
<p>Software testing is the process of evaluating and confirming a software program to ensure it functions as intended. It is designed to ensure that a program works as intended and to discover flaws before it is used. There are two main methods for testing software,- Negative and Positive Testing.</p>



<p>In this article, we will clearly distinguish between these two tests with examples to help you write good test cases for your software programs.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Difference_Between_Negative_and_Positive_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> Difference Between Negative and Positive Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Negative_vs_Positive_Testing_Examples_of_Test_Scenarios"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Negative vs Positive Testing – Examples of Test Scenarios</a></li><li><a href="#Negative_vs_Positive_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Negative vs Positive Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Positive_Testing_vs_Negative_Testing-_Similarities"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Positive Testing vs Negative Testing- Similarities</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="difference-between-negative-and-positive-testing"><span id="Difference_Between_Negative_and_Positive_Testing">Difference Between Negative and Positive Testing</span></h2>



<p>Positive testing ensures that software performs as it is expected to. When writing test cases for positive testing, only legitimate (valid) inputs are provided as inputs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In Negative testing, a software program is evaluated against false or incorrect data. This testing is also known as error path testing or failure.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Read More on <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/negative-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Negative Testing</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="negative-vs-positive-testing-examples-of-test-scenarios"><span id="Negative_vs_Positive_Testing_Examples_of_Test_Scenarios">Negative vs Positive Testing – Examples of Test Scenarios</span></h2>



<p>Let’s test a software program with a Password text box field allowing users to enter passwords between 8 and 15 alphanumeric characters.</p>



<p>See the table below for various<a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/test-scenario/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> test scenario</a> examples.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Positive Test Scenarios</strong></td><td><strong>Negative Test Scenarios</strong></td></tr><tr><td>The Password text box should allow 8 characters of input.</td><td>The Password text box should throw an error or should not be accepted when less than 8 characters are entered.</td></tr><tr><td>The Password text box should allow 15 characters of input.</td><td>The password text box should throw an error or should not be accepted when more than 15 characters are entered.</td></tr><tr><td>Any values between 8 and 15 characters long should be accepted by the Password text box.</td><td>The password text box should not accept special characters as input</td></tr><tr><td>It should accept any combination of letters and numbers in the Password text box.</td><td>The password text box should not accept a combination of numbers only or a combination of letters only.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="negative-vs-positive-testing"><span id="Negative_vs_Positive_Testing">Negative vs Positive Testing</span></h2>



<p id="in-this-session-let-us-discuss-some-key-differences">In this session, let us discuss some key differences.<br>&nbsp;</p>



<h2><img loading="lazy" alt="Positive and negative testing flow chart" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXceHutfkGRVX5e-DyT8loU34BcymsmcTD_wTDhzOD22h-eL_SaEJ5ZhX3kf255cdfgXrO10Yk_We0j2BnJ1BHs3qLdkQ9YMQH8Bta50HjF1oHvGeSzYW3xTgt5M3YPRcWpJabYnEEPYmdXx9-s0W9TEEQw2?key=EFDOdEb5zUls68Ysu_lSdQ" width="500" height="333"></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Positive Testing</strong></td><td><strong>Negative Testing</strong></td></tr><tr><td>This testing examines a software program’s response with the help of a valid input data set.</td><td>This testing means checking the software program’s response using the invalid/incorrect input data set.</td></tr><tr><td>Positive testing is not a guarantee of high-quality software.</td><td>It ensures that the software product is of high quality.</td></tr><tr><td>Positive testing is executed quickly.</td><td>It takes more time to execute compared to positive testing.</td></tr><tr><td>Positive testing is used consistently to validate the set of test cases that are currently available.</td><td>It is used consistently to break the software program (product) with an unidentified set of test cases we will use.</td></tr><tr><td>Positive testing’s primary goal is to ensure that the <a href="https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-application-software/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software application </a>consistently complies with the developer’s software requirements specifications (SRS)</td><td>This testing’s primary goal is to evaluate a software program’s consistency in the face of erroneous validation data sets.</td></tr><tr><td>Positive testing does not cover all possible scenarios.</td><td>It encompasses all possible scenarios.&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>It is a process where the program is validated against a reliable input data set.</td><td>It is a process where the program is validated against the invalid input data set.</td></tr><tr><td>Positive testing has less impact comparatively.</td><td>It is more crucial and significant than Positive testing.</td></tr><tr><td>Positive testing can be implemented on all kinds of applications.</td><td>It can also be performed on all kinds of applications.</td></tr><tr><td>Someone with less knowledge can carry out the positive testing.</td><td>Professional software testers mainly use this testing.</td></tr><tr><td>It makes sure that the software program meets the required standard.</td><td>It makes sure the software works even if it meets unexpected situations.</td></tr><tr><td>Positive testing is implemented only for the predicted conditions.</td><td>It ensures that the software works for conditions that are tough predict but can happen in real life.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>These two tests are two opposing test methods—as the name suggests—but they are also very effective at producing high-quality and bug-free software in the end.</p>



<h2 id="positive-testing-vs-negative-testing-similarities"><span id="Positive_Testing_vs_Negative_Testing-_Similarities">Positive Testing vs Negative Testing- Similarities</span></h2>



<p>Both are important parts of a whole software examination. Even though they have different priorities, both are similar in some major aspects and should be done together to make strong and easy-to-use software at the end.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at these two testing techniques and see where they meet.</p>



<p><strong>Commonalities:</strong></p>



<p><strong>Purpose</strong>: Both negative as well as positive testing share the same goal — to catch defects, ensuring better quality of the software system.</p>



<p><strong>Life Cycle Integration</strong> is possible for them to be integrated throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC), from early requirement stages to post-release maintenance.</p>



<p><strong>Documentation</strong>: Both require clear documentation of test cases, expected results and identified bugs.</p>



<p><strong>Test Case Design</strong>: Both involve designing <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/what-is-test-case/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test cases</a> with specific inputs and expected outcomes.</p>



<p><strong>Positive Testing </strong>(Happy Path Testing) emphasizes the verification that the software functions as intended under normal conditions with valid inputs.</p>



<p>There is a difference between doing negative and positive testing, which are based on the idea that they supply invalid or unexpected inputs deliberately. This helps identify any error, crash or security issues that would occur as a result.&nbsp;</p>



<p>You can read details on <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/negative-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">negative testing</a> </p>



<p>The approach to testing is the following:</p>



<p><strong>Testing boundary values</strong> (for example, in a field expecting a small integer, you are expected to put down a very large number), <strong>invalid data formats and situations of error</strong>, which is not described explicitly in documentation requirements. For example, test that inputting special characters or overreaching character limit in a username field brings about an error and check if the application handles it properly.</p>



<p><strong>Balancing Negative with Positive Testing:</strong>&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the context of the project phase and risk assessment, both strategies hold value — though the weightage accorded to each can differ. For instance, during the early stages positive testing might take precedence as a means of confirming core functionality.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, as development evolves, negative testing gains more importance: it helps unearth those elusive edge cases which may pose security threats later down the line.</p>



<p><strong>Additional Resources:</strong></p>



<p>This blog post from Testsigma provides a more detailed explanation of <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/negative-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">negative testing</a> and its various techniques.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Read More &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/the-different-software-testing-types-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Different Software Testing Types Explained</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="conclusion"><span id="Conclusion">Conclusion</span></h2>



