Globalization Testing vs. Localization Testing: Key Differences


<p>The need to save cost and time has pushed organizations to introduce better and faster approaches for developing and testing applications. No longer does the ‘build first, test later’ method work in favor of companies that are attempting to succeed in such a competitive environment. Today, DevOps is the rage as it helps to shrink the time gap between development and deployment with its CI/CD techniques. But even DevOps will not be able to do any good without the right set of principles to run your project. This is where Shift Left testing principles help to transform your development and testing approach.</p>



<p>Shift left testing is an approach that enables companies to test their applications early in the development process. And we are going to discuss the topic in detail in this blog.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_Does_Shift_Left_Mean_in_DevOps"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What Does Shift Left Mean in DevOps?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> What are Shift Left Testing Principles?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_are_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles_Important_in_DevOps"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Why are Shift Left Testing Principles Important in DevOps?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_does_DevOps_Recommend_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Why does DevOps Recommend “Shift Left” Testing Principles?</a><ul><li><a href="#Reduced_Cost_of_Fixing_Defects"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.1</span> Reduced Cost of Fixing Defects</a></li><li><a href="#Better_Quality_Product_at_Improved_Speed"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.2</span> Better Quality Product at Improved Speed</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Advantages_of_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Advantages of Shift Left Testing Principles</a></li><li><a href="#Shift-left_and_Test_Automation_in_DevOps"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Shift-left and Test Automation in DevOps</a></li><li><a href="#Takeaway"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Takeaway</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_the_shift-left_approach_in_Agile"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.1</span> What is the shift-left approach in Agile?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_benefit_of_shift-left_testing_principles"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.2</span> What is the benefit of shift-left testing principles?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Suggested_Readings"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Suggested Readings</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-does-shift-left-mean-in-devops"><span id="What_Does_Shift_Left_Mean_in_DevOps"><strong>What Does Shift Left Mean in DevOps?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Shift left in DevOps refers to the organizations&#8217; endeavor to ensure that the applications undergo testing in the early stages of development. It is a part of DevSecOps organizational design that combines development, security, and operations.DevOps consist of Continuous testing/integration and Continuous deployment: two features that make sure that the software undergoes frequent testing anywhere and whenever.</p>



<p>Continuous testing/integration (CI) pertains to testing earlier, consistently, faster, and automatically during the entire development stage. The application goes from development to testing and to deployment with no gaps in a <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/why-devops-is-important-for-modern-businesses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continuous DevOps process</a>. It consists of Unit testing, <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/integration-testing-types/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integration testing</a>, system testing, and <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/how-to-test-api/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">API testing</a> and assists developers in locating issues to address them and improve product quality.</p>



<p>Continuous deployment refers to automatically pushing the code changes to the production environment. It follows a series of tests before updating the changes directly to the production. To achieve such fast testing and delivery, automated regression testing is recommended. CI/CD approaches can be automated and performed well with test automation tools. For instance, <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> automates <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/regression-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regression tests</a> for web, mobile, desktop and APIs, thus testing large parts of your test suites. Our tool supports shift-left testing in many other ways, and you can read about it <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/how-does-testsigma-support-the-shift-left-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. </p>



<p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="display: block;
    margin: auto;"><a style="color:#fff" href="https://website.testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Start automating your tests for web, mobile, API, and desktop with Testsigma; sign up for a free trial today.</a></button></p>



<h2 id="h-what-are-shift-left-testing-principles"><span id="What_are_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><strong>What are Shift Left Testing Principles?</strong></span></h2>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="735" height="435" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-staging.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/in-article-2-MC456.jpg" alt="SDLC Process" class="wp-image-29028"/><figcaption>SDLC Process</figcaption></figure>



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<p>The traditional SDLC model relies on a forward-moving process where testing occurs at the later stages. If testers identify any issues in the application, they send it back to the developers for rectification. But this complete process consumes a considerable amount of time, is highly complex, and comes with a huge cost.</p>



<p>The shift left testing principle consists of moving the testing phase from the end of SDLC to the early stages of the pipeline. As opposed to executing the test cases after the development phase is over to send the product back to coders upon encountering bugs, shift left identifies and resolves issues early in the development process. This approach reduces the time in fixing bugs that are discovered later in the pipeline and improves software quality.</p>



<p>Typically, the success of shift left means developers run more tests to check application quality before pushing it to the testers. And multiple automation tools support the shift left testing principles. For instance, a tool that lets you begin with your testing along side the development activities. This tool could support TDD or unit testing, or could help testers create tests without waiting for development to finish.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-are-shift-left-testing-principles-important-in-devops"><span id="Why_are_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles_Important_in_DevOps"><strong>Why are Shift Left Testing Principles Important in DevOps?</strong></span></h2>



<p>There are many reasons why you must adopt shift left testing principles in DevOps. Here are some of them:</p>



<ul><li>Pushes testing to the early stages of the pipeline and saves cost</li><li>Makes it easier for developers to detect and resolve bugs early in software development</li><li>Produces a high-quality application with fewer code patches and fixes</li><li>Reduces the instances of delay in product delivery</li><li>Improves customer satisfaction as the delivery is on time and with minimal issues</li><li>Allows for the use of test automation tools early in SDLC that increases the accuracy of finding errors</li><li>Enables your team to write, execute, and record test cases and their results, respectively, using automation tools.</li></ul>



<h2 id="why-does-devops-recommend-shift-left-testing-principles"><span id="Why_does_DevOps_Recommend_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><strong>Why does DevOps Recommend “Shift Left” Testing Principles?</strong></span></h2>



