Understanding manual software testing
Manual testing is a crucial part of the software development life cycle because it ensures an application functions correctly before it is released to end-users. This article will provide a complete overview of manual testing, including its basics, types, and essential techniques to help you begin your testing journey.
Table of contents
- What is manual testing?
- Why is manual testing important?
- Types of manual testing
- How to write test cases for manual testing
- How to perform manual testing
- Differences between manual testing and automated testing
- Commonly asked questions on manual testing
- Conclusion
What is manual testing?
Manual testing is a method in which a tester manually checks the software application to determine if it functions as expected. Unlike automated testing, which uses tools and scripts to perform tests, manual testing requires a person to interact with the software by clicking, typing, and observing the system to identify any errors or defects.
Testers check if everything works well to ensure users have a good experience. This hands-on technique is important in identifying issues that may be difficult for automated tools to detect, making manual testing an essential part of the software development process to ensure a high-quality product is delivered to end-users.
Why is manual testing important?
Trying things out and being creative
Manual testing is essential because it helps testers find issues that automated tools may miss. Testers can use the software application like regular users, exploring it creatively to understand the user experience. This ensures the application works well above standard test cases, enhancing the user experience and adding a human touch to testing.
Checking how easy and enjoyable it is to use
Manual testing is essential for evaluating how easy and enjoyable the software is for users. Testers can closely examine the design, responsiveness, and overall user experience (UX), catching things that might affect user satisfaction. Manual testing helps improve the user experience by providing valuable insights into user feelings and preferences.
Adapting quickly to changes
Manual testing is crucial in fast development environments, where changes happen frequently. Testers can quickly adjust test cases based on the latest requirements, ensuring testing keeps up with new features. This is crucial in Agile development, where changes happen often, and automated scripts may be unable to keep up.
Handling tricky situations and special cases
Manual testing is excellent for dealing with complex situations and finding cases that automated testing might miss. Testers can use their knowledge to simulate tricky scenarios, ensuring the software works well in different and unexpected situations. This is especially helpful in industries with complex business logic and diverse user inputs.
Cost-effective testing for all projects
Manual testing is a good choice for smaller projects or when automation is too expensive. Creating and maintaining automated scripts may require a lot of resources, particularly for projects with tight budgets or short development timelines. Manual testing provides a simple and budget-friendly way to ensure software quality, letting teams focus on crucial testing without the complexity of extensive automation.
Types of manual testing
White Box testing
In white box testing, a tester looks at the application’s code. With access to the software’s source code, testers create test cases to check how well it works and find any logical errors. This helps ensure the code is correct and covers everything it should.
Within white box testing, there are two primary subtypes:
Integration testing
Integration testing checks how different parts of the software work together. Testers check the combined functionality of the software to find any problems that might occur when these parts interact. This helps enhance the development by capturing integration issues early and promoting better software performance.
System testing
System testing covers the entire software system. Testers verify that all the integrated parts of the application function correctly to confirm that the entire application behaves as expected. This includes testing the system against fixed requirements and finding problems that arise from interactions between different parts.
Black Box testing
Black box testing checks how the software behaves externally without knowing its internal code. Testers create test cases based on what the software is supposed to do, checking whether it works as expected. This method finds issues related to how the software functions, user-friendliness, and the overall user experience, all without knowing the software’s internal details.
Black box testing consists of various subtypes:
Exploratory testing
In exploratory testing, the testers explore the software application without requiring predefined test cases, which helps them find the defects that standard testing scenarios may not cover.
Usability testing
In usability testing, the tester checks the software’s user interface and overall user experience. They check how easily users can navigate the application, interact with its features, and perform tasks. This type of testing helps identify design faults, accessibility issues, and areas for improvement in terms of user interaction.
Smoke testing
Smoke testing is a quick initial method for determining whether the software build is stable for further testing. It checks the application’s essential functions, ensuring fundamental components work correctly before moving on to more detailed testing. This helps provide a solid foundation for complete testing.
Sanity testing
Sanity testing is a specific and focused testing method done after making the changes or fixes for the software. It confirms that the new modifications haven’t affected the existing functionalities and helps by confirming that the software stays stable and behaves as expected.
