Manual Testing Guide for Beginners

Software testing is one of the most essential steps on the way to the project release. There are two primary ways to test an app. One way is done by a program, which is known as automatic testing. Another way is manual testing, meaning that it is processed by a human. While each method has its advantages and disadvantages, their goal is the same: to ensure the quality of the software. Ready to start a tester career? Well, that’s a great idea! You will find useful to check out this article first – it gives an insight into the basics of manual testing not overloading you with unknown and hard technical stuff. So let’s get started.

Manual Testing: What Is It?

 In short, manual software testing is the process of testing software application features and functions from an end-user perspective. Unlike automated testing, which uses a software program to conduct such tests, manual testing relies on the actions of a human. Typically, a tester follows a set of predetermined cases to ensure consistent processing, reporting on the software performance through manual QA. 

Different Types of Manual Testing

 When it comes to manual testing, there are a few different types of it. Here’s a list and a brief explanation of the most common ones: 

Ad-hoc testing. This type is relatively informal and random compared to the other types of testing. No plan, no step-by-step guide.

 Acceptance testing. It is typically done at the end of the manual testing process before the software release. In most cases, it’s conducted by end-users or clients to confirm that the application meets the business requirements and satisfies users’ needs. 

API testing. Conducting tests on API layer is crucial to ensure that the software functions within different systems. If the API layer is broken, the application won’t work. 

Localization testing. Testers apply localization manual testing processes to ensure that application functions properly across the required geo locations. This is particularly important if an app targets a global user community. 

Integration testing. While some integration tests are automated, there are a variety of different manual testing approaches to ensure components within an application work well and are properly integrated. 

Compatibility testing. For applications that want to experience a wide reach of success, investing in compatibility testing is essential. It gives insight into what changes need to be made to unlock cross-platform compatibility. 

End-to-end testing. It is applied to check the connection and order of all the system components.Manual QA experts use end-to-end testing to make sure the whole software performs according to the requirements and all the dependencies work well. 

GUI testing. Graphical user interface testing is performed to ensure that the users will have the best possible interaction and experience while utilizing an app. This type of manual testing involves using case studies to run through an application and reporting on any difficulties or confusion within the graphical interface (e.g. color palette, windows, buttons, etc). 

Functional testing. Functional testing involves running tests to detect errors in a piece of software or an application through checking every single function of it and comparing it to the requirements.