<p>The primary goal of DevOps is to ensure that the development and testing process is smooth, which provides better quality products at an increased speed. And two of the major reasons why DevOps recommends shift left testing principles are reduced cost of fixing bugs and increased speed of delivering high-quality software.</p>



<h3 id="reduced-cost-of-fixing-defects"><span id="Reduced_Cost_of_Fixing_Defects">Reduced Cost of Fixing Defects</span></h3>



<p>It is common knowledge in every business that resolving issues during the development phase is easier and costs less than doing so in the production phase. The process requires much less labor, has fewer dependencies, and results in rolling out a better-quality product. Early bug detection actions prompt the implementation of corrective measures and strategies, which enhances software development quality and maintains a high codebase standard.</p>



<h3 id="better-quality-product-at-improved-speed"><span id="Better_Quality_Product_at_Improved_Speed">Better Quality Product at Improved Speed</span></h3>



<p>Since developers would work on the defects as soon as they are identified in the development phase, the overall quality of the software becomes better as it moves through the subsequent phases. And this complete approach proves highly useful, allowing all the individuals involved in the project to maintain the software from the first step itself.</p>



<p>Moreover, being able to determine the issues and keep them at bay makes it easier for project managers to provide accurate information about the development to the stakeholders and keep the delivery timeline intact.</p>



<h2 id="advantages-of-shift-left-testing-principles"><span id="Advantages_of_Shift_Left_Testing_Principles"><strong>Advantages of Shift Left Testing Principles</strong></span></h2>



<p>Some of the advantages of shift left testing principles in DevOps are:</p>



<ul><li>The project cost gets reduced as the bugs are dealt with at the development stage.</li><li>It improves the product quality due to increased efficiency of the software development process.</li><li>It accelerates the time-to-delivery as the chances of finding defects in the production phase are low, and the codebase is strong.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-shift-left-and-test-automation-in-devops"><span id="Shift-left_and_Test_Automation_in_DevOps"><strong>Shift-left and Test Automation in DevOps</strong></span></h2>



<p>Test automation is a necessity, but does it always yield positive results for the business? Let’s see.</p>



<div style="height:26px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="793" height="435" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-staging.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/in-article-3-MC456.jpg" alt="Shift Left and Test Automation" class="wp-image-29030"/><figcaption>Shift Left and Test Automation</figcaption></figure>



<div style="height:26px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>There are multiple ways for you to embrace and spread the usage of automation in your SLDC process. You can choose to become a self-starter and build your own <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/test-automation-frameworks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test automation framework</a>, or you can adopt the ones already present in the market after a proper analysis. But all of these <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated tests</a> require a huge sum of money, time, and skilled labor. And this is when you need to see if the investment in test automation is paying off or ripping you off. If automation costs more than the benefit it brings, you need to reconsider.</p>



<p>How do you then decide if the investment in the <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/shift-left-testing-some-tools-that-can-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shift left test automation tool</a> is worth it? Consider these factors:</p>



<ul><li>Eliminate high dependencies on code specialists when automating test cases. Go for <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/codeless-testing-when-is-testsigma-recommended-tool-for-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">codeless tools</a> that allow you to write and run test cases with the testers you already have.</li><li>A tool that is easy to learn, simple to install and implement, and available for non-technical professionals as well will offer a quicker turnaround time and better results.</li><li>Choose a tool that offers low maintenance of test cases and can scale with your growing business need. <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/how-does-testsigma-support-the-shift-left-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma supports shift left testing</a> by allowing you to create tests along with the development phase &#8211; you can create elements that can be filled up later. Testsigma is a <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/low-code-test-automation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">low code test automation platform</a> that lets you author test cases in simple English, without any need to learn code. Testsigma also lets you automate your tests for web, mobile, desktop and API applications from the same place. </li></ul>



<p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="display: block;
    margin: auto;"><a href="https://github.com/testsigmahq/testsigma" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Start automating your tests for web, mobile, API, and desktop with Testsigma; sign up for a free trial today.</a></button><br></p>



<h2 id="h-takeaway"><span id="Takeaway"><strong>Takeaway</strong></span></h2>



<p>The days of development first and testing later are over. Today, organizations follow continuous development and continuous testing. DevOps is making it possible with CI/CD approach. But the overall idea can only thrive if automation comes into the picture.</p>



<p>Shift-left testing ensures that testing moves closer to development and helps introduce automation into the entire process. We discuss all the possible options and choices so you understand shift left testing and implement it to improve the software quality.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions-faqs"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-shift-left-approach-in-agile"><span id="What_is_the_shift-left_approach_in_Agile">What is the shift-left approach in Agile?</span></h3>



<p>The shift-left approach in agile is moving the testing, quality, and performance check early in the SDLC pipeline, sometime even before the production code is complete. It helps developers and testers anticipate the potential changes that arise during the development process and might affect software performance.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-benefit-of-shift-left-testing-principles"><span id="What_is_the_benefit_of_shift-left_testing_principles">What is the benefit of shift-left testing principles?</span></h3>



<p>Shift-left testing principles reduces development and testing cost, create cleaner, high-quality code, saves time, and improves software delivery time.</p>



<h2 id="suggested-readings"><span id="Suggested_Readings"><strong>Suggested Readings</strong></span></h2>



<p><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/how-does-testsigma-support-the-shift-left-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shift Left Approach&nbsp;</a></p>



<p><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/shift-left-testing-some-tools-that-can-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shift Left Testing Tools</a></p>



<p><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/shift-left-vs-shift-right/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shift left vs Shift Right Testing</a></p>


Shift Left Testing Principles: Guide to Improving Testing Quality

Best Examples Of Web Applications Test Cases


<p>We know Software testing is an essential part of software development. Static and dynamic Testing are two approaches to Testing software that are important for ensuring the software&#8217;s quality.</p>