<p>Negative and Positive testing go hand in hand and yet when used effectively, both methods can enhance software quality to a great extent.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It is important for testers to be aware of the advantages and limitations of both approaches so that they are able to develop a thorough testing strategy that ensures user satisfaction throughout the use of the product as well as a strong final output from development.</p>



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What is positive and negative testing scenarios

Negative Testing vs Positive Testing – Top Key Differences

Uncaught TypeError: Cannot Read Property of Undefined in JavaScript cover

Uncaught TypeError: Cannot Read Property of Undefined in JavaScript

The Most Useful 16 Chrome Extensions for Web Developers


<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong><em>“If you&#8217;re not paying for the product, you are the product.”</em></strong></p><cite>Andrew Lewis</cite></blockquote>



<p>When the 2020 documentary, ‘<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11464826/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">The Social Dilemma</a>,’ directed by Jeff Orlowski, dropped on Netflix, it sounded the alarm bell that was already ringing loudly. It highlighted the familiar quote among millions of viewers globally by driving the point of how Big Tech has been misusing our data without our consent.</p>



<p>The documentary came in a backdrop of tumultuous times &#8211; with the CEOs of Google, Facebook, and Twitter questioned by the US Senate Judiciary and Senate Commerce Committees. If you had followed the Facebook hearings minutely, you must have frequently come across the term ‘cross-website tracking’. </p>



<p>During one such grilling session, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley questioned Facebook (now Meta) CEO Mark Zuckerberg about a tentative internal tool named ‘Centra.’ The tool purportedly tracked all Facebook users across the internet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While tracking user activity was not an alien concept, very few could grasp its implications and the extent to which it is used. With the Facebook hearings and the viral Netflix documentary, suddenly, it was out in the open. The practice of cross-site tracking ushered in serious privacy concerns and rightly so among the billions of internet users worldwide. In this article, we will try to understand cross website tracking, its impact on user privacy, and how to minimize its effects.</p>



<p></p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_Cross_Website_Tracking"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Cross Website Tracking?</a></li><li><a href="#How_Does_Cross_Website_Tracking_Work"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> How Does Cross Website Tracking Work?</a><ul><li><a href="#Cookies"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.1</span> Cookies</a></li><li><a href="#Web_Beacons"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.2</span> Web Beacons</a></li><li><a href="#Canvas_Fingerprinting"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.3</span> Canvas Fingerprinting</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_Purpose_of_Cross_Website_Tracking"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> What is the Purpose of Cross Website Tracking?</a><ul><li><a href="#Website_Analytics"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> Website Analytics</a></li><li><a href="#Website_Performance"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.2</span> Website Performance</a></li><li><a href="#Advertising"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.3</span> Advertising</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#When_Does_it_Become_Potentially_Problematic"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> When Does it Become Potentially Problematic?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Stop_Cross_Website_Tracking"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> How to Stop Cross Website Tracking?</a></li><li><a href="#To_Conclude"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> To Conclude</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-cross-website-tracking"><span id="What_is_Cross_Website_Tracking"><strong>What is Cross Website Tracking?</strong></span></h2>



<p>It is precisely what its name entails! Cross website tracking refers to the practice of advertisers, businesses, and other digital agencies and entities tracking your online activity to monitor your browsing habits. The website visited by the user primarily does the tracking, but third-party apps can also gather and access this data. There are multiple reasons to justify this practice &#8211; product improvement, personalized user experience, and targetted advertising. Cross website tracking eases your experience by remembering basic information, like your language preferences. It also makes browsing easier and publisher service better.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While Big Tech and other agencies portray cross website tracking as an innocuous marketing act, it also poses some serious privacy threats. For one, it is a breach of privacy when websites engage in cross-site tracking without seeking consent from the users. Secondly, very few websites offer information in layman’s terms regarding how they will use the collected user data. Hence, unless you are willing to wade through the technical terms of every website you visit, it might be impossible to understand where your data might end up.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-how-does-cross-website-tracking-work"><span id="How_Does_Cross_Website_Tracking_Work"><strong>How Does Cross Website Tracking Work?</strong></span></h2>



<p>So, how exactly do websites track your browsing behavior? Well, any user browsing the web often has trackers pursuing them and keeping a log of every activity. This is achieved with the help of widgets, scripts, or minuscule images embedded on any website user visits.<br><br>While visiting many websites, you have surely noticed those social media buttons embedded there. Sure, most of the time, they are included for the sites to gain useful analytics regarding their content. But the concerning issue is they also send your data back to those platforms to create user profiles for targeted advertisements.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some of the most commonly used web tracking systems and web trackers are:&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-cookies"><span id="Cookies">Cookies</span></h3>



<p>Cookies are the primary tools used by websites in the process of cross-website tracking. It is quite an ingenious concept. You visit a website, and a small packet of data is transferred to your device’s browser courtesy of your <a href="https://www.hostinger.in/tutorials/what-is-a-web-server" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">web server</a>. This small packet is called a computer cookie aka web, internet, browser, or HTTP cookie. Cookies are designed specially to memorize your browsing information and online activity. </p>



<p>Cookies work in a simple manner:</p>



<ul><li>The browser requests a web page from the web server</li><li>The server transmits the page along with a cookie</li><li>The cookie gets stored in the hard drive of your device</li></ul>



<p>There are three different types of cookies:</p>



<ul><li>Persistent cookie</li><li>First-party or session cookie</li><li>Third-party cookie</li></ul>



<p>While the first two types of cookies are generally used to boost your browsing experience by remembering your passwords and language preferences, it is the third type you should be wary of. Persistent cookies come with an expiration date, and session cookies are temporary ones that get deleted with the closing of your browser. But the third-party cookie that keeps track of your online behavior is the tracking cookie.</p>



<h3 id="h-web-beacons"><span id="Web_Beacons">Web Beacons</span></h3>



<p>Web beacons are used as a single-pixel transparent graphic image by a website to log user behavior. They work similarly to cookies to monitor user browsing habits and navigation for advertising and analytics purposes. One such web beacon is the Facebook Pixel, enjoying a ubiquitous presence in your browsing activities. It tracks almost every aspect of your web browsing activity and aids advertisers in putting up targeted ads for you or others exhibiting similar behavior. Beacons also enable IP address tracking in emails by logging the exact time and date as well as your IP address when you open any mail embedded with a beacon.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-canvas-fingerprinting"><span id="Canvas_Fingerprinting">Canvas Fingerprinting</span></h3>



<p>The practice of websites deciphering how the user’s browser responds to graphical instructions is known as canvas fingerprinting. Any website with this feature can direct your browser to draw a hidden image. This particular image varies with the individual’s device, graphics card, and hardware settings, resulting in the rendition of a unique image for every user. The distinctive image acts as a unique digital fingerprint for every user and can provide accurate information when coupled with other tracking data.&nbsp;</p>



<p>HTML5, the latest version of the coding language HTML, was developed for animations and drawing graphics on websites. However, it includes canvas fingerprinting, resulting in its co-opting of it as an effective tracking and fingerprinting tool.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-what-is-the-purpose-of-cross-website-tracking"><span id="What_is_the_Purpose_of_Cross_Website_Tracking"><strong>What is the Purpose of Cross Website Tracking?</strong></span></h2>



<p>There are many legit reasons for websites to keep track of user activity. Most sites do it to boost website performances and personalize user experience. Let’s say that you are into reading books and watching movies at leisure. So, won’t you prefer advertisements from streaming services and publishing houses over furniture and bedsheets? This is exactly achieved through cross website tracking that allows targeted advertising based on the browsing behavior of any user.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some of the primary reasons behind cross-website tracking are:</p>



