Task 3
Published: 2023-10-06 09:06:14

unctional testing and non-functional testing are two broad categories of software testing that serve different purposes and focus on different aspects of a software application. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Purpose:

Functional Testing: This type of testing evaluates the functional aspects of a software application, focusing on whether it performs its intended functions correctly. It answers the question, "Does the software do what it's supposed to do?"

Non-Functional Testing: Non-functional testing assesses the non-functional aspects of a software application, such as its performance, reliability, usability, and security. It addresses the question, "How well does the software perform its functions under different conditions?"

2. Focus:

Functional Testing: It primarily focuses on testing the features, functionalities, and behavior of the software under various conditions. Testers verify that the software meets the specified functional requirements.

Non-Functional Testing: This type of testing focuses on qualities that are not directly related to what the software does but are essential for user satisfaction and overall system performance. It assesses aspects like speed, scalability, security, and user experience.

3. Examples:

Functional Testing: Examples of functional testing include unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT). In these tests, testers verify that the software's features work as expected, data is processed correctly, and user interfaces function properly.

Non-Functional Testing: Non-functional testing includes various types of testing, such as performance testing (load, stress, and scalability testing), security testing, usability testing, reliability testing, and compatibility testing. These tests assess the software's behavior under different conditions or its ability to meet quality attributes like speed, security, and user-friendliness.

4. Test Objectives:

Functional Testing: The primary objective is to ensure that the software's features and functionalities are working according to the specified requirements and that it meets the users' needs.

Non-Functional Testing: The primary objective is to evaluate the software's performance, reliability, security, and other non-functional aspects to ensure it meets quality standards and user expectations.

5. Test Cases:

Functional Testing: Test cases in functional testing are typically derived from functional requirements and use cases. Testers verify that the software behaves correctly for various inputs and scenarios.

Non-Functional Testing: Test cases in non-functional testing are derived from quality attributes or performance criteria. Testers create scenarios to assess how well the software performs under different conditions, such as heavy load, concurrent users, or security threats.

6. Validation Criteria:

Functional Testing: Validation in functional testing involves checking whether the software produces the expected outputs for a given set of inputs, based on functional specifications.

Non-Functional Testing: Validation in non-functional testing involves evaluating whether the software meets predefined performance, security, usability, and reliability criteria.

In summary, functional testing ensures that the software works correctly in terms of its features and functions, while non-functional testing evaluates the software's performance, reliability, and other non-functional attributes that contribute to the overall user experience and system quality. Both types of testing are crucial for delivering a high-quality and well-rounded software product.