  • Reporting in HTML, XML, and CSV formats tailored as per requirement.
  • The scanning qualities of Nikto will refresh automatically.
  • Web server options, HTTP servers, and server configurations are checked for.

Website: https://cirt.net/Nikto2
5) Angry IP Scanner

Key Features:

  • It is a free and open-source network scanning tool that scans IP addresses and also executes port scans successfully and swiftly
  • The scan report comprises information like computer name, hostname, MAC address, NetBIOS (Network Basic Input/Output System), workgroup information, etc
  • The report can be generated in Txt, CSV, and/or XML format
  • It operates with a Multi-threaded Scanning approach where a different scanning thread for every individual IP address improves the scanning procedure

Website: https://angryip.org/download/#windows
6) Advanced IP Scanner

Key Features:

  • It is an open-source and free network scanning tool that runs on the Windows platform.
  • It has the capability to identify and scan any device on a network including remote gadgets.
  • It lets RDP, FTP and HTTPS services to run on the remote machine.
  • It carries out several actions like remote access, remote wake-on-LAN, and a speedier shutdown.

Website: https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/
7) Qualys Freescan

Key Features:

  • Qualys Freescan is an open-source and free network scanning tool that offers scans for local servers, Internet Protocols, and URLs to identify safety ambiguities.
  • Qualys Freescan supports three types of checks:
  • Vulnerability tests for SSL-related issues and malware.
  • Tests network configuration against Security Contents i.e.; SCAP.
  • Qualys Freescan is capable of performing only 10 free scans. And therefore cannot be used for regular network scans.
  • It helps to differentiate network issues and security patches to dispose of it.

Website: https://freescan.qualys.com/freescan-front/
8)SoftPerfect

Key Features:

  • It is a free network scanning tool with a set of advanced Multi-thread IPv4/IPv6 scanning features.
  • It offers information like hostname and MAC address that is associated with LAN network derived from HTTP, SNMP, and NetBIOS.
  • It gathers information on local and external IP addresses, secluded wake-on-LAN, and shut down.
  • It assists in improving the performance of the network and recognizes the working condition of devices on a network to check network availability.
  • This tool has a demonstrated utility for the multi-protocol environment.

Website: https://www.softperfect.com/
9) Retina Network Scanner

Key Features:

  • RN Scanner provides a security patch for Adobe, Microsoft, and Firefox applications.
  • It is an unconnected network vulnerability tool capable of supporting the assessment of threats derived from the Operating System, finest network performance, and applications.
  • It is a free tool that runs on a Windows server with the provision of security fixes up to 256 IPs.
  • This tool performs user-customized scanning simultaneously allowing the user to select the type of report delivery.

Website: https://www.beyondtrust.com/resources/datasheets/retina-network-security-scanner
10) Nmap

Key Features

  • Also known as a Port scanning tool, Nmap maps the network and its ports numerically.
  • Nmap is associated with NSE (Nmap Scripting Engine) scripts to spot network security issues and misconfiguration.
  • It is a free tool that finds out host availability by verifying the IP packets.

Website: https://nmap.org/
11) Nessus

Key Features:

  • It is an extensively applied network security scanner that runs in a UNIX system.
  • The tool which was earlier an open-source and free software is now commercial software.
  • The free edition of Nessus is obtainable with limited security features.
  • The chief security highlights of Nessus consist of:
  • Web-based interface
  • Client-Server architecture
  • Remote and local security checks
  • Built-in plug-ins
  • Nessus tool is obtainable with 70,000+ plug-ins and services or functionalities like detection of malware, scanning of web application scanning, and checking of system configuration, etc.
  • Among the advanced features are multi-network scanning, automated scanning, and asset discovery.
  • Nessus is obtainable with 3 versions namely Nessus Professional, Nessus Home, and Nessus Manager/Nessus Cloud.

Website: https://www.tenable.com/lp/campaigns/19/try-nessus/
12) Metasploit Framework
Metasploit Framework web page
Key Features:

  • This Network Scanning Tool detects network exploit.
  • Although earlier it was an open-source tool, it is now a commercial tool.
  • An open-source and free edition known as Community Edition is also available but that comes with limited security features.
  • The advance edition is obtainable as Express Edition while the full-featured edition is obtainable as Pro Edition.
  • GUI for Metasploit Framework is Java-based whereas GUI for Community Edition, express, and Pro Edition is web-based.

Website: https://www.metasploit.com/
13) Snort

Key Features:

  • Short is a free and open-source tool that detects network intrusion and prevents systems.
  • Snort analyses network traffic with an ongoing IP address.
  • It is able to spot port scan, worm, and other networks exploit by means of content searching and protocol analysis.

14) OpenSSH
OpenSSH web page
Key Features:

  • SSH (Secure Shell) assists in setting up safe and encrypted contact over an insecure network link between unreliable hosts.
  • OpenSSH is an open-source tool and runs in a UNIX environment.
  • The Internal network can be accessed using single point access through SSH.
  • As a Premier Connectivity Tool, it encrypts the network traffic and eradicates network issues like eavesdropping, unreliable connection and connection usurping between two hosts.
  • The tool provides server authentication, SSH tunneling, and secure network configuration.

Website: https://www.openssh.com/
15) Nexpose

Key Features:

  • Nexpose is a commercial network scanning tool while its Community Edition is available free.
  • It is capable of scanning network capabilities, operating systems, application databases, etc.
  • The tool offers a web-based GUI that can be set up on Linux and Windows operating systems, including virtual machines as well.
  • Community Edition of Nexpose comprises all robust features for network analysis.

Website: https://www.rapid7.com/products/nexpose/
16. SolarWinds
solar winds web page
Network Device Scanner is one of the widely used network Scanners in 2021.  With its Network Device Scanner and Network Performance Monitor, it discovers, monitors, scans, and maps the other network devices. It allows you to run the discovery tool at scheduled intervals or to run it once. Some if its important features are:

  1. It automatically locates and inspects the network devices.
  2. It maps network topology.
  3. It assesses availability, fault, and performance metrics for network devices
  4. The network performance monitor displays all this information and gives network alerts.
  5. It analyzes on-premises and cloud services and applications.

Website: https://www.solarwinds.com/ip-address-manager/use-cases/network-scanner
17) ManageEngine
Manage engine web page
ManageEngine is a prominent network scanning tool in the year 2021, it is best suited for small, private, enterprise-scale, and government IT systems
Whereas, ManageEngine OpUtils provides network scanning for small to enterprise-scale networks.
It uses various network protocols such as ICMP and SNMP for network scanning. It provides analysis of connected devices, servers, and switch ports. Some of the important features of this network scanning tools are:

  1. It is a web-based tool
  2. It is a cross-platform tool.
  3. It can execute on both Linux and Windows servers.
  4. It includes 30 built-in network scanning tools.
  5. It provides scanning across various servers, subnets, etc across a centralized console.
  6. It supports grouping resources on the basis of IT admins, locations, etc.
  7. It allows you to run the discovery tool at scheduled intervals or to run it once.
  8. It provides real-time analysis results.

Website: https://www.manageengine.com/
18) Intruder
intruder web page
Intruder is an enterprise-grade network scanning tool that is suitable for companies of all sizes. It helps in discovering missing patches, misconfigurations, and common issues in web apps. It focuses on vulnerability management. It is very time-saving as it prioritizes its results and also automatically keeps scanning your system for any vulnerability.
Website: https://www.intruder.io/
19) Syxsense
syxsense web page
It is a time-saving, economic, and easy-to-use network scanning tool. It provides easy to repeat automatic scans.

  • The determination of the TCP/UDP that is open can be traced.
  • SNMP ports that are open and vulnerable to OS bugs can be traced out
  • A global network map that can be used to confirm compliance or alert security threats
  • The entire live environment can be visualized in a jiffy. Hovering over the devices reveals the vulnerabilities.
  • Monitoring device health,  vulnerabilities, and deploying patches can be done directly through the network map

Website: https://www.syxsense.com/vulnerability-scanner/
20) PRTG Network Monitor
PRTG Network Monitor Web Page
PRTG Network Monitor is another prominent network scanning tool. It analyses your entire infrastructure including systems, traffic, devices, and applications. It is a complete package with to need for additional plugins. Some of its features are:

  1. easy to use
  2. suitable for any business size.
  3. The monitor’s network infrastructure of your organization
  4. Specific datasets from your database can be monitored and individually configured through PRTG sensors and SQL queries.
  5. The local network can be easily tracked
  6. protocol-based usage such as SNMP can be traced
  7. Offers web-based interface.
  8. Special features like detailed reporting, comprehensive network monitoring, flexible alert system.

Website: https://www.paessler.com/prtg
21) Fiddler
Fiddler tool web page
Fiddler is a widely used network scanning tool by Telerik for analyzing HTTP traffic. Some of the important features of Fiddler are:

  1. It analyzes traffic between the selected systems in the network.
  2. It also analyzes sent and received data packets
  3. It also helps in security testing and analyzing the system performance of web applications.
  4. It automatically captures the HTTP traffic

Website: https://www.telerik.com/fiddler
Conclusion
Network Scanning Tools can convert the crucial tasks of prevention of network intrusion into a much easier one.  Moreover, Swift and incessant scanning of networks issues help us to arrange a prevention plan to get rid of them.
Today, all major software industries functioning on an online viewpoint make use of Network Scanning Tools to prevent network attacks.

