Non-functional testing

Objectives of non-functional testing 

•  Usability, maintainability, efficiency, and portability of the software should be increased by non-functional testing.
• Production and cost risk is reduced with non-function parameters.
• For internal research and development, it collects and produces measurement and metrics.
• Enhances the knowledge of technology to be used and product behavior.

Characteristics of non-functional testing 

• It should be measurable so that there should be no subjective characterization like good, better, best, etc.
• At the starting of the requirement process, we don't know the exact numbers.
• Requirements should be prioritized.
• It ensures whether the quality attributes are identified correctly or not.

Parameters of non-functional testing 

• Security 

How the software is safeguarded from deliberate, sudden cyber-attacks, be it internal or external, is defined in this parameter. Security testing checks this.

• Efficiency

The ability of a software system to manage capacity, quantity, and reaction time.

• Usability

During the interaction with the system, how much faster user can learn to operate and generate output from prepared input. Usability testing checks this.

• Availability

The parameter specifies how much the user may rely on the system while running. Stability testing checks this.

• Portability

Software's ability to transition from its present hardware or software environment.

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Different types of non-functional testing 

• Performance testing

It tries to eliminate the reason for the software's limited and slow performance, as the software's reading speed should be fast. The expected rate's precise specification should be defined; otherwise, we will not get the apparent outcome.

• Load testing

The software's load capacity is being tested during this testing procedure. Load capacity refers to the number of users working simultaneously on the software.

• Security testing

Security flaws are being detected during this testing procedure. Keeping in mind the mindset of the attackers and investigating system architecture, this testing is performed.

• Portability testing 

Here we check whether the software can be used on different operating systems, hardware, etc., without any bug appearing.

• Accountability testing

Accountability testing is performed to determine whether or not the system is functioning correctly. The same result should be provided by the function for which it has been created. When it gives the expected output, it is considered to be passed; otherwise, not.

• Reliability testing

Whether the software is being operated without fail under any specified condition or not is tested during this testing strategy. The system should be for a particular period and number of processes. But if the system fails in any specified condition, reliability testing fails. 

• Efficiency testing

Efficiency testing must examine the number of resources to develop a system in this testing strategy. Furthermore, how many resources will get used? this test includes the following three tests too -

• Whether the customer requirements are satisfied or not.
• A software system should meet the needs of the client.
• Enough effort should be invested to create a software system.

Advantages of non-functional testing 

• Customers need trustworthy software that means secure software provided by non-functional testing and protecting it from cyber-attacks.
• For making it convenient for multiple users to use the software simultaneously.
• Overall performance of the software improves.
• Never-changing test cases are there, so there is no need to write them more than once.
• It consumes less time compared to other testing strategies.

Disadvantages of non-functional testing 

• Non-functional testing is performed again when the software gets updated.
• To re-examine the software, users have to pay due to software updates, making it expensive.
   

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are other non-functional testing parameters?
   Survivability, scalability, interoperability, flexibility, and reusability.
    
2. Where do you mean by the flexibility parameter of non-functional testing?
   This term focuses on the ease with which the software works on different hardware and software.
    
3. What are the other non-functional testing types different from those discussed above?
   i) Baseline Testing
   ii) Endurance Testing
   iii) Documentation Testing
   iv) Recovery Testing
   v) Internationalization Testing
   vi) Localization Testing

Key Takeaways

Don't come to a halt here. Check out our The Basics of Software Testing and Various Testing Methods | CN Blog. You can also check out the System Design Strategies & Important In Software Development-CN Blog and functional testing blog. Check out more blogs, including types f software testing, security testing, etc., here. More blogs.