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4.2 - Functional vs Non-Functional Testing

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Introduction to Functional Testing

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we’re diving into functional testing! Can anyone tell me what functional testing covers?

Student 1
Student 1

It focuses on what the software is supposed to do, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Functional testing verifies the business logic and expected outputs. Examples include testing login functionality or payment processing. Remember, it's all about verifying the capabilities of the application.

Student 2
Student 2

What are some common types of functional testing?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Some common types include Unit Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT). These types ensure that different aspects of the application work correctly.

Student 3
Student 3

Is functional testing always manual, or can it be automated?

Teacher
Teacher

Functional testing can be done manually or through automation, especially for repetitive tests. Nonetheless, manual testing is often useful for exploratory testing where human intuition plays a role.

Teacher
Teacher

Let's summarize: Functional testing verifies what the system does, focusing on its functionality through various types such as unit and system testing.

Exploring Non-Functional Testing

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's transition to non-functional testing. Can someone define what non-functional testing evaluates?

Student 4
Student 4

It measures how well the system performs, right? Like its speed and security?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Non-functional testing assesses attributes like performance, usability, and reliability. For instance, how fast does a page load? What’s the system's usability for people with disabilities?

Student 1
Student 1

What types of non-functional testing are there?

Teacher
Teacher

Good query! Key types of non-functional testing include Performance Testing, Load Testing, and Usability Testing. Each focuses on different aspects of system performance.

Student 2
Student 2

How do these types help in overall testing?

Teacher
Teacher

By combining both functional and non-functional testing, we ensure that not only do the features work as intended, but the application also performs well under various conditions. Remember, we want our apps to be functional AND performant!

Teacher
Teacher

To summarize: Non-functional testing focuses on how well the system operates, evaluating its performance, usability, and reliability through various testing types.

Functional vs Non-Functional Testing Comparison

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Teacher
Teacher

Now that we’ve covered both functional and non-functional testing, let's compare them. How do they differ fundamentally?

Student 3
Student 3

Functional testing is about ‘what’ the application does, while non-functional is about ‘how well’ it does those things.

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! Functional testing checks for correct outputs based on given inputs, whereas non-functional testing looks at performance metrics like load times and reliability under stress.

Student 4
Student 4

Can they overlap?

Teacher
Teacher

Certainly! For example, in a performance test, you might check if a login feature works under load, combining aspects of both types. The key takeaway? They complement each other to provide a holistic view of software quality.

Teacher
Teacher

So, to recap: Functional testing validates what a system does, while non-functional testing focuses on how well it achieves this. Together, they enhance software quality!

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section differentiates between functional and non-functional testing, highlighting their definitions, purposes, examples, and types.

Standard

Functional testing focuses on verifying what a system does by assessing business logic and expected outputs, while non-functional testing evaluates how well the system performs. Understanding these distinctions helps QA professionals choose appropriate testing strategies based on project needs.

Detailed

Functional vs Non-Functional Testing

In software testing, understanding the difference between functional and non-functional testing is crucial for ensuring both the functionality and performance of an application. Functional testing verifies what the system does—its business logic and expected outputs—by assessing specific functionalities like login processes and form submissions. Common types of functional testing include Unit Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

On the other hand, non-functional testing focuses on how well the system performs, evaluating attributes such as speed, security, and usability under various conditions. Examples include performance testing, load testing, and usability testing. By utilizing a combination of both testing types, QA professionals can ensure comprehensive coverage, validating not only the system's capabilities but also its performance under different scenarios. Ultimately, aligning testing goals with both business objectives and technical requirements enhances the overall quality of the software,

Audio Book

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Definition of Functional Testing

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🔹 Functional Testing
Definition: Verifies what the system does—its business logic and expected outputs.
Examples:
● Login functionality
● Form submissions
● Payment processing
Types Included:
● Unit Testing
● Integration Testing
● System Testing
● User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Detailed Explanation

Functional testing is designed to evaluate the specific functionalities of a system by checking if the outputs meet the expected requirements. It focuses on what the system is supposed to do—essentially validating the business logic behind the application. For instance, if an application allows users to log in using their credentials, functional testing would confirm that users can successfully log in and that the application correctly handles both valid and invalid input scenarios. The types of functional testing include Unit Testing (testing smallest parts of the code), Integration Testing (checking how different pieces of the application work together), System Testing (testing the entire application as a whole), and User Acceptance Testing (UAT), which verifies that the system meets the needs of the user.

Examples & Analogies

Think of functional testing like a cooking competition. The judges (testers) will taste the final dish (the completed application) to see if it meets the recipe specifications (requirements). If the dish tastes good (functions as expected) and meets the specifications (requirements), the cook (developer) has succeeded. If it doesn't taste right (produces errors), then adjustments need to be made.