What is Volume Testing? Why is it essential in Software Testing? (Tutorial)

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Volume testing allows one to put the system under the stress of thousands and millions of data files and check them further to working in a perfect working position.

It increases the data load drastically and checks for the efficient work points or the areas that require utmost attention or improvement.
Volume testing le the developer aims to have a tough, efficient, and cost elective software which makes volume testing in the field of software development and maintenance so important.
Typical performance test or the load testing cycle usually is the combination of both volume testing and the performance tuning that ensure in turn that the system is working the international benchmark system of the working.
volume testing example

What is Volume Testing?

Volume testing is a type of testing which is software based where the software is subject to the stress of huge volume of data, this type of testing is also known as flood testing.
This is basically done to do an analysis of the system performance by increasing data in the given database volume.
This is used for the study of response time impact and the system behavior that can be studied when it is exposed to a high volume of data.
Let us take an example of testing the music site behavior it gives access to millions of users to download songs from the library of thousands of available songs.

What are the benefits of Volume Testing?
  1. Through the help of volume testing, we can identify the load issue, which ultimately can save a lot of money which will be spent on application maintenance.
  2. It helps to have quicker decisions with the better scalability plans and executions
  3. It helps in identifying the challenges and acquires the bottleneck present in different areas.
  4. By doing volume testing you have the assurance that your system is working fully in its competency and capability in the real-time world usage.
What does Volume Testing include?
  1. Test whether there is any data which is lost during the procedure
  2. Check out for the system response time
  3. See if data is stored in the current location.
  4. Countercheck if the data is overwritten without any warning or notification
  5. Now, look at whether the high volumes of the data affect the speed of the processing system or the application.
  6. See if the system application have the desired memory resource r not
  7. Perform the volume test on the whole system.
  8. Check for any of the data volume greater than the specified given requirement
  9. Check for the requirement in the agreement.
  10. See that no larger volume data should appear more than specified.
Procedural steps of Volume Testing

Testing software volume offers the in-depth testing of the performance let us see what are the procedural steps involved in the volume testing.
what is volume testing

  1. Test management that may include checking for the test environment
  2. Volumetric analysis
  3. Test tool comparison and procurement
  4. Implementation of the system
  5. Building test labs
  6. Building automated test systems and framework
  7. Script development of the system
  8. Test scenario development
  9. Test implementation development
  10. Execution of the test
  11. At the end, producing the test outcomes.
Why should Volume Testing require to be conducted?

Flood testing or volume testing as described is aimed to validate and counter check some of the parameters as well as provide the personified benefits for the software usage.

Let us see some of the benefits of conducting the flood test.

  1. The volume of the software

As the name suggests volume testing is focused on the testing and identifying the basic capacity of the system or the given application in use.
It also provides the required information on whether the given software or the program is normal or of very high volume.

  1. For testing and analyzing the volume of the data

Storage requirement and capabilities of the system or a given application needs to be tested hence volume testing comes in the picture.
It works n the basis of identifying the tuning issues that are present in the software to prevent a system from reaching requires service level agreement.
This is known as volume targets. So we can say that volume testing provide the right in-depth tuning solution and the services.

  1. Detect and minimize the errors

Volume testing minimizes the risk which is associated along with the degradation of the performance, also the possibilities of the breakdowns or failures of under loads which are secondary due to increased pressure n the database.
It looks after the system operations and performance and discovers the bottleneck issues and provides the solutions and recommendations to resolve the outcome in the form of error.

  1. Get the desired information also the deliverables

Along with the given information about the changes in the system application and its performance is the valuable parameter in the IT industry to check for the efficacy under stress of high data volume.
This also helps in the improvement of the structural component and the infrastructural architect which can be provided through the result of volume testing.
This provides detailed explained information for the best possible results.

  1. System response time when verifies

System response time is the important parameter to keep a check upon in the software development and working of its applications.
System response time is known as the time lag between the time taken for the system to display the results and the system receiving the data.
For the successful outcome, this has to be on the minimum side o the scale.
For this volume testing provide best and efficient service in ni time. This is also useful in conditions in which the data input are usually very large.

  1. Check for the loss of the data

Along with the above-described points, another important purpose of volume testing is to ensure that all the given data infused for the purpose of the test to be considered is not lost.
This also allows a correct finding of system efficiency without causing any of the harm to the data.

  1. Storage of the data

Volume testing also ensures that the given data is stored in the correct location in the appropriate manner.
This point becomes important because if the data will be stored properly then only the stored data can provide reliable and accurate data result.

Key features of the Volume Testing
  1. Data that is used in increments

During the process of the inception of software development, the data is usually small and compact in respective sizes in comparison to their successive stage of the development of particular software application on the system.
As soon as the development of the software or its application go on the floor along with this the volume of the data is also increased, this is also done to ensure that the mature application among all can handle the influx of huge amount of data

  1. Auto-generation of the data

As in the software the data requirement is generally in huge amount which is sometimes self-generated or by manual.
When the data is auto-generated this allows the prevention of excessive expenditure which in turn makes the software development more cost-efficient.

  1. No logo can interference of the data is required

As we all know that the main aim of the testing is to check for the performance irregularities and even illogical data among all can provide inputs and the best part of it is that it will not interfere with the testing and can be used for increasing the volume also.

  1. Software performance

As the influx increases, the quality of the software decreases with time.
This makes the application to decline in its function and deteriorates in functionality.
This can be prevented by performing volume testing on time.
Volume testing belongs to non-functional tests related to volume stress and the load that is usually performed to analyze the performance of the system by in turn increasing the data volume.
This volume can be anything ranging from the size of the data at various locations or it could be just a simple file that is needed to be tested.
If someone wishes to test the application or the system with a given specific limit size of the database then testing also requires having that type of setting to check for the performance.

Know More: Adhoc Testing: A Brief Note with Examples

Moreover, volume testing is also used to test the behavior at the site when there are more than thousands of objects which are available under one category.

What are the objectives of volume testing?

There two basic objective of the volume testing which is explained as below-

  1. To check for the load of the volume on the given data representation on the which the whole stability of the system is based and if not cumulated properly than the quality can be compromised.
  2. To identify issues which can prevent the system failure before it reaches above the desired volume targets given in the service level agreement.

Keeping these objectives in mind let the developer or tester have a system that can meet the required expectation.

Characteristics of volume testing

Let us see some of the basic important characteristics of the volume testing

  1. Small quality of data is usually taken during the testing stage of software development.
  2. As far as the volume of the data is concerned if it increases then the performance is nosedive.
  3. The crude base of the generation of test data is the design document,
  4. As the insight of the data is not much required hence the importance of data is not so much driven.
  5. When we are through in the software testing the tester will log and track the results further, this finishes off the final step toward the completing of the test.
Let us see some of the examples of the volume testing

To really understand the example of volume testing let us look at some of its examples-

  • When a developer is working on the application or the system development that has to be used in more than thousands of the laptop or computers then one should stimulate the functions that seem to have the same number of the computers that will be in the use in real time.

We have to understand all the activities to be performed are in real time and should be ultimately focused on the activities which are performance-based.
This may including all things like file opening, creation of the file, and finally, the processing of the data.
If a developer wants to test the application with the database of a given determined size then the corresponding database should be increased in volume by adding more data in the database until the targets are reached.

What are the best practices to perform volume testing?
  1. All servers should be stopped and all logs should be checked.
  2. Properly execute the scenario of the applications manually before loading the test.
  3. Developer should stay out the number of users if a useful result is desired
  4. Balance of think time is must if there is essence contained.
  5. Once the baseline has been established the scope of improvement should be a check upon.
  6. One must be cautious about the new build.


Volume testing and Load testing

  1. Volume testing does the testing of applications on the basis of a large number of files in the database as much as possible whereas in load testing the applications are subjected to a particular level of load to further analyze the behavior pattern of the application.
  2. Volume testing tries verifying if the system response to an expected volume, which may include the time for the increment in the size of the given file. On the other hand, load testing is for checking the performance system whenever a user load is increased, this may further involve the increment in the number of the file.

What are the challenges that are faced by the developers during volume testing

  1. Difficulty in generating memory fragmentation
  2. A key generation is dynamic in nature.
  3. Generated data’s rational integration

Know More: Database Testing: A Quick Guide

Emulator Vs Simulator : What is the Difference?

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In the current scenario of increasing mobile technology exploration of various aspect of artificial intelligence and machine learning is going hand in hand, use of the simulator and real device for the perfect running of the mobile when in the hand of the customer is not new.
As a basic practice, it is preferred that a developer should use an emulator for fast development and management of the applications whereas the testing team who needs to have all the quality checks made on time should use a real test device to be best assured.

What is Simulator?

  • Sometimes to save on the cost factor companies introduce using a simulator or consider a virtual tool which can test as close to real, this allows the developers to have exploration of a wide base of applications which can work on the different geographical location across the globe. They are very cost efficient as they save the money of buying the real device.

What companies prefer currently

  • However simulators and emulators are considered good for the initial stage development of the application but large companies which release finances and business related applications need to have perfect running applications without any defects, so they prefer working on the real-time devices before it goes to the production unit.
  • For proper functioning, a balanced organization prefers to make strategies and plan their activities well in advance to determine the final outcome. This also allows them to choose the stage at which they have to introduce the real devices at their testing house.
  • The best practice in the current technological drift is to use emulators for speeding up the debugging process and the better application coding while other features like smoke testing, network and performance should be done on the real devices.

