Software Testing - Install & Uninstall Testing
Software once developed has to be installed or uninstalled on different platforms, and configurations. The install testing works on the installation procedure of the software, and confirms that it has been installed perfectly. The uninstall testing checks if all the modules of the software have been successfully eliminated post its uninstallation.
What is Software Install Testing?
The install testing is an important feature which ensures that the software is correctly installed, set up, and then uninstalled without encountering any problems. It is mainly focussed on confirming that the functionalities of the software have not been impacted post the installation process. At the time of install testing, the entire installation procedure is verified on various platforms, hardware and software parameters. It also supports complete or limited upgrades in the software.
The install testing is only concerned with the compatibility of the software in different operating systems. It confirms whether the software can be installed, and executed against various configurations without encountering any problems. Besides, this process is also concerned with the verification of the uninstallation process which involves testing if there exists any residual files or registry entries after the uninstallation process.
The install testing checks the successful installation of the software along with its in-built functionalities. It is also called the implementation testing, and is carried out at the end of the software development process.
Why is Software Install Testing Done?
The software install testing is done for the reasons listed below −
- The install testing is performed to confirm that the software has been installed properly on various platforms, and parameters without any issues. It ensures that the software has a good user involvement.
- The install testing is performed to validate whether the software is compatible with various platforms, hardware, software, and parameters.
- The install testing identifies all kinds of installation errors such as misplaced files, registry entries, or dependencies that may impact all the features of the software.
- The install testing enhances the overall quality of the software by ensuring that it is installed, and configured properly. It helps to minimize negative feedback, outputs, and business.
- The install testing improves the customer involvement, trust, and loyalty by confirming that the software has been configured, and installed correctly.
Features of Software Install Testing
The features of the software install testing are listed below −
- The install testing can be used to install the software perfectly on different computers which are linked through the network.
- The install testing deals with various kinds of errors occurring due to incorrect inputs, shortage of disc space, hindrance during installation process etc. It ensures that the correct messages are displayed, and what to execute once an error is encountered.
- The install testing verifies whether the installation process impacts the default functionalities of the machine, and other software. It also checks if there is any degradation of its overall performance post the installation.
- The install testing validates if the installation guidelines, and documentations are user friendly and consistent.
- The install testing confirms if every necessary file is correctly copied in the entire installation process. It includes the confirming rights, file sizes, and checksums.
- At the time of install testing, the software correctly updates the configuration parameters, and registry files.
How to Work on the Software Install Testing?
The install testing information is gathered from the developers. They provide the installation packages as well as the guidelines. Following them, the testers acquire knowledge on the testable, and non-testable modules of the software. In case there are issues during the install testing process, the developers are informed on the same. Thus it is very important from the development teams point of view to create a detailed, and comprehensive user manual.
Goals of Software Install Testing
The goals of the software install testing are listed below −
- The install testing ensures that the software can be used without any issues, and its productivity should not be compromised while being used in various platforms.
- The install testing should support the silent installation process.
- The install testing should support the unattended installation process.
- The install testing should support the attended installation process.
- The install testing should support the network installation process.
- The install testing should support the clean installation process.
- The install testing should support the automated installation process.
Advantages of Software Install Testing
The advantages of software install testing are listed below −
- The install testing verifies the fundamental design of the software on the basis of its performance.
- The install testing is a very important step of the software test life cycle(STLC).
- The install testing helps to obtain the version of the software.
- The results of the install testing helps the developer to improve the software.
- The install testing detects the installation issues in the software, and to improve its overall quality. It helps to minimize the negative user experiences which affects the software repute.
- The install testing ensures a smooth, and easy installation process.
- The install testing reduces the support service cost of the software which saves effort, and cost.
- The install testing improves the customer involvement, loyalty, and trust.
- The install testing works on verifying the softwares compatibility in various platforms, hardware, software etc.
Disadvantages of Software Install Testing
The disadvantages of software install testing are listed below −
- The install testing can be time consuming due to external factors and defects in the software.
- The outcomes of the install testing are totally dependent on the test cases.
- The install testing may require time if installation has to be performed on multiple platforms, hardware, software, and parameters. In this way, it may impact the project timelines.
- The install testing requires adequate resources such as hardware, software, individuals etc which may add up to the project cost.
- The install testing only works on verifying the installation process, and does not cover all the functionalities of the software.
- The install testing may give a false sense of security on the quality of the software when the installation process works seamlessly. This is because it does not cover verifications of any functional or non-functional requirements.
- The install testing is dependent on the end user environment. It is seen that software responds differently in various platforms, and conditions.
Installation Types
The following are the installation types −
- Silent Installation
- Attended Installation
- Unattended Installation
- Network Installation
- Clean Installation
- Automated Installation
What is Software Uninstall Testing?
Uninstallation testing is performed to verify if all the components of the application is removed during the process or NOT. All the files related to the application along with its folder structure have to be removed upon successful uninstallation. Post Uninstallation System should be able to go back to the stable state.
Conclusion
This concludes our comprehensive take on the tutorial on Software Install/Uninstall Testing. Weve started with describing what is software install testing, why is software install testing done, what are the features of the software install testing, how to work on the software install testing, what are the goals of the software install testing, what are the advantages of software install testing, what are the disadvantages of software install testing, and what is software uninstall testing. This equips you with in-depth knowledge of Software Install/Uninstall 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.