What is Non-Functional Testing?

Non-Functional Testing is a kind of testing used to check how well a software application works, how easy it is to use, how reliable it is, and other important but non-functional features. Its purpose is to make sure a system is ready according to standards that functional testing doesn’t consider.

Checking a software’s reliability and performance is crucial with Non-Functional Testing. This testing method relies on the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) as a starting point, allowing quality assurance teams to verify if the system meets user requirements. The main aim of non-functional testing is to improve the software’s usability, efficiency, ease of maintenance, and ability to be moved to different environments. It helps reduce the risk associated with the non-functional parts of the product. If you’re interested in diving deep into the world of software testing, consider enrolling in Software Testing Training in Chennai.

Core Objectives of Non-Functional Testing

Non-functional testing aims to achieve the following goals:

1. Enhancing the product’s usability, effectiveness, maintainability, and portability.
2. Minimising production risks and costs associated with the product’s non-functional aspects.
3. Enhancing the installation, configuration, execution, management, and monitoring of the product.
4. Examining the measurements and metrics that need to be collected and generated for internal analysis and development.
5. Enhancing the understanding of current technology and product behavior.

Characteristics Of Non-Functional Testing

1. Non-functional testing must be measurable. Thus, avoid using subjective adjectives such as “good,” “better,” or “best” in this type of testing.
2. It is unlikely that precise figures will be available at the initial stages of the requirement process.
3. Prioritizing requirements is crucial.
4. Ensure that in software engineering, quality attributes are precisely identified.

Types Of Non-Functional Testing

• Performance Testing:

Performance testing aims to identify and eliminate causes of slow and limited software performance. It focuses on achieving the desired speed of the software’s response. For instance, ensuring that the application’s load time does not exceed 5 seconds when 1000 users use it simultaneously.

Tools Used: LoadRunner, Apache JMeter, WebLOAD.

• Load Testing:

Load testing assesses the system’s capability to handle increasing numbers of simultaneous users. It helps to determine the system’s loading capacity, especially for websites, by examining speed scores. 

Tools Used: Neoload, Load Multiplier.

• Security Testing:

Security testing is employed to detect vulnerabilities in software applications. It involves analyzing the system’s design from an attacker’s perspective to identify potential points of attack and create corresponding test cases.

Tools Used: ImmuniWeb, Vega, Wapiti.

• Portability Testing:

Portability testing ensures that software can operate across various operating systems without encountering errors. It also examines how the software functions across different hardware within the same operating system.

Tools Used: SQLMap.

• Accountability Testing:

Accountability testing verifies whether a system is functioning as intended, producing the expected results. It focuses on ensuring that the software delivers the desired outcomes consistently.

Tools Used: Mentimeter.

• Reliability Testing:

Reliability testing assesses whether a software system operates without errors within defined parameters and under specific conditions. For a comprehensive understanding of software testing, including reliability testing, you might want to explore a Software Testing Course In Bangalore.

Tools Used: Test-retest, Inter-rater.

• Efficiency Testing:

Efficiency testing evaluates the resources utilized in building a software system and determines the required resources for optimal performance.

Tools Used: WebLOAD, LoadNinja.

• Volume Testing:

Volume testing, also known as flood testing, examines how a software system performs when exposed to a significant volume of data. It tests the system’s ability to manage large amounts of data effectively.

Tools Used: HammerDB, JdbcSlim.

• Recovery Testing:

Recovery testing evaluates how well an application can recover from crashes, hardware failures, and other related issues. It involves intentionally breaking the software in various ways to assess its recovery capabilities.

Tools Used: Box Backup, Bacula.

• Responsive Testing:

Responsive testing assesses how well a design adapts to various screen widths to ensure a seamless user experience across different digital devices. If you’re interested in exploring more about cybersecurity, you can consider taking an Ethical Hacking Course In Chennai.

Tools Used: Responsinator, Screenfly, Google DevTools Device Mode.

Non-Functional Testing Parameters

Listed below are the non-functional testing parameters:

1. Security: This parameter evaluates how well a system is guarded against both planned and unplanned intrusions from internal and external sources. Security testing is used to examine this aspect.
2. Reliability: This parameter assesses the consistency with which a software system performs tasks without errors. Reliability testing is employed to evaluate this characteristic.
3. Efficiency: This parameter measures the capacity, quantity, and response time that a software system can handle. It assesses the system’s resource utilization and performance efficiency. If you’re interested in understanding more about system performance and security, consider enrolling in a Cyber Security Course In Bangalore.
4. Usability: This parameter gauges how easily a user can interact with a system, learn its functionalities, and handle inputs and outputs. Usability testing is conducted to ensure user-friendly interfaces and smooth user experiences.
5. Availability: This parameter determines the extent to which users can depend on the system during its operation. Stability testing is performed to verify the system’s availability and uninterrupted functioning.
6. Scalability: This parameter describes a software program’s ability to increase its processing power to accommodate a surge in demand. Scalability testing is employed to assess how well the system handles increased workloads and user traffic. Consider enrolling in Selenium Training in Chennai to gain comprehensive insights into software testing and enhance your testing skills.

Advantages of Non-Functional Testing

• It provides enhanced security, a critical element in safeguarding systems against online threats.
• It ensures the system’s ability to handle concurrent usage, maintaining smooth user experiences.
• It enhances the system’s efficiency, optimizing its overall performance.
• Test cases need not be rewritten repeatedly as they remain unchanged.
• Compared to other testing methods, it requires less overall time commitment.