For a clear picture of their difference, let us take a brief about what this testing device means.

What is the Real Testing Device?

  • It is used for testing the functionality of your mobile applications in real device mode; they ensure that the working of the device application is smooth and convenient when in the hand of the consumer.

What is Emulator?

  • These are basically the software programs which allow the mobile devices to initiate basic feature of another device like a computer or mobile software which you want to imitate on your own device by installing them.

What is the exact difference between the Emulator and Simulator testing?

  • Both emulator and simulator are devices which are virtual in term of their usage. A device which is not real like a phone, but has software which gives similar functionality as that of a real phone is a simulator, except for few features like camera.

Let us see the key differences between Emulator and Simulator.

  1. Simulator-based testing has the main objective to simulate the internal state of the device as close as the internal state whereas emulators aim at the mimicking the outer behavior as similar as possible.
  2. The simulator is more referred where the team requires testing of the external behavior and pattern of the device for example calculations, whereas emulators are used where testing is on the internal behaviors’ and patterns like hardware.
  3. Simulators are based on the level of the high language and emulators are basically on machine level assembly.
  4. It is difficult to use a simulator for debugging on the other hand emulators is best at it.
  5. The simulator is nothing but just the original software re-implementation; emulator has it already in its complete form.

Emulator Testing differentiated against Real Device Testing

1. In terms of Application which are situation based

  • Emulator testing is used for the specific situation which has a deadline of short duration and results have to be produced along with execution in a given time period. Sometimes it is necessary to use the emulator in circumstances which are relevant to a mobile application which is to be tested.
  • In the real device, the tester has to test everything in all real-time scenarios for mobile applications. These devices operate by using fingers and simulate real-time usage. This allows the working of application in situations like bright sunlight or rainy day.

2. As close as Real handheld devices

  • When the tester is not sure about the mobile devices which have to be used and how to invest in testing it creates the problem, so for people who have budgeted limit can go with emulator or simulator.
  • A real device allows testers to use the look and feel of particular application both in night and day condition.

3. Ease of using

  • Emulators or simulators are working on the cases which have free software backup and can be downloaded very easily through the web and are ready to be tested in a short period of the time.
  • Real-time allows the tough testing options like working for continuous 10 to 15 hours which cannot be in the case of the emulator.

4. Using in term of Web Application and its opening through URL

  • It is much easier for the user or tester as they have to do copy paste and the application is ready to be used.
  • In real time devices testing requires fulfillment of more terms of reliabilities.

5. Ease of taking Snapshots and Screenshots in case of Defect Appearance

  • Taking capture of various issues related to screenshots is easy in simulators as we have to use Microsoft office only.
  • It is useful in cases of testing operating system which is more internal.

Know More: 52 Software Testing Tools you must know in 2019 

6. Batteries

  • They are not helpful in simulating battery issues.
  • Real devices can easily do it

7. Incoming Interrupts Validation

  • Simulators are not made to interpret the incoming calls and SMS services.
  • Real-time devices can do that conveniently.

8. Performance

  • For the purpose of performance, simulators are proved to be much slower than the original mobile devices whereas the original devices are super fast.

9. Color Display

  • Simulator fails to have the exact color display in terms of high configuration and in bright sunlight whereas original devices tend to perform much better when it comes to color display.

10. Memory

  • The memory on the simulator or emulator is enormous and far large when compared to the real devices whereas in the real devices they are much lesser.

In terms of disadvantages real device and simulator both have their own drawbacks, in simulator tester cannot test the long term efficiency of the application, not suitable for certain type of test functions and executions, also tester team need to use software patches on the other hand real devices are hefty and costly, have timeline constraints and are harder to connect with the IDE which causes problem in the debugging.
Conclusion
A careful watch of pros and cons of using such a testing device system lead to a better conclusion which provides the optimal mobile solution related to testing which is necessary for strict, stringent and strong quality assurance.

So the basic idea goes with the optimal usage for both. The ultimate goal is to understand and study the market needs and develop a business-oriented use of these technologies.

Poor QA Can Be A Thanos Snap For Your Business

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Thanos shook the world with his snap in the 4th Avenger movie Infinity War. He has successfully managed to decimate half of the world with the power of the infinity gauntlet.  Even though it’s a movie, for the first time the world witnessed the victory of a villain in a superhero flick. The same became the main USP for the movie.
However, what Thanos has done can happen to your business in no time if your company is not concerned about Quality Analysis.
The only difference here is there is no End Game to rectify the damage since this is real life.
So what exactly is QA and why is it so crucial? let’s find out!
********End Game Spoiler Alert! ********

Reality Check!
We don’t have a time machine to reverse the damage that has been done. There is no Tony Stark to make it happen, there is no Captain America, Black Widow, Bruce Banner, Ant-man and Hawk-Eye to travel to the past and make it all right.  All we have is the proper methodology and practices to make sure that nothing goes wrong.
Let’s imagine Thanos and his accomplices as potential bugs in any software. They will cause trouble and can be catastrophic to your business.
But you will not get an End Game to correct everything. You have to make sure that you find Thanos eliminate him in the infinity war itself with the help of a team that has the capability of doing so.
The Thanos Snap, Poor QA, How does it affect your business?

  • Low Revenue
  • Losing credibility in public view
  • Increase in production cost
  • Wastage of resources
  • Late product delivery and as a result, poor customer review
  • Reworking cost

Let’s have a look at the most effective way to track bug in any software

  • Always make sure that the process that you are adopting for bug tracking supports the end goal
  • Rely on a tool that suits well with the process
  • Do not throw all at once to your team. Remember they are on a mission make sure that they are focussed and task allocation in such a way that it’s easy on them
  • Your bug tracking database can also work as a scheduling tool for many aspects related to testing
  • Make sure that the defects have been detailed well in the report
  • Learn about multiple bug tracking methodologies and adopt one that you think as effective
  • Time allocated on tasks should be perfect, not up anymore not up any less
  • Do not have vague exit criteria. Make sure that the validation for changes that you have prescribed is satisfactory.

The correct process involved in Quality Analyses

  1. Requirement gathering – Clear idea about the requirement of the project will be written in an understandable format
  2. Test strategy formation – Strategy is essential for efficient QA and to make sure that the stakeholder is confident.
  3. Test planning – Once testers have the basic requirements. Test strategy will be implemented
  4. Test Execution – This is the process where bug and defect tracking and documenting them takes place.
  5. Before release testing – counter checking of implemented changes happens in this phase


Tips from Nick Fury! How to choose the best QA team?

  • Each project requires a unique approach and methodology.
  • Make sure that the personnel involved in the testing has deep-rooted knowledge about the product and methodology that’s about to be adopted for the project

  • Communication skill is very important to make sure that all the testers can communicate well between each other and with you
  • IP (intellectual property protection) is one of the most important aspects of any team.
  • Make sure that the outsourcing company you are relying on will not disclose any detail about your product
  • Make sure that the testers are flexible to various conditions.
  • They should be well-acquainted with various process and methodology of testing and must be able to combine real-life scenarios with product testing.
  • Make sure that the testers can understand the requirements well.

What is Rational Unified Process Methodology?

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Rational Unified Process in Software Testing
Rational Unified Process (RUP) methodology uses the object-oriented approach in its design and the use of UML (Unified Modeling Language) notation is designed and documented to illustrate the processes in action. It uses commercially proven techniques and practices.
It is a process considered heavy and preferably applicable to large development teams and large projects, but the fact that it is extensively customizable allows it to be adapted to projects of any scale.
Rational Unified Process Methodology
Specifics
For project management, the RUP(Rational Unified Process) model provides a disciplined solution such as the tasks and responsibilities outlined within a software development organization.
RUP (Rational Unified Process) is, in itself, a software product. It is modular and automated, and its entire methodology is supported by several development tools integrated and sold by IBM through its “Rational Suites.”
The methods of competition in the field of software engineering include “clean rooms” (considered heavy) and agile (light) such as Extreme Programming (XP-Extreme Programming), Scrum, FDD, and others.
There are certain guidelines and templates that are defined, for the staff members of a production cycle, by RUP: part of the client and an evaluation of the progress of the project by its management. It helps developers to stay focused on the project.
Management Requirements
Proper documentation is essential for any large-scale project; note that RUP describes how to document functionality, system limitations, design restrictions, and business requirements.
The use cases and the scenarios are examples of dependent process artifacts, which have been considered much more effective in capturing functional requirements.
The Use of a Component-Based Architecture
The component-based architecture creates a system that can be easily extensible, promoting reuse and software an intuitive understanding. A component usually refers to an object in object-oriented programming.
RUP provides a systematic way to build this type of system, focusing on the production of an executable architecture in the early stages of the project, that is, before committing resources on a large scale.
The Components referred to here are generally included in the infrastructures already existing in the place. These infrastructures include CORBA as well as Component Object Model (COM).
The Use of Visual Software Models in the Rup Model          
By abstracting the programming of your code and representing it using graphical building blocks, RUP can be an effective way to get an overview of a solution.
The use of visual models can also allow individuals with a less technical profile (as clients) to have a better understanding of a given problem, and thus be more involved in the project as a whole.
The UML modeling language has become an industry standard for representing projects, and is widely used by RUP!

