During your day-to-day life, you have probably heard about software and its role in business management and security. But do you know how software tests work? In this article, our goal is to clarify your main doubts about these tests and their importance for companies. Check it out!
Software: what are they?
In general terms, software should be understood as the intangible part of these highly complex systems that are computers. Software is developed through coding and programming languages, allowing the machine to perform actions based on commands generated by humans.
Contrary to what many people think, hardware and software are distinct elements that are part of a computer. Each one has its own function for performance and proper functioning. Therefore, all computers are a combination of hardware and software, which work together to ensure that the user’s needs are met.
Software is made up of a set of instructions given to a computer, which must be followed and executed by a mechanism so that it performs a specific task through a language that your device is capable of understanding.
Thus, in order for you to be able to write a word in Word, you use the hardware of the keyboard and the software of the Microsoft Word operating system. Therefore, working together, the computer is able to perform the task assigned to it, which is writing a text.
So, every time you use your computer, you need to use hardware to generate a command and make it work. But it is the software that provides commands to the hardware and tells it what to do.
Types of software
Software can be classified according to their application and usability. Currently, there are several types of software available on the market, and without them, most of the activities we perform in our daily lives would be affected, such as delivery of orders, requesting a service, and communication in general.
Check out below the main types of software available on the market:
Application software
As the name suggests, application software is related to all those programs derived from software programming that perform a specific task. For example, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Microsoft 365, Adobe Reader.
Applications are present in almost every area of daily life as a final product offered to the consumer. They can be purchased to be used on both mobile devices and computers.
Programming software
In general, programming software is used to build new software. Through the use of logical knowledge and object-oriented programming language.
Thus, the computer professional can design digital utilities to perform various distinct functions according to the objective of each program and the type of processing desired.
These programs form the basis on which the code of a software is written to develop new systems within an operating system. They are extremely important so that developers can increasingly build advanced systems.
System software
Unlike the previous example, system software should be understood as the structural basis on which the two previous types are built.
In general, system software is considered the most important product of the computer system. They enable the use and manipulation of the operating system interface by the user, even if they don’t know how these components embedded in the device were developed.
Thus, system software is described as highly robust programs, composed of a set of programs or applications that have the purpose of managing the physical resources of the device to coordinate tasks and manage memory for its use, as well as providing a user-friendly experience for controlling and interacting with the system through a language understandable to the user.
Therefore, we can say that system software is responsible for integrating applications with the hardware resources that the device has.
Malwares
Finally, there is a category of software that has worried system developers and gained great repercussion around the world due to its serious impacts on privacy and the guarantee of society’s rights.
Malwares are any unwanted software designed to destroy or steal information processed in the computer system. Among these malwares, we can mention viruses, ransomware and other threats that make up an intangible operating system.
The name malware is nothing more than the combination of two English words: “malicious” and “software”. This term can currently be used to define any type of application whose objective is to cause damage or any kind of harm to the user.
In recent years, cases related to cybercrime have raised serious concerns for legal entities. Cyber gangs are becoming increasingly specific and specialized.
Malwares can be used for data theft, interception of information, data hijacking for ransom, ad bombardment, physical system damage, data corruption or simply annoyance.
In this sense, the experience and portfolio of the chosen company for the construction and evaluation of your software should be taken into consideration in order to create a robust and efficient system for your company.
Therefore, you can count on the team of experts from Monitora to develop a personalized software diagnosis.
What are software tests?
Now that you have been able to understand what software is, it’s time to learn about software tests and how they can be applied to ensure security in your corporation.
In general, we