What is software testing

Software testing is the process of evaluating a software application or system to ensure it behaves as expected and meets specified requirements. A software tester thinks critically and systematically, anticipating potential issues and scenarios that end users might encounter.

They design test cases, execute tests, analyze results, and communicate findings to developers. Their mindset involves being detail-oriented, curious, and methodical, aiming to uncover defects and improve the quality of the software.

The perception of software testing among the general public can vary. Some may not be aware of its importance and assume that once software is developed, it should work perfectly without the need for testing. Others may have experienced the frustration of using buggy software and understand the necessity of testing for ensuring quality and reliability. Overall, there's a growing awareness of the significance of software testing due to the increasing reliance on technology in everyday life and the prevalence of software failures in high-profile cases.

Below are some of the testing methods is simple terms:

1. Unit Testing: Testing individual units or components of the software to ensure they function correctly in isolation. This is typically done by developers.

2. Integration Testing: Testing the interactions between different units or components to verify that they work together as intended.

3. Functional Testing: Testing the functionality of the software to ensure it meets specified requirements. This involves testing features, user interfaces, and system interactions.

4. Regression Testing: Testing the software after changes have been made to ensure that existing functionality has not been affected.

5. Performance Testing: Testing the performance and scalability of the software, such as its response time under various loads.

6. Security Testing: Testing the security features of the software to identify and address vulnerabilities.

7. User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Testing the software from the perspective of end users to ensure it meets their needs and expectations.

Each type of testing serves a specific purpose in ensuring the quality and reliability of the software. These and more terms will be discussed in the following posts.