<h3 id="h-website-analytics"><span id="Website_Analytics">Website Analytics</span></h3>



<p>Almost all websites glean user information by using analytics software to gauge how customers use their site and get visitors&#8217; demographics. Information like how visitors arrive on the site and the number of pages they visit help the owners make important business decisions and optimize the site.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For easier understanding, let us take the example of any news publishing website. When publishers notice that most visitors are hitting upon one story only, they opt for better interlinking between posts. It will make the other stories easily accessible too and increase the website’s overall views and footfalls.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Google Analytics makes for the most commonly used analytics software on the internet. With an estimated client base of 29 million sites, Google Analytics is in use in <a href="https://trends.builtwith.com/analytics/Google-Analytics">88.5%</a> of the top 10,000 sites.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-website-performance"><span id="Website_Performance">Website Performance</span></h3>



<p>Many websites require some tracking to perform the intended way. YouTube might make the best case for this. When you are watching YouTube videos, you will find the algorithm recommending videos you might want to view next. This feature is only possible because YouTube tracks your behavior on the platform and on other sites to recommend the best possible options for you.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-advertising"><span id="Advertising">Advertising</span></h3>



<p>User-based target advertising is possibly the primary reason behind cross-website tracking. The adverts you come across on the internet are primarily because of the <a href="https://leadgenapp.io/data-collection-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data collection</a> by websites based on your location, search interests, browser history, and even the time of the day you prefer to visit certain sites. Retargeting is another common practice where you see a barrage of adverts for products similar to something you might have searched for a while ago. To make your ads stand out and capture your audience&#8217;s attention, consider using After Effects templates from Videvo. These <a href="https://www.videvo.net/after-effects-templates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">professionally designed templates</a> can help create visually stunning and engaging advertisements for your brand. By incorporating eye-catching animations and motion graphics, you can elevate your advertising efforts and make a lasting impression on your target audience.</p>



<p>Again, Google has cemented its place at the top with Google AdSense, the largest web-advertising network.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-when-does-it-become-potentially-problematic"><span id="When_Does_it_Become_Potentially_Problematic"><strong>When Does it Become Potentially Problematic?</strong></span></h2>



<p>While cross-website tracking essentially has its list of pros, security and privacy concerns are a major red flag. Not knowing how much of your data is being collected or its purpose can be a legitimate concern in today&#8217;s digital world. Third-parties like affiliate and advertising networks and data brokers often use cookies and web beacons to collect our data without consent. Lack of transparency in the process and often without the consent of users are some serious concerns that need to be addressed immediately when it comes to this practice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, <a href="https://gdpr-info.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)</a> in Europe and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are taking heed of these grave concerns and have developed a set of regulations. GDPR requires websites to provide users with opt-in consent forms before collecting personal user data. The websites cannot use pre-ticked boxes in such consent forms, which ensures users take positive steps to provide permission. Also, websites are required to provide users with the option to withdraw their consent any time they want, even if they have initially consented to use their personal data. </p>



<p>CCPA, while not making it necessary to provide opt-in consent forms, mandates websites to mention upfront how the collected user data will be used and the parties they will be available to. Upcoming regulations will also allow users to view the data collected and the right to get them deleted if they feel so.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-to-stop-cross-website-tracking"><span id="How_to_Stop_Cross_Website_Tracking"><strong>How to Stop Cross Website Tracking?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Well, yes, there are steps you can take to fight this practice and even prevent websites from tracking and storing your data. While if you are based in the European Union (EU) or California, USA, there are strong regulations that prohibit tracking user data without explicit consent. However, if you are from a country that does not have strict regulations in place, you can optimize your browser settings to prevent cross-website tracking.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you are someone who has legitimate privacy concerns regarding cross-site tracking and finds it intrusive, here are some of the steps you can take to prevent cross-site tracking:</p>



<ol><li><strong>How to prevent cross-site tracking in Chrome</strong>?</li></ol>



<p id="h-for-computers-and-laptops">For computers and laptops &#8211;</p>



<ul><li>Open the Chrome browser and go to <strong>Settings</strong></li><li>Click <strong>Cookies and other site data</strong> under the <strong>Privacy and security</strong> option</li><li>Turn <strong>Send a “Do not track” request with your browsing traffic</strong> off</li></ul>



<p id="h-for-mobile-phones">For mobile phones &#8211; </p>



<ul><li>Open the Chrome app on your android device and go to <strong>Settings</strong></li><li>Tap <strong>Do Not Track</strong> under <strong>Privacy and security</strong></li><li>Turn the setting off</li></ul>



<p></p>



<ol start="2"><li><strong>How to prevent cross-site tracking in Firefox</strong>?</li></ol>



<p>Firefox has an in-built Private Browsing with Tracking Protection feature that prevents third parties from tracking your browsing activity across multiple websites. You can enable it with the following steps:</p>



<ul><li>Open the Firefox browser and go to <strong>Settings</strong></li><li>Tap on the <strong>Privacy and Security</strong> panel</li><li>Select the <strong>Custom</strong> radio button under <strong>Enhanced Tracking Protection</strong> to select what to block</li><li>Tick the <strong>Cookies</strong> checkbox (<strong>Cross-site and social media trackers</strong> is the default setting)</li><li>Close the <strong>about: preferences </strong>page</li></ul>



<p></p>



<ol start="3"><li><strong>How to prevent cross-site tracking in iOS devices</strong>?</li></ol>



<p id="h-for-macbooks-and-pcs">For Macbooks and PCs &#8211; </p>



<ul><li>Open the Safari browser on your Mac</li><li>Go to Safari &gt; <strong>Preferences</strong> and tap on <strong>Privacy</strong></li><li>Select <strong>Prevent cross-site tracking</strong></li></ul>



<p id="h-for-iphone-and-ipad">For iPhone and iPad &#8211; </p>



<ul><li>Go to <strong>Settings</strong> on your iPhone/iPad</li><li>Scroll down until you find <strong>Safari</strong> and tap on it</li><li>Tap the slider and turn on <strong>Prevent Cross-site Tracking</strong> under <strong>PRIVACY &amp; SECURITY</strong></li></ul>



<p></p>



<h2 id="h-to-conclude"><span id="To_Conclude"><strong>To Conclude</strong></span></h2>



<p>It is often claimed that data is possibly the most valuable resource today. As aptly put by the Former Global Head of Research and Senior Vice-President of Gartner, Inc., Peter Sondergaard, “Information is the oil of the 21st century, and analytics is the combustion engine.” While the debate whether data has surpassed oil or gold in value and importance is raging on, it is undeniable that data plays a major role in today’s world of digital information.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Hence, it is imperative that billions of internet users worldwide pay attention to their data being tracked and stored. Even though cross-website tracking may have a lot of things going for it, tracking and making your data available to third parties without any transparency or consent is a legitimate concern. To ensure a healthy trade-off, it is critical that the concerns of users are acknowledged, fully informed regarding the use of their personal information, and given a choice to not opt for sharing any data.&nbsp;</p>



<p></p>


What is Cross Website Tracking | How to Prevent It?