<ul><li>Static Testing involves testing the software without running it</li><li>Dynamic Testing involves executing the program and testing its behavior in different scenarios.</li></ul>



<p>This blog will discuss the differences between static testing vs dynamic testing and when to use each approach.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Differences_Between_Static_Testing_and_Dynamic_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> Differences Between Static Testing and Dynamic Testing </a></li><li><a href="#Static_Testing_Vs_Dynamic_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Static Testing Vs Dynamic Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Choosing_Between_Static_Testing_and_Dynamic_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Choosing Between Static Testing and Dynamic Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_static_and_dynamic_testing_in_agile"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.1</span> What is static and dynamic testing in agile?</a></li><li><a href="#Is_black-box_testing_static_or_dynamic"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.2</span> Is black-box testing static or dynamic?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_static_and_dynamic_testing_tools"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.3</span> What are static and dynamic testing tools?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-differences-between-static-testing-and-dynamic-testing"><span id="Differences_Between_Static_Testing_and_Dynamic_Testing"><strong>Differences Between Static Testing and Dynamic Testing </strong></span></h2>



<p id="static-testing"><strong>Static Testing</strong></p>



<p>Static Testing is a software testing technique that involves reviewing and analyzing</p>



<ul><li>software documentation,</li><li>design, or code</li></ul>



<p>without executing the software.</p>



<p>It is a way of checking for errors and defects in the software by examining it in a &#8220;static&#8221; state rather than actively running it.</p>



<p>Static Testing aims to identify issues early in software development when they are easier and less costly to fix. By catching defects early, Static Testing can help improve the software&#8217;s overall quality and reliability. Also, it enhances maintainability and ultimately saves time and money in the long run.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Read More about <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/static-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Static Testing</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p id="h-dynamic-testing"><strong>Dynamic Testing</strong></p>



<p>This software testing technique involves executing the software and testing its behavior in different scenarios. During dynamic testing, testers create test cases and conduct test runs to identify defects and ensure the software meets the specified requirements. This testing aims to validate the software&#8217;s functionality, performance, and security and to ensure that it behaves as expected by testing it against various inputs, expected outputs, and error conditions. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Read More on <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/dynamic-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dynamic testing</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="h-static-testing-vs-dynamic-testing"><span id="Static_Testing_Vs_Dynamic_Testing"><strong>Static Testing Vs Dynamic Testing</strong></span></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Features</strong></td><td><strong>Static Testing&nbsp;</strong></td><td><strong>Dynamic Testing&nbsp;</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Definition</strong></td><td>A testing technique that reviews and analyzes software documentation, source code, and other artifacts before execution.</td><td>A testing technique that evaluates software behavior when it is executed.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Objective</strong><br></td><td>To identify defects and improve software quality early in development.</td><td>To validate the software&#8217;s functionality and behavior in different scenarios.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Types of Testing</strong></td><td><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/role-of-a-software-tester-in-code-reviews/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Code review</a>, walk-through, and inspection</td><td>Unit, integration, system, acceptance, performance, security, and user acceptance testing.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Timing</strong></td><td>It begins early in the software development process and continues forever.</td><td>Conducted after coding and development are complete.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Results</strong></td><td>Includes reviews, walkthroughs, and inspections of the software.&nbsp;</td><td>Includes functional, integration, system, performance, and usability tests&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Automation</td><td>These tests, generally, cannot be automated.</td><td>These can be automated.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



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<h2 id="choosing-between-static-testing-and-dynamic-testing"><span id="Choosing_Between_Static_Testing_and_Dynamic_Testing"><strong>Choosing Between Static Testing and Dynamic Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p>When choosing between these testing, it is essential to consider the specific requirements and objectives of the testing process. Both approaches have advantages and limitations, so a justification for selecting one over the other depends on various factors.</p>



<p>Static testing involves analyzing code without executing it, while dynamic testing involves running code to identify any issues. The choice between static and dynamic testing largely depends on the desired outcome. Static testing may be the way to go if you&#8217;re looking to catch coding errors early and improve code quality. On the other hand, dynamic testing is likely the better choice if you&#8217;re concerned with how a program behaves when running.&nbsp; You could also choose to do both according to the results you are expecting.</p>



<p>I conclude by saying both approaches have their strengths and weaknesses. So, it should be completely a decision based on the project&#8217;s specific needs.</p>



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



<p>In summary, static testing is a non-execution approach performed<strong> </strong>at the early stage of development<strong> </strong>that identifies defects through code review, walkthrough, and inspection techniques. Dynamic testing is another approach that validates the software&#8217;s performance, scalability, functionality, and reliability through various testing techniques such as black-box, white-box, and grey-box testing. This testing is done while the code is being executed in a run-time environment.</p>



<p>Both testing techniques play a vital role in software development and complement each other by thoroughly reviewing the software&#8217;s quality.</p>



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



<h3 id="h-what-is-static-and-dynamic-testing-in-agile"><span id="What_is_static_and_dynamic_testing_in_agile"><strong>What is static and dynamic testing in agile?</strong></span></h3>



<p>When, just like the software development activities in Agile, the static and dynamic testing is also done in iterations according to the tasks taken up for each iteration, it is termed “static and dynamic testing in Agile”.</p>



<h3 id="h-is-black-box-testing-static-or-dynamic"><span id="Is_black-box_testing_static_or_dynamic"><strong>Is black-box testing static or dynamic?</strong></span></h3>



