Written by Mariam Refaat
Mariam is a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer who has been working at KUWAITNET for 3 years. She is very passionate about her work and considers it as a lifestyle, not a job to perform.
The digital transformation process has seen an expansion in the multifaceted nature of software development. This is because of the way that software needs to work in a multi-dimensional environment including forms, gadgets, systems, working frameworks, structures, servers, IDE's, and others. Also, each component of the environment can be further divided thereby increasing its complexity.
Technology changes at a rapid pace and every single software built on it need to perform at its ideal level. The software interface to technologies, for example, the cloud, portability, big data, AI or IoT ought to be robust to convey quality and meet the user's expectations.
With the increase of software intricacy, technology changes and the shifting dynamics of the user, the quality of software programming or application ought to be top notch. The quality assurance process needs to be updated to ensure the quality of software across dimensions, paradigms, and disciplines.
Software testing alone is not enough, the practice of software quality engineering should also be implemented. The idea is not only about identifying the glitches during the initial testing phase but eliminating them completely during the design and development stages.
What is Software Quality Engineering?
Rather than software testing that involves the testing of particular capacities or parts of software against predefined results, software QA engineering is considerably more different and comprehensive. A software quality engineer works closely with the development team to plan and design the source codes. He or she leads other associated undertakings, for example, testing, deploying the software and integrating.
A QA expert in a quality engineering organization as a part of his or her job responsibilities sets up verifiable testing objectives. The product quality engineer supervises the whole SDLC and makes a quality culture where every stakeholder is aware of the quality targets. The underlying logic of QA engineering is to cross-check the codes at the designing stage with a specific end goal to eliminate glitches or vulnerabilities.
The software engineer ensures the timely delivery of projects. Notably, all-encompassing software QA engineering incorporates software testing also.
5 rules to follow for software quality engineering
The approach of shift-left testing is often used in QA engineering. The term means to identify and eliminate glitches by rigorously testing the codes during the development phase.
1. Functional testing: The procedure includes testing the UI and API to check whether they meet the outlined designs. This mechanization testing exercise approves the core functions, installations, and menus. To illustrate further, useful testing includes
- Checking the input fields by entering data consisting of strings, special characters, extended characters, and
non-Latin scripts
- Checking the basic API functionality and core application parameters against pre-defined outcomes
- Setting up the application on local machines running on different operating systems
- Checking of text functions like copying, pasting, and editing
- Checking the shortcuts by using hotkeys
2. Peer review of code: Another engineer should test the source code to gain a better perspective. However, the basic functional testing exercise should be followed before going for a peer review.
3. Static code analysis: Use specific tools to look for security and other vulnerabilities. Such tools can check a static code without actually executing it. Perform static code analysis to check if the codes meet the required coding standards or conform to the security regulations.
4. Unit testing: The process involves the checking of a unit comprising of a component, class or method against valid or invalid inputs. In a DevOps environment, a unit test should be conducted every time a change is made to the code. Ensure the unit test to be an extensive one to nip the glitches in the bud. The process can use virtualization with the entry of dummy inputs to check each and every test scenario.
5. User performance testing: Carry out single user testing and check for any load and performance issues. The test area should include testing the application for quicker loading and execution.
Final words
These standards of Quality Engineering guarantee that the codes meet the coveted business targets and client expectations. Any quality engineering organization would do well to incorporate the five key standards in its procedure. Thus, the organization evacuates glitches at the development phase of a project.
AndroidDevelopment, MobileApps, QualityAssurance, SoftwareEngineering, SoftwareTesting, Tabs, iOSDevelopment,
4 mins read
The extensive and rapid development in the field of technology has given rise to the complex computing architecture.
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