User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Usability Testing &#8211; these terms might sound similar but different. This blog will guide you about User Acceptance Testing vs. Usability Testing.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#User_Acceptance_Testing_vs_Usability_Testing_8211_Overview">1 User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing &#8211; Overview</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_Usability_Testing">1.1 What is Usability Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_User_Acceptance_Testing">1.2 What is User Acceptance Testing?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#User_Acceptance_Testing_vs_Usability_Testing_8211_Key_Differences">2 User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing &#8211; Key Differences</a></li><li><a href="#User_Acceptance_Testing_vs_Usability_Testing_8211_Can_they_be_automated">3 User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing &#8211; Can they be automated?</a></li><li><a href="#Summary">4 Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">5 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Is_UAT_a_usability_testing">5.1 Is UAT , a usability testing?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="user-acceptance-testing-vs-usability-testing-overview">User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing &#8211; Overview</h2>



<h3 id="h-what-is-usability-testing">What is Usability Testing?</h3>



Usability testing is when people try out a product, website, or app to see how easy it is. The testing aims to identify users&#8217; issues or problems while using the product. Usability testing can help improve the overall user experience and increase customer satisfaction. 



During usability testing, participants are given specific tasks to complete while using the product. The testers observe and take notes on how the participants interact with the product, noting any areas of confusion or difficulty. 



After the testing, the results are analyzed, and changes can be made to improve the product&#8217;s usability. Usability testing can be done at any stage of the product development process, from early prototypes to finished products.



For example, a company has developed a new mobile app. Before launching it to the public, they conduct usability testing by inviting individuals to use the app and provide feedback. The testers are given specific tasks to complete, and their interactions with the app are observed and recorded. The company can make necessary changes based on feedback to improve the app&#8217;s usability and ensure a better user experience.



Read all about &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/usability-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Usability Testing</a>.



<h3 id="h-what-is-user-acceptance-testing">What is User Acceptance Testing?</h3>



User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is testing that end-users or customers perform to ensure that the software or application meets their specific requirements and expectations. It is usually the last testing stage before the product is released. 



During UAT, users go through required test scenarios and perform various tasks and actions to ensure the software works in different scenarios. They also report any issues or bugs they encounter during testing, and then the team works on fixing those issues.



Read all about &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/uat-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">User Acceptance Testing</a>



In summary, the development team should carry out UAT during the final stages of preparation before releasing the software to the end users.



<h2 id="h-user-acceptance-testing-vs-usability-testing-key-differences">User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing &#8211; Key Differences</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Features </td><td>Usability Testing</td><td>UAT</td></tr><tr><td>Definition</td><td>Evaluates software&#8217;s ease of use and efficiency, including its interface, navigation, and user experience elements.</td><td>Verifies and validates that the software meets the user&#8217;s requirements and functions as intended in terms of functionality, usability, and performance.</td></tr><tr><td>Goal</td><td>Identify usability issues and enhance the software&#8217;s design and user experience.</td><td>Ensure that the software meets the business requirements and achieves the desired outcomes.</td></tr><tr><td>Testing time</td><td>It is done at all stages of software development.</td><td>This testing is conducted towards the end of the software development life cycle.</td></tr><tr><td>Testers</td><td>Usability experts, UI designers, and end-users who may interact with the software.</td><td>Actual end-users, business representatives, or subject matter experts who will perform real-world tasks.</td></tr><tr><td>Feedback</td><td>Focuses on subjective feedback, including user satisfaction, frustration, and experience.</td><td>Focused on objective feedback, including defects, issues, and discrepancies.</td></tr><tr><td>Tools</td><td>Various tools, such as mockups, <a href="https://www.figma.com/resource-library/what-is-wireframing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wireframes</a>, and design prototypes to observe user interactions and record observations.</td><td>Test management software, test automation frameworks, and API testing tools to verify functionality and check for defects.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="h-user-acceptance-testing-vs-usability-testing-can-they-be-automated">User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing &#8211; Can they be automated?</h2>



Some aspects of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/usability-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Usability Testing</a> can be automated using various testing tools, notably the software&#8217;s user interface (UI) component. However, it is necessary to note that both UAT and Usability Testing rely heavily on subjective evaluation by human testers, which makes complete automation difficult. 