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<p><p style="padding-top: 30px">Hello Folks,</p></p>



<p>Great to meet you all with another interesting blog. There are many relationships between Games and Testing. Many people use that as a metaphor and define testing. Why is it so? Every game requires strategy and analytical skills to play and win. In today’s blog, I will be explaining how chess and the pieces in chess are related to software testers and what we learn from them.</p>



<p>Chess is one of the brilliant games. No one could deny it. But have you ever wondered that the chess pieces have a lot of similarities with the different roles that testers can have and our everyday life?&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yes, we are facing a lot of challenges every day and we take on new roles and responsibilities based on them. We need to act differently in different situations. We all know that life is a game, and we all are players here. So let’s see in detail each chess piece and what it symbolizes.&nbsp;</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#The_King"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> The King</a></li><li><a href="#The_Queen"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> The Queen</a></li><li><a href="#The_Bishop"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> The Bishop</a></li><li><a href="#The_Knight"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> The Knight</a></li><li><a href="#The_Rook"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> The Rook</a></li><li><a href="#Pawns"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Pawns</a></li><li><a href="#Closing_thoughts"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Closing thoughts:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-the-king"><span id="The_King"><strong>The King</strong></span></h2>



<p>The King is the most important one among the chess coins because the entire game revolves around the King. He is the most influential decision-maker. He doesn’t have much power, but he decides the fate of the entire game. All other pieces are meant to play the game of protecting the King. If there’s no King, then there’s no game at all.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sometimes, we should act as King to avoid conflicts in the team. There should be only one decision-maker and multiple ones will lead to chaos. Of course, getting multiple options and feedback from the team is the first step. </p>



<p>You need power, and authority to decide and everything in the project is revolving around you. This role helps you to make the right decisions, and guide and build the team better. Overall the King piece is advocating leadership that every tester of all levels should learn and implement. For instance, every Project/Test Manager should think and act like a king in most scenarios.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="the-queen"><span id="The_Queen"><strong>The Queen</strong></span></h2>



<p>The Queen is the most powerful piece of all, with a lot of freedom provided she tends to save her King and the territory. She can move in any direction and take down anything that comes her way. She is aware of her strengths and weaknesses.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Also, I strongly believe that the QUEEN is a demonstration that implies that women are given more freedom since they are capable of handling it. Women are good at multitasking and delivering quality at the same time. </p>



<p>So this role, in the game of chess, is suitable for Testers who are given a lot of freedom in the project and in turn they deliver the best. They are aware of the granular level details of the projects. They use their power to fight for the team, and they use their smartness to handle and tackle the stakeholders. We testers should be fierce and utilize emancipation in a righter way.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Under certain circumstances, we need testers to behave smart as the Queen and make use of the freedom in a realistic and diligent way. Here comes the role of the Test Lead. I would say that a Test Lead should react and play the game with Queen’s attitude. This is helpful for the entire team to be led in the right way.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="the-bishop"><span id="The_Bishop"><strong>The Bishop</strong></span></h2>



<p>There are two bishops and they are close to the king and queen. They are considered the third most powerful pieces. Next to the King and Queen, they have the power and authority to make decisions. But they play the game the same way and same move.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bishop is a highly respected and valued piece. Sometimes, we need to provide authority to someone and watch. This builds the team rapport and confidence in everyone and brings out the leadership in them. Delegating small chunks of work and asking our team to take responsibility, helps the team to grow and be productive.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sometimes we have our senior associates in the team who possess a greater knowledge of the project and systems. Along with the power, experience helps a lot. So should try to gain real-time hands-on experience in the tools or projects we are being a part of.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="the-knight"><span id="The_Knight"><strong>The Knight</strong></span></h2>



<p>The Knight is the only piece, that can skip or jump between pieces on the chessboard. They are happy-go-lucky and smarter ones. Other than Pawns, they have the power to start the game. It is on equal footing with Bishop and holds military ranking. Along with the power, you need strategic and pragmatic thinking.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A horse is used to denote and illustrate the Knight. It is an elegantly designed chessman. Just like the knight in a game of chess, testers should be versatile and clever. For instance, I can relate the Knight with some new joiners to the team with a few years of experience and knowledge in new tools/technologies. </p>



<p>They are energetic, vibrant, and enthusiastic. They are well aware of their roles and responsibilities. They needed a little mentorship initially and they can work smart and play the game and make unexpected magic happen.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="the-rook"><span id="The_Rook"><strong>The Rook</strong></span></h2>



<p>They are strong, hefty, and powerful ones and the front-liners during the war. They provide support to the remaining pieces. They form a protective layer to the castle and that’s why even the piece designed represents the Castle with the turrets on top.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We as testers should be strong-headed and face the challenges. We should be defending our team. In every project, there will be a handful of techy, nerd people. They like to play around with the tools and make our work easier. They are super smart and will be ready to take on challenges at any time. I would say everyone in the project should act as a rook.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="pawns"><span id="Pawns"><strong>Pawns</strong></span></h2>



<p>Pawns are the underrated pieces on the chessboard, due to their power limitation. They are more in number with less power on the chessboard. In history, they have great stories to share. They are considered weak. </p>



<p>But they are more in numbers which make happen anything. We have to learn teamwork and humility from the pawns. Also, they showcase the traits like bravery and sacrifice. So never underestimate the presence and the strategy of the pawns.&nbsp;</p>



<p>I would relate this to the trainees in our team. If they receive proper guidance they thrive. We all need to understand their needs and should work together for the team&#8217;s success.</p>



<h2 id="closing-thoughts"><span id="Closing_thoughts"><strong>Closing thoughts:</strong></span></h2><br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ojDYeOQgG4EHK04CbG1h3i50I-xkFFQSFjqGiQMDRLkvrcOIh1cBq_lscS5p0B6b19MNXY1MhLPiMpY-58mF4hDBgOJeWRJSMTlkmbxoGsIV_CpegVfkd3otuG53Bfl2NIf_5UwVt3kszsc-OPrYaWQ" alt="Testsigma - Test automation platform" width="600" height="400"/></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top: 30px">Every chess piece has a meaning and some elegant takeaway for us. These are different roles which I can relate to a few of our roles. Sometimes we need to play more than one role. I hope you will be able to relate the roles along with me. Lots of roles to play and act in a single day. That’s the life of a software tester.&nbsp;</p></p>



<p>To face the challenges or roadblocks we wear different hats every day. Just like this chess board and the chessmen we testers are juggling different roles and responsibilities.&nbsp;</p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px">Which one are you? Life is a long game. Of course, this is your game, and you need to play it your way. Please comment, let’s hear it out from you. Let’s celebrate each other!</p></p>



<p class="has-small-font-size">PC: <a href="https://www.freepik.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Freepik</a></p>



<p><p style="padding-top: 10px"><em>Disclaimer: Inspired by the Queen’s Gambit series on Netflix and this is written based on Author’s sole views and opinions, not with an intention to hurt others.</em></p></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<p><p style="padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px">Just like, the pieces of chess can be related to different members of the testing team, the gaming strategies can be related to testing strategies. Read more about testing types and strategies here:</p></p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/the-different-software-testing-types-explained/"> Software Testing Types</a></p>



<p><p style="padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px">Test Automation, is one of the major strategies and requires tools for implementation, read more about such tools for automation here:</p></p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/most-popular-tools-for-cloud-automation-testing/">Popular tools for cloud automation testing</a></p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/cross-browser-testing-tools">cross-browser testing tools</a></p>