Know More: Read about Exclusive details of Agile Testing

Check Software Quality
It does not ensure software quality is the most common failure in all computer systems projects. Usually, one thinks about the quality of the software after the completion of the projects or the quality is the responsibility of a different team development team.
Management and Control Change Software
In all software projects, the existence of change is inevitable. RUP defines methods to control and monitor changes. As a small change can affect applications in totally unpredictable ways, change control is essential to the success of a project.
RUP (Rational Unified Process)also defines the areas of work and security, which guarantees a programmer that changes in another system will not affect your system.
Phases of the RUP Methodology
So far these guidelines are general, to be adhered to go through the life of a project cycle. The phases (see figure below) indicate the emphasis given in the project at a given moment. To capture the temporal dimension of a project, RUP divides the project into four different phases:

Initiation or Design: emphasis on the scope of the system;
Preparation: emphasis on architecture;
Construction: emphasis on development;
Transition: emphasis on the application.
RUP is also based on the 4 Ps:

  • People
  • Design
  • Product
  • Process

The layers are composed of iterations. Iterations are windows of time; iterations have defined the term as the phases are objective.
All phases generate artifacts. These will be used in the next phase and document the project and allows a better follow-up.
Design Phase
The design or initiation phase contains the workflows necessary for the agreement of interested parties – stakeholders – with the objectives, architecture, and planning of the project. If these actors have good knowledge, it will not be necessary to analyze. Otherwise, a more elaborate analysis is required.
In this stage, the essential requirements of the system are transformed into use cases. The objective is not to close them at all, but only those that are necessary to shape the opinion.
The step is usually short and is used to define if it is feasible to continue with the project and define the risks and the cost of the last one. A prototype can be made for the client to approve. As the RUP cites, the ideal is to perform iterations, which must be well defined in terms of their amount and objectives.
Elaboration Phase
The preparation will be for the design of the system, as a complement to the survey and/or documentation of use cases, in front of the architecture of the system, to review the business model for the project and to start the version of the user manual. One must accept: Product description (increase + integration) is stable; the project plan is reliable? The costs are eligible?
Construction Phase
In the construction phase, the physical development of the software starts, production codes, alpha tests. Beta tests were carried out at the beginning of the transition phase.
You must accept the tests, stable and test processes, and the system code is “baseline”.
Transition Phase
In this phase is the delivery (“deployment”) of software, which carries out the deployment and delivery plan, the monitoring and the quality of the software. Products (releases, versions) are going to be delivered, and place customer satisfaction. This stage also takes place the training of the users.
Disciplines of the RUP (Rational Unified Process) Methodology
The Business Modeling Discipline
Organizations are increasingly dependent on IT systems, so it is imperative that information systems engineers know how applications are integrated into the development of the organization. Companies invest in IT, which understands the competitive advantage of value added by technology.
The goal of business modeling is to first establish a better understanding and communication between business engineering and software engineering.

Understanding the business means that software engineers must understand the structure and dynamics of the target company (the client), the current problems that the organization is facing and potential methods and strategies for making amends.
Another important aspect that must not be undermined is that the relevant parties such as the developers as well as the customers and also the end-users must have a clear understanding about the organization, and an important feature of this understanding is that it must be common among all the parties involved.
Business modeling explains how to describe the vision of an organization in which the system will be implemented and how to use this vision as a basis to describe the processes, functions, and responsibilities.
Course Requirements
This course explains how to get requests from interested parties (“interested parties”) and convert them into a set of requirements that the products work within the system to be built and provide the detailed requirements for what is necessary for the system.
Analysis and Design of the Discipline (“Design”)
The purpose of the analysis and design is to show how the system will be carried out. The objective is to build a system that:
Execute in a specific execution environment, tasks and functions specified in the descriptions of use cases
Satisfy all your needs
It is easy to maintain when there are no changes in the functional requirements, the results of the project in an analysis and design model optionally has an analysis model.
The design model is utilized as a conceptual version of the source code, displaying only the bare minimum. This allows the user of any one inspecting to ascertain the style in which the source code has been rendered.
The design model is rendered in such a way that it contains different divisions of designs. These divisions are stored within definite subsystems.
Every subsystem has a distinct interface that is precisely designed. It also contains descriptions of how the objects in these classes collaborate to carry out the design of use cases.
The Discipline Implementation
The effects of the application are:

  • With reference to the layered subsystems organized for an application, the organization code is configured.
  • The different classes or divisions of components are carried out. These components include
  1. Source Files
  2. Executables and
  3.  Binaries
  • Components developed as units are tested

Incorporate the results produced by the individual executors (or teams), in an executable system. The systems are achieved through the components of the application.
The process aims at performing an important function, which is to define the exact procedure to be utilized, in order to re-utilize components which are either; already existing or have been freshly introduced.
This allows for a hassle system maintenance possibility and a substantial improvement in chances of the utilization of components.
Discipline Test
The purposes of discipline testing are:

  • Check the interaction between objects
  • Check the correct integration of all software components
  • Check that all requirements have been executed correctly
  • Identify and ensure that defects are addressed before the software implementation
  • Make sure that all defects are corrected, reviewed and closed

Conclusion
In case there are defects in the project, their correction may take up unnecessary costs due to the defects not being brought to light within due time.
If the project, however, is tested in its entirety, this would be beneficial as any defects which might be creeping into the projects can be identified and ascertained at the earliest.

This will, in turn, have a massive reduction in the costs involved with the rectification of the defects. This is the iterative approach proposed by the Rational Unified Process.
In order for the test to bear fruits and have the best possible outcomes, the tests need to be conducted on four parameters of quality and also there must be set standards which need to be met for the project to be considered as have passed the test.

Automation Testing Tutorial For Beginners

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Automation testing not only relieves testers of repeatedly executing the same test cases again and again but also enhances the execution speed and decreases the chances of human prone errors. Will not you like something as effective as automation testing to be on your stride?
Let us learn more about automation testing here
What is Automation Testing?
Automation Testing, automates the manual testing nullifying human efforts.  It uses an automation tool to run your test cases. These automation tools do not require any human intervention and automatically enters test data into the System under Test, compare expected and actual results and generate detailed test reports.
Why do I spend Extra Money on Automation testing?
Below mentioned benefits of automation testing will definitely convince you to consider automation testing for your system and will assure you it will not be a waste of money.

  1. Sometimes you have to repeatedly execute the same test cases for many numbers of times, test automation tool allows you to record the test suite and re-execute it when required.
  2. Thus it eliminates the boredom of executing the same test case again and again. It also improves the ROI as no human intervention is required for automated test suits.
  3. Automation testing saves time, as manually testing all scenarios for various devices and browsers can be very time-consuming.
  4. Testing multilingual sites manually can be very difficult; hence automation testing is very beneficial in such a case.
  5. In case of long test cases, they can be left unattended whole night in automated testing.
  6. Increases the speed of testing.
  7. It gives wider coverage of test cases.
  8. Manual testing can be boring at times and can hence be error-prone; this issue is very well taken care by automated testing.

But it is not a good idea to automate all type of testing, so be particular in deciding when to automate your test cases and when not.
Which Test Cases should We Automate?
Our main aim is to get a higher ROI. Based on it, here are few test cases you can consider automating

  • High Risk – Business Critical test cases
  • Test cases to be executed repeatedly
  • Tedious or difficult test cases
  • Time-consuming test cases

There are a few types of test cases that are better suited for manual testing. So it is better not to automate such test cases.

  • New test cases that are not even manually executed even once
  • Test Cases with frequently changing requirements
  • Test cases executed on an ad-hoc basis.


What are the Common Myths of Automation Testing?
Many myths are linked to software testing. It is important to be well aware of these misconceptions before you kick off your automation testing
Some of the common myths associated with automation testing are:

  • Automation completely replaces Manual Testing

Automation testing is definitely not a complete replacement of manual testing. There are many unpredicted scenarios that might require human intervention and there are some errors that are better determined by manual testing.

  • Automation Testing is not necessary, Manual Testing provides a solution to all kinds of Testing.

There is another side of the coin where some people believe that everything can be done manually. But there are some scenarios like regression testing where manual testing cannot be effective and might take longer to accomplish the tasks.

  • Automation consumes a Lot of Time

It might seem that automating the tests is time-consuming, but if we consider the complete picture, once automated, the automation testing can save us a lot of time.

  • Automation Is Very Easy

Automation testing as believed is not an easy-peasy task. Writing test scripts requires knowledge and experience and is definitely not an easy task. But if you compare it with manual testing, it definitely is easier if you know how to write the test cases.

  • Automation is only for Regression Testing

To much automation testing is only meant for regression testing. But the fact is that it covers many other areas like performance, product setup, security, compatibility, and many others.

  • Automation testing does not require cooperation between the Testers

It is completely a myth that automation testing has nothing to do with cooperation among the testers. Software development as a whole requires a fine-tuning among the engineers and automation testing is no different and requires close cooperation between the testers.

  • It returns a Faster ROI

Automation testing is a long term process and expecting immediate returns on your automation investments is a huge mistake. You have to be very patient to start getting a positive ROI.