For example, <a href="https://testsigma.com/user-interface-testing-tools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UI testing tools</a> like Selenium or Testsigma can automate functional testing in UAT and simulate user interactions for Usability Testing. These tools can check if the software functions as intended and whether the user interface meets the usability standards.



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<h2 id="h-summary">Summary</h2>



Alright, folks! So, we&#8217;ve talked about UAT, Usability Testing, the differences between User Acceptance Testing and Usability Testing, and how important they are for a successful product launch. 



User Acceptance Testing aims to ensure that the product meets stakeholders&#8217; requirements, while Usability Testing aims to ensure the product is easy and intuitive for end-users. And lastly, we also discussed some tools that can help us automate some UI tests that would be executed as part of usability and UAT testing. 



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<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



<h3 id="is-uat-a-usability-testing">Is UAT , a usability testing?</h3>



Yes, UAT (User Acceptance Testing) is a type of usability testing that involves end-users evaluating a system to ensure it meets their needs and requirements.



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user acceptance testing vs usability testing

User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing

We are thrilled to announce the launch of API testing capabilities in Testsigma’s low-code, test automation platform. With this new addition, Testsigma’s customers can now automate APIs along with web, mobile, and desktop applications without the coding expertise that would otherwise be required while using traditional test automation frameworks and solutions.



At Testsigma, everything we build is to democratize software testing. We believe software testing should be a function of curiosity and an empathetic understanding of the user behavior, and not a function of coding knowledge. Plus, we strongly believe that the software testing org should be viewed as the enabler for quality software and amazing customer experience and not a gatekeeper. <gwmw style="display:none;">



Most of our customers have replaced multiple tools and frameworks with Testsigma’s unified platform for their test automation needs. And one feedback we kept receiving was for the need for API testing capabilities. As we began our research over the last few months, we recognized that automated API testing relies on a broken toolchain. After talking to hundreds of QA leaders across the world, the need was clear &#8211; QA leaders needed a solution that would simplify the API testing process and make it more accessible to QA teams.&nbsp;



We built this, as we build everything &#8211; to simplify testing and to make it easier for even non-technical users to create and maintain automated standalone and integrated API tests. Our new interface eliminates the need for multiple tools and scripting knowledge, making it easier than ever to test APIs.



<h2 id="h-a-new-api-testing-experience-without-the-code">A new API testing experience—without the code</h2> 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper" style="max-width: 100%;">
<div style="width: 640px;" class="wp-video"><video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-28095-2" width="640" height="360" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://23341221.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23341221/API-Launch-Campaign-Assets/API%20Testing%20-%20Overview%20-%20Testsigma.mp4?_=2" /><a href="https://23341221.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23341221/API-Launch-Campaign-Assets/API%20Testing%20-%20Overview%20-%20Testsigma.mp4">https://23341221.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23341221/API-Launch-Campaign-Assets/API%20Testing%20-%20Overview%20-%20Testsigma.mp4</a></video></div>
</div></figure>



 <ol><li>Simplify API Test Creation: The low-code test editor in Testsigma makes it easy to create API tests without needing any coding expertise. Simply enter the endpoint, choose your API method, add your header content, set your status code, and run the test. </li></ol>



<ol start="2"><li>Test Different API Methods: Testsigma allows you to validate APIs using different REST API methods (GET, PUT, POST, DELETE, PATCH), providing comprehensive coverage of your APIs.</li></ol>



<ol start="3"><li>Validate API Responses in Real-Time: Create API test assertions without writing any script by specifying the expected response of the API. Testsigma will compare the actual response with the expected response to determine the status of the test.</li></ol>



<ol start="4"><li>Create Data-Driven API Tests: Create data-driven API tests from multiple data sources, such as XLS, CSV, and databases, saving time and effort. Plus, you can save and reuse test parameters as data profiles and test multiple data sets without making script changes manually.&nbsp;</li></ol>



<ol start="5"><li>Seamless CI/CD Integration: Testsigma integrates seamlessly with your development and delivery toolchain, making it easy to test your APIs as part of your deployment pipeline, ensuring that your APIs are always tested.</li></ol>



<ol start="6"><li>Achieve Higher Test Coverage: Integrate API tests along with your Web/Mobile UI tests to validate whether they are working together as expected. Get insights into the coverage and functionality of both GUI and API tests, helping you to identify any issues early in the cycle and fix them quickly.</li></ol> 



To learn how you can automate your API tests 10x faster with Testsigma, visit our <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-api-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">API Test Automation</a> product page.