<p>Black-box testing is dynamic testing. The main objective of black-box testing is to assess the software&#8217;s functionality, usability, performance, security, and other non-functional aspects.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-are-static-and-dynamic-testing-tools"><span id="What_are_static_and_dynamic_testing_tools"><strong>What are static and dynamic testing tools?</strong></span></h3>



<p>Some examples of static testing tools include SonarQube, Crucible, Code Collaborator, and FindBugs. Some examples of dynamic testing tools include <a href="https://staging-id.testsigma.com/ui/login?redirectTo=https:%2F%2Fstaging.testsigma.com%2Fui%2Fdashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a>, Selenium, SoapUI, JMeter, and LoadRunner.</p>


Static Testing and Dynamic Testing - Key Differences

Static Testing VS Dynamic Testing – Key Differences

Static Testing Techniques, Tools, Types, and Benefits


<p>We&#8217;re excited to announce our latest release, packed with new features to take your testing to the next level. We built these features with testing efficiency in mind for quality engineering teams delivering quality releases at speed.</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s begin!</p>



<ol><li><strong>Powerful new API testing capabilities<br></strong>.Our brand new API testing interface comes with powerful features that support real-time API response validation, testing of different API methods <strong>(GET, PUT, POST, DELETE, PATCH)</strong>, and data-driven API testing. <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-api-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more</a>.&nbsp;</li></ol>



<ol start="2"><li><strong>Concatenate dynamic test data<br></strong>You can now dynamically generate and use multiple different sets of data and concatenate them with Testsigma&#8217;s test data concatenation feature. It lets you easily concatenate any base strings with dynamic user properties and run the same test for as many iterations as you need. Building dynamic tests saves you time and reduces the risk of errors. <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/docs/test-data/types/concat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See documentation</a>.&nbsp;</li></ol>



<ol start="3"><li><strong>Download and white-label PDF reports<br></strong>Generate detailed reports for management reporting or your own audit and analysis for each build. With this feature, you can export reports to PDF, complete with test cases, test steps, and screenshots. Plus, you can include your firm&#8217;s <a href="https://www.goldenflitch.com/blog/how-much-does-logo-design-cost" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brand logo</a> to ensure the report follows any copyright and company guidelines. Note: This feature is only available to Enterprise users (<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/docs/reports/export-reports/export-report-pdf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See documentation</a>).</li></ol>



<ol start="4"><li><strong>Nested Step Groups<br></strong>Group the test steps that are generally carried out together, and reuse the group everywhere. For instance, in a data-driven test case, you can iterate over user profiles one by one and perform different actions based on the profile type. By creating nested step groups, you can save time and reduce the risk of errors. <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/docs/test-cases/step-types/nested-groups/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more</a></li></ol>



<ol start="5"><li><strong>Disable Test Cases in a Test Plan<br></strong>Sometimes, you know that certain test cases are bound to fail due to known existing bugs. To avoid wasting time on these failures, you can now disable test cases that you don&#8217;t want to run at the moment. This feature allows you to decouple your results from known failures and gives you more control over your testing. <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/docs/test-management/test-plans/disable-test-cases-in-test-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Know more</a></li></ol>



<ol start="6"><li><strong>Enhance test data mid-execution with new NLP<br></strong>Our new NLP feature lets you write values to test data profile columns during test case execution. For example, if you&#8217;re iterating over a series of SKUs, you can log the price of each SKU from the UI and write it to the desired column for a test data profile. Later, you can use this test data profile in another test case to verify if the prices in another pin code or city are the same. This feature makes it easy to add data from the app being tested to your test data profile or log status for certain actions. <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/docs/test-data/add-values-to-test-data-profile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Know more</a></li></ol>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:15px">With these newly released updates, we&#8217;re continuing to enable teams to set up and scale test automation quickly and without coding skills.&nbsp;<br>If you&#8217;re not already a Testsigma user,</p></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">Sign up today</a></button></p>



<p><p style="padding-top:15px">If you’d like to see the difference that hassle-free automation can make to your release cycles, <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/request-demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">let us know</a>.</p></p>


April '23 feature spotlight New features to supercharge your testing

April ’23 feature spotlight: New features to supercharge your testing

What is Localization Testing Explained With Best Practices

What is Localization Testing? Explained With Best Practices


<p>When a software is in the testing phase, different types of testing techniques and methodologies are followed on different layers. Two such types of testing are functional testing and integration testing. Both play a significant role in ensuring the quality of the product and delivering a top-notch product. In this article, we will discuss functional and integration testing &#8211; when to perform them, the benefits of executing these tests, and then the key differences between them.</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_Functional_and_Integration_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> Difference Between Functional and Integration Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Functional_Testing_vs_Integration_Testing_Purpose"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Functional Testing vs Integration Testing: Purpose</a></li><li><a href="#Functional_Testing_vs_Integration_Testing_Workflow_Comparison"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Functional Testing vs Integration Testing: Workflow Comparison</a></li><li><a href="#Functional_Testing_Vs_Integration_Testing_Use_Case_Comparison"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Functional Testing Vs Integration Testing: Use Case Comparison</a></li><li><a href="#Challenges_of_Integration_Testing_vs_Functional_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Challenges of Integration Testing vs Functional Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Core_Differences_Functional_Testing_Vs_Integration_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Core Differences – Functional Testing Vs Integration Testing</a></li><li><a href="#When_to_Automate"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> When to Automate?</a></li><li><a href="#Wrapping_Up"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Wrapping Up</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#Is_functional_testing_manual_or_automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.1</span> Is functional testing manual or automation? </a></li><li><a href="#Is_integration_testing_the_same_as_UAT"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.2</span> Is integration testing the same as UAT? </a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-difference-between-functional-and-integration-testing"><span id="Difference_Between_Functional_and_Integration_Testing"><strong>Difference Between Functional and Integration Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p><strong>Functional testing</strong> helps verify that the software works as expected and meets user’s expectations. It is a type of black-box testing that involves testing various aspects of the application, such as user interfaces, APIs, databases, and other system components, to validate that they are working as expected. It doesn&#8217;t involve looking into the internal working of software functions &#8211; just observing output on the appropriate input.</p>



