What is Compatibility Test & Why it Matters?

Introduction:

If you read through the comments in a review of a mobile app, you will frequently find some irate customers who are unable to use the app on their devices. Similarly to this, if a website doesn't function properly on specific smartphone models, even the most helpful website will lose visitors. Fortunately, there is a solution to stop these problems: compatibility testing.

What is Compatibility Test?

Software testing known as "compatibility testing" examines an application's interoperability with various contexts and platforms through non-functional testing. Testing for compatibility looks at how well an application and product work in various computing systems. Non-functional testing includes it. It evaluates the application's and the product's usability, dependability, and performance. It is a feature or limit to which a software system can communicate information with other systems while utilizing the same software and hardware, according to the ISO 25010 standard. 

Why Compatibility Test is done?

A software product's ability to coexist is determined by how well it operates while utilizing shared resources and environments without impairing the performance of other software products. While its interoperability is measured by how well it can interchange information with other systems and utilize it as well. The goal of compatibility testing is to determine whether a software system, product, or component as a whole is coexisting and operating cooperatively with the hardware platforms, operating system, database, web browsers, networks, and other software. 

How Compatibility Test is done?

In a typical compatibility test routine, we provide the range of contexts or platforms in which the application is expected to operate. The next step is to create a test plan to identify the application's most critical problems so that they can be tested first. It is crucial to set up the surroundings, such as computers, cellphones, tablets, etc., to mimic what the end user would experience. The tester must also possess sufficient knowledge of various platforms, pieces of hardware, and software, as well as how each of these components behave under different conditions. The tests can be performed when the environment has been configured, and any bugs or flaws should be reported. 

Types of Compatibility Testing?

So now we know the answer to what is compatibility test, now we can go deep. There are two types of compatibility tests being done in the current practice: Forward and Backward testing. When previous versions of the application or software are examined for compatibility with current hardware and software, the process is known as backward compatibility, also known as downward compatibility. It matters because some users might employ outdated technology to use the application. 

Forward compatibility testing examines a program or application on newer hardware and software versions. It checks to see if the older version of the hardware and software runs without any issues. Both of these types of the test involve these criteria within themselves to be checked and do the following:

1. Verifies compatibility with various program versions using version testing.

2. Verifies compatibility between multiple browsers, including Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, as well as between browsers on various platforms, including computers, Android smartphones, tablets, and iPhones.

3. Confirmation of compatibility with different hardware setups.

Software testing: Checks for interoperability with other programs.

4. Examination of performance and compatibility across several networks, including 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi.

5. Checking for compatibility with a variety of gadgets, including Bluetooth, USB, printers, and scanners.

6. Checking for compatibility with several mobile systems, including iOS and Android OS.

7. Checking for compatibility with several OSs, including Windows, Linux, and Mac.

This is where WeTest comes in with its professional compatibility testing services for Mobile apps, Mobile games, and PC games. Clients can expect to get detailed reports along with screenshots and performance logs which are generated by industry veterans under the umbrella of WeTest. 

That's a Wrap:

Before we end the topic of what is compatibility test, we can now summarize the article. QA experts help to ensure that a product will be accessible to a wide range of consumers and that a user's experience won't be determined by the device they use by offering compatibility testing services. Running compatibility testing on actual devices is crucial since only physical cell phones give software testers an understanding of how the program functions in practical situations.