Software application testing is the process of checking the features, performance, and security of an application to ensure that it works as expected.
Think of software application testing as giving your software a thorough tune-up before it hits the road. It is your safety net.
In this article, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about application testing: what it involves and why it’s the cornerstone of delivering high-quality software.
Software application testing is the process of evaluating a software product to identify defects, verify functionality, and validate its performance under real-world conditions.
It ensures the product meets specified requirements while delivering a smooth, user-friendly experience.
Skipping application testing is like launching a rocket without checking the fuel tanks. Application testing acts as your safety net, ensuring your product is:
In other words, application testing takes your software from risky to reliable.
Read more: 9 Core Benefits of Automation Testing
Let's say you are in charge of testing the Kindle mobile app.
Here are the steps you're going to do:
Expected results:
That is just one simple test case. There are so many other scenarios a tester can test on an app.
We can classify testing types into six major categories:
Here are some popular types of application testing:
Generally, there are 2 methods to application testing: manual testing vs automation testing.
We can also think of application testing in terms of opacity i.e. how much knowledge of the internal workings of the system does the tester have? There are 3 levels of opacity:
All testing activities generally follow the Software Testing Life Cycle, and Application Testing is, of course, no exception.
Start by learning what the application is supposed to do. What features should it have? What’s the expected behavior?
Decide how you’ll test the app. Will it be manual, automated, or a mix of both? Identify the tools you’ll use (e.g., Selenium, Katalon Studio) and outline the types of tests (like functional, performance, or security testing). Gather all the details to create a clear testing plan.
Write test cases—these are step-by-step instructions for how to test each feature. For example, if you're testing a login screen, the test case might include entering a valid username/password and checking if login is successful.
Read more: How To Write Good Test Cases?
Set up everything you need to run the tests. This includes the application itself, any required servers, databases, and testing tools. Make sure the environment matches the real-world conditions the app will face.
Execute the test cases. If you’re doing manual testing, follow the steps you’ve written. If it’s automated, run your test scripts. Record the results to see if the app behaves as expected.
If bugs are found, report them to the developers. Once fixed, retest to confirm the issue is resolved. This process may repeat several times until all major issues are addressed. This process is known as the bug life cycle.
Run performance tests to check if the app can handle heavy use and still function well. Conduct security tests to ensure the app protects data and resists attacks.
Once testing is complete, prepare a report summarizing what was tested, the issues found, and their fixes. Share this with the team to ensure everyone is on the same page.
If the app will have regular updates, automate critical test cases and integrate them into your CI/CD pipeline. This ensures every new version is tested quickly and thoroughly.
There are so many tools we can leverage to do application testing faster and better. Here is a quick list for you:
Applications evolve rapidly, especially in Agile and DevOps environments. Features are added, removed, or modified, making it hard to keep test cases updated.
Solution: Design your test cases to be modular i.e. test cases can be broken into smaller individual units. Modular designs make it easier to update specific parts of your test suite without overhauling everything.
Deadlines often demand faster delivery, leaving minimal time for comprehensive testing.
Solution: Prioritize testing efforts with risk-based testing. Automate repetitive tasks, like regression testing to save manual efforts for more creative tasks like exploratory testing.
Testing needs to cover a wide variety of operating systems, browsers, and devices, which can quickly become overwhelming.
Solution: Leverage cloud-based testing platforms to test across multiple environments efficiently. Focus testing on the platforms and devices most relevant to your target audience.
Flaky tests fail sporadically, making it hard to distinguish between real issues and false alarms.
Solution: Keep your test scripts updated and robust by using stable locators and minimizing dependencies on dynamic UI elements.
Creating and managing test data is challenging, especially when dealing with sensitive information that must comply with regulations.
Solution: Generate synthetic test data using tools. Ensure compliance with privacy standards like GDPR by anonymizing sensitive data.
Before testing begins, make sure you fully understand what the app is supposed to do. Sit with developers and stakeholders to clarify features and expected behaviors. This will help you write accurate test cases and reduce confusion later.
Always start with a detailed test plan. Define what types of testing will be done (like functional, performance, or security), which tools will be used, and the timeline. A clear plan keeps everyone on the same page and avoids last-minute surprises.
Create test data that mirrors real-world scenarios. Use a mix of valid, invalid, and edge-case data to cover as many scenarios as possible. If the app handles sensitive information, make sure your test data follows privacy rules like GDPR.
Save time by automating repetitive tasks like regression testing or performance testing. Use tools like Selenium, Katalon, or Appium to speed up testing and ensure consistency. Focus manual testing on areas that require creativity, like usability.
If the app changes, your automated scripts need to change too. Review and update scripts regularly to avoid flaky tests—those that fail for reasons unrelated to actual bugs. Keeping your scripts up to date ensures reliable results.