Web application testing is a form of software testing that tests the working and functionalities of software products hosted on the web. Besides checking for flaws and bugs, the product also needs to be checked for smooth usage by differently abled people as well as working of the product keeping in mind the user traffic and strength of the network. All these factors have to be verified well in advance before the product goes live.
What all is covered under web application testing?
Functionality testing:
A host of activities are covered for testing the very aspects which make the software product workable.
This includes testing if all the hyperlinks, anchoring links, links for operability of basic functions such as user navigation and sending mails are operational. Also includes testing for broken links.
Testing of features keeping the security of the web application in mind. This includes measures to prevent tampering with user's private data, efficient handling of cookies, making sure that the user credentials provided at the time of logging in are not compromised.
Testing for web forms: This includes checking for field validation logic, positive and negative testing for gauging the response of the application with incorrect/correct output.
The web application needs to be tested for prescribed universal standards of compliance such as those of ISO, Worldwide web consortium (W3C) and European computer manufacturer's association (ECMA).
Testing for foreign characters and Unicode specification also gets covered in web application testing.
Compatibility testing:
Operating system compatibility:
The web application needs to be tested for functioning on diverse OS platforms such as Windows, Linux, Solaris, etc. This also covers desktop integration functions such as manoeuvring of files around the desktop, moving and pasting them around with ease.
Device compatibility:
The web application needs to be tested if issues such as those related to screen size, appearance and navigation hamper the user's experience due to fault in compatibility with different devices such as mobile, tablet, desktop PC, etc.
Browser compatibility:
While working across different browsers, there are vulnerabilities pertaining to multiple domain access due to the threat of hacking. Therefore it becomes necessary to safeguard the product against potential susceptibilities arising out of usage on different browsers. Also the product should be tested for compatibility over different versions.
Usability testing:
To final check the look, the feel, the operability of buttons and links, the web application needs to be temporarily released for use by a small group of target users. This way, the application also gets checked for grammatical or spelling errors.
Database testing:
The web application needs to be tested if there is any delay in response to any user query. Database testing also looks into the aspect of maintaining data integrity during creation editing or deleting of new user data.
Performance testing:
Load testing: The web application needs to be tested to gauge its behaviour while working at normal and peak user loads.
Stress testing: It is important to determine the breaking point while the product works beyond normal and peak user loads. Stress testing helps to find out that limit.
The web application needs to be checked for normal functioning while working at less than adequate network strengths or slow connectivity speeds owing to bad networks.
Besides these tests, the application's resilience to crash and its ability to recover from other such setbacks is also found out during the course of performance testing.
Accessibility testing:
In order to cater to usage by sections of the population which comprise of differently abled people, the web applications of today have in built tools such as voice recognition and screen magnification elements. Accessibility testing verifies the operability of such tools. Inherent in the application.
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