<p><strong>Integration testing</strong> is when two or more components are integrated and tested as a whole. It ensures that smaller components are working correctly together after integration and provides an error-free user interface for the end users. It helps to improve the performance and scalability of the software and increase the overall software quality.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Read all about <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/guides/integration-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integration Testing</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="functional-testing-vs-integration-testing-purpose"><span id="Functional_Testing_vs_Integration_Testing_Purpose"><strong>Functional Testing vs Integration Testing: Purpose</strong></span></h2>



<p id="purpose-of-functional-testing"><strong>Purpose of Functional Testing</strong></p>



<p>Functional testing helps verify that the software meets the functional requirements. It ensures that the software behaves as expected and aligns with the business requirements.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It checks everything like the end-to-end workflows, functionality of the application, APIs, database, client-server communication, security, etc. Every functionality is tested with different inputs, and the test result will be compared with the expected output.</p>



<p id="purpose-of-integration-testing"><strong>Purpose of Integration Testing</strong></p>



<p>Integration testing helps test the interactions between different software modules after they have been individually tested.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The main aim of integration testing is to ensure that the integrated components work together as intended and to identify any issues that might arise due to their interactions. Typically, integration is done after unit testing.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="functional-testing-vs-integration-testing-workflow-comparison"><span id="Functional_Testing_vs_Integration_Testing_Workflow_Comparison"><strong>Functional Testing vs Integration Testing: Workflow Comparison</strong></span></h2>



<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at the workflow difference between the integration test vs functional test,</p>



<p id="functional-testing-workflow"><strong>Functional Testing Workflow</strong></p>



<ul><li>Understand the software requirements and functional specifications provided by the development team or stakeholders.</li><li>Create test cases that cover different functional aspects of the application and test scenarios.</li><li>Now, create a document for the traceability matrix after designing the test cases.</li><li>Create test data and start executing test cases.</li><li>Once the test is complete, compare the actual result with the expected result to validate if the product works as it is intended to be.</li></ul>



<p id="integration-testing-workflow"><strong>Integration Testing Workflow</strong></p>



<ul><li>Understand the requirements and specifications provided by the developers.</li><li>First, divide the application into smaller modules and understand each module&#8217;s functionality.&nbsp;</li><li>Next, find where you start and finish in each part and create a test plan.&nbsp;</li><li>Choose the best integration testing approach based on the app&#8217;s needs and identify test conditions.</li><li>Then, start to design test cases to perform integration testing and analyze the results.</li></ul>



<h2 id="functional-testing-vs-integration-testing-use-case-comparison"><span id="Functional_Testing_Vs_Integration_Testing_Use_Case_Comparison"><strong>Functional Testing Vs Integration Testing: Use Case Comparison</strong></span></h2>



<p>Functional testing and integration testing are both critical aspects of the software testing process, but they serve different purposes and focus on different aspects of a software application. Let&#8217;s consider different use cases to understand this,</p>



<p id="functional-testing-use-case"><strong>Functional Testing Use Case</strong></p>



<p>Use Case: Consider you are testing an e-commerce application&#8217;s shopping cart functionality.</p>



<ul><li><strong>User Scenario:</strong> Add to Cart Functionality</li><li><strong>Test Description:</strong> Test the cart&#8217;s functionality. That is, when a user adds a product to the cart, the cart should be updated with the correct name, price, and quantity of the product.</li><li><strong>Expected Result:</strong> The application should accurately update the cart and show the correct product details.</li></ul>



<p id="integration-testing-use-case"><strong>Integration Testing Use Case</strong></p>



<p>Use Case: Consider an e-commerce website where users can browse products, add them to their cart, and proceed to checkout. The website is made up of several components: a product catalog, a shopping cart, a user authentication system, and a payment gateway.</p>



<ul><li><strong>User Scenario:</strong> Test the interactions between these components to ensure they work as expected.</li><li><strong>Integration Test:</strong> Test the cart module, checkout module, etc. That is, adding multiple products to the cart and verifying the cart&#8217;s accuracy. Next, add a product to the cart, log out, and then log in again to ensure the cart items are retained. Then, add products to the cart, proceed to checkout, and verify that the payment gateway works correctly.</li><li><strong>Expected Outcome:</strong> The user should be able to browse products, add items to the cart, login, proceed to checkout, and complete the payment.</li></ul>



<h2 id="challenges-of-integration-testing-vs-functional-testing"><span id="Challenges_of_Integration_Testing_vs_Functional_Testing"><strong>Challenges of Integration Testing</strong> <strong>vs Functional Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at the challenges between integration testing vs functional testing,</p>



<p id="challenges-of-functional-testing"><strong>Challenges of Functional Testing</strong></p>



<ul><li>Designing comprehensive and effective test cases for all possible functional scenarios can be complex and time-consuming. </li><li>Functional testing can become complex when requirements change frequently, requiring constant updates to test cases and test data.</li><li>Functional changes or bug fixes in one area of the software can unintentionally impact other areas. Ensuring that new functional additions don&#8217;t break existing functionality requires robust <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/regression-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regression testing</a>. Get here the Comparison between <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/regression-testing-vs-integration-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regression Testing vs Integration Testing</a></li><li>Defining clear test requirements for every change is difficult due to the detailed and measurable information they contain.</li><li>Keeping a simple report to decide whether something works or not with functional tests might not work well. This is because reports are divided based on features and defects.</li><li>It takes a long time to fix recurring issues and to set up the test environment.</li><li>Creating test metrics to analyze and improve applications is challenging due to software complexities and varying test requirements.</li></ul>