Definition of Non-Functional Testing

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🔹 Non-Functional Testing
Definition: Verifies how the system performs, focusing on attributes like speed, security, usability.
Examples:
● Page load speed
● System under stress
● Accessibility for users with disabilities
Types Included:
● Performance Testing
● Load Testing
● Security Testing
● Usability Testing
● Compatibility Testing

Detailed Explanation

Non-functional testing evaluates how well the system performs under various conditions rather than what it does. It focuses on more qualitative aspects like performance, security, usability, and compatibility with other systems. For example, non-functional testing might assess how quickly a website loads under high traffic (performance testing), how safe it is from external attacks (security testing), or how easy it is for users with disabilities to navigate the interface (usability testing). This type of testing often includes various approaches, such as Performance Testing (measuring speed and responsiveness), Load Testing (checking how the system handles expected user loads), and Compatibility Testing (ensuring the system works across various devices and environments).

Examples & Analogies

Imagine non-functional testing as evaluating a car not just for its ability to drive (functional) but also for how fast it goes (performance), how it handles rough terrain (usability), or how it fares in a crash (security). Just like a car needs to be safe and efficient, software needs to perform well and be secure to be successful.

Types of Functional Testing

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Types Included:
● Unit Testing
● Integration Testing
● System Testing
● User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Detailed Explanation

There are several specific types of functional testing, each serving a distinct purpose: Unit Testing focuses on the smallest testable parts of the application (usually individual functions or methods), ensuring each works correctly in isolation. Integration Testing examines how different modules work together after unit tests; it assesses data exchange between units. System Testing involves testing the complete application in an environment that mimics production to evaluate end-to-end system specifications. Lastly, User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is performed by end-users to determine if the application meets their business needs and is ready for deployment.

Examples & Analogies

You can think of these types of testing like preparing a new restaurant for opening. Unit Testing is like each chef practicing their signature dish (testing individual components), Integration Testing is checking how the courses flow from the kitchen to the dining area (seeing if everything works together), System Testing is running a full dinner service to see if the restaurant functions well as a whole, and UAT is inviting customers to taste the food and give feedback before the grand opening.

Types of Non-Functional Testing

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Types Included:
● Performance Testing
● Load Testing
● Security Testing
● Usability Testing
● Compatibility Testing

Detailed Explanation

Non-functional testing encompasses multiple types, each directed at different performance parameters. Performance Testing evaluates the application's response times, throughput, and resource usage. Load Testing specifically assesses how the system behaves under normal and peak load conditions, while Security Testing looks for vulnerabilities and ensures data protection. Usability Testing gathers user feedback regarding the system’s intuitiveness and ease of use, and Compatibility Testing ensures that the application works across various operating systems, browsers, and devices. These testing types can all be critical in ensuring that users have a positive experience while interacting with the application.

Examples & Analogies

Consider non-functional testing like preparing for a marathon. Performance Testing is like training to run a certain distance at a set speed (how quickly the application can respond). Load Testing assesses how many runners can participate (how many users can access the system at once). Security Testing is making sure each runner is safe on the path (ensuring data integrity). Usability Testing checks if the route is easy to navigate for everyone, and Compatibility Testing ensures runners can compete in various weather conditions (the application functions on different platforms).

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Functional Testing: It verifies what the application does based on inputs and expectations.

  • Non-Functional Testing: It evaluates how well the application performs concerning performance metrics.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • Example of Functional Testing: Testing the login functionality to ensure users can log in successfully.

  • Example of Non-Functional Testing: Measuring the application’s load time to check if it meets performance benchmarks.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Functional checks what’s done, non-functional checks how well it's run.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a bakery. Functional testing is like tasting the bread; you check if it’s baked. Non-functional testing is like measuring how quickly it sells out before the customers leave.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • F for Functionality, N for Non-Negotiable performance and usability.

🎯 Super Acronyms

F.U.N for Functional Testing’s User Needs.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Functional Testing

    Definition:

    Testing that verifies what the system does, focusing on business logic and expected outputs.

  • Term: NonFunctional Testing

    Definition:

    Testing that verifies how well the system performs, focusing on attributes like speed, security, and usability.

  • Term: Unit Testing

    Definition:

    A type of functional testing that checks individual components for correctness.

  • Term: Load Testing

    Definition:

    A form of non-functional testing that evaluates the system's performance under expected user load.

  • Term: User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

    Definition:

    A type of functional testing conducted by end-users to validate the application meets business requirements.