<br><p><div class="bg-primary cta" style="text-align: center;padding: 15px 35px;color: #fff;background: linear-gradient(224.71deg,#17d39b,#0062ab)!important;">
<p class="fz-21 “pt-1” "><b>Testsigma is a no-code test automation tool that lets you automate your tests for web,mobile and API from the same place, easily. It is also open source and free.</b></p>
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<p style="padding-top: 20px">Read more about the features of Testsigma here: <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://testsigma.com/</a></p>


A Tester’s Gambit

Smart Ways to Use XPath in Selenium


<p>The key differentiator that distinguishes good software from outstanding software is the user experience. Software testers should go beyond just checking the functionality of the product.<strong> </strong>Software<strong> </strong>Testing is one of those fields where the more you know the better it is. Testers need to be generalists to be effective at work, someone with broad knowledge across many topics and expertise in a few.&nbsp;</p>



<p id="h-user-experience-is-not-the-only-responsibility-of-the-ux-team-as-a-tester-you-use-the-software-more-frequently-than-anyone-else-on-the-team-you-can-add-significant-value-by-identifying-features-that-compromise-the-user-experience-ux-as-a-tester-quality-engineer-you-are-in-a-great-position-to-evaluate-the-ux-of-the-software-right-from-the-earliest-stages-of-software-development">User experience is not the only responsibility of the UX team. As a tester, you use the software more frequently than anyone else on the team. You can add significant value by identifying features that compromise the User Experience (UX). For instance, if you notice that users struggle to <a href="https://picsart.com/ai-image-extender/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expand images</a> for better visibility or to access key details, you should flag this as a potential UX issue.</p>



<p>I discuss some fascinating real-world examples of poor UX and how they affected me in this two-part article. These examples will teach you a few UX principles that you can apply in your everyday testing. So let&#8217;s get started.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#WHAT_DID_A_TEA_CUP_TEACH_ME_ABOUT_USER_EXPERIENCE"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> WHAT DID A TEA CUP TEACH ME ABOUT USER EXPERIENCE?</a></li><li><a href="#LESSON_1_8211_DO_NOT_COMPROMISE_ON_FUNCTIONALITY_FOR_AESTHETICSnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> LESSON 1 &#8211; DO NOT COMPROMISE ON FUNCTIONALITY FOR AESTHETICS.&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#HOW_POOR_DESIGN_RUINED_MY_MOVIE_EXPERIENCE"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> HOW POOR DESIGN RUINED MY MOVIE EXPERIENCE</a></li><li><a href="#LESSON_2_8211_SIZE_MATTERS_IN_THE_VISUAL_HIERARCHYnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> LESSON 2 &#8211; SIZE MATTERS IN THE VISUAL HIERARCHY&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#LESSON_3_8211_MATCH_BETWEEN_THE_SYSTEM_AND_THE_REAL_WORLDnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> LESSON 3 &#8211; MATCH BETWEEN THE SYSTEM AND THE REAL WORLD&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#CONCLUSION"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> CONCLUSION</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="what-did-a-tea-cup-teach-me-about-user-experience"><span id="WHAT_DID_A_TEA_CUP_TEACH_ME_ABOUT_USER_EXPERIENCE"><strong>WHAT DID A TEA CUP TEACH ME ABOUT USER EXPERIENCE?</strong></span></h2>



<p>There&#8217;s nothing like a hot cup of tea to lift your spirits and warm your heart when you&#8217;re having a rough day. In my hometown, I visited a popular cafe known for its wide selection of teas. The cafe served tea in a cup that looked absolutely stunning and classy. However, I was unable to enjoy my tea as it was difficult to grip the handle of the cup due to its poor design. </p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 30px">The handle had no slit to grab the mug to provide a secure grip. Because the cup was heavier than normal, it was even more inconvenient to hold it with hot tea. Because I was afraid of dropping the teacup, I had to remain cautious at all times. Furthermore, the cup&#8217;s design is not ideal for older people with hand tremors or individuals with reduced strength or flexibility in their hands.&nbsp;</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kOeHXAcBhKFN8gf5wZpqI8mMssJgKeuTp37lQfsyz3QNVrsIKXEMbS0Y7m2qTAlnQVh8pROLIlxQm8YQVRtD8lL121fISspBVzQow7NjS01Q1br9KHaltr-IqFuNYaOroQv9VMc1sqPkFbuJZVPwlmc" alt="WHAT DID A TEA CUP TEACH ME ABOUT USER EXPERIENCE? 1" width="400" height="400" /></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top: 30px">A good design should support the user&#8217;s in completing their primary goals. In this case, although the cup looks appealing, it is compromising usability and accessibility. This is a classic example of what can happen when you prioritize aesthetics over functionality and simplicity.</p></p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 30px">This cup reminded me of&nbsp; ‘Coffeepot for Masochists’. Don Norman&#8217;s incredible book &#8220;The Design of Everyday Things&#8221; mentions it and uses it as the book&#8217;s cover image. ‘Coffeepot for Masochists’ is the most famous item in Jacques Carelman’s &#8216;Catalogue of unfindable things’, which contains delightful examples of everyday things that are deliberately unworkable.</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zpNsnKHVmEg4sJj1s2DBBs5CsSS3ulfx3f1L3w8y4-ZTtfvJCFjp89lKAOKwSCVLZr3dYOz8cutFKBR7UMWlPsVdLbXptRMU9_gM1JbDsoWs4aswo8_adTqHt6hb_OB39aYB0o3gtCPLuDSqEeIeajQ" alt="WHAT DID A TEA CUP TEACH ME ABOUT USER EXPERIENCE? 2" width="300" height="400" /></figure></div>



<h2 id="h-lesson-1-do-not-compromise-on-functionality-for-aesthetics"><span id="LESSON_1_8211_DO_NOT_COMPROMISE_ON_FUNCTIONALITY_FOR_AESTHETICSnbsp"><strong>LESSON 1 &#8211; DO NOT COMPROMISE ON FUNCTIONALITY FOR AESTHETICS.&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Lz-3AUiPkruE-jrg6j7i6XZy_ENMXq3Lf4s4Z-rotxpD_kYEUi7IQ5J9AS8OVATwJJKts_o5VJ1YnegJnLEzvaPCCZqPz_MeNwPNgneaMDYQEFk9ti6I2CoA7iy9ntFPYMZ6Hlrg08x5mwx5jCcsDvE" alt=" DO NOT COMPROMISE ON FUNCTIONALITY FOR AESTHETICS." width="400" height="400" /><figcaption>Graphic by Regex SEO</figcaption></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top: 30px">Many people believe that design makes software look visually pleasing. The visual appeal of your application can help you stand out from the rest of your competition. But you may be making the same mistake that the cup designer made. We all adore eye-catching interactive websites. However, the most important aspect of a usable design is <strong>Functionality</strong>. Always put the user at the center of everything that you do.</p></p>



<p><p style="padding-top: 10px">Think,</p></p>



<p>Is your product choosing Visuals Over Functionality?&nbsp;</p>



<p>Is focusing on flashy interfaces over interactions?&nbsp;</p>



<p><p style="padding-top: 10px">As a tester, ensure that the products you work on consider usability and accessibility in the design to provide the best user experiences. I don&#8217;t mean to imply that aesthetics are not important. Users expect both beauty and function from your application. Help your team to strike the right balance between aesthetics and functionality.&nbsp;</p></p>