<p id="challenges-of-integration-testing"><strong>Challenges of Integration Testing</strong></p>



<ul><li>When you replace mock data with real modules, you might find new bugs.</li><li>It is time-consuming and needs good coding skills to create integration tests because programs and data required for testing are mocked.&nbsp;</li><li>It is difficult to understand the logic because the software code is written by multiple teams separately.</li><li>It is difficult to understand the code because it is written by different teams separately.</li><li>Testing integrated parts of the software is complicated because various things like the database, platform, and software environment affect the tests.</li><li>Choosing the right testing approach can become harder when you have multiple options to consider.</li><li>Integration testing gets even more complex when external features, tools, and libraries from different companies with their own dependencies are involved.</li></ul>



<h2 id="core-differences-functional-testing-vs-integration-testing"><span id="Core_Differences_Functional_Testing_Vs_Integration_Testing"><strong>Core Differences – Functional Testing Vs Integration Testing</strong></span></h2>



<p>The table below depicts the integration test vs functional test core differences,</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Functional Testing</strong></td><td><strong>Integration Testing</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Helps verify that the software is functioning as expected and meets the user&#8217;s requirements</td><td>Helps test how different software modules interact with each other</td></tr><tr><td>Executed by testers</td><td>Executed by testers and developers</td></tr><tr><td>Helps identify issues that might interrupt the application&#8217;s working</td><td>Helps identify issues that might occur while integrating different components</td></tr><tr><td>It is performed before integration testing</td><td>It is performed after unit testing and functional and before system testing</td></tr><tr><td>It is quite complex when compared to integration testing, as the entire application is tested.</td><td>It is less complex as we test the modules.</td></tr><tr><td>It uses the black-box technique.</td><td>It uses the gray box testing technique (both white box and black box testing)</td></tr><tr><td>Tools used &#8211; Testsigma, Selenium, Katalon, Tricentis, etc.</td><td>Tools used &#8211; Testsigma, Selenium, JUnit</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="h-when-to-automate"><span id="When_to_Automate"><strong>When to Automate?</strong></span></h2>



<p>You should automate the functional and integration testing if you repeatedly execute the same functional and integration tests, and you see an ROI on automating them. <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Automated testing</a>, when planned and executed well, reduces the total time and effort required to perform testing, thus accelerating the time to market, and also provides an <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/roi-test-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ROI</a>.</p>



<p><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> is a powerful test automation tool that lets you automate web, mobile, and desktop applications in the same place. It is an AI-driven platform that lets you create test cases in plain English, which makes the testing 5x faster.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/image_94755119bdfe2d7dfa2cde9844b93e72_2000.png" alt="Functioanl Testing vs Integration Testing" width="840" height="399" /></figure>



<p>The following are some of the top benefits offered by Testsigma,</p>



<ul><li>It is a no-code test automation tool that lets you author simple and complex tests in simple English</li><li>It is very simple and easy to use</li><li>Also comes with a record and play feature to record user actions and later automate them as test cases on the cloud.</li><li><a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-cross-browser-testing-tool" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Automate cross-browser testing</a> across 3000+ real devices and 1000+ browser/OS combos.</li><li>A no-code test automation tool that does not require coding to write test scripts</li><li>Automate your web, mobile, desktop, and API tests in one place</li><li>Easy test maintenance on the cloud</li><li>No need to download any tools or frameworks</li><li>Supports parallel test execution</li></ul>



<p>Testsigma is also available as an open source and free version.Start automating your functional and integration tests with Testsigma Open Source</p>



<h2 id="h-wrapping-up"><span id="Wrapping_Up"><strong>Wrapping Up</strong></span></h2>



<p>Functional testing and integration testing are closely related to each other, but they are not the same. We hope that this article helped you understand them and their differences better.</p>



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



<h3 id="h-is-functional-testing-manual-or-automation"><span id="Is_functional_testing_manual_or_automation">Is functional testing manual or automation? <strong></strong></span></h3>



<p>Functional testing can be both manual and automated. Manual functional testing involves human testers executing test cases manually to verify the software&#8217;s functionality. On the other hand, <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/automated-functional-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated functional testing</a> involves using automation testing tools to execute test cases and compare actual results with expected results. Automated functional testing is typically faster, more efficient, and repeatable than manual testing.</p>



<h3 id="h-is-integration-testing-the-same-as-uat"><span id="Is_integration_testing_the_same_as_UAT">Is integration testing the same as UAT? <strong></strong></span></h3>



<p>No, integration testing is not the same as user acceptance testing (UAT). They both serve different purposes in the SDLC. Integration testing is focused on verifying the interactions between different modules of the application, while UAT is focused on validating the software from the perspective of end-users.</p>


Functional Testing Vs Integration Testing - Key Differences

Functional Testing Vs Integration Testing – Key Differences

Introductory and Essential Performance Testing Guide to the Beginners

Performance Testing | What it is, Types & How to Perform?


