Comprehensive Guide to Types of Software Testing

April 18, 2025

by karishmabhosale1620@gmail.com

with 106 comments

TypesOfSoftwareTesting

This guide covers all major testing types, including responsibilities, required documentation, and real-world examples for clear understanding.

1. Functional Testing

Purpose: Verify system functions according to requirements.

Sub-Types:

Type	Responsible	Documents	Real-World Example
Unit Testing	Developers	Unit test cases, Code coverage reports	Testing a “calculateDiscount()” function in Myntra
Integration Testing	QA Engineers	Integration test plan, Interface docs	Testing Myntra’s cart ↔ payment gateway connection
System Testing	QA Team	System test cases, Test data sheets	Testing Myntra’s complete checkout flow
User Acceptance (UAT)	End Users	UAT scenarios, Sign-off docs	Myntra’s fashion stylists testing recommendation engine

Key Insight: Functional testing is like checking all car features work – engine, lights, AC – before sale.

2. Non-Functional Testing

Purpose: Verify how well the system performs.

Sub-Types:

Type	Responsible	Documents	Real-World Example
Performance Testing	Performance Engineers	Load test scripts, Metrics reports	Testing Myntra’s server with 100k concurrent users
Security Testing	Security Experts	Vulnerability reports, Penetration test results	Checking Myntra for SQL injection vulnerabilities
Usability Testing	UX Team	User feedback reports, Heatmaps	Testing how easily users find “Size Guide” on Myntra
Compatibility Testing	QA Engineers	Device/browser matrix	Testing Myntra on iPhone14 vs Samsung Galaxy

Key Insight: Non-functional testing is like checking a car’s fuel efficiency, safety ratings, and comfort.

3. Maintenance Testing

Purpose: Verify system after changes.

Sub-Types:

Type	Responsible	Documents	Real-World Example
Regression Testing	QA Team	Regression test suites	Retesting Myntra after payment gateway update
Sanity Testing	QA Engineers	Quick test checklist	Verifying critical functions after hotfix
Retesting	Testers	Defect retest reports	Confirming a fixed “out of stock” bug works

Key Insight: Like taking your car for servicing and verifying everything still works afterward.

4. Specialized Testing Types

Purpose: Address specific quality aspects.

Sub-Types:

Type	Responsible	Documents	Real-World Example
Exploratory Testing	QA/Users	Session reports	Freely exploring Myntra to find unscripted bugs
Ad-hoc Testing	Anyone	Informal notes	Randomly testing Myntra’s search during lunch break
Accessibility Testing	Accessibility Experts	WCAG compliance report	Testing Myntra with screen readers for visually impaired
Localization Testing	Localization Team	Language validation docs	Checking Myntra’s Hindi version for proper translations

Key Insight: These are like specialized car tests – off-road capability, child safety locks, etc.

Testing Type Comparison Table

Category	When Performed	Focus Area	Tools Used
Functional	During development	Features working	JUnit, TestNG
Non-Functional	Before release	System quality	JMeter, OWASP ZAP
Maintenance	After changes	Stability	Selenium, TestRail
Specialized	As needed	Specific aspects	JAWS, BrowserStack

Real-World Testing Workflow Example (Myntra New Feature Rollout)

Unit Testing (Devs):

Test new “virtual try-on” AI algorithm
Documents: Unit test cases

Integration Testing (QA):

Test try-on ↔ product catalog integration
Documents: Interface test reports

System Testing (QA Team):

Full test: Search → Try-on → Add to cart
Documents: End-to-end test scenarios

Performance Testing (Performance Team):

Load test with 50k virtual try-on sessions
Documents: Load test metrics

UAT (Fashion Influencers):

Real users validate try-on accuracy
Documents: UAT feedback forms

Regression Testing (QA):

Verify existing features after try-on integration
Documents: Regression test logs

Essential Testing Documents Overview

Test Plan: Overall testing strategy
Test Cases: Step-by-step verification instructions
Traceability Matrix: Links tests to requirements
Defect Reports: Documented bugs with reproduction steps
Test Summary Report: Final quality assessment

Best Practices for Effective Testing

Shift-Left Testing: Start testing early in SDLC
Risk-Based Approach: Prioritize critical areas
Automate Wisely: Automate repetitive but not exploratory tests
Realistic Data: Use production-like data
Continuous Improvement: Analyze defects for patterns

Pro Tip:
“Good testing isn’t about finding all bugs – it’s about finding the right bugs at the right time.”

Common Testing Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Testing only happy paths
❌ Neglecting non-functional testing
❌ Poor documentation of tests
❌ Not involving end-users in UAT
❌ Treating testing as final phase only

Conclusion

Understanding these testing types helps implement a comprehensive quality strategy. Each type serves a specific purpose, just like different medical tests (X-rays, blood tests, stress tests) examine different aspects of health.

Final Thought:
“Quality is never an accident – it’s always the result of intelligent testing effort.”