You can also book a free demo of Testsigma&#8217;s API testing capabilities <a href="https://testsigma.com/request-demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

We are changing the way quality teams do API testing-forever.

We are changing the way quality teams do API testing—forever.

A Complete GUI Testing Checklist With Examples

Top 10 Mobile Test Automation Frameworks - 2023

Top 10 Mobile Test Automation Frameworks

Apache JMeter vs Selenium The Key Difference

Apache JMeter vs Selenium: The Key Difference

<a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-api-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">API testing</a> is essential to ensure that APIs are functionally correct and reliable. This article aims to introduce performance testing for APIs.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_API_Performance_Testing">1 What is API Performance Testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_Performance_Test_Your_API">2 Why Performance Test Your API?</a></li><li><a href="#API_Performance_Testing_Types">3 API Performance Testing Types</a></li><li><a href="#Ways_of_Measuring_Your_API8217s_Performance">4 Ways of Measuring Your API&#8217;s Performance</a><ul><li><a href="#Passive_API_Monitoring">4.1 Passive API Monitoring</a></li><li><a href="#Active_API_Monitoring">4.2 Active API Monitoring</a></li><li><a href="#API_Load_Testing">4.3 API Load Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Recommendations_for_API_performance_testing">5 Recommendations for API performance testing</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">6 Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">7 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Which_tool_is_best_for_API_performance_testing">7.1 Which tool is best for API performance testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_difference_between_API_load_testing_and_performance_testing">7.2 What is the difference between API load testing and performance testing?</a></li><li><a href="#How_do_I_test_REST_API_performance">7.3 How do I test REST API performance?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-api-performance-testing">What is API Performance Testing?</h2>



API performance testing evaluates an application programming interface (API) to assess its ability to handle high loads. Also, to maintain high-performance levels under varying conditions.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/api-performance-testing_in-article.jpg" alt="API Performance Testing" class="wp-image-27944" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



Here are some key points related to API performance testing, that you know about:



<ol><li>Goal of API performance testing: API performance testing evaluates the API&#8217;s responsiveness, throughput, resource utilization, and scalability. This ensures it can meet the expected load and maintain stability and reliability.</li><li>Environment’s role in testing: Testers simulate high loads and extreme conditions to analyze the API&#8217;s performance. Tester also tests if it is scalable and optimized to handle such loads.</li><li>Various Testing methods: Testers use performance testing tools that simulate user loads, monitor network traffic, analyze response times &amp; other metrics, and identify bottlenecks.</li><li>Metrics: Testers measure the API&#8217;s performance based on various metrics, including response times, request volumes, error rates, and other characteristics associated with the application and user behavior.</li><li>Importance: API performance testing helps improve the application&#8217;s overall performance and stability.</li><li>Role of Analysis and reporting: Testers analyze API performance data and generate reports. It provides valuable insights into the API&#8217;s overall performance, identifying areas of strength and weakness.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-why-performance-test-your-api">Why Performance Test Your API?</h2>



When learning something new, asking a &#8220;why&#8221; question is beneficial. Doing so can help to facilitate further research and understanding. Today, as we learn about API performance testing, it is essential to recognize the significance of this process.



