Data Structure
Networking
RDBMS
Operating System
Java
MS Excel
iOS
HTML
CSS
Android
Python
C Programming
C++
C#
MongoDB
MySQL
Javascript
PHP
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Mathematics
English
Economics
Psychology
Social Studies
Fashion Studies
Legal Studies
- Selected Reading
- UPSC IAS Exams Notes
- Developer's Best Practices
- Questions and Answers
- Effective Resume Writing
- HR Interview Questions
- Computer Glossary
- Who is Who
Comparison Testing in Software Engineering
When it comes to software development, there are a number of phases or development procedures that must be followed in order to produce a highquality product. All of these processes fall within the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) framework, which serves as a software development framework that the software developer/engineer team follows in order to create a high-quality software product. Software Testing is an essential step in the SDLC that is carried out to detect and resolve issues as well as to create a well-performing decent software product.
There are several forms of software testing and software testing metrics available, all of which are used to produce a high-quality software program. Various sorts of software testing are carried out not only to find problems and repair them, but also to keep track of performance, reliability, security, scalability, usability, easy access, UI, functionality, and behavior. Although comparison testing is not the most common sort of software testing, it is impossible to create the finest software product without it. So, let's take a closer look at comparison testing by evaluating it a bit further.
Comparative Analysis
Comparison testing is a sort of testing in which the strengths and weaknesses of newly generated software are compared to those of previously released software products on the market. It aids in determining how well a present software product performs in contrast to the competitors, as well as aiding in the creation of a high-quality software product with enhanced performance and functionality.
Actually, comparative testing helps you to discover the flaws in an existing software product and drives you to fix them in order to stay ahead of the competition. However, comparative testing does not attempt to create a competitive market; rather, it focuses on continuously improving software products. For comparison testing, any aspect of the software program might be evaluated. It may be the User Interface, the number of functions, the speed, the database, the security, and so on. These test criteria are mostly determined by the kind of software application is evaluated as well as business-specific use-cases.
Time to do Comparative Testing
There is no distinct phase for comparison testing, nor is there a set guideline for doing it, and it is not a step of software development. It may be done on its own or in conjunction with other types of software testing. However, it is usually done at three phases throughout software development, i.e.
The software development process is in its early stages.
The software development process is in its middle stages.
The last step of the software development cycle
There are two types of testing criteria
When there is a disagreement over the test criteria, it goes through two separate comparison stages, i.e.
Compare your software to industry standards or benchmarks.
Compare the features of the software program to those of other software applications.
For example, if you're building a PDF Merge software application, you'll want to compare your product to other PDF Merge software apps to see how it compares in terms of merge speed, performance, and PDF quality of the combined file, among other things.
Example − a) If a Siebel CRM application is being evaluated, for example, we know that all CRM applications include modules that deal with acquiring customer information, processing client orders, handling customer requests, and dealing with customer difficulties..
We may evaluate the application's functionality against recognized standards and functionality as they exist in the market at the time of testing in the first round of testing.
We may pose queries such as −
Is the program equipped with all of the features that a CRM application should have?
Is the fundamental functioning of the modules as expected?
We will develop test scenarios in such a manner that the test results confirm the application's functioning in comparison to industry standards.
b) In the second step of testing, we may compare an application's features to those of other software products available on the market.
The following characteristics, for example, maybe compared to those of other software programs.
#1) Price
#2) Application performance
Example − Response time and network load
#3) User Interface (look and feel, ease of use)
Testing activities are planned in such a manner that possible areas of business interruption are discovered in both rounds of testing. To guide test design and execution, a suitable testing strategy is developed.
It is unavoidable to have a thorough understanding of business use cases and needs.
Examples of CRM Application Test Scenarios
Let's look at a CRM application for mobile phone purchases as an example of test scenarios.
We know that every CRM solution should provide the following functions in general −
Creating a user profile for the purpose of doing business
Before starting a transaction or placing an order, make sure all checks and criteria are met.
Checking the item inventory
Order fulfillment for things
Customer concerns and requests are handled.
We may develop test scenarios or test conditions as follows, taking into consideration the aforementioned functionalities −
Template for comparing with established standards
| Scenario ID | Description | Requirement ID | Business Use case ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario### | Check to see whether the CRM program records customer information. | Req#### | |
| Scenario### | Before starting a deal, see whether the CRM program verifies the customer's creditworthiness. | Req#### | |
| Scenario### | Before starting a deal, see whether the CRM program verifies the customer's creditworthiness. | Req#### | |
| Scenario### | Check to see whether the equipment you ordered is in stock. | Req#### | |
| Scenario### | Check whether the customer's geographic location is covered by a mobile network. | Req#### | |
| Scenario### | Check to see whether a problem ticket has been created for each client’s concern. | Req#### | |
| Scenario### | Check to see whether the CRM software has dealt with and resolved the client problem. | Req#### |
Comparison Testing's Benefits
It may identify your application's flaws and strengths.
It aids in determining the software product's quality.
It indicates how competitive and beneficial your product is.
It determines whether or not a software project is commercially viable.
It indicates if the program has a reasonable probability of becoming lucrative or not.
It aids with the thorough examination of all critical aspects of software prior to its commercial release.
It aids in the comprehension of interior design structure.
It aids in the product's competitiveness, allowing it to function successfully in the market.
Comparison Testing's Drawbacks
Because it has already gone through a succession of development processes, it becomes very tough to adapt or change anything.
When customers learn about the flaws or weaknesses in your product, they may develop a negative attitude about it.
How may comparative testing benefit a company?
Unambiguous comparison test criteria and precise test findings may assist the firm in making claims for software products such as,
In terms of reaction speed, this app is the fastest.
In terms of network load and other factors, the most durable product
The results of the tests may be used not only to promote the software product but also to uncover flaws and improve it.
An understanding of the testing's obstacles, constraints, and scope −
Design, development, testing, sales and marketing tactics, investments, and accruing earnings all contribute to the success of any new enterprise or software product
In this context, comparison testing helps in making crucial software product choices, but it cannot guarantee the product's success. Despite thorough testing, the company may still collapse due to poor business strategy and judgments. As a result, market research and assessment of alternative business strategies is a separate topic from comparison testing.
To get a sense of the extent of this testing, consider the following scenario
The introduction of Disney mobile in the United States in 2005 is a case in point. Disney entered the cellular communications sector with no previous expertise in the industry. Despite the moniker "Disney," the new mobile enterprise failed miserably in the United States.
The product failed, not because of terrible design or erroneous testing, but because of poor marketing and commercial choices, according to a postmortem.
With the promise of delivering unique downloading and family management capabilities, Disney mobile targeted youngsters and sports fans as clients.
In Japan, the identical Disney smartphone app that flopped spectacularly in the United States found traction. This time, the major target clients were women in their 20s and 30s, rather than children
Conclusion
Introducing a new software product is like venturing into an unknown land with a wide range of options.
Many successful products are the result of their inventors identifying a market need and assessing the feasibility of a novel concept.
Comparison testing may be a useful method for determining a software product's potential.
It gives critical business inputs for promoting the software product and exposing flaws before it is released to the public.
118 Views
