After the pandemic, the world seems to be on the run to transform completely into a digital world: digital education, digital shopping, digital workplace, etc. Can you imagine your life without phones, laptops, or any other technology?
Of course, Not! We have been so accustomed to the modern digital world that we feel lost without it.
Likewise, businesses are also embracing the new digital environment enthusiastically; they have been evolving themselves to cope with and provide the best product or services to their customers or clients digitally- it would be less to say that it has increased the demand for software testers incredibly.
The software testing market is expected to increase to $60 billion by 2027 at a rapid rate of 7%, according to the Software Industry Market Reports. And, it sees no stoppage!
This adaptation to the new technology era has opened a wide door for software testers.
In this article, we will try to shed some light on what software testing is, and what it takes to become a successful software tester.
Let’s proceed then!
Simply speaking, software testing (ST) is the process of experimenting with a piece of software and finding information from the experiments. This information helps stakeholders make informed decisions about the future of that or other pieces of the software.
Preventing & detecting bugs, defects, errors, and requirement gaps so that the product under test can meet the expectations of different stakeholders is the main objective of testing. It can be done with or without using tools & programming languages. The use of tools & programming language depends upon the goals identified for the product.
Moreover, software testing is not just a one-time process. It starts with the requirements stage of the product. And, the products need to be tested from time to time until they reach a state of maturity acceptable to the decision-makers of the product. Please note, In the space of Software Testing, there are no bug-free products.
Why Is Software Testing Important?
Software testing is an important part of the software development ecosystem. With the world going the digital way, both software developers & testers are the most important stakeholders.
Software testing is imperative because any bug or error in a software product can be drastic & dangerous for the business.
Providing a product for use to its end-users or organizations, without proper examination is similar to serving uncleaned cooked rice to guests in haste, which can lead to stomaches & spoiled reputation.
We can’t ignore the fact that the goodwill of an organization is directly connected to the quality of products or services it provides. Thus, a thorough examination is non-negotiable.
“Skills can be developed with constant practice”.
The basic qualifications or skills required for a software tester have been categorized into two parts: Non-technical skills and Technical skills.
Inquisitive: Observation skills & the skill to experiment & find information is the most important skill for a software tester. Software testers' inquisitive nature will never let them feel bored while tracking bugs or unusual lagging in a product.
Communication skills: The ability to structure information and communicate the same with colleagues & other stakeholders while keeping noise away is very important in a Software Testing role. A good communicator helps avoid unnecessary misunderstandings & potential loss. Thus, for someone to be a good software tester, one should be good at communicating the right information to the right person effectively.
Passion: Passion is an important factor that keeps you going excitedly and helps you work with a focused mind. A software tester should be passionate about his work so that he can deliver quality work.
Analytical skills: Great analytical skills can help a software tester in analyzing the core problem by breaking down the complex structure of a product into small units. The ability to identify the problem and deliver an effective solution comes under the analytical skills of a software tester.
Time management: When you’re a software tester, you should understand the importance of time management. You should prioritize the tasks in your hand so that you can complete your assignments before the deadline.
Right attitude: An attitude or perception towards things that define your character. So, a software tester should keep the right and positive attitude towards things. It is good for his personal as well as professional growth.
Creative mind: A creative person sees things in different ways; he is well-versed in connecting the dots and presenting meaningful solutions. In software testing, creative thinking helps a software tester identify the issue by connecting different dots. So, it is also a requisite skill for a software tester.
Knowledge of different programming languages: Software testers also use a programming language to automate the software they are testing. Sometimes, software testers build tools that can help them and their colleagues test better. Though the knowledge of different programming languages like Java, Python, etc. is not mandatory, It is a big advantage for a software tester.
Knowledge of Mapping: Mind Mapping is the process of drawing all the steps required to test a product thoroughly. It helps one understand the flow of work and prioritize the steps in software testing. It is necessary for effective time management and increasing productivity.
Database testing or SQL: Database testing is to identify or check the irregularities in the schema, tables, triggers, etc. of the database of a product. Database testing requires complete knowledge of database concepts and skills in SQL.
Knowledge of defect tracking and test case management tools: Defect tracking and test case management tools help a software tester & project teams keep track of the defects he gets during testing. These tools help send information regarding bugs and defects to the relevant person and inform you when the issue gets resolved. The most commonly used defect tracking and test case management tools are- Jira, Bugasura, etc.
Mindful of new technologies and trends: Learning new things is a lifelong task for a software tester; with the changing world, anything can become obsolete. So, a software tester needs to be in touch with new technologies and trends to give the customer the expected results.
Domain knowledge: “ What are the problems of a user? How is the product solving them?”- a software tester needs to have industry-specific knowledge. Having domain knowledge makes him more proficient in his work.
Knowledge of software development life cycle: With a good understanding of the software development life cycle, it becomes easier for him to understand all the stages and functionality of the product.
Knowledge of testing tools and techniques: A software tester must have good hands-on experience with some software testing tools and techniques like Postman, SoapUI, etc., for exploratory testing.
If you’re looking for the right platform to start your career in software testing, MoolyaEd is a one-stop platform to learn functional testing, Automation & Performance engineering for Web Apps, Mobile Apps & APIs.
It is a software testing training program initiated by Moolya Testing, which is open to candidates who are passionate about software testing & are looking for their first break in the field.
Moolya Ed is a unique combination of two words- Moolya + Ed, which implies valuable education. And, it is just not limited to the word itself; it is what Moolya believes in.
The purpose of Moolya Ed is to impart valuable knowledge and quality training to all interested students and show them a path to success in the field of software testing.
To knowing more about us, please visit our website.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re reading this article, it’s quite clear that you’re interested in making your career in software testing.
So, congratulations! You’ve successfully ascended to the first stage of becoming a software tester.
And fortunately, you’ve landed on the right platform.
Click here to Enrol yourself in MoolyaEd and let us help you in your journey as a comrade.
Happy learning! 🤓
