System Testing
System testing is also known as end-to-end testing. This testing is performed after integration testing. In this testing, Software test engineers team start testing on the based-on system requirements specification and functional requirement specification. The main focus is that software product should be working as customer’s expectation. As functional testing and non-functional testing performs during system testing it can be called as black box testing. System testing mostly done by the software test engineers team. Software development team not involved in the system testing.
System testing is a type of software testing that focuses on testing an entire system, rather than individual components or units. It used to verify that the system as a whole meets the specified requirements and functions as intended.
During system testing, the system tested in a real-world or simulated environment to ensure that it is working correctly. This can include testing the system’s functionality, performance, security, and other aspects.
System testing typically performed after integration testing and is the last stage of testing before the system deployed. It is an important part of the software development process because it helps to ensure that the system is ready for use and that it meets the necessary quality standards.
Objectives of System Testing
1.To verify that the system meets its functional requirements: This involves ensuring that the system functions as intended and meets all the specified requirements.
2.To validate that the system meets its non-functional requirements: This involves ensuring that the system performs within acceptable limits in terms of factors such as scalability, reliability, availability, and security.
3.To identify defects or errors in the system: This involves identifying any defects or errors in the system, so they can fix before the system released.
4.To ensure that the system is compatible with other systems: This involves ensuring that the system works well with other systems it may need to integrate with.
5.To ensure that the system is easy to use: This involves ensuring that the system is user-friendly and easy to use.
6.To ensure that the system performs well under different conditions: This involves testing the system under various conditions such as different loads, user volumes, and hardware configurations to ensure that it performs well.
7.To ensure that the system is stable and robust: This involves ensuring that the system is stable and can handle unexpected situations and errors.
System Testing Types
Functional testing: This type of testing focuses on verifying that the system meets its functional requirements, which describe the tasks the system must perform. Functional testing typically involves testing individual functions, features, or modules of the system.
Integration testing: Integration testing focuses on verifying that different components or modules of the system work together correctly. This type of testing ensures that the system properly integrated and that data can pass between different components.
Performance testing: Performance testing focuses on evaluating the system’s performance under different load conditions, such as high user volumes, heavy data processing, and large database queries. This type of testing helps to ensure that the system can perform efficiently and effectively under different conditions.
Security testing: Security testing focuses on verifying that the system secure and that sensitive data protected from unauthorized access or hacking attempts. This type of testing helps to ensure that the system meets its security requirements.
Usability testing: Usability testing focuses on evaluating the system’s user interface and user experience. This type of testing helps to ensure that the system is easy to use, intuitive, and meets the needs of its intended users.
Regression testing: Regression testing focuses on verifying that changes made to the system have not introduced new defects or issues. This type of testing ensures that the system continues to work correctly after changes have made.
Advantages
Ensures that the system meets the specified requirements: It helps to ensure that the system meets the requirements that it designed to fulfill. This can help to identify any issues or problems with the system early on in the development process, making it easier to fix them.
Identifies issues with the system as a whole: It looks at the system as a whole and can help to identify any issues or problems that may not have been identified during unit or integration testing.
Tests the system in a real-world or simulated environment: System testing allows the system to be tested in a real-world or simulated environment, which can help to identify any issues or problems that may not have been identified during testing in a controlled environment.
Helps to ensure the quality of the system: It helps to ensure that the system is of high quality and is ready for use. This can increase customer satisfaction and confidence in the system.
Reduces the risk of issues being discovered after deployment: Performing system testing can help to identify and fix any issues before the system deployed, which can reduce the risk of problems discovered after the system in use. This can save time and resources that would needed to fix issues after deployment.
Disadvantages
Time-consuming: It can be time-consuming, as it involves testing the entire system rather than just individual components or units. This can prolong the development process and increase costs.
Requires a complete system: It cannot perform until the entire system complete. This means that it may delay if there are any issues or delays in the development of the system.
May not identify all issues: Although system testing can help to identify many issues with the system, it may not be able to identify all issues. Some issues may only discover after the system deployed and in use.
May require specialized testing tools: Depending on the complexity of the system, specialized testing tools or equipment may required for system testing. This can add to the cost of the testing process.
May be disrupted by external factors: It typically performed in a real-world or simulated environment, which means that external factors such as network issues or hardware failures can disrupt the testing process. This can make it more challenging to obtain accurate and reliable test results.
System Testing Example
Imagine that a company has developed a new software application for managing customer orders. During system testing, the application would tested in a real-world or simulated environment to ensure that it is working correctly. This could include testing the application’s functionality, such as creating and submitting orders, as well as testing the application’s performance, security, and other aspects.
The testing team might also test the application’s integration with other systems, such as the company’s inventory management system and financial software. They might also test the application’s compatibility with different operating systems and devices.
During system testing, the team would look for any issues or problems with the application and work to fix them before the application deployed for use by customers. This can help to ensure that the application is of high quality and meets the company’s standards for functionality and performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, system testing is a critical phase of software development that tests the software as a whole, ensuring that it meets the specified requirements and performs as expected in the target environment. By testing the system as a complete entity, system testing can detect defects and errors that may not identify during other types of testing.