Different Levels of Software Testing
By: Sapna Sapu
Tags: Software Testing, Regression, Automation Testing, Beta Testing, Testing

Software testing is a process that consists of various processes, types, and categories. Here, we are going to dive into a detailed analogy of the levels of testing. Test cases in software testing are grouped depending on where they are added in the SDLC.

A level of software testing is the process of grouping or embedding test cases based on their level of detail. The purpose of this is to ensure the process is systematic and can easily identify all test cases at a specific level.

Levels of testing are designed to recognize the missing areas in the SDLC. Various levels help check the behavior and performance of the desired software.

As we know, there are different phases in the SDLC like analysis, coding, design, execution, testing, and deployment. Each of these phases goes through different levels of software testing.

At Sapizon Technologies, we are one of the top software testing companies. When our experienced team of software testers takes up a project, each of them ensures the levels of software testing are emphasized upon.

How many Levels of Testing are there?

There are mainly four levels of software testing:

· Unit Testing: Unit testing is performed to check if the software components are fulfilling the functionalities.

· Integration Testing: Integration testing checks the data flow from one module to other modules.

· System Testing: System testing is carried out to evaluate both functional and non-functional requirements for testing.

· Acceptance Testing: Acceptance testing is performed to check if the requirements of a software app are met when it is delivered.

While these testing levels render value to the Software Development Life Cycle, each of these has a specific purpose. Here is a slightly more detailed briefing:

Unit Testing:

A unit here refers to the smallest testable portion of a software application. It can be an individual function, procedure, model, or object that is liked, compiled, loaded, and executed. In unit testing, each module/component of the desired software is tested separately.

It is usually performed by the active collaboration of testers and developers. The involvement of developers here is very important because the process is concerned with checking the functionalities of a system. And the developers are well aware of how each function/feature must behave.

And since the developers are actively involved, unit testing is carried out in the coding phase of the desired application.

Integration Testing:

Integration testing refers to combining different software modules and testing them as groups to ensure that the integrated features are functioning as they are supposed to. Here, software testers check the data flow from one module to other modules to make sure it is optimal.

One of the primary purposes of this integration testing is to identify defects in the interaction between two or more software modules when they are integrated. It is needed because a software application consists of various software modules that are coded by different developers.

System Testing:

System testing is carried out to check the compliance of a system concerning its requirements. While it is concerned with testing the overall interaction of software components, system testing is concerned primarily with features like performance, reliability, and security.

It is carried out by software testers on a fully integrated application with the purpose of evaluating the end-to-end specifications of the desired system. System testing evaluates both functional and non-functional requirements of testing.

System testing is widely categorized into black-box testing and white box testing.

Acceptance Testing:

Acceptance testing is performed either by testers behaving as end-users or a certain group of end-users themselves to check if the software application is meeting user requirements. It is carried out separately in a test environment that is reminiscent of a production setup.

This process can also involve other stakeholders in the project. Acceptance testing is conducted after system testing and appears to have the properties of black-box testing. If representative users are hired for this process, the minimum requirement is two or more.

Other Levels of Software Testing:

Some of the other levels of software testing after the four prominent levels are:

· Regression Testing

· Buddy Testing

· Alpha Testing

· Beta Testing

Conclusion:

Levels of software testing ensure that all the components/units/features of a software application are thoroughly tested before it is released in the market. As one of the best software testing companies, we make it our obligation to assure our clients are getting optimal services.

To find out how we are enriching the businesses of our clients with our services, you can now book a free consultancy with our testing experts.