Software Testing - GUI Testing
Software testing involves the verification of both the backend, and frontend systems. The frontend comprises the components visible of the web page namely buttons, links, images etc. GUI means the graphical user interface, and GUI testing involves checking whether the UI, and its features and functionalities are as per the business specifications. Another name given to GUI testing is user interface testing.
What is Software GUI Testing?
GUI testing is done to ensure that the customers do not face any problems while navigating through the software. An attractive look and feel, display, color, font sizes, layouts, proper representation of the apps, and comfort to browse through the pages attract more or more users gradually to the software. As a result, the GUI testing is used very extensively in projects now-a-days. It can be performed either manually or via automation.
Features of Software GUI Testing
The features of software GUI testing are listed below −
- The software GUI testing gives a customizable test report post its completion.
- The software GUI test cases can be executed in a parallel or distributed mode using the Selenium Grid.
- The GUI testing verifies the characteristics of the software from the customers view point.
- It is seen that often the functionalities of the software may have been developed properly but they are not supported well by the GUI on the page. This type of testing is helpful in such scenarios.
- The software GUI testing allows the identification of dynamic web elements by identifying their unique attributes.
Types of Software GUI Testing
The different types of the software GUI testing are listed below −
1. Functional Testing
Functional testing is conducted to ensure that the graphical user interface in the page is supporting all the softwares functionalities.
2. Usability Testing
Usability testing is conducted to ensure that software can be used seamlessly by the customers. It includes verifying the factors such as response time, readability, end user contentment, ease of browsing, and ultimate experiences of the customers etc.
3. Compatibility Testing
Compatibility testing is conducted to ensure that the apps look and feel, color, display, font, layout etc are compatible with the numerous platforms, browsers, devices, databases, hardware, networks etc. It also validates whether the app is able to work as per conjectures of the various operating systems browsers, and devices.
4. Accessibility Testing
Accessibility testing is conducted to ensure that every user can start using, and communicating with the software to the maximum extent.
Best Practices for Software GUI Testing
The best practices to be followed for the software GUI testing are listed below −
- The software GUI testing should be driven by a correct test plan which should include the parameters namely start date of testing, resources needed, identification of test environments for various devices, acceptance criteria, test objectives, testing approaches to be taken up etc. Once the test plan has been approved, reviewed, and finalized, the test cases should be created.
- The software GUI test cases should have the detailed description of the GUI actions namely registration, payment etc. The test data should be maintained separately from the test cases, and the test data should be different for different test environments. Also, the test cases should be targeted towards each individual module. For example, the GUI test cases validating the UI on the registration page should not be mixed with the ones targeting the payment page. The positive and negative GUI test cases should be segregated from each other.
- Once the GUI test cases are executed, the test results should be evaluated, and deviations observed should be reported as defects.
- GUI test cases should be automated wherever possible so the test execution can be quicker, and it can give faster feedback on the software.
Challenges of Software GUI Testing
The challenges of the software GUI testing are listed below −
- The software GUI testing has to deal with the complicated user interfaces namely whitespaces, contrast etc.
- The software GUI testing involves communication with the graphical user interfaces, hence it is a time consuming process.
- The software GUI testing is complicated as it needs to confirm that user interfaces are working fine across numerous platforms, devices, browsers etc.
- The software GUI testing involves the visual testing of the elements on the page, hence it is an elaborate process.
- The software GUI testing also includes the localization testing . As a result, verification of user interfaces of the software in multiple languages, regions, and cultures need to be performed at this time.
- The software GUI testing includes the compatibility testing to check if the software is compatible with different browsers, platforms, and devices.
- Some of the complex GUI tests cannot be fully automated, and may require manual intervention in between.
Advantages of Software GUI Testing
The advantages of the software GUI testing are listed below −
- The GUI testing helps to improve the softwares performance, quality, and productivity of the software.
- The GUI testing reduces the probability of finding defects in the production.
- The GUI testing ensures that the software looks up to date, and innovative.
Tools used for Software GUI Testing
The different tools that can be used for the software GUI testing are listed below −
- Selenium
- Appium
- Katalon
- UFT
- Test Complete
- Ranorex
Conclusion
This concludes our comprehensive take on the tutorial on Software GUI Testing. Weve started with describing what is software GUI testing, what are the features of the software GUI testing, what are the different types of the software GUI testing, what are the best practices to be followed for the software GUI testing, what are the challenges of the software GUI testing, what are the advantages of the software GUI testing, and what are the different tools that can be used for the software GUI testing. This equips you with in-depth knowledge of Software GUI Testing. It is wise to keep practicing what youve learned and exploring others relevant to Software Testing to deepen your understanding and expand your horizons.