  • Automation Testing only detects Bugs

If you are the one who believes automation testing only finds the errors then let us acknowledge you with its other benefits. It delivers valuable data and insights which help in improving the end product and solve many technical issues.
What should you do and what not in Automation testing?
There are always Dos and Don’ts for everything. These dos and don’ts are very important to perform your task effectively. Here are dos and don’ts of Automation testing that can help you conduct your automation testing effectively.
The Dos of Test Automation

  1. Break Your Tests Into smaller And Autonomous Scenarios

Shorter and more specific scenarios can help you detect issues with ease. Single test scenario makes troubleshooting difficult.

  1. Choose the Tests to Automate wisely

Automating all the test cases are not a wise idea, so be very ingenious while selecting the test cases to automate.

  1. Start small, don’t hurry

Don’t be in a hurry to create the complete test suits all at once. Follow the project’s workflow and automate only what is required.

  1. Set Priorities

Prioritize your work. Spend more time on test cases for the functions that are more crucial the simple and less important ones.

  1. Employ Professionals

Using an expert hand for your automation testing requirements can promise you greater benefits.
The Don’ts of Test Automation

  1. Do Not start Automating From the First Day Itself

Don’t be in a haste to automate your test cases. Give your project a little time and understand the scope of automation for your project.

  1. Don’t Try Running Everything at Every Time

It’s certainly not a good idea to test everything all the time. Spend time on testing only the functionalities that require testing and don’t waste time on testing everything all the time.

  1. Don’t Automate All the Manual Tests

Automating everything is not a good idea. Manual testing holds a very important place in software testing and is capable of finding the most unexpected defects at time.

  1. Don’t Automate Everything

Don’t just automate everything; it could be simply a waste of time and money.

  1. Don’t Ignore Further Development

Don’t ever think your work of automation testing is done. Keep a track of developments in the project and don’t miss to add test cases for them.
How to automate Test Cases?
Automating test cases follows a predefined process. Here are the basic steps to follow while automating your test cases.

  1. Test Tool selection

Test Tool we select is largely dependent on the technology your application is built on. It’s a good idea to conduct a Proof of Concept of Tool on Application Under Test.

  1. Define the scope of Automation

The scope is the part of your Application that has:

  • Scenarios with extensive data
  • Business important features
  • Functionalities that is common among applications.
  • Technical feasibility
  • Components with Reusable test cases
  • Complex test cases
  • Components to be tested across cross-browser testing
  1. Planning, Design, and Development

This phase is all about automation, strategy, design, and development. Your automation planning and design should include the below-given points:

  • Shortlisted Automation tools
  • Design and features of the Framework
  • Automation testbed preparation
  • Scripting and execution schedule and timelines
  • All the Deliverables

  1. Test Execution

Finally, it’s time to execute the test cases. In this phase, input test data are set to run and after execution, the test report is produced. You can directly execute test cases through automation tools or through test management tools that further invoke the automation tools.

  1. Maintenance

Maintenance is an on-going and a very important phase of automation testing life cycle. Whenever new functionalities are added to the system under test, automation scripts need to be reviewed and revised. Hence maintenance becomes important to enhance the effectiveness of automation scripts.
What are the various tactics for Automation Testing?
Automation testing is a crucial part of STLC. To accomplish it you can follow any of these three approaches.

  • Code-Driven: Code-driven automation testing, which is popularly used in agile software focuses on validating whether the code works as per expectations or not.
  • Graphical user interface (GUI) testing: It is meant for GUI rich applications. User actions can be recorded here and can be analysed multiple times. It supports test cases in multiple languages like C#, Java, Perl, Python, etc.
  • Test Automation Framework: A Set of automation guidelines, modularity, project hierarchies, concepts, coding standards, reporting mechanism, practices, processes, test data injections, etc. are predefined to help execute automation testing effectively.

These are the various methods that you can deploy to automate your software testing. Let us now learn in detail about the most important one – Framework for Automation
A Set of automation guidelines, modularity, project hierarchies, concepts, coding standards, reporting mechanism, practices, processes, test data injections, etc. are predefined to help execute automation testing effectively.  You can use these guidelines while automating test cases to get effective results.
What are the advantages of Test Automation Framework?

  1. Enhances code Reusability
  2. Maintains test consistency
  3. Gives Maximum coverage
  4. Minimum code usage
  5. Recovery scenario
  6. Low-cost code maintenance
  7. Minimal manual intervention
  8. Data involvement when required
  9. Reduced training period
  10. Easy Reporting
  11. Enhanced test structuring

There are five types of frameworks used in automation software testing:

  • Data-driven Framework: It focuses on separating test scripts logic from test data.
  • Linear Scripting Framework: Focuses on sequential or linear recording and replaying of test scripts.
  • Modular Testing Framework: Dividing application into numerous modules and creating their test scripts separately.
  • Hybrid Testing Framework: A combination of all the frameworks to pull the powers of each.
  • Keyword-driven Framework: test scripting is done based on the keywords specified in the excel sheet and accordingly tests are executed.

What are the Automation Testing Best Practices?
The below given best practices can help you increase your ROI and to get the best result from your automation testing:

  • It is always advisable to set the scope of Automation before starting the project. It helps in setting the right expectations from the project.
  • Selecting the right automation tool can make a huge difference in your testing results. You should always select the tool that suits your requirements and not the one with the best ratings and high popularity.
  • The framework plays a very important role in the success of automation testing. So spend time in creating a framework for your automation.
  • Always follow the best Scripting Standards. You can follow the below-given standards to meet your requirements.
  • Create uniform comments, scripts, and indentation of the code
  • Be prepared for Exception handling; the automation tool should be well prepared to handle unexpected errors and exceptions in.
  • For the ease of testers, the error logging messages should be standardized.
  • Defining the Success of automation requires some metrics. You cannot just compare the manual effort with the automation effort. Below are some of the metrics that you need to take into account to define your automation test success:
  • Defects percentage
  • Productivity improvement
  • Automation testing time for each cycle
  • Minimal release Time
  • Index for Customer Satisfaction

What are the Advantages of Automation Testing?
Automation testing has many advantages and it is a good idea to consider it for your testing whenever required.

  • It is around 70% quicker than manual testing
  • The results of automation testing are more reliable and less prone to human intervened errors
  • Automation testing Guarantee Consistency
  • It saves a lot of Time and Cost
  • Higher ROI
  • Increases accuracy
  • Does not require any Human Intervention for execution
  • It enhances Efficiency
  • Test scripts can be re-used whenever required, hence saving a lot of time for recreating them.
  • Automation testing gives a wider coverage of test cases

Know More: Top 10 Automation Testing Tools 2019

What are the Applications of Automation Testing?
Automation can cover a big part of testing. Some of the common applications of automation testing are:

  • Performance testing: Automated testing is very efficient for testing the performance of your software product.
  • Test data generation:  Automation testing can help you to program tests to automatically generate entry data.
  • Product Setup:  Automating Product setup ensures that your software product is efficiently set up.
  • User interface components’ interaction: It takes care of smooth interaction between various components of a user interface.
  • Regression Testing:  Automated regression testing helps to avoid errors incurred because of code changes.
  • Security Testing:  Atomization of tests helps in easy detection of security-related bugs if any.
  • Functional (White-Box and Black-Box):  Functional testing can be a daunting task at times; it is a wise idea to automate functional testing.
  • Installation / Integration / System: Testing installation/integrations and system bugs can be head honking if done manually. Automation of such test cases can easily ensure proper installation and integration of components within a system.
  • Smoke and Sanity Testing: Automated scripts can reliably conduct both smoke and sanity testing.
  • Usability/UI/GUI Testing: The user interface, GUI and usability testing are other tests that can be better if automated
  • Compatibility: Compatibility testing is another task which is very time consuming and daunting if done manually, automating compatibility testing can promise better results and wider coverage.
  • Internationalization: Internationalization is better when automated.
  • User Acceptance: User acceptation demands greater accuracy, and Automation promises you enhanced accuracy.

How to Choose Which Automation Testing Tool is best for me?
You cannot just randomly pick an automation tool for your automation testing. Picking up the right tool is very important for getting the maximum benefit out of your automation testing. The following criteria can help you pick the best automation tool:

  • Environment Support
  • Testing of Database
  • Ease of use
  • Image Testing
  • Object identification
  • Object Mapping
  • Tools that support various types of test
  • Error Recovery Testing
  • Scripting Language Used
  • A tool that can identify objects in every environment
  • Multiple testing frameworks support
  • Easy to debug the automation software scripts
  • Minimal training cost
  • Detailed test reports and results

What are the Various Automation Testing Tools?
Selecting the best automation tool is a challenging task. We would advise you to first identify your requirements, study about different automation tools and their features and then choose the one that fits your requirements the best.
Here are the Names of some very Popular Automation Testing Tools.

  • Selenium – It is a very popular automation testing tool for a web application, supporting various platforms and browsers.
  • Watir – It is an open source automation testing tool for web applications. It is created using Ruby libraries.
  • Ranorex – Ranorex is a GUI automated testing tool for multiple environments and devices.
  • Appium – Appium is known to be one of the best Open source mobile automation testing tool.

Can We trust all Testers for our Automation Testing needs?
With time automation testing has become very simple and a manual tester can easily accomplish it if he has a good business.
Any tester can execute expert’s created test automation scripts.
But there is another side of the coin, there are different skill sets that require more technical knowledge which is not easy to be learned by a manual tester overnight.
Today a test automation expert is expected to design an overall automation strategy for the entire product.
They require knowledge to select the right set of tools for every stage and give a cost-effective and unified integration strategy.
Automation testers are also expected to develop functions that can reduce manual testing and test data generation work.
Hope you would have found this article informative!