<ol><li>It can help you identify and troubleshoot bottlenecks, discover performance issues, determine the impact of changes, and measure overall performance.</li><li>It can also help you understand how your API will handle different types of traffic. This enables you to anticipate and plan for peak loads.</li><li>By testing your API before deployment, you can ensure that your API is flexible and can handle the demands of the real world.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-api-performance-testing-types">API Performance Testing Types</h2>



It is time to learn about the various types of API performance testing. Here we go:



<ol><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/load-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Load Testing</a>: In this testing, the maximum operating capacity of the application was identified. The testing involved analyzing the application&#8217;s performance when exposed to a specific load.</li><li>Endurance Testing: The stability and reliability of an application are set through Endurance Testing, also known as <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/soak-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soak Testing</a>. It helps to determine if the application can handle continuous usage without any problems for long durations.</li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/software-stress-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stress Testing</a>: We understand how an application behaves when pushed further to its normal capacity by performing stress testing. It helps to identify the breaking point of an application and determine if it can handle extreme loads.</li><li>Spike Testing: This type of performance testing evaluates how an application responds when a sudden increase or decrease in user load. This often happens during promotional campaigns or holidays.</li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/volume-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Volume Testing</a>: This type of performance testing evaluates how an application performs when large amounts of data are processed simultaneously. It can happen during data migration or bulk uploads/downloads from databases.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-ways-of-measuring-your-api-s-performance">Ways of Measuring Your API&#8217;s Performance</h2>



API performance can be measured by:



<ul><li>Tracking response times,</li><li>Monitoring errors and latency,</li><li>Testing for scalability, and</li><li>at last, is using analytics tools to track usage.</li></ul>



Let&#8217;s have a look at these metrics briefly.



<ol><li>Response time is one of the most important metrics for measuring API performance. Because it provides insight into how quickly the API can respond to requests.</li><li>Monitoring errors and latency can also provide valuable insights into the performance of the API. Tracking errors allows testers to identify user experience issues and ensure that the API functions consistently and correctly.</li><li>Testing for scalability allows you to ensure that your API can handle increased traffic or usage without becoming overloaded. (Slowing down)</li><li>Finally, the analytics tools can track usage patterns. This helps to identify areas for improvement.</li></ol>



By utilizing these methods, you can better understand your API&#8217;s performance and make any required adjustments to improve its performance.



<h3 id="h-passive-api-monitoring">Passive API Monitoring</h3>



Passive API monitoring analyzes the network traffic and data transactions within an API to identify potential issues, bottlenecks, and security threats. Unlike active testing, passive monitoring does not involve sending traffic to the server, reducing the risk of introducing unintended consequences.



For example, One example of passive API monitoring involves using network monitoring tools to capture and analyze network traffic in real time. This approach enables testers to gather information about



<ul><li>the API&#8217;s behavior,</li><li>including the number of requests,</li><li>the response time, and</li><li>shared data.</li></ul>



Testers can use this data to identify performance issues, network lag, or other performance issues and investigate the potential causes to address them.



So if you want to ensure that your APIs are operating smoothly and efficiently, consider using passive API monitoring as part of your solution.



<h3 id="h-active-api-monitoring">Active API Monitoring</h3>



Active API monitoring sends traffic to the server to determine how it responds to different requests under different load conditions. Unlike passive monitoring, active monitoring involves



<ul><li>generating traffic by running automated tests,</li><li>simulating user behavior or scenarios, and</li><li>monitoring the results in real time.</li></ul>



It provides rich metrics on the application&#8217;s behavior and can help testers identify areas requiring detailed analysis.



Here is an example that explains Active API monitoring easily.



Let&#8217;s say you are a tester working on a <a href="https://testsigma.com/mobile-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mobile app </a>that relies heavily on an API to fetch data from an external server. You have implemented Active API monitoring to ensure the API is always available and functioning correctly. 



To do this, you have set up a monitoring system that sends ten requests to the API every second. The monitoring system checks if the API responds correctly and if the response time is within acceptable limits. 



If the monitoring system detects issues, such as the API taking too long to respond or returning errors, it immediately triggers an alert. This alert can be an email or a Slack message to the development team, notifying them of the issue. 



The testers can then investigate and fix the issue before it causes any major problems for mobile app users. This helps ensure that the app provides a seamless experience for users at a decent load, with minimal disruption caused by backend issues.



<h3 id="h-api-load-testing">API Load Testing</h3>



In software development, load tests simulate the number of users accessing a system or service. For example, load tests can be used to evaluate the performance of a website or application under different user loads. To put it in simple words,



<ul><li>API load testing ensures the API can handle the expected traffic levels during peak usage.</li><li>This helps reduce the risk of service trouble or performance degradation when the API is used in high-volume applications.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-recommendations-for-api-performance-testing">Recommendations for API performance testing</h2>



Here are some recommendations for API performance testing that will help ensure that the APIs are reliable, responsive, and readily available.