<h2 id="how-poor-design-ruined-my-movie-experience"><span id="HOW_POOR_DESIGN_RUINED_MY_MOVIE_EXPERIENCE"><strong>HOW POOR DESIGN RUINED MY MOVIE EXPERIENCE</strong></span></h2>



<p>One of the best ways to spend quality time with your family is to watch a good movie while enjoying a large bowl of popcorn. ​ On a Saturday, I decided to take my wife to the movies. Unfortunately, we were late that day and had to rush into the theatre to make it on time. I had booked the tickets via a popular online platform. </p>



<p>I pulled out my phone and found the m-ticket(digital ticket) in the bookings section of the mobile app. We rushed to our screen and found our seats. We watched the movie for around 15 minutes. We couldn&#8217;t figure out anything that was going on in the movie. </p>



<p>I realized something was wrong. I soon figured out that I had entered the wrong room/screen, and unfortunately, the same movie was playing in the second half, following the intermission.&nbsp;</p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 30px">We had entered Screen 2 instead of Screen 4. We then had to rush back to screen 4. I not only missed the first crucial 30 minutes of the movie, but I also had to deal with an angry wife.</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xASGeddjZjShuxyTyE-ikzNe3WbnRmyioHrbaFHcFdIN6ga-QVQfdLxZOlz6yi4aKm9DSptCyyiXW9mN6tPWgz6RTMd1CDsLAemkNYzGTgAgd44-QMTszCOeqXrOrjQb8G0wFpcoxSJpUAy6KIYKAnM" alt="HOW POOR DESIGN RUINED MY MOVIE EXPERIENCE" width="400" height="400" /></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top: 30px">In the rush and excitement of making it on time, I misunderstood the number 2 on the ticket for the screen number, which in fact, was the number of tickets purchased. I know I made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes under pressure or excitement or when you rush.</p></p>



<h2 id="lesson-2-size-matters-in-the-visual-hierarchy"><span id="LESSON_2_8211_SIZE_MATTERS_IN_THE_VISUAL_HIERARCHYnbsp"><strong>LESSON 2 &#8211; SIZE MATTERS IN THE VISUAL HIERARCHY&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 30px">The biggest text in the m-ticket is the number ‘2’, which is the number of tickets. I know I bought two tickets, and that is not a piece of helpful information for me. Unless the designers didn&#8217;t design this for the person who checks tickets at the entrance.</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dPARTdNmDsj9pAwgZNsBeYOgC2fLbFIX0xMeLpx5eni8xdECInfUuVdwbesA4-jwY0Xx4BGdmKkn6UYWwbEiiev191qlM-8ewaDT3_JmOXRv8l2Cz1WL1OGVSjbIdqWKC-rx9OAxXhY7phizqlzQYVI" alt="SIZE MATTERS IN THE VISUAL HIERARCHY" width="400" height="400" /></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top: 30px">The positioning of elements according to their significance is known as the visual hierarchy in the design. Without a visual hierarchy, users can be overwhelmed and therefore fail to grasp anything.</p></p>



<p>Larger elements on the screen will always catch the eye of a viewer. So the most important piece of information should take precedence in the visual hierarchy. When it comes to movie tickets, the most crucial information is the date, time, screen, and seat number. So these details should be bigger and the first thing you should notice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When your design has a poor visual hierarchy, users are confused, uncertain about where to look, or even misguided.&nbsp;</p>



<p><p style="padding-top: 10px;padding-bottom: 10px">While testing your software, ask yourself these questions:</p></p>



<ul class="list_style_disc"><li>What is the first thing you see on your application? Where does the eye naturally go?</li><li>What actions do we want our users to take? Are we able to draw their attention to that place?</li><li>Is the visual hierarchy guiding them through a journey we want them to?</li></ul>



<p><p style="padding-top: 10px">As a tester, always keep the audience&#8217;s needs in mind and help create designs that will have the desired impact.</p></p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 30px">Poor design can have serious consequences. Remember how Steve Harvey announced the wrong Miss Universe on stage?&nbsp; It is the design of the announcement card that IS to blame. Modern-day users often suffer from information overload.&nbsp; A thoughtful design should prevent users from making mistakes.</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/cwqnLVmLlIizriOfvDPtKuMAS0g5s0rcxzK1Dni0K5iD-5HjV9USI78LLcRTGmcnzRnZYdlq-NHmfwJk_Xx9UM84ceAzxZWVCdnHcgLtBI7aZ4mYjeJQowQBbbbRdnNMpw83fb_M3FmfEKJkJJEjt58" alt="poor design" width="400" height="400" /><figcaption>Learn more about <a href="https://medium.com/@Ktomasso/how-bad-design-ruined-miss-universe-afd9a3d40993" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how a bad design ruined Miss Universe</a>.</figcaption></figure></div>



<h2 id="lesson-3-match-between-the-system-and-the-real-world"><span id="LESSON_3_8211_MATCH_BETWEEN_THE_SYSTEM_AND_THE_REAL_WORLDnbsp"><strong>LESSON 3 &#8211; MATCH BETWEEN THE SYSTEM AND THE REAL WORLD&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<p><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jakob Nielsen&#8217;s</a> second Usability heuristics discusses the “Match between system and real-world.” The heuristic states, &#8220;The design should speak the users&#8217; language. Use words, phrases, and concepts familiar to the user”. </p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 30px">The designs should follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a more natural and logical order. It is in our nature to seek familiarity. We create mental models of systems work based on past experiences with real-world objects. As a result, we also bring those interpretations into the digital world.&nbsp;</p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/20hrbZQQTRSteW3Umqd71nHDcwicBxaeT-RtSEYCjiE2YizZkeC_n58fb9sUrMRST6LrYlmnPdZBLrmctgP-ybnrEdrj7KdUbIjm_g8DShEUdOL0yShPYm4idp78zOms8ptHT1Wtrv1JhyXZV8cetj4" alt=" MATCH BETWEEN THE SYSTEM AND THE REAL WORLD 1" width="400" height="400" /></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FJjTxYHG4LM7MEv35FeWzBLHh-hOHPmmHWmMxRthWrCFx80f6wrUqDERdwCq1mp_kZ0jOoKCxLkkecuAI3z-O_6NkMk_juyg4guhSkD-nm-BgbYBjlX4S9GlWkFIVFd6D6-mVWmKfxn0KkqTbFQaKrw" alt=" MATCH BETWEEN THE SYSTEM AND THE REAL WORLD 2" width="400" height="400" /></figure></div>



<p style="padding-top: 30px">Almost every software you use today uses this principle. For example, we&#8217;re all familiar with the trash can, so when we see a similar trash bin icon in the user interface, we know we can drag a file to delete. Compass, Calendars, Calculators, clocks, Notes, and Book Readers are some other applications that look like objects in their physical world.</p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom: 30px">Before we conclude, here are a few amusing examples of poor design.</p></p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><img style="width: 300px" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wNejDfCSfWc5z2HdOcbYAMzVKf4X5pE9jtSLcF3syxoxtbgjl1pvuWADoTKah2RBNLBbjtbmHRHc10vW_VREXpjqXvD6LsCjr8SqUrT15ezT5-2M4cJf_liZBjIbc9zn_yM-mYZGU3-Q_kStgfuL8Dk" alt="Testsigma - HOW POOR DESIGN RUINED MY MOVIE EXPERIENCE"></p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><img style="width: 300px" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6y9HQJNkDv5Wqm0YrtYA4A6lAsYVTRzTnH5ITSOr5cPR0l9I5v_7NOPYPFzwK3McLPaQybFK3qa3JtAUq-EZK7Y2aZe3x5C2ghInP-w1NJTURq05tjRWwf12eCKSIyr9UE_6SnbT-VxaZ-e3meikLNY" alt="Testsigma - HOW POOR DESIGN RUINED MY MOVIE EXPERIENCE"></p>