Top 20 Free Usability Testing Tools Available now

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To improve the execution of your site, you have to see how users are utilizing it. Usability testing is an approach to assess how effectively people can achieve a given task. In this test, a subject is approached to finish a task, usually while being seen by a researcher, to reveal possible user issues. A usability test is otherwise called a user test.
We’ve accumulated the top 20 usability testing tools that will help you perform this test productively.

  1. Optimizely

Optimizely is an A/B testing platform which is pretty famous for being user-friendly, enabling its users to track both visits and conversions. This tool provides a lot of features including:

It’s free for users on the basic plan, though some additional features are available only on the enterprise paid plan.

  1. Usabilla

It is an advance usability testing tool which empowers you to gather feedback from your real users. You can additionally get in-depth reviews from potential users. From these, you can find what your visitors consider of your content, letting you optimize the web pages better.
Features of this tool include:

  • User-friendly
  • Heatmap analysis
  • Instant feedback
  • Offers solutions for visual surveys as well as email feedback
  1. Usability Hub

Usability Hub is a tool to test your mockups and designs on real users. They aren’t free, yet you can procure free tests by helping test other websites. This tool demonstrates interactions of visitors on your site, what they recall and where they commit errors. It can likewise be utilized before your site goes live.

Their tools include:

  • Five Second Test – for design
  • Nav Flow – to track conversion funnels
  • Click Test – to test clicks on site’s landing page

These features can give you every bit of knowledge essential to enhance your site’s ease of use and begin drawing more clients.

  1. Userbrain

Userbrain is a free remote usability testing tool, which is so simple to utilize that you’ll get dependent on testing your application with real users.
You can watch video recordings of individuals visiting your site and hear what they think. It’ll enable you to spot bugs, issues, and complex areas. You can consistently improve your website’s experience and assemble better products for more satisfied users with the help of weekly automated user tests.
Other features are:

  • Test on numerous devices and in various languages to encounter your site under different conditions
  • No restriction on the number of tasks you can request from the testers to perform

The tool is available at a moderate cost with just $14 for every user test with 100% satisfaction assurance. Also, there is no recruiting requisite as you get access to a pool of over 15,000 testers from throughout the world.

  1. Crazyegg

It’s a valuable and well-known visual analytics tool. Crazyegg is a great optimization tool which supports you in tracking the user’s behavior on your sites utilizing mouse tracking to get real-time reviews.
A click-based user experience tool with four critical features:

  • Heatmap – logs where every guest clicks on your website page.
  • Scrollmap – demonstrates how far down the page every visitor scrolls usually.
  • Confetti – gives comprehensive information about search terms, visitor sources, other different elements.
  • Overlay – separates the number of clicks on per page element.

Users get a free 30-day trial, without any requirement to buy a paid membership. Although these aren’t costly too, beginning at $9 for a month.

  1. Chalkmark

Users can initiate tasks and welcome others to participate after uploading of the screenshot for the UI they need to test. The outcomes are given heatmaps to indicate where visitors clicked, and a report determining the average time taken to finish the undertakings.
Key features include:

  • Build personas and assign tasks
  • Create up to three tasks on a similar image or different images for every test.
  • Wireframing and design
  • Information architecture
  • Analyze the test results
  1. Trymyui

Trymyui is a stunning tool available online for usability testing. It just takes minutes to set up your test with this tool.
It empowers testers to personalize their tasks. You can compose a list of tasks or questions that you want users to reply or perform on your site.
You’ll at that point get constant feedback which unmistakably proves what visitors think about your application or site and notices where they’re restricting.
Other features include:

  • Impression testing
  • Demographic curation
  • Written survey
  • Keystrokes
  • Video screen caps
  1. OptimalWorkshop

This tool offers three distinct parts of usability, and every one of them comes with a free-for-life plan. While the complimentary benefits have a few conditions, utilizing them could enable you to determine if it’s worth to try for a paid test.
The key features are:

  • Optimal Sort for card sorting
  • Treejack to perceive how individuals connect with your website structure
  1. IntuitionHQ

Utilizing IntuitionHQ gives you target data about how visitors will utilize the pages designed by you.To make a usability test, you transfer screenshots after that compose tasks to be completed by users.
With the free plan, you can:

  • conduct ten live tests with up to 350 participants
  • create unlimited questions
  1. UserPlus

The UserPlus is a free tool, presently available in alpha. The tool offers incredible tips and best practices for improving the usability of your website.
In three simple steps, users can:

  • Transfer a screenshot
  • Tag elements on the page you are searching for guidance on
  • Discover the usability score

Also, with UserPlus Advisor, users can find the most significant hindrances that might negatively affect your income stream. Users can sign up to be welcomed to participate.

  1. Five Second Test

When users use five seconds test, they don’t just get a chance to set up their test for the website.However, it also enables them to test others’ site.
Intended to enable users to quantify the viability of their designs, users can direct a five-second test to discover which components of your designs are the most notable. You can do this in two different methods:

  • Memory test: In it, users have five seconds to take a look at the design and after that are approached to recall particular components.
  • Click test: In it, users have five seconds to find and tap on the particular components of their design.
  1. Feng-GUI

With Feng-GUI usability testing platform you get a free demo that enables you to test one picture at regular intervals. The features include:

  • an algorithm to simulate users
  • an eye-tracking map to indicate which regions of the page get the most attention

  1. GTMetrix

GTmetrix gives you understanding into how well your site loads and gives significant suggestions on the most proficient method to improve it. Alongside that monitor performance of the page with scheduled managing and picture it with intuitive graphs.
The key features you get with this tool are

  • Page load time
  • Total page size
  • Total number of requests
  1. Google Analytics

Every site must use it by default because it can tell you so much about sharpening and improving its usability. It determines where you are losing visitors and after how much time.
Other features are:

  • Establish conversion goals and measure them
  • Offers valuable insights to tweak layout and content
  1. Google PageSpeed Insights

It’s a free tool which is a simple dashboard enabling you to insert any URL you require speed data on, and within a few seconds, you get an accurate report on its speed.
The data is offered on two specific metrics to check how fast a web browser of user begins to show the pixels of your site after the user clicks a button. Those metrics are:

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP)
  • DOM Content Loaded (DCL)
  1. Website Grader

Usability tester by Hubspot, which shows UX score of your website in four simple sections:

  • Performance grades
  • Mobile grades
  • SEO grades
  • Security grades
  1. Mouseflow

Mouseflow comes with a free version using it you can see detailed heatmaps and scroll-reach statistics. Heatmaps are overlays displayed on top of the content of your site where you can view precisely which portions of the page are receiving the maximum attention.
Its features cover:

  • Tweaking layouts to boost conversion rates
  • Doing analytics
  1. Qualaroo

It’s a platform which integrates directly with your site as well as with many other software tools used by you. Its features are:

  • Offers insight relying on how your visitors behaved on it
  • Generate brief exit questions to present to the visitors when they leave your site
  1. ClickHeat

An open source software which gives a visual heatmap of clicks on a webpage. It remains on your web server, so you get results from the actual website visitors.

Its key features include:

  • Low logging activity
  • Screen sizes and browsers are logged
  • Allows you to group the same pages
  1. WebPageTest

One more open source optimization tool developed by Google & AOL for checking website performance. A thorough visual comparison is likewise possible with it.
Its test results offer rich diagnostic data including:

  • Page Speed optimization checks
  • Resource loading waterfall charts
  • Suggestions for changes

Important Test Cases For Mobile Applications

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Mobile application development is gradually taking a front seat in software development. Mobile testing is day by day increasing its prospects. But still, testers have many questions regarding mobile testing like how to create test cases and test scenarios, how to use various mobile testing tools, etc. In this article, we will cater to test cases and test scenarios for mobile testing.
Below we have curated a list of sample test cases and test scenarios for various types of mobile testing.

Types of Test Cases

  • Performance Testing Test Cases
  • Functional Testing Test Cases
  • Compatibility Testing Test Cases
  • Security Testing Test Cases
  • Recoverability Testing Test Cases
  • Usability Testing Test Cases

Performance Testing Test Cases

Performance testing for the mobile application ensures that your application performs as required under certain performance requirements like a number of users, memory requirements, etc.
In performance testing, we largely need to have test cases for

  • Device performance
  • Server/API Performance
  • Network Performance

Your test cases should deal with the following aspects:

Device Performance:

  • Application start-up time
  • Memory consumption
  • Usage with other Applications
  • Battery Time while using the application
  • Hardware and Software variation
  • An application running in the background

Server/API Performance:

  • API calls generated
  • Data to and from the server.
  • Server downtime

Network Performance:

  • Network Speed
  • Packet Loss

Also Read: How to create Test cases For Android Application

Few test cases that you can conduct for performance testing are

  1. Test application performance under different load conditions.
  2. To test if the network coverage supports the application at various user levels.
  3. To test the application performance under prevailing client-server configuration setup.
  4. To detect infrastructure and application bottlenecks that hold back your application from working as expected.
  5. To test the response time.
  6. To evaluate the application for planned and unplanned load volumes.
  7. To evaluate battery time while using application
  8. To test application during network change from WIFI to 2G/3G/4G or vice versa.
  9. To test the memory leaks, Camera, battery consumption, resources like GPS.
  10. To test if the application works well when the device is being moved from one location to another.