<ol><li>Decide the testing strategy according to the type of application: Different applications require different performance levels and <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/the-different-software-testing-types-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing types</a>. For example, a video streaming service may need to test against high network throughput, while a financial trading platform may need to test against low latency.</li><li>Understand the end-to-end flow of the application: This is essential to get an accurate picture of overall performance. This will help ensure no bottlenecks or disconnects along the way.</li><li>Remember the underlying technology: API performance testing can reveal issues with underlying technologies, such as hardware or software, that could affect performance. For example, if an API is running on a server with outdated hardware, it could cause slowdowns or crashes in the API.</li><li>Test in different conditions: It&#8217;s essential to test under various conditions, including network conditions (e.g., WiFi vs. cellular), device settings (e.g., tablet vs. desktop), and time of day (e.g., peak vs. off-peak).</li></ol>



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<h2 id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



API performance testing allows developers to ensure that their APIs can handle the load and are reliable and secure. Testers and developers can create an effective API performance testing plan by following the steps outlined in this guide. With a well-designed testing plan, developers can ensure that their APIs are performing to their best potential. This provides a great user experience.



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



<h3 id="h-which-tool-is-best-for-api-performance-testing">Which tool is best for API performance testing?</h3>



Various tools are available for API performance testing, and the best tool for you will depend on your specific needs, expertise, and budget. The most popular tools include Postman, LoadRunner, SoapUI, and Apache JMeter.



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-difference-between-api-load-testing-and-performance-testing">What is the difference between API load testing and <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/performance-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">performance testing</a>?</h3>



API load testing focuses on testing the performance of the API under varying levels of load, while performance testing focuses on ensuring the application meets specific performance criteria.



<h3 id="h-how-do-i-test-rest-api-performance">How do I test REST API performance?</h3>



Testing REST API performance involves several steps, including: 



1. Identify Performance Metrics 



2. Choose a Testing Tool 



3. Define a <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Plan </a>



4. Set Up <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Environment </a>



5. Execute <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/what-is-test-case/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Cases </a>



6. Analyze Results 



7. Optimize Performance

API Performance Testing A Step-by-Step Guide

API Performance Testing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Test case design techniques are the key to planning, designing, and implementing tests for software applications. These techniques involve various steps that aim to ensure the effectiveness of test cases in uncovering bugs or other defects in software programs. This blog post will review all these techniques, including their pros and cons and when to use them.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Test_Case_Design_Techniques">1 Test Case Design Techniques</a></li><li><a href="#A_basic_example_of_test_case_design">2 A basic example of test case design</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_types_of_test_case_design_techniques">3 What are the types of test case design techniques?</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Specification-Based_or_Black-Box_techniques">3.1 1. Specification-Based or Black-Box techniques</a></li><li><a href="#2_Structure-Based_or_White-Box_techniques">3.2 2. Structure-Based or White-Box techniques</a></li><li><a href="#Experience-Based_techniques">3.3 Experience-Based techniques</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Test_Case_Software_for_managing_Test_Cases">4 Test Case Software for managing Test Cases</a></li><li><a href="#Can_these_designs_be_helpful_while_automating_your_tests">5 Can these designs be helpful while automating your tests?</a></li><li><a href="#Summary">6 Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">7 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Why_are_test_case_design_techniques_used">7.1 Why are test case design techniques used?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_advantages_of_test_case_design_techniques">7.2 What are the advantages of test case design techniques?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-test-case-design-techniques">Test Case Design Techniques</h2>



There are tons of different ways to design your test cases. These techniques help you test all your software&#8217;s features and functions efficiently.



<h2 id="h-a-basic-example-of-test-case-design">A basic example of test case design</h2>



Let us consider any e-commerce app or website (like Amazon or Flipkart) for test case design. We want to ensure users can quickly checkout and make payments without issues. Here we test for 1 product in the cart; we will see later that this test case design technique is a boundary value analysis technique.



