Software Testing - Globalization Testing

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A software is developed keeping in mind its usage across various geographical locations, and cultures. The globalization testing is done to confirm that a software can satisfy the needs of the people across the globe independently and can be used extensively everywhere in the world by dealing with multiple languages. In todays age, more or less every software should have this functionality to gather a huge user base.

What is Software Globalization Testing?

Globalization testing is the procedure used to verify if a software provides a customized user interface to customers all round the globe. It is done to validate, support, and enhance the working of the software against numerous languages. The primary objective of this type of testing is to ensure that the software gives a tailored user experience to every customer across all the locations in the world without impacting its inherent functionalities. It determines probable issues in the software, and also checks if it is able to provide the required international support.

Purpose of Software Globalization Testing

The purpose of the software globalization testing are listed below −

• The software globalization testing is capable of detecting defects from the early stages of the software development life cycle(SDLC).
• The software globalization testing ensures a tailored user experience for all users across the world.
• The globalization testing verifies the support provided by the software for multiple languages, thereby making it more usable.
• The globalization testing describes the user interface of the software.
• The globalization testing confirms that the source code is able to provide the necessary international support without impacting its functionalities.

Importance of Software Globalization Testing

The importance of the software globalization testing are listed below −

• The software globalization testing validates whether the display of financial marks, integer formats, and arithmetical representations are correct and is as per the end user usage.
• The software globalization testing validates the correctness, and suitability of user interface translations, messages, and other documentations with respect to different situations.
• The globalization testing verifies if the software works well under various regional conditions namely time zones, units etc.
• The globalization testing verifies if search and sort functions are working properly in a variety of languages, and cultures.
• The globalization testing helps the software to grow to a global brand by ensuring end user satisfaction across every international location.
• The software globalization prevents misunderstandings, and miscommunications in case there are bad translations or culturally inconsiderate contents.

What is Required to be Tested in Software Globalization Testing?

The items that need to be in the software globalization testing are listed below −

• Currency
• Format of Zip Code
• Paper Size for Printing
• Format of Mobile Number
• Format of Address and Phone Number
• Language Vocabulary
• Format of Date and Time

Need for Software Globalization Testing

The need for the software globalization testing are listed below −

• The globalization testing should be done to verify if the software supports, and recognizes various languages.
• The globalization testing should be done to verify if the software works for different zip formats.
• The globalization testing should be done to verify if the software works for different phone numbers, ISD codes, mobile numbers etc.
• The globalization testing should be done to verify if the software works for every currency format.
• The globalization testing should be done to verify if the software works for every date and time format.
• The globalization testing should be done to verify if the software works for every address format.

Types of Software Globalization Testing

The different types of the software globalization testing are listed below −

1. Localization Testing

This type of testing is done to validate whether the software can be updated as per each locale namely area, code, language etc. The main idea is to provide the customer the correct look and feel for every culture, language and location. It is also called the L10N testing. It mainly focuses on the translation of the documentations, manuals, images, icons etc, and its representation to the customers.

2. Internationalization Testing

This type of testing is done to plan, and develop the software which enables it to be used for any given language, culture, or region without requiring any explicit code changes. It is also called the I18N testing. The primary purpose of this testing is to confirm that the software performs similarly irrespective of locations, or cultures.

The internationalization testing also includes checking the compatibility of the software with different languages and verification of the softwares graphical user interface to detect issues namely overlapping text, images etc. It also involves the installation testing of the software to validate if correct messages are displayed in various languages. Besides, it takes into consideration the interoperability testing which demonstrates usage of the software over various cross platforms, versions etc.

Approach for Software Globalization Testing

The approach for the software globalization testing are listed below −

Step 1 − Prepare the test plan and strategy where the L10N, and I18N sections for testing are identified along with their strategies.

Step 2 − The globalization test cases are created covering both L10N, and I18N.

Step 3 − Create the test environment having the common server that supports various locales, and is as per the user specifications.

Step 4 − Execute the globalization test cases as per the configurations given in the requirements.

Step 5 − Evaluate the results of the test execution, and report the defects.

Step 6 − Share the test results to all the project stakeholders.

Differences between Software Globalization and Localization Testing

Advantages of Software Globalization Testing

The advantages of the software globalization testing are listed below −

• The globalization testing helps to make the software more scalable, and robust.
• Globalization testing reduces the time, effort, and cost required to complete the total testing process.
• The globalization testing reduces the time, effort, and cost required to complete the localization testing.
• The globalization testing increases the user base for the software across the globe.
• The globalization testing adds to the overall quality, and design of the software.
• The globalization testing encourages reusability since it allows the usage of the software in different languages with the same code base.

Disadvantages of Software Globalization Testing

The disadvantages of the software globalization testing are listed below −

• Sometimes the testers face strict deadlines to complete the globalization testing.
• The globalization testing can only be performed by testers who are experienced and have the required domain knowledge, and skills.
• The globalization testing requires having the local translators which adds up to the project cost.

Conclusion

This concludes our comprehensive take on the tutorial on Software Globalization Testing. Weve started with describing what is software globalization testing, what is the purpose of the software globalization testing, what is the importance of the software globalization testing, what are required to be tested in the software globalization testing, what is the need for the software globalization testing, what are the different types of the software globalization testing, what is the approach for the software globalization testing, what are the differences between software globalization and localization testing, what are the advantages of the software globalization testing, and what are the disadvantages of the software globalization testing. This equips you with in-depth knowledge of Software Globalization 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.