Functional Testing Test Cases

In mobile testing functional testing generally deals with testing the user interactions and the transactions. When conducting functional testing, you have to consider a few scenarios

  1. Business functionality usage of your application like banking, gaming, social or business
  2. Target audience type like consumer, enterprise, education
  3. Distribution channel you would like your application to share one.eg. Apple App Store, Google play, direct distribution

Based on your application and requirement you can have following test cases for your testing:

  1. To verify if the essential and non-essential fields can be easily identified and are displayed on the screen in a distinctive way.
  2. To test the essential fields for their proper working.
  3. To test that during an incoming call the application goes to minimized mode.
  4. To verify your application does not crop up any hindrance for other applications installed on the system.
  5. To test the application’s compatibility with required versions of the devices.
  6. To test the application for the proper working during starting and closing.
  7. To test your application supports required social network options such as posting, sharing, and navigation, etc.
  8. To test for truncation errors. Any truncation error should not harm your system and should be under a safe limit.
  9. To test for proper network error message during improper network connection.
  10. To test the smooth installation of the application provided all requirements are fulfilled.
  11. To test the auto-start facility based on the requirements.
  12. To test if the mobile is able to receive and store messages while your application is running.
  13. To test if your application does not hinder the multitasking capability of the device.
  14. To verify the required navigation among the related modules
  15. To test if application restarts at the same point after a system crash.
  16. To test the availability of the user guide.
  17. To test any payment gateway transaction support if required by the application.
  18. To test for required page scrolling scenarios.
  19. To test newly added functionalities or changes made to the code.

Compatibility Testing Test Cases

Compatibility testing is very important as markets are flooded with various kinds of mobile devices. Your application should be compatible with all these devices to reach wider customers. Compatibility tests your application compatibility with various mobile devices, OS, and a combination of both.
Some of the prominent test cases for compatibility testing are:

  1. To test user Interface of the application on various screen size.
  2. To test your application supports various mobile devices.
  3. Test application’s compatibility with various OS
  4. Test applications compatibility with a combination of different devices and different OS.
Security Testing Test Cases

In times of increasing cyber-crime, security testing is very important. It checks whether your application fulfills all the security requirements.
Below are some of the most important security testing test cases for mobile apps that can ensure better security of your application:

  1. To your application withstanding capabilities against brute force attack
  2. To test the application against buffer overflows and memory corruption cases.
  3. Test custom created files and test that they do not perform any malicious deeds.
  4. To test applications immunity against malicious runtime injections.
  5. To test the well-being of cryptography code.
  6. To test if your application supports a strong password protection system, and does not allow an unauthorized person to change password.
  7. To detect dynamic dependencies.
  8. To test security against SQL injection-related attacks.
  9. To detect and recuperate from unmanaged code scenarios.
  10. To test if certificates are verified and whether your application support Certificate Pinning.
  11. To test the application response from the denial of service attacks.
  12. To analyze data validation requirements.
  13. To test the business logic implementation is secured.
  14. To test file system interactions.
  15. To test the protocol handlers.
  16. To test applications immunity tonasty client-side injections.
  17. To test that keyboard cache is protected from apprehensive data storage.
  18. To test if regular audits for data protection analysis are supported.
  19. To test if your application goes through a proper authentication process before sharing sensitive information.
  20. To test your application is immune to insufficient session expiration.
  21. To inspect file caching.
  22. To test for cookies.
  23. To test whether session management is enabled to prevent unauthorized users to access unwanted information.
  24. To test different data streams.
Recoverability Testing Test Cases
  1. Test for Crash recovery
  2. Verify recovery state of the applicationafter unanticipated crash
  3. Test for Transaction interruptions.
  4. Verify application’s transaction handling capabilities during a power failure (i.e. Battery dies or sudden manual shutdown of the device)
  5. The application recoverability when the connection is suspended.

Usability Testing Test Cases

The usability testing tests whether your mobile application is easy for the users to use. The main objective of usability testing is to whether your application supports intuitive, easy-to-use, and industry-accepted interfaces.

  1. Test that the buttons on your application are of the required size.
  2. To test icons consistency with the application.
  3. To test for the colour coding of the buttons as per the requirements.
  4. To test for zoom- out and zoom-in facilities support in your application.
  5. To test the proper acceptance of keyboard input.
  6. To test the support for undoing an action within a time limit, when any wrong item is touched.
  7. To test no overloading of contextual menus.
  8. To test that the text is simple, readable and clearly visible to the users.
  9. To test for the apt font.
  10. To test that the users are prompted when they download a large amount of data not beneficial for the application performance.
  11. To verify the closing and reopening of application from various states.
  12. To test for language translation facility.
  13. To test the synchronization of application items as per the user actions.
  14. To ensure the availability of user manual for the ease of the users.

Conclusion
Usability is all in all a manual testing approach as only a human can understand the usability accepts and ease of using the application. We hope these test cases will help you with your mobile testing endeavor.

What is Quality Assurance (QA)? Process and Methodology

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Quality Assurance (QA) is something other than manual testing. The current frameworks are more unpredictable than customary methodologies can deal with. New automated test methods have developed enabling machines to automatically and thoroughly test themselves for flaws.

With this article, we are going to give you in-depth knowledge about Quality Assurance.
quality assurance
What is Quality Assurance?

Quality Assurance (QA) or Software Quality Assurance (SQA) is a planned and systematic model of activities essential to give satisfactory assurance that a product adjusts to prerequisites amid software improvement.

SQA incorporates the complete software development life cycle, and the purpose is to make sure that the development and support processes are refined continuously to generate products which satisfy specs.

Remember that the range of quality isn’t restricted to merely Software Testing. For instance, how adequately the requirements are asserted and also maintained quite matter.

Software Quality Assurance comprises of strategies and practices of evaluating the software development methods, processes, technologies, and tools used to guarantee the quality of the created product. It is typically accomplished by using well-planned standard systems, covering processes and tools, for quality control to assure the reliability and dependability of the product.

What are the principles of software quality assurance?

The important principles to follow for software quality assurance are:

1. Stopping Problems Before They Happen: It is better to prevent mistakes in the software development process from occurring rather than correcting them later on. This principle states the importance of finding and temporarily resolving issues at an early stage in a procedure.

2. Always Getting Better: Quality assurance of software is not a one-off process. It should be an integral part of the entire development cycle. This principle advocates for constant checking and updating of the software throughout its operation.

3. Including Everyone: All stakeholders, such as developers clients and testers along with the project managers need to work together. This principle notifies that all need to communicate and work together to produce quality software.

4. Focusing on the Big Risks: It is necessary to define and manage the most significant risks in software. This principle refers to focusing on the risks that have the maximum potential impact on software.

Due to these principles, the software is not just fixed when problems appear but it is made with high quality from the beginning.

The Quality Assurance process can involve –

  • Recognizing standards when any applied in software development methods.
  • To carry traditional processes, for example, quality reviews.
  • Conduct in-process test data recording processes.
  • Encouraging documentation procedure measures.

This extraordinary issue fills in as a platform for experts to display hypothesis, results, understanding, and different progressions in Software Quality Assurance process.
Process of Quality Assurance


Below are a few quality characteristics of the Quality Assurance process –

  1. Concentrate on the User Experience

Testing at all stages of the venture is critical. However, the most dominant point is the user experience.
In case that the UX is terrible, it unavoidably implies the quality isn’t of standard. Despite the fact that this will presumably result in variations in the earlier stage of software development, the user experience should dependably be at the leading place.

  1. Automation and Continuous Integration

Automation is essential since it offers quick review, empowering continuous integration – an important part of the agile approach.
Automation is additionally solution to lessening costs and improving the productivity of your QA staff; that is one of the principle reasons why QA engineers must teach themselves and be apt to execute automation processes.

  1. Test and Code Coverage

Numerous QA managers ramble about “test coverage,” that gives a decent broad image of the quality of the product. But to accomplish genuine quality, test cases and code coverage examination both ought to be held.
For instance, regardless of the fact that 100% test coverage is performed by you, you have to, in any case, go for a minimum 90% function code coverage to guarantee the best outcomes.

  1. The Shift-Left Approach

Software testing begins commonly once the coding stage is finished. In any case, for ideal quality in an agile strategy, you have to drive the concentration and start checking as well as testing directly from the origin of the venture. It guarantees bugs are identified sooner, that saves both money and time.
Additionally, it ensures a positive association with developers in the group, quickens the delivery of the application, and takes into consideration more noteworthy test coverage.

  1. Smart Testing

Full and thorough testing can now and again lead to a challenge since numerous personals might not have resources or time to experience each reasonable combination of cases.
But you ought to be smart in how and what to test. It implies, speaking with the engineer to discover little experiments that will identify the best number of bugs.

  1. Bug Prevention

QA managers are prepared to detect bugs, but an ingenious QA specialist will likewise consider how to avoid them in any case.
Conventional QA begins testing at the UI level, yet an agile process begins with the functional and unit testing and after that moves to the UI phase. This methodology keeps bugs from entering the top level of development which can later on lead to more severe issues and likely postpone the delivery.
Furthermore, concentrate on major crucial bugs and errors at first as opposed to many small errors.