Note
Sanity testing differs from regression testing because it focuses on ensuring that specific changes work correctly. In contrast, regression testing investigates the entire software system to catch any unexpected issues that might appear across different functions.
Gray Box testing
Gray box testing is a mix of white box and black box testing. Here, the testers know some parts of the code but not everything. They use this learning to create test cases based on how the software should work and its internal logic. Gray box testing looks at the inside and outside of the software to find problems and ensure everything is tested thoroughly.
Gray box testing includes:
Regression testing
Regression testing ensures that when the developer makes changes or improvements to the software application, they don’t affect what is already working. Testers check to see if the updated software still follows the rules and standards set before and try to avoid any unexpected issues.
Compatibility testing
Compatibility testing is performed to ensure that the software works well in different situations, such as on different devices, operating systems, and web browsers. Testers also check if the application works with various setups and configurations. This testing ensures users get a consistent experience regardless of their platform.
Accessibility testing
Accessibility testing checks how easy it is for people with disabilities to use an application or software. Testers test if the respective application obeys accessibility rules, making it user-friendly for people with different needs and improving the overall usability of the software.
How to write test cases for manual testing
What is a test case?
A test case is a step-by-step guide to checking if a software part works correctly. It tells testers what to do, what to expect, and how to do it. It helps them test specific situations by giving details on what to input, the outcome, and the steps to follow during testing. A manual tester plans to make sure everything works as it should.
Steps to write manual testing test cases
Test case ID
Each test case gets a unique ID for easy reference and tracking. The test case ID serves as a unique identifier in test management systems and helps organize and prioritize test cases within the testing process.
Test case description
It’s a brief and precise description of the specific functionality or scenario being tested. It provides context to the tester about the purpose and scope of the test case, ensuring an attentive and targeted testing approach. This description should be easily understandable and clear.
Pre-conditions
These conditions or requirements must be satisfied before executing the test cases. These conditions may include specific data configurations, system states, or user roles.
Test steps
Test steps are step-by-step instructions describing the actions the tester needs to perform during the test case execution. Each step defines a specific activity, such as navigating the application, entering data, or interacting with features. Clarity and precision in the test steps are essential for proper test execution.
Test data
These are the input data required for the test case execution. They include the specific values, configurations, or conditions needed to be set before the software is used in the real world. Providing real test data is essential for complete testing. Testers should consider positive and negative test data scenarios.
Expected result
The expected behavior of the software after the test case execution. The expected result is a benchmark for the tester to compare with the actual outcome, helping identify differences and defects. This expectation should align with the defined requirements and acceptance criteria.
Actual result
It’s the actual result observed by the tester during the execution of the test case. Testers document the actual results to compare them with the expected results, identifying any deviations or issues that may require further investigation. Accurate and detailed reporting of actual results helps effectively communicate with development teams.
Status
The test case’s overall status indicates whether it passed, failed, is blocked by some other issue, or requires retesting. The status provides a quick overview of the test case’s outcome and helps track the progress of testing activities. Regularly updating and managing the status ensures a transparent and efficient testing process.
Example of a test case
Below is an example of a test case for checking the login page of a social media platform:
Test Case ID | Description | Pre-Conditions | Test Data | Test Steps | Expected Result | Actual Result | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TC_001 | The user should be successfully logged in, and the home page should be displayed. | User credentials are valid, and the site is accessible | Valid username and password associated with an existing user account | 1. Open the web browser and navigate to the login page. 2. Enter a valid username in the username field. 3. Enter a valid password in the password field. 4. Click on the Log In button. | The home page is displayed, and the user is logged in successfully. | Home page is displayed, and the user is logged in successfully | Pass |
Benefits of creating good test cases
Improved test coverage
High-quality test cases ensure complete coverage of different scenarios, functionalities, and system components. This helps identify potential issues across various aspects of the software, enhancing the overall quality assurance process.
Effective communication
Well-documented test cases build clear communication between team members, including testers, developers, and stakeholders. The test cases will be a common reference point, ensuring everyone understands the testing goals, requirements, and expected results.
