When studying testing in general, the ability to differentiate testing classifications by features, properties, attributes, etc. is an important skill that contributes to your further growth in this field. It is important to understand the difference between types and directions in testing.
Let’s focus on the directions which can be filtered by the specifics of the environment, or by the subject of testing. Namely, we’re talking about web testing, mobile testing, API testing, game testing, and desktop testing.
It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive and that the various testing areas are interconnected. For example, mobile testing is often used in game testing when there is a need to test a mobile game. Another example is web testing, which can be both desktop, that is, performed on a PC, and mobile, which is conducted on devices.
Web Testing
This direction of software testing is focused on security, load testing, as well as the presentation area. The web product must look aesthetically correct and intuitive for users.
Mobile Testing
Mobile testing is a direction, a significant feature of which is the testing environment since the software testing process is supposed to be performed on mobile devices. Both manual testing and automated testing are used here. An important aspect of mobile app testing service is the check of compatibility, usability, and performance, as well.
Compatibility is an important factor due to the variety of phone models with different OS and system requirements. And this must be considered during the development of mobile and web applications. Given that application users aren’t regular, it is important to consider usability against the user satisfaction criterion, which helps to attract their attention over a longer time. Performance contributes to identifying vulnerabilities when an application is loaded with a combination of transactions.
API Testing
API testing is one of the most complex areas that require automation expertise. Experience in performing testing without the graphical user interface will be required to complete the tasks. Since API practically doesn’t use a graphical interface, it’s possible to implement API testing at the early stages of the software lifecycle. The features of this approach are the ability to save time, work with large volumes of incoming data, and localization of the defect.
Game Testing
This is a special type of testing that requires knowledge and understanding of game mechanics, concepts, logic, and game physics. The main problem during this testing is detecting the place with a bug, as well as finding the reasons for difficulty passing the game: implementation of necessary actions. Additionally, it’s quite important to test the player’s interest in the game.
Desktop Testing
This testing direction is focused on checking the applications on the PC, specifically such processes as installation, upgrading, and uninstallation. Since during desktop testing applications are installed on a PC, there is open access to the system files of the program, which indicates vulnerability and complete dependence on user actions.
To Sum Up
All the types of software testing services mentioned above differ from each other and have a lot of features characteristic of only one of the presented types. Nevertheless, some of them cannot be separated but are considered complementary to each other.
Written by Johnny Steele