<p><p style="padding-top: 30px;padding-bottom: 30px"><strong>I believe I need not explain why I poured curd into my tea.</strong></p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fMavBSIPlUz5HyvM_6szZwlqoDgzE9QmLj1c8C6KpEDCuCMQbLhNx4Ieg5OMFqaVOqSQH_EdUjJCWPSRKIbVSIdkNd-9QcF8EXwU_OkyMuj90T15ZQgmZZMvp0AFPjw7Sb6R-USquRI-cpUHQ3-_PF4" alt="amusing examples of poor design 3" width="300" height="300" /></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top: 30px;padding-bottom: 30px"><strong>It&#8217;s no surprise that the lights come on while someone is at the sink.</strong></p></p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hHrxjNQnwqjCyHaOOLUxupz91zFL2yX1N_DEweyaQR4fpQkIOOWauCv-yTNI-RgmYqrlmnMum7LQEKn9-Otqfj-rPDog1deG6ZBJvXeMR5m0M9VOMhzaEWJmbgaZA8Mv_HHWEwh_5QIAudj7IZOMjqo" alt="amusing examples of poor design 4" width="400" height="400" /><figcaption><strong>A secret door to escape from the sink?</strong></figcaption></figure></div>



<h2 id="conclusion"><span id="CONCLUSION"><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></span></h2>



<p>As testers, you can make a big difference in terms of user experience(UX) by including usability testing as part of your QA. Implementing this will make you and your team champions of a user-centric culture in your organization. Start small and take little steps that will lead you to success. Begin by reading about the fundamentals of UX, meet with your UX team and collaborate with them. </p>



<p>Participate in the design phase and try to contribute as much as possible. Think like a user and help your users achieve their goals when interacting with your product. A good UX gives your users a compelling reason to use your product.&nbsp; There is no better way than to learn from your real-life experiences. Learn from the design mistakes of others and ensure that your product avoids them.</p>



<p style="padding-bottom: 20px">I hope you enjoyed this article. Lot more coming in part 2; stay tuned! Share your personal experiences with poor design in the comments section below.</p>



<p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://github.com/testsigmahq/testsigma" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Try  the most intuitive open-source low code test automation tool</a></button></p>



<p style="padding-top: 20px"><a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> offers the finest in its class user experience, that will enable you to step up the pace of your test automation.</p>



<p style="padding-top: 10px">Read more about Mobile usability testing here: <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/mobile-usability-testing-what-is-it-and-how-is-it-done/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://testsigma.com/blog/mobile-usability-testing-what-is-it-and-how-is-it-done/</a></p>



<p class="has-small-font-size">PC: <a href="https://www.freepik.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">freepik</a> </p>


UX & Testing: UX Lessons Learned From My Real-Life Experiences - Part 1

UX & Testing: 3 Real-Life UX Lessons -Part 1

How to Handle iFrame in Selenium


<p>Software Testing is primarily an information-gathering process that assists stakeholders in making informed decisions. However, it can be problematic to gather information if the testing process is constantly interrupted by diversions and interruptions. <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/best-software-testing-tools-qas-are-using-in-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Software Testing tools</a> and test automation scripts can lead to false positives if proper measures and considerations are not taken when setting up the testing and automation process.</p>



<p>In this article, I will discuss some of the common causes behind false positives and provide you with some tips and tricks to help you avoid them during your <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software test automation</a> process.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#False_Positives"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> False Positives</a></li><li><a href="#Common_Causes_of_False_Positives_in_Software_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Common Causes of False Positives in Software Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Flaky_Test_Automation_Scripts"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.1</span> 1. Flaky Test Automation Scripts: </a></li><li><a href="#2_Changing_Locators_Automation_Hooks"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.2</span> 2. Changing Locators (Automation Hooks): </a></li><li><a href="#3_Unstable_Test_Environment"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.3</span> 3. Unstable Test Environment: </a></li><li><a href="#4_Impractical_Test_Sequence"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.4</span> 4. Impractical Test Sequence: </a></li><li><a href="#5_Configuration_Issues"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.5</span> 5. Configuration Issues: </a></li><li><a href="#6_Script_Development_Execution_on_one_specific_machine"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.6</span> 6. Script Development &amp; Execution on one specific machine: </a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Impact_of_False_Positives"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Impact of False Positives</a></li><li><a href="#Avoiding_False_Positives_in_Software_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Avoiding False Positives in Software Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Auto-Healing_Locators"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.1</span> 1. Auto-Healing Locators: </a></li><li><a href="#2_Robust_Locators_Automation_Hooks"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.2</span> 2. Robust Locators (Automation Hooks): </a></li><li><a href="#3_Automatic_Retry_Reruns"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.3</span> 3. Automatic Retry / Rerun(s): </a></li><li><a href="#4_Scheduling_test_runs_periodically_to_ascertain_stability"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.4</span> 4. Scheduling test runs periodically to ascertain stability: </a></li><li><a href="#5_Develop_execute_on_separate_machines"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.5</span> 5. Develop &amp; execute on separate machines: </a></li><li><a href="#6_Plan_Testing_across_Layers"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.6</span> 6. Plan Testing across Layers: </a></li><li><a href="#7_Refreshing_Test_Environment"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.7</span> 7.  Refreshing Test Environment: </a></li><li><a href="#8_Verbose_Logging_Observability"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.8</span> 8. Verbose Logging &amp; Observability</a></li><li><a href="#9_Using_Contract_Verification_Scripts"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.9</span> 9. Using Contract Verification Scripts: </a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 class="has-text-align-left" id="h-false-positives"><span id="False_Positives"><strong>False Positives</strong></span></h2>



<p>False Positives are commonly observed due to:</p>



<ul><li>Errors in software test automation scripts</li><li>Instability in the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test environment</a></li><li>Failures due to third-party libraries or cooperating processes, etc.</li></ul>



<p>If you are into software test automation, you may have already seen false positives like:</p>



<ul><li>Automation Test Script Failure due to changing locators</li><li>Test Pipeline Failure due to Build Issue(s), etc.</li></ul>



<h2 class="has-text-align-left" id="h-common-causes-of-false-positives-in-software-testing"><span id="Common_Causes_of_False_Positives_in_Software_Testing"><strong>Common Causes of False Positives in Software Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p>Now that we have an understanding of what a false positive is, let&#8217;s look at the common causes:</p>



<h3 id="1-flaky-test-automation-scripts"><span id="1_Flaky_Test_Automation_Scripts"><strong>1. Flaky Test Automation Scripts: </strong></span></h3>



<p>It is one of the most common reasons behind false positives during software test automation. Flakiness or instability can be due to many factors. Some of the popular ones are:</p>



<p>i. Poor design of test scripts</p>



<p>ii. Non-modular / non-maintainable code structure</p>



<p>iii. Non-clean code</p>



<p>iv. Poor testability of the application</p>



<p><strong>Read here &#8211; all about <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/flaky-test/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flaky Test</a></strong>.</p>



<h3 id="2-changing-locators-automation-hooks"><span id="2_Changing_Locators_Automation_Hooks"><strong>2. Changing Locators (Automation Hooks): </strong></span></h3>