Title: Test that user can complete the checkout process when there is 1 item in the card. 



Description: Ensure users can checkout and make payments without issues on the website/app 



Preconditions: The user is already logged in 



Assumptions: They are using a supported device or browser to log in. 



Test Steps:



<ol><li>Open the app/website.</li><li>Go to 1 product</li><li>Add the product to the cart.</li><li>Check out the item in the cart.</li><li>Add address information for delivery</li><li>Add payment information</li><li>Complete the checkout process.</li></ol>



Expected Result: The checkout process should be complete, and the user should receive confirmation.



<h2 id="h-what-are-the-types-of-test-case-design-techniques">What are the types of test case design techniques?</h2>



These test case design techniques can be classified into three major groups:



<h3 id="h-1-specification-based-or-black-box-techniques">1. Specification-Based or Black-Box techniques</h3>



Specification-based testing, also known as black-box testing, is a testing technique that focuses on testing the software system based on its functional requirements and specifications without any knowledge about the underlying code or system structure.



<ol><li>Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) identifies errors at the input domain&#8217;s boundary. A simple example of boundary value analysis would be testing a text box that requires the user to enter a number between 1 and 10. In this case, the boundary values would be 1 and 10, and we would test with values that are just above, at, and just below these boundaries. Example: We would test with 0, 1, 2, 9, 10, and 11. We can expect that errors or defects are most likely to occur at or near the boundary values. Identifying these issues early can help prevent them from causing problems later in the software development process. </li><li>Equivalence Partitioning (EP) is another technique that helps reduce the required test cases. By partitioning test input data into classes with an equivalent number of data, one can design test cases for each class or partition. This technique ensures that one thoroughly tests the software while minimizing the required test cases. Example: If a program requires an input of numbers between 1 and 100, an EP test would include a range of values, such as 1-50 and 51-100, and numbers outside that range, such as -1 or 101. Testing one value from each partition is sufficient to test all values within that partition. </li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/decision-table-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Decision Table Testing</a> is a technique that involves designing test cases based on decision tables formulated using different combinations of inputs and their corresponding outputs based on various conditions and scenarios sticking to other business rules. This technique ensures that we test the software thoroughly and accurately. Example: If a program offers discounts based on the type of customer and the amount spent, a decision table would list all possible combinations of customer types and the amount paid to receive a discount. Each cell in the table would specify the value that should be applied. Testers can ensure the program behaves correctly under various scenarios by testing all combinations. </li><li>Developers use State Transition Diagrams(STD) to test software with a finite number of states of different types. A set of rules that define the response to various inputs guides the transition from one state to another. This technique is handy for systems with specific workflows within them. Example: Consider an e-commerce website that has different states such as &#8220;logged out,&#8221; &#8220;logged in,&#8221; &#8220;cart empty,&#8221; &#8220;cart not empty,&#8221; and &#8220;order placed.&#8221; The transitions between the states would be triggered by login in and logout, adding the product to the cart, removing the product from the cart, proceeding to checkout, etc. An STD can help visualize and test such complex states and transitions in a system. </li><li>Use Case Testing involves designing test cases to execute different business scenarios and end-user functionalities. Example: A use case could be a &#8220;student enrolling in a course&#8221; on an academic website. Test cases would simulate the enrollment process and verify the system&#8217;s response from a student&#8217;s perspective.</li></ol>



<h3 id="h-2-structure-based-or-white-box-techniques">2. Structure-Based or White-Box techniques</h3>



Structure-based testing, also known as white-box testing, is a testing technique that involves the testing of internal structures or components of software applications. In this approach, the tests interact with the code directly. These tests are designed to ensure the code works correctly and efficiently.