<p>An application undergoes testing way more than it goes through the development and modification phases. First, developers perform <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/unit-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unit testing</a>. Then after production is complete, QA verifies multiple aspects, including Performance, Functionality, Integration, Regression, UI, and more. Evidently, having a collective of software, test data, test drivers and stubs, and <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/automation-testing-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testing tools</a> to validate&nbsp;an application under varying conditions will simplify the testing process; this collection is called a Test Harness. Especially, test harness refers to drivers and stubs, which are programs that interact with the application under test (AUT). Often used synonymously with an <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/test-automation-frameworks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated test framework</a>, a Test harness is a group of all the elements, tools, and data you require to check an application under test (AUT) in different situations. We outline this topic in the blog to help you understand why and how test harnesses are imperative for your business.</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_Test_Harness"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is Test Harness?</a></li><li><a href="#Why_Use_Test_Harness"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Why Use Test Harness?</a></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_Test_Harness"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Benefits of Test Harness</a></li><li><a href="#Key_Features_of_the_Test_Harness"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Key Features of the Test Harness</a></li><li><a href="#When_and_Where_to_Use_Test_Harness"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> When and Where to Use Test Harness?</a><ul><li><a href="#Automation_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.1</span> Automation Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Integration_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.2</span> Integration Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Examples_of_Test_Harnesses"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Examples of Test Harnesses</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Harness_vs_Test_Framework"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Test Harness vs Test Framework</a></li><li><a href="#Wrapping_it_up"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Wrapping it up!</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">9</span> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</a><ul><li><a href="#Why_is_it_called_a_test_harness"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.1</span> Why is it called a test harness?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_the_context_where_the_test_harness_is_used"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">9.2</span> What is the context where the test harness is used?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-test-harness"><span id="What_is_Test_Harness"><strong>What is Test Harness?</strong></span></h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/test-harness-image-1_061a27db45fc685c1f2ad9aacdcd572b_2000.jpg" alt="Test harness stages"/><figcaption><a href="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/what-is-a-test-harness-tools-examples" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Test harness stages</a></figcaption></figure></div>



<p>As mentioned earlier, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_harness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test harness</a> is a collection of testing tools, test data, software, drivers, and more to facilitate the software test automation process. It consists of all the detailed equipment and elements a test automation process requires. Once the test automation is complete, the behavior and output of the application testing process are monitored. A subsequent report is also generated.</p>



<p>It is an essential part of the <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/blog/software-testing-strategy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">software testing strategy</a> that assists QAs in testing each application feature in detail. It includes executing automated test cases to generate the output and <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/reports" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reporting</a> them to developers. Then, coders can analyze the reports to identify the issues and perform the necessary fixes.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-use-test-harness"><span id="Why_Use_Test_Harness"><strong>Why Use Test Harness?</strong></span></h2>



<p>The primary reason to use a test harness is that they are external to the AUT. And replicate the resources or elements that are still unavailable in the test environment. For instance, if you have an application with different modules that require connection with other systems, a test harness can help you out. If the external system is not yet available during the development phase, you should create a test harness as a replacement to continue with the testing process.</p>



<p>Another reason is that a&nbsp;test harness consists of the test execution engine and the test script repository. The former is the software that performs the test, and the test script repository is the location to store test scripts and cases. This way, you have all the necessary testing requirements in one place, which are all easily accessible.</p>



<h2 id="h-benefits-of-test-harness"><span id="Benefits_of_Test_Harness"><strong>Benefits of Test Harness</strong></span></h2>



<p>There are numerous benefits to using a test harness for the testing process. We list down a few of them here:</p>



<ul><li>It helps automate the testing process to simplify and improve overall productivity.</li><li>It contains all the necessary tools and data to execute test cases and suites in one place.</li><li>Developers receive a detailed report with all the relevant information to pinpoint the issues found during the automated testing process.</li><li>It helps developers to measure the test coverage at the code level with high accuracy.</li><li>Test harness&nbsp;in software testing helps to simulate and handle complex conditions to support testers in efficiently managing such situations.</li><li>It is instrumental in debugging and enhancing software quality.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-key-features-of-the-test-harness"><span id="Key_Features_of_the_Test_Harness"><strong>Key Features of the Test Harness</strong></span></h2>



<p>While the benefits of a test harness will aid you in understanding the necessity of the process, the key features will help you find the exact reason why you should opt for a test harness.</p>



<ul><li>Supports automation of tests</li><li>Monitors and record test results</li><li>Provides flexibility and support for debugging</li><li>It helps developers measure the test coverage</li><li>Execute test suites in the right testing framework</li><li>Manage and input data tests in the AUT</li><li>Supports test case optimization</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-when-and-where-to-use-test-harness"><span id="When_and_Where_to_Use_Test_Harness"><strong>When and Where to Use Test Harness?</strong></span></h2>



<p>There are multiple instances where you can use the test harness. But predominantly, there are two major tests that benefit mainly from using a test harness: Automation and Integration testing. Let&#8217;s discuss them one by one.</p>



<h3 id="h-automation-testing"><span id="Automation_Testing">Automation Testing</span></h3>



<p>In automation testing, test harness functions as a framework that consists of test scripts to run different tests and generate reports with the results of all the executions. Developers can analyze the report to identify the issues, if any, and make improvements.</p>



<p>Often, the right approach to automation testing is when there is a need for running repetitive tests, complex test scenarios, smoke testing, data-driven, and performance testing.</p>



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<div class="title-with-description ">
<p class="title">Here is a guide with in-depth discussions on do&#8217;s and don&#8217;ts of  automated testing.</p>
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<a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" class="cta-btn-v1" rel="noopener">Check out the guide</a>
</div>



<p>One instance we can talk about is verifying the data before moving it to the testing tool and receiving proper reporting and analytics for the same. Testsigma data management, along with the feature to get the right report and analytics, allows you to add to your test harness system and improve the testing ability multifold.</p>



<h3 id="h-integration-testing"><span id="Integration_Testing">Integration Testing</span></h3>



