Brief Guide on Non Functional Testing Types

Software testing is a crucial aspect of software development that ensures the quality of the software being developed. Non-functional testing is one of the types of software testing that ensures that the software meets the non-functional requirements such as performance, security, usability, compatibility, reliability, and scalability.

Non-functional testing is essential because it ensures that the software not only meets the functional requirements but also performs efficiently and effectively under different circumstances.

Top Popular Types of Non-Functional Testing

Performance Testing

Performance testing is a type of non-functional testing that ensures that the software performs efficiently under various loads and stress conditions. The goal of performance testing is to identify and remove the performance bottlenecks and ensure that the software can handle the expected load.

Types of performance testing include load testing, stress testing, endurance testing, and spike testing. Load testing is used to test the software’s performance under normal and peak loads, while stress testing is used to test the software’s performance under high loads that exceed the software’s capacity.

Examples:- The response time of a website under normal and peak loads, testing the database performance under various loads, and testing the application’s speed under different network conditions.

Security Testing

Security testing is a type of non-functional testing that ensures that the software is secure from unauthorized access, hacking, and data breaches. The goal of security testing is to identify and remove the security vulnerabilities in the software.

Types of security testing include penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and security auditing. Penetration testing is used to simulate a cyber attack and test the software’s ability to resist the attack. Vulnerability scanning is used to identify the software’s vulnerabilities, while security auditing is used to review the software’s security architecture and policies.

Examples:- Testing the software’s ability to resist a cyber attack, testing the software’s security features, and testing the software’s data encryption.

Usability Testing

Usability testing is a type of non-functional testing that ensures that the software is user-friendly and easy to use. The goal of usability testing is to identify and remove the usability issues in the software.

Types of usability testing include user testing, heuristic evaluation, and cognitive walkthrough. User testing involves testing the software with the end-users to identify usability issues, while heuristic evaluation involves evaluating the software’s user interface based on a set of predefined heuristics.

Examples: Testing the software’s navigation, testing the software’s user interface design, and testing the software’s ease of use.

Compatibility Testing

Compatibility testing is a type of non-functional testing that ensures that the software is compatible with different hardware, software, and network configurations. The goal of compatibility testing is to identify and remove the compatibility issues in the software.

Types of compatibility testing include hardware compatibility testing, software compatibility testing, and network compatibility testing. Hardware compatibility testing involves testing the software’s compatibility with different hardware configurations, while software compatibility testing involves testing the software’s compatibility with different software configurations.

Examples:- The testing of the software’s compatibility with different operating systems, testing the software’s compatibility with different browsers, and testing the software’s compatibility with different network configurations.

Reliability Testing

Reliability testing is a type of non-functional testing that ensures that the software is reliable and performs consistently over time. The goal of reliability testing is to identify and remove the reliability issues in the software.

Types of reliability testing include availability testing, error handling testing, and recovery testing. Availability testing involves testing the software’s ability to remain available under different conditions, while error handling testing involves testing the software’s ability to handle errors and exceptions.

Examples:- The software’s ability to recover from system crashes, testing the software’s ability to handle unexpected inputs, and testing the software’s ability to handle network out of a system failure. Reliability testing also involves testing the software’s ability to perform consistently over a long period of time.

Scalability Testing

Scalability testing is a type of non-functional testing that ensures that the software can handle an increasing workload and user base. The goal of scalability testing is to identify and remove the scalability issues in the software.

Types of scalability testing include load testing, capacity testing, and elasticity testing. Load testing is used to test the software’s performance under different loads, while capacity testing is used to test the software’s maximum capacity.

Examples:- The software’s ability to handle an increasing number of users, testing the software’s ability to handle an increasing amount of data, and testing the software’s ability to scale up or down based on the demand.

Insightful Read: Difference Between Functional and Non-Functional Testing

Conclusion

Non-functional testing is essential to ensure that the software meets the non-functional requirements such as performance, security, usability, compatibility, reliability, and scalability. By performing different types of non-functional testing, software developers can ensure that the software performs efficiently and effectively under different circumstances and meets the end-user’s expectations.

Looking to go with application Non- functional and Functional testing services? By partnering with a leading software testing company like Testrig Technologies, you can ensure that your software application performs efficiently and effectively under different areas, thereby improving end-user experience and satisfaction.