<ol><li>Statement Testing and Coverage is a technique that involves executing all the executable statements in the source code at least once. We then calculate the percentage of executable statements as per the given requirement. Example: Consider code that inputs two numbers and checks if the first number is greater than or equal to the second. A statement coverage test would verify that both the &#8220;greater than&#8221; and &#8220;equal to&#8221; statements are executed during testing to ensure that all code branches are covered. </li><li>Decision Testing Coverage, also known as branch coverage, validates all the branches in the code by executing each possible branch from each decision point at least once. This helps ensure that no branch leads to unexpected application behavior. Example: If a program requires an input of a number between 1 and 100 and uses an &#8220;if/else&#8221; statement to check if the number is even, decision testing coverage would ensure that both the even and odd outcomes have been tested to confirm all possible scenarios have been checked. </li><li>Condition Testing, also known as Predicate coverage testing. It involves evaluating each Boolean expression in the code and checking its output values, TRUE or FALSE, against the expected outcomes. This test checks all outcomes at least once to achieve 100% code coverage. We design test cases that make it easy to execute the condition outcomes. Example: If a program determines whether a user is eligible for a discount based on age, condition testing would verify that the code handles each age group accurately. It would test age values such as one less than, one more than, and within the age range requirement to evaluate if the code performs as expected. </li><li>Multiple Condition Testing aims to test different combinations of conditions to achieve 100% coverage. This technique requires two or more test scripts, which may require more effort. Example: If a program uses an &#8220;if/else&#8221; statement to check age and gender to provide a discount, multiple condition testing would verify that the program handles all possible scenarios correctly. It would test various age ranges and gender combinations to ensure the code performs accurately for all possibilities. </li><li>All Path Testing leverages the source code of a program to find every executable path. Example: If a program asks a user for two inputs (A and B) and has multiple conditions, All Path Testing would ensure that each condition is tested independently. The technique would test all combinations of A and B, including zero, negative, and positive Testings, to identify any potential errors in the code.</li></ol>



By implementing these testing techniques, testers, and developers can ensure the testing code is thoroughly tested and free of unexpected behavior. Choosing the appropriate method based on the project&#8217;s specific requirements is critical.



<h3 id="h-experience-based-techniques">Experience-Based techniques</h3>



The experience-based techniques can be broadly categorized into the following types:



<ul><li>Error Guessing is a testing technique that relies on the testers&#8217; skill, intuition, and experience to anticipate potential errors in the product.</li> <li>On the other hand, Exploratory Testing is a technique used to test applications without any formal documentation. This method is recommended once scripted testing has been executed when working on the software.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-test-case-software-for-managing-test-cases">Test Case Software for managing Test Cases</h2>



To ensure accurate test case management, it is essential to utilize refined test case software. This tool helps craft detailed test cases and enables users to report bugs that may arise from any failed step quickly.



Its advanced features allow for creating complete reports through built-in filters, providing valuable insights that can be acted upon. This innovative software empowers teams to manage their testing processes and deliver high-quality results efficiently.



Examples of these tools include:



<ol><li>TestRail: A web-based tool that helps to manage, track, and organize test cases.</li><li>Zephyr: A comprehensive test case management tool that integrates with Jira and offers real-time visibility into testing activity.</li><li>TestLink: An open-source <a href="https://testsigma.com/test-management-tools">test management tool</a> that handles multiple test plans, requirements, test cases, and test reports.</li><li>SpiraTest: A flexible and comprehensive test management platform that offers traceability, version control, and defect tracking.</li><li>qTest: A web-based test management tool that automates test scheduling, offers collaboration, and integrates with other testing tools.</li></ol>



<h2 id="h-can-these-designs-be-helpful-while-automating-your-tests">Can these designs be helpful while automating your tests?</h2>



Yes! Test case design techniques help to create a structured approach to test automation. When test cases are well designed, achieving better test automation results is easier, sooner.



<a href="https://testsigma.com/">Testsigma</a> is a genAI-based, low-code test automation tool that enables teams to create test cases in simple English. With that, it also supports data-driven testing and enables testers to implement all the test case designs efficiently.



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<h2 id="h-summary">Summary</h2>



In this blog, we learned about test case design techniques that are fundamental in ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of software testing. Knowledge of these testing techniques can enhance the testers&#8217; ability to design smart test cases that will be able to identify potential defects, avoid common pitfalls, and assess the performance and functionality of different software systems, better.



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



<h3 id="h-why-are-test-case-design-techniques-used">Why are test case design techniques used?</h3>



These techniques are employed to optimize the testing process by identifying critical Testing and reducing redundancy, thus allowing for the efficient allocation of resources.



