Software Testing - Frontend Testing
A software consists of the front end and its back end components. The front end is the part which directly communicates with the end users and is displayed on the software. It consists of the graphical user interfaces such as links, edit boxes, menus, buttons, forms etc. In short, it includes anything on the software which helps the end users to navigate through its screens. Moreover, the frontend also deals with the verification of items such as the page load, and end user experiences on the software.
What is Software Frontend Testing?
The frontend testing is conducted to verify if the graphical user interfaces on the software are working properly. It includes some of the verifications like whether the edit boxes acquire the proper characters, forms can be submitted post entry of all the mandatory fields, page navigation can be done without hindrances, speed of page load etc. Thus the frontend testing ensures that the presentation layer of the software is defect free. It is normally carried out after any software modifications to verify if the latest updates have not impacted its graphical user interfaces.
Difference Between Frontend and Backend Testing
The frontend testing validates the graphical user interfaces of the software. It is done after going through the requirements related to the end user involvement and is not focussed on the database and other backend parameters. While the backend testing verifies the server, and database components of the software. It is mainly done to ensure that the dependent modules communicate properly to generate, process, and save data. To perform backend testing, the knowledge of databases like Oracle, SQL server, MySQL, DB2 etc are required.
Importance of Software Frontend Testing
The importance of the software frontend testing are listed below −
- The frontend testing helps to evaluate the software from the customers point of view. It determines the issues which occur at the client side that hinders the execution of all the steps in a complete workflow, thereby giving bad end user experiences.
- The frontend testing verifies the software in various browsers and its versions, devices, platforms etc. It checks software features, and responsiveness on screens of different sizes, and resolutions. All these factors are verified by the frontend testing. It checks whether the software works well with different browser-device-platform combinations. Thus, it plays an important role for the cross browser testing of the software on various real devices, browsers etc.
- The frontend testing checks the integration of different third-party services across different browsers, platforms and devices. This is done to validate whether they are working properly and are as per the standards, and compliances.
Types of Software Frontend Testing
The different types of the software frontend testing are listed below −
- Unit Testing − In this type, smaller units or components of the software are tested to check if they are working as expected.
- Integration Testing − In this type, smaller units or components of the software are integrated and then tested to verify whether there exists any interface or integration issues. It is done after the unit testing.
- Cross Browser Testing − In this type, the software is tested to confirm that it is compatible on numerous browsers, devices, platforms etc.
- Accessibility Testing − In this type, the software is tested to confirm that it is fit to be used by users having different disabilities.
- Acceptance Testing − It is done to ensure if the software is able to meet the end users expectations.
- End to End Testing − It is done to ensure if all the end to end flows can be carried out in the software.
Tools used for Software Frontend Testing
The different tools used for the software frontend testing are listed below −
Best Practices to be Followed for Software Frontend Testing
The best practices to be followed for the software frontend testing are listed below −
- The software frontend testing should be performed using a testing framework.
- The frontend testing should be performed in various browsers, devices, platforms to verify if the software is cross-browser compatible.
- There should be a test suite, and grouping of similar test cases while performing the software frontend testing.
- The software frontend test cases should be descriptive to explain the functionalities they are verifying.
- The visual testing should be used to check if any modifications have not impacted any parts of the software.
- The end to end test cases should be included to simulate the scenarios on user interactions, and business workflows.
- The automated frontend test cases should be integrated with the CI/CD to detect defects early.
- There should be performance test cases to check the performance of software on slower network connectivity, and devices.
- The frontend test cases should be maintained, and modified on a regular basis based on the changes to the source code.
Conclusion
This concludes our comprehensive take on the tutorial on Software Frontend Testing. Weve started with describing what is software frontend testing, what are the differences between the frontend and backend testing, why is the software frontend testing important, what are the different types of the software frontend testing, what are the different tools used for the software frontend testing, what are the best practices to be followed for the software frontend testing. This equips you with in-depth knowledge of the Software Frontend Testing. It is wise to keep practicing what youve learned and exploring others relevant to Software Testing to deepen your understanding and expand your horizons.