Early detection of defects
High-quality test cases are designed to catch defects and issues early in development. By thoroughly testing each aspect of the software, testers can identify and address problems before they escalate, reducing the cost and effort associated with fixing defects in later stages.
Helps with automated testing
Documented and clearly defined test cases provide a solid foundation for test automation. Automated testing tools depend on precise instructions, and high-quality test cases can be easily rephrased into automated scripts, improving efficiency and repeatability.
How to perform manual testing
Understanding the requirements
Before starting the manual testing, it is essential to understand the software requirements thoroughly. This involves clearly understanding the expected functionality, user expectations, and any specific criteria written in the project specifications.
Creating a test plan
The first step in manual testing involves creating a complete test plan. This document defines the testing strategy, objectives, scope, resources, and timetable. It acts as a roadmap for the testing process, ensuring that testing activities align with project goals and requirements.
Writing test cases
Once the test plan is in place, the next step is to write detailed test cases. Test cases are step-by-step instructions for testers to execute during the testing phase. Each test case specifies the actions, the expected results, and any required preconditions.
Executing tests
With the test cases prepared, the testing team executes the tests. This involves manually running the steps written in the test cases, inputting data, and interacting with the software to validate its behavior. Testers follow the test cases to identify deviations from expected outcomes, ensuring the software meets the specified requirements.
Defect logging
When testers find issues or bugs while testing, they report them in a system like Jira. They give details about the issue, like how to fix it, what they saw, and any supporting documents. This helps the testing and development teams communicate better and fix problems quickly.
Retesting
When the development team gets information about issues in the software, they try to fix them. Once those issues are fixed, testers recheck those specific parts to make sure the issues are solved. This happens until all the known problems are fixed and the software reaches the expected quality level.
Differences between manual testing and automated testing
Features | Manual Testing | Automated Testing |
---|---|---|
Execution process | Testers manually execute test cases | Tests are executed using automation tools/scripts |
Human involvement | High human involvement for test execution | Minimal human involvement once scripts are developed |
Test script creation | Test cases are created and executed manually | Test scripts are written to automate test case execution |
Initial setup time | Quick to start without the need for scripting | Requires time for script development and setup |
Execution speed | Slower compared to automation | Faster execution, especially for repetitive tasks |
Adaptability to changes | Easily adaptable to changes in requirements | Automation scripts may need updates when there are changes |
Execution in different environments | Easily adaptable to different environments | Requires setup for different environments but efficient thereafter |
Test coverage | Manual testing may have lower test coverage | Automation can achieve higher test coverage, especially for regression testing |
Commonly asked questions on manual testing
Is QA testing the same as manual testing?
No.
QA testing and manual testing are not the same. QA testing refers to the overall process of ensuring software quality, including manual and automated testing. Manual testing is a specific testing approach where a tester executes tests manually without automation tools. QA testing contains various testing methods, including manual testing, automated testing, and other quality assurance activities aimed at delivering a high-quality software product.
Is manual testing easy?
Yes.
Beginning with manual testing is easier than other methods since it requires practical testing without extensive programming or automation skills. Manual testing offers a valuable base for learning testing concepts and developing domain knowledge, making it an accessible starting point for those new to quality assurance.
Is there coding involved in manual testing?
No.
Manual software testing primarily involves human testers executing test cases without using automation tools. For that reason, it typically doesn’t require coding skills, as testers focus on validating software functionality, usability, and other aspects manually.
However, some testing tasks may involve minimal scripting or command-line operations, especially in scenarios where specific test data or configurations need to be set up as part of the manual testing effort. Overall, coding is not a core requirement for manual software testing, making it accessible to individuals without programming expertise.
Final thoughts on getting started with manual testing
In conclusion, manual testing is a simple and accessible starting point for newcomers to quality assurance. It allows testers to develop essential concepts and knowledge to improve software quality. As a stepping stone towards advanced methodologies, it opens doors to a broader understanding of quality assurance. Happy testing!
Related articles
- What is automated testing?
- Understanding the QA tester role
- What is regression testing?
- What is shift-left testing?
- Exploratory testing guide
- Agile testing principles
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