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-advantages-of-test-case-design-techniques">What are the advantages of test case design techniques?</h3>



<ol><li>Test case design techniques provide a more structured approach to testing, resulting in comprehensive test coverage and higher-quality software.</li><li>Using these techniques, testers can identify complex scenarios, generate effective test data, and design test cases that evaluate full system functionality.</li><li>It helps reduce the risk of missed defects and ensures all software requirements are met.</li><li>These techniques support faster and more efficient testing, reducing costs and increasing software reliability.</li></ol>




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Test Case Design Techniques in Software Testing

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center" id="testsigma-has-made-a-mark-in-g2-spring-2023-report">Testsigma has made a mark in G2 Spring 2023 report!</blockquote>



We are proud to announce that Testsigma has been recognized as a <a href="https://www.g2.com/products/testsigma/reviews">High Performer in the Grid® Report for Automation Testing</a> and Software Testing categories. G2 acknowledges Testsigma as having high Customer Satisfaction that includes an average rating of more than 90% in Quality of Support, Ease of Use, and Meeting Customer Requirements. This is an amazing feat for Testsigma as ranking was based on direct feedback from our customers, among various other parameters.



Testsigma also secured the High Performer rank in Asia Business Grid®, Asia Pacific Regional Grid®, and Small-Business Grid® reports.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#G2_and_its_High_Performer_Award_nbsp">1 G2 and its High Performer Award &nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#What_Makes_Testsigma_a_G2_High_Performer_nbsp">2 What Makes Testsigma a G2 High Performer? &nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#What_Customers_Said_About_Testsigma_nbsp">3 What Customers Said About Testsigma? &nbsp;</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-g2-and-its-high-performer-award">G2 and its High Performer Award &nbsp;</h2>



G2 is a popular peer-to-peer review website and one of the most renowned marketplaces for software that releases review reports every three months. The report assesses software companies based on various parameters, including customer ratings, reviews, and scores given by verified G2 users.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The High Performer badge in G2 is awarded to enterprises that receive high customer satisfaction ratings from the reviewers in the respective category.&nbsp;&nbsp;



We are honored by the trust that all of our customers placed in us. It is a testimony to Testsigma’s increasing impact in making the life of fellow testers easier, which helps them drive value for their work. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our customers. Without your support, this achievement would not have been possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 id="what-makes-testsigma-a-g2-high-performer">What Makes Testsigma a G2 High Performer? &nbsp;</h2>



Ease of Use: Testsigma stands high in customer satisfaction ratings, with all our users saying that the tool is easy to use and navigate. Our customers trust us with good partnership and ease of administration.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Customer Satisfaction: With no-code automation and ease of use, Testsigma shines in the customer satisfaction category with quality customer support.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Implementation: Testsigma supports cloud and on-premises deployment for all automation testing needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Market Presence: We are a rapidly growing company that is seeing high traction of organic customers with good user retention.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 id="what-customers-said-about-testsigma">What Customers Said About Testsigma? &nbsp;</h2>



Our users brand us as a ‘one-stop solution for a different platform,’ ‘easy to use,’ ‘user-friendly,’ and ‘the ultimate test automation tool.’&nbsp;&nbsp;



Here’s what our users said about Testsigma:&nbsp;&nbsp;



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;Testsigma so far fulfills most of the requirements of our team at Fairprice.&#8221;</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;Excellent tool for automation&#8221; &nbsp;</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;Testsigma is an excellent automation tool for rapid automation and reliable test results.&#8221; &nbsp;</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;Easily and understandable tool to web automatization&#8221; &nbsp;</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;Powerful, tester-friendly open-source platform&#8221; &nbsp;</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;It is easy to use, less coding can use for most regressing testing and sanity testing.&#8221; &nbsp;</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;Great all-in-one solution for QA teams to start on Test Automation&#8221; &nbsp;</blockquote>



If you’re looking to transition to no-code test automation and simplify your testing efforts, we would love to help you out. Book a free <a href="https://testsigma.com/request-demo">demo</a> with us today, and see how Testsigma makes testing effortless.

Testsigma Ranked as a High Performer in G2 Spring 2023 Automation Testing Report

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