<p>Regardless of the test automation platform, a common feature is the reliance of automation on some hooks or locators. If these hooks change too frequently or are not defined in a robust way, it may lead to frequent false positives followed by an investigation and fixing time. Commonly used automation hooks are:</p>



<p>i. XPaths</p>



<p>ii. JSON Paths</p>



<p>iii. XML Paths, etc.</p>



<h3 id="3-unstable-test-environment"><span id="3_Unstable_Test_Environment"><strong>3. Unstable <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Environment:</a> </strong></span></h3>



<p>There are a number of factors that can directly or indirectly affect the state of a system and the environment in which it is being tested. Some of such factors are:</p>



<p>i. The current and changing state of the system </p>



<p>ii. Dependent processes and their effects on the test environment</p>



<p>iii. Version changes</p>



<p>iv. Breaking contracts</p>



<h3 id="4-impractical-test-sequence"><span id="4_Impractical_Test_Sequence"><strong>4. Impractical Test Sequence: </strong></span></h3>



<p>In some cases, a test depends on specific business logic. Ex: Reading software from a device makes sense if you have already written software for the device. If someone wants to test the read functionality but does it after a delete software test, it will just lead to an impractical test sequence and a false positive.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center">Write Software &#8211;&gt; Read Software</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center">Delete Software &#8211;&gt; Read Software</p>



<h3 id="5-configuration-issues"><span id="5_Configuration_Issues"><strong>5. Configuration Issues: </strong></span></h3>



<p>Most complex software have a configurable build, and deployment system. When such configuration is not managed properly, it can lead to a range of configuration-related issues. Oftentimes, the configuration(s) is done manually, which can lead to unintended issues</p>



<p>Also, as an automation engineer, does your test suite consider specific versions of each dependency? Does it also consider the test environment states? Do your automation scripts use the setup and teardown (cleanup) modules to set up the test environment?</p>



<h3 id="6-script-development-execution-on-one-specific-machine"><span id="6_Script_Development_Execution_on_one_specific_machine"><strong>6. Script Development &amp; Execution on one specific machine: </strong></span></h3>



<p>Scripts that only run on local machine is mostly FLAKY. Script developers often ignore factors that may change on other machines when developing a script for a specific machine. Moreover, Programs don&#8217;t do what they haven&#8217;t been told to pay attention to, which leads to false positives.</p>



<h2 class="has-text-align-left" id="h-impact-of-false-positives"><span id="Impact_of_False_Positives"><strong>Impact of False Positives</strong></span></h2>



<p>False positives often end up creating a ripple of side effects. It can impact testing in ways you might not expect. Here is how false positives can impact your testing:</p>



<p><strong>1. Loss of time:&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>i. In going through logs</p>



<p>ii. In investigating the problem</p>



<p>iii. In reproducing the test steps</p>



<p>iv. In fixing the test scripts, environment, etc.</p>



<p><strong>2. Noise in Automated Testing Cycles</strong></p>



<p><strong>3. Loss of credibility &amp; integrity:</strong> False positives from your software test automation is inversely proportional to your test process credibility.</p>



<p><strong>4. Defocus on the actual information gathering process (testing)</strong></p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>“The more you go in one direction, the far you go from the opposite direction.”</em></p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><em>Jerry Weinberg</em></strong></p>



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<h2 class="has-text-align-left" id="h-avoiding-false-positives-in-software-testing"><span id="Avoiding_False_Positives_in_Software_Testing"><strong>Avoiding False Positives in Software Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p class="has-text-align-left">The best strategy to deal with false positives is by avoiding them in the first place. To prevent false positives, here are some tips and tricks:</p>



<h3 id="1-auto-healing-locators"><span id="1_Auto-Healing_Locators"><strong>1. Auto-Healing Locators: </strong></span></h3>



<p>If you have ever attempted GUI App automation, you already know about the challenge of continuously changing locators. However, a good automation solution will allow multiple locators to identify GUI elements that can be used to make the system self-heal in the event of a locator failure. Ex: <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Testsigma</strong></a> provides the facility of auto-healing locators by default.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="2-robust-locators-automation-hooks"><span id="2_Robust_Locators_Automation_Hooks"><strong>2. Robust Locators (Automation Hooks): </strong></span></h3>



<p>Writing robust locators is a craft and requires a good understanding of the element lookup process. Learning how to write robust and stable locators is always a good investment.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="3-automatic-retry-rerun-s"><span id="3_Automatic_Retry_Reruns"><strong>3. Automatic Retry / Rerun(s):</strong> </span></h3>



<p>Automatic retry/rerun strategy can help you know the consistency of the issue. In some cases, the issue can be due to a momentary glitch in the test environment. Automated rerun strategies confirm this and save you time investigating a false positive.</p>



<h3 id="4-scheduling-test-runs-periodically-to-ascertain-stability"><span id="4_Scheduling_test_runs_periodically_to_ascertain_stability"><strong>4. Scheduling test runs periodically to ascertain stability: </strong></span></h3>



<p>A script not running is as good as a script, not present. Testing scripts should always be run periodically to ensure the stability of the environment, product, test scripts, infrastructure, etc.</p>



<h3 id="5-develop-execute-on-separate-machines"><span id="5_Develop_execute_on_separate_machines"><strong>5. Develop &amp; execute on separate machines: </strong></span></h3>



<p>Running regression tests on separate machines is a good strategy to avoid the pitfall of flaky scripts. Testing on separate machines helps reduce the likelihood of flakiness. You can also run headless tests or use docker containers or cloud systems. Read about <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/selenium-headless/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Selenium Headless Tests</a></p>



<h3 id="6-plan-testing-across-layers"><span id="6_Plan_Testing_across_Layers"><strong>6. Plan Testing across Layers: </strong></span></h3>



<p>Planning entire testing on one layer can be a bad strategy in most cases. Testing should always be planned across several layers. Also, consider the flakiness index of different layers. Flakiness Index: UI &gt; API &gt; Unit</p>



<h3 id="7-refreshing-test-environment"><span id="7_Refreshing_Test_Environment"><strong>7.  Refreshing <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Environment</a>: </strong></span></h3>



<p>Test Environment and state can lead to false positives in your test results. Things that generally help to avoid such issues are:</p>



<p>1. Resetting State</p>



<p>2. Using Hooks</p>



<p>i. Setup </p>



<p>ii. Teardown </p>



<p>3. Spinning up docker containers, etc. </p>



<h3 id="8-verbose-logging-observability"><span id="8_Verbose_Logging_Observability"><strong>8. Verbose Logging &amp; Observability</strong></span></h3>



<h3 id="9-using-contract-verification-scripts"><span id="9_Using_Contract_Verification_Scripts"><strong>9. Using Contract Verification Scripts: </strong></span></h3>



<p>If you are <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/api-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing API</a>(s) that depends on contracts, then it is always good to run scripts that:</p>



<p>i. Monitor Contracts</p>



<p>ii. Monitor Dependencies</p>



<p>For all our visual readers, I have summarized this entire article in the form of this <a href="https://xmind.app/m/sxBCik/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mind map</a>.</p>



<p>We hope you learned something about false positives and how to avoid them during the testing process through this article.</p>



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<p>Wondering why to choose an open source test automation tool, read here: <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/reasons-to-choose-an-open-source-test-automation-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reasons to Choose an Open-Source Test Automation Tool</a></p>


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