What is System Testing?
System Testing is a level of software testing where the complete and fully integrated application is tested as a whole. The primary goal is to evaluate the system’s compliance with the specified requirements. It focuses on verifying the functionality, performance, and overall quality of the software under real-world conditions.
Key Objectives of System Testing:
1. Validate Functional Requirements: Ensure the system performs all the intended functions as defined in the requirements document.
2. Test Non-Functional Aspects: Assess performance, security, usability, and other quality attributes.
3. Ensure End-to-End Behavior: Verify the system’s ability to handle end-to-end business workflows.
4. Identify Defects: Detect bugs or issues that may arise from integrating components and modules.
What is System Testing?
System Testing is a level of software testing where the complete and fully integrated application is tested as a whole. The primary goal is to evaluate the system’s compliance with the specified requirements. It focuses on verifying the functionality, performance, and overall quality of the software under real-world conditions.
Key Objectives of System Testing:
1. Validate Functional Requirements: Ensure the system performs all the intended functions as defined in the requirements document.
2. Test Non-Functional Aspects: Assess performance, security, usability, and other quality attributes.
3. Ensure End-to-End Behavior: Verify the system’s ability to handle end-to-end business workflows.
4. Identify Defects: Detect bugs or issues that may arise from integrating components and modules.
Characteristics of System Testing:
1. Black-Box Testing Approach:
Testers focus on inputs and outputs without considering the internal code structure.
Example: Testing a login page by entering a username and password, without knowing the backend logic.
2. End-to-End Testing:
Verifies that the system can handle complete workflows, such as a user signing up, placing an order, and receiving a confirmation.
3. Environment Similar to Production:
Tests are performed in an environment that closely resembles the real-world setup to mimic actual user scenarios.
4. Comprehensive Testing:
System testing covers functional, non-functional, and business requirements.
Types of System Testing:
1. Functional Testing:
Verifies that the system’s features work as intended.
Example: Checking whether a search bar returns relevant results.
2. Performance Testing:
Evaluates the system’s speed, scalability, and stability under different workloads.
Example: Testing how a website performs when 1,000 users access it simultaneously.
3. Usability Testing:
Ensures the system is user-friendly and intuitive.
Example: Testing whether navigation in a mobile app is simple for users.
4. Security Testing:
Checks the system’s ability to protect data and prevent unauthorized access.
Example: Testing if the system locks a user after multiple failed login attempts.
5. Regression Testing:
Verifies that recent changes do not negatively impact existing functionality.
Example: Testing if a bug fix in one feature introduces issues in another.
6. Compatibility Testing:
Ensures the system works on different devices, browsers, operating systems, and network configurations.
Example: Testing a website on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
7. Recovery Testing:
Assesses the system’s ability to recover from crashes, hardware failures, or other disruptions.
Example: Testing whether an e-commerce site resumes correctly after a server crash.
8. Installation Testing:
Verifies that the software installs and uninstalls correctly on different platforms.
Example: Testing the installation process of an application on Windows and macOS.
9. Localization Testing:
Checks if the system is adapted for specific regions, languages, or cultures.
Example: Ensuring date formats and currencies display correctly for different countries.
Example Scenario:
Consider an Online Shopping Application with the following features:
- User Registration and Login
- Product Search
- Shopping Cart
- Order Placement
- Payment Gateway Integration
System Testing Process:
Functional Testing: Verify that a user can register, search for a product, add it to the cart, and place an order.
Performance Testing: Test how the system handles 10,000 concurrent users during a sale.
Usability Testing: Ensure that users can easily navigate through categories and complete purchases without confusion.
Security Testing: Check if unauthorized users can access the payment gateway.
Compatibility Testing: Test the application on different browsers (Chrome, Firefox) and devices (iOS, Android).
