How to Test Software Manually | Types, Pros, Cons

What is Manual Software Testing?

Manual software testing is a process in which the tester tries test cases that are varying from the standard test cases. For example, if you are testing an online application and you want to make sure that it works properly, then your job will be to write some code for this purpose. You can use different kinds of tools like database management systems (DBMS), web browsers, or even command prompt windows to create a scenario where your program is supposed to work on its own without any intervention from outside sources like users or administrators. So, to answer the query of how to test software manually, we need to dive into its different stages and types to learn how it’s done.

Types of Manual Testing:

White box testing:

It is the most basic type of manual testing. It involves creating a set of technical specifications that increase confidence in a software solution before implementation. The white box approach can be used when you do not know how your code works and are simply trying to verify that it does what it's supposed to do by making sure that each function works correctly and follows established rules.

Black box:

This testing indicates a more involved and comprehensive manual test strategy that requires the application to be tested in multiple environments, on both physical and virtual servers, without any knowledge of the application code. Black box testing is often used in environments where there may be security vulnerabilities or other threats with which you need to ensure your application can deal with them.

Grey box testing:

This testing helps to understand what makes a test framework more complex by using complex APIs. Grey box testing requires that you have access to the application code, which means that the test environment needs to be different from your production environment. This can be problematic when there are many differences between them (e.g., version number). For this type of test execution scenario not to fail, you will need separate infrastructure environments such as virtual machines or containerized applications running on top of actual hardware servers. Now, to better explain the question of how to test software, we need to further look into types of manual testing.

Stages of Manual Testing:

1. Unit Testing

It is a separate phase of software testing that focuses on units of code. Unit tests run on the smallest possible piece of software and test it under controlled conditions. They are written to test a single unit of code, or function, which means we can write separate tests for each unit in our application. Unit tests are run against the same version that will be deployed to production environments; therefore they're more stable than other types of tests because there's less room for errors or bugs when you run them against your final product.

2. Integration Testing

It is the process of testing the functionality of a system. It's often used to test the interfaces between different modules or components in a software development project. Integration testing involves running automated tests against integrated systems, and checking that all parts work together as expected.

For example, if you're writing an application that allows users to manage their finances, then integration testing would involve running automated tests against all parts involved in this process: from data storage through record management (such as bank account details), password resetting procedures and notifications sent out when payments are made/refunded, etc., right down to how well your payments process works with other third-party providers such as PayPal or Stripe, etc.).

3. System Testing

It is the phase of software testing during which the tester tests the system software in its entirety. The primary objective of this type of testing is to make sure that all components work together and produce an expected outcome. In other words, it's like a springboard for your application or web app to reach its full potential.

4. UI Testing

It is a phase during which the tester gathers feedback from users and makes adjustments to the system's design until it meets the expectations of the end users. During this phase, testers will conduct tasks such as:

• Performing actions on a webpage or form that has been designed by developers with no interactivity (e.g., clicking on buttons)
• Using web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome for testing purposes.

5. Acceptance Testing

It is a phase during which the tester gathers feedback from users and makes adjustments to the system's design until it meets the expectations of the end users.

Acceptance testing is also referred to as Customer Acceptance Testing (CAT), User Acceptance Testing (UAT), or First Try/First Use Testing (FTUT). It can be done on an individual basis or as part of a larger project, depending on how you define each type of test case.

How about automated testing compared to manual testing?

If you're considering whether to switch from manual testing to automated testing, you should know that WeTest's Automation product offers several compelling benefits. With automated testing, you can save a significant amount of time and effort and improve the accuracy and consistency of your testing. You don't even need programming knowledge to get started, as WeTest offers scriptless automation. By catching defects earlier in the development cycle, you can also reduce the overall cost of development.

Wrapping Up:

In this blog post, we covered the topic "how to test software manually" and its fundamental types and stages. Manual software testing is the most basic form of software testing. It's done by a tester who is not using a machine, but rather reading test scripts and performing manual tests.