<p>We know that Integration testing is validating the connection between two sub-systems of an application to check if they are logically working as per the requirement. And In Integration testing, many developers rely on stubs and drivers to complete the system for testing. Stubs/drivers take the place of the missing module to enable testers to continue the testing process. Without them, they would have to wait for developers to finish working on all the modules, integrate them, and then start the testing process. In case you have to combine the homepage with the login page and add a payment gateway, integration testing comes into the picture here.</p>



<p>First, you must logically connect all these separate elements and test the flow of data between them. Perform unit testing on the login page and check if it integrates logically with the payment feature. But if any of these two pages are missing, a part of the test harness can act as a stub or a driver to replace the modules and continue the testing.</p>



<p>Here, the test harness includes all the documents and tools for planning, designing, developing, and using stubs and drivers to perform Integration testing.</p>



<h2 id="h-examples-of-test-harnesses"><span id="Examples_of_Test_Harnesses"><strong>Examples of Test Harnesses</strong></span></h2>



<p>Let’s take some examples of test harnesses. </p>



<p>1. Consider an e-commerce application that offers users décor items. The website&nbsp;consists of several modules: homepage, product pages, cart, Wishlist, and payment gateway, to name a few. You need to test every feature of the site and ensure that no issues slip away. However, it is difficult to perform the entire testing process in one single shot. With Testsigma, you can run the test cases across 3000+ real devices and browsers. Your testers do not need to spend much time writing test cases and maintaining input data. Testsigma allows you no-code testing with test data management options. And you receive reports and analytics documents to share with all your stakeholders. You can also integrate our test automation tool with&nbsp;multiple bug-tracking tools, CI/CD software, and collaboration platforms. And all of these different aspects would come under test harness for this particular testing.</p>



<p>2. Another example is in terms of integration testing, which undertakes two or more elements to make a functioning system. We can take the example of a login page (of the above e-commerce website) that takes the user to a dashboard with their purchase history, settings, notifications, saved addresses, and more. First, you would need to establish a logical connection between all these modules and check how they are linked. Then, you must execute integration tests on all the features. The test harness, in this case, will include all the systems, requirement documents, test scripts, automation tools, and stubs/drivers corresponding to any missing modules.</p>



<p>3. Suppose you are doing Functional testing using Testsigma tool to organize, manage, execute, and monitor the scripts along with handling the test data. For this, the test harness would be Testsigma, test data, test cases, test scripts and their storage location, test results, and elements that compare and monitor test results. And you can handle all these attributes using Testsigma tool easily. </p>



<p>4. For Unit testing, developers execute the testing process on the code or module they worked on. The test harness for Unit testing would include the test code developers create, the tool they use to run the script, and the output they receive.</p>



<h2 id="h-test-harness-vs-test-framework"><span id="Test_Harness_vs_Test_Framework"><strong>Test Harness vs Test Framework</strong></span></h2>


<p style="padding-bottom:30px">While test harness and test framework are usually thought to be similar, they have small, visible differences. Here are some of the clear differences between a test harness and a test framework.</p>


<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Test Harness</strong></td><td><strong>Test Framework</strong></td></tr><tr><td>It is a collection of drivers and stubs that are a requirement in software testing</td><td>It is a set of procedures, processes, and test environments in the automation testing setting</td></tr><tr><td>Record &amp; Playback testing option is not available</td><td>Record &amp; Playback testing option is available</td></tr><tr><td>Covers all the relevant information for compiling, testing, and software deployment</td><td>It consists of information like test libraries, scripts, tools, test environment, and so on</td></tr><tr><td>Comes in two categories: automation and integration testing</td><td>Comes in multiple testing categories: data-driven, code-based, keyword-driven, hybrid, and more</td></tr><tr><td>It is specific to the testing</td><td>It is a generic process</td></tr><tr><td>Contains a collection of dummy programs to maintain a relation with application under test</td><td>Contains a collection of dummy programs to maintain a relation with application under test&nbsp;<br>Consists of logical concepts, environments, and so to design and run the tests&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<br><h2 id="h-wrapping-it-up"><span id="Wrapping_it_up">Wrapping it up!</span></h2>



<p>Testing an application requires data, test scripts, test environments, output recording and analysis, and integrations. And no matter how much you try, you cannot check all the aspects of your software in one shot. Having a test harness helps you to keep a collection of all the necessary features, tools, data, and more to make your testing process smooth and easy to conduct. All you have to do is gather the required materials and use them whenever the situation calls for it.</p>



<p>Your best bet to use a test harness for your software testing purpose is to use tools that support the process. Testsigma is a test automation tool that consists of several features ranging from test data management and <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/automated-data-driven-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data-driven testing</a> to <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/regression-testing/automated-regression-testing-tool" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regression testing</a> and report and analytics, which are all the essential parts of a test harness. Check out the tool demo <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/request-demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> and sign up for a <a href="https://website.testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">free trial</a> to see our tool in action. </p>



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<br><h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions-faqs"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</span></h2>



<h3 id="h-why-is-it-called-a-test-harness"><span id="Why_is_it_called_a_test_harness">Why is it called a test harness?</span></h3>



<p>Harness refers to a tool or equipment to control something. Test harness derives the meaning from the same idea. It means having a collection of tools or equipment in one place to perform the testing process.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-the-context-where-the-test-harness-is-used"><span id="What_is_the_context_where_the_test_harness_is_used">What is the context where the test harness is used?</span></h3>



<p>A test harness is used in two places for software testing: Automation testing and Integration testing. In automation testing, it is used for running test scripts and storing test data. In integration testing, the test harness uses stubs and drivers to replace missing modules.</p>


Test Harness in Software Testing Usage, Examples, and Benefits