  1. Portability

It is critical for software to adjust to various environments. For example, a framework should operate just as efficiently on a web platform as it works on mobile.
The versatility, installability, replaceability, and conformance of the product should be recorded respectively.

  1. Reliability

A system crash is not a unique situation. However, in quality testing, you require to check the system’s capacity to resist component breakdown. The system ought to be ready to get back into complete control even after a possible malfunction in the product.

  1. Documentation

This process manages the administration and archiving of documents. Any variation in a record is done by using the appropriate change control method. Approval of all kinds of documents is also done in this process.
Methods Used in Quality Assurance


There are a few distinct kinds of QA testing, which are all critical for guaranteeing your application is having no bug. Beneath, we’ve given the most vital QA testing methods to offer you a full comprehension of the testing procedure and how it improves your application, product, or software.
Non-functional Testing
QA testing can be separated into two sections: functional and non-functional testing. Before we discuss the functional testing, how about we take a look at the four phases of non-functional testing –

  • Vulnerability Testing

Vulnerability testing includes testing a site or application to find security holes and vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. The objective of this phase of testing is to make sure that there are no security risks that could compromise users’ information or other sensitive data.

  • Compatibility Testing

Similarity testing includes checking that product is completely compatible with the software and hardware it will be running on.
A few components are tested amid this stage, from internet browsers to hardware, operating systems, integral modules, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

  • Usability Testing

Convenience testing includes testing that the software is intuitive and easy to use. The objective of this phase of the testing process is to ensure that the end user can utilize the product without dissatisfaction or confusion because of its design and UI.

  • Performance Testing

Performance testing includes confirmation that the product performs adequately in an assortment of conditions that could influence users, from substantial load to insufficient battery power.
The goal of a performance test is to make sure the application runs as it ought to and to determine its confinement utilizing load testing.
Functional Testing
Functional testing is generally separated into four segments. Every one of them is depicted beneath –

  • Unit Testing

The Unit testing method is the testing of individual software modules or parts that make up a system or an application.
The module’s developers normally write these tests and in a test-driven-improvement strategy, (for example, Agile, XP, or Scrum).They are written before the module is made as a component of the spec. Every module function is tested by a particular unit test installation written in a similar programming language like the module.

  • Integration Testing

This part of the testing process includes the testing of the distinctive modules or components that have been effectively unit tested when incorporated together to perform particular activities and tasks (otherwise called scenario testing).
This testing is typically finished with a combination of manual testing and automated functional tests relying upon the fact that it is easy to make automated tests for particular integrated components.

  • System Testing

System testing expands the scale of integration testing to test the whole framework all in all. A standard system test includes running the whole framework so as to find beforehand neglected bugs, stability problems, and serious issues.
As should be obvious, the initial three phases of functional testing include a steady increment in range, from a sole unit to many integrated units to a whole system.

  • Acceptance Testing

The acceptance testing technique is the last stage of functional software testing and includes ensuring that all the project or product necessities have been met. It also assures that the customers and end-users have tested the framework to ensure it works as assumed and meets all their defined prerequisites.

Different approaches to SQA

Within the scope of Software Quality Assurance (SQA), several approaches can be adapted depending on the specific nature of the software development process. Here’s an overview of different approaches:

1. Traditional Approach (Waterfall Model):
The traditional approach follows a hierarchical process, which is also referred to as the Waterfall model. All stages of requirement analysis, design, coding, testing and maintenance are completed before moving on to the next one. SQA is performed at the end of each gateway to verify requirements are met and minimize errors and defects.

2. Agile Approach:
The Agile approach includes its iterative, incremental and dynamic nature. It involves the delivery of small sections of software as well as enabling cooperation between development teams, testing teams and stakeholders. The focus is on self-organizing teams, continuous integration, testing test delivery and feedback which allows obtaining better results.

3. DevOps Approach:
As a combination of development and IT operations, DevOps puts customer satisfaction first. It focuses on collaboration, automation and continuous delivery while relying on continuous integration, testing and deployment of software for efficiency. This technique is appropriate for projects that need frequent revisions.

4. Six Sigma Approach:
The Six Sigma method uses a data-driven approach to minimize defects and errors in the software product. Through the use of statistical methods, it measures and enhances software quality. This methodology is appropriate for projects that focus on defect elimination.

5. Lean Approach:
Efficiency and waste reduction are the focus concerning Lean software development. Pointing to continuous improvement and elimination of non-value-added activities it is appropriate for projects aimed at efficacy enhancement and waste minimization.

6. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Approach:
CI/CD, on the other hand, focuses on continuous integration and deployment of software products. Focusing on automation, continuous testing and delivery, it is suitable for projects that require constant integration as well as deployment.

7. Test-Driven Development (TDD) Approach:
In Test-Driven Development, automated tests are written before the code is developed. This enables the code to comply with the requirements and specifications of a software product. Activities involved in the process are test case development, execution of tests and restructuring code to ensure quality results.

8. Risk-Based Approach:
The Risk-Based Approach to SQA implies defining and controlling the risks arising from software products. It includes risk analysis, mitigation and monitoring to ensure compliance with specified standards by the software product.

Finally, organizations can choose the SQA method that suits their goals, needs and resources to have software products with appropriate quality.

What is the importance of software quality assurance?

The importance of Software Quality Assurance (SQA) can be understood through various important aspects.
To commence, SQA ensures compliance of the software with specified quality standards and requirements thus creating a reliable product that is efficient as well as user-friendly.

Second, it saves costs and time by letting developers detect bugs before the program release eliminating prolonged modifications after an application launch.

Moreover, SQA contributes to ensuring the stability and competitiveness of a software product by inspecting every element against industry standards. This granular testing for multiple requirements including reliability, functionality, usability and portability creates a product of high quality.

In addition, SQA preserves a firm’s image by avoiding the delivery of poor-quality products. It is essential for a brand image and reputation to resolve issues before customers notice that there are problems.

Additionally, SQA is critical in driving security and compliance. It aids in helping the organizations to validate that their applications are effective, safe and reliable as per relevant regulatory requirements or industry-specific compliance standards, particularly on matters related to security data.

Finally, SQA ensures customer satisfaction.

In such a way, complete evaluation and testing of the software lead to final product development in line with all needs expressed by customers while functioning perfectly well. In short, the overall SQA process is a mandatory stage of any product launch for software.

What is the difference between quality assurance and quality control?

Two important concepts in software development, quality control and quality assurance often get distorted. Although they are both concerned with the quality of software, their approaches and goals are different.

Now, let us focus on the major distinctions between quality assurance and quality control in software development

Conclusion
Software Quality Assurance covers the entire process of development cycle to make sure that a product has met its specification in the top most quality possible.

Quality assurance identifies weakness and issues related to the process and will make sure that nothing like that surfaces. It works on continually improving the process of producing a better product. Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and ISO 9000 are widely used systems when it comes to Quality management.

What is a Test Harness in Software Testing?

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Harness in a literal sense is a gear that is used to take control of something. In software testing, it is none different. In testing terms, It refers to a collection of software, test drivers, test data and other supporting tools that are constructed to test an application by executing it under different environments and analyzing its results. It uses test libraries to execute tests and generate a report.

A test harness in layman language is to make automation framework and use its constituent elements to take charge of the testing activity to get the best results.

What are the objectives of Test Harness?

  • Automate the testing process.
  • Helps in test case optimization by selecting specific tests to run
  • Execute test suites of test cases.
  • Organizes a run time environment
  • Generate associated test reports.
  • Analyzes test results.

What are the Features of Test Harness?

  • Executes test suit in the framework
  • Assists measure the code coverage at the code level.
  • Enters test data to an application under test
  • Captures the output from the software under test
  • Offers flexibility and support for debugging
  • Records test results

What are the benefits of Test Harness?

  • With more effective automation, increases in productivity.
  • Improved software quality.
  • Automates the testing process.
  • Supports debugging.
  • Supports scheduling of tests.
  • Good for complex conditions.
  • Automated test reports generation.
  • Records test results.
  • Enhanced productivity.
  • Enhance software quality.

Contexts where Test Harness is used
1. Test Harness in Test Automation
Test harness in automation testing refers to the software systems and the framework that includes test data, test scripts, test results and compares them and analyze the results.
For example, if you use any testing tool for functional testing, it organizes and manages all the test data, scripts, runs, and results. The test harness for it will be:

  • The testing tool
  • The scripts and
  • The physical location where they are stored
  • The Test sets
  • Test data for the test scripts
  • The test results and the comparative monitoring attributes

2. Test Harness in Integration Testing
Integration testing is testing whether the combined behavior of two or more integrated code is as expected or not.
In an Ideal scenario, Integration testing of two modules is possible when both of them are 100% ready, unit tested and good to go.
But, this everything can’t be perfect at all times. And we might land up in a situation where above conditions are not fulfilled. Hence we use  (stubs and drivers) to overcome this situation. A stub is a proxy piece of code that substitutes the missing piece of code.

What is the difference between Test automation framework and Test Harness?

Test Harness
Test Harness Tools
Though there are no specific tools, it includes tools like test management tools, automation testing tools, etc. Any similar test tool can be an element of the test harness.
Conclusion
Since now you know a lot about test Harness, do keep an account of this when you leverage for your automation testing. Be wise in your selection and usage of test harness; it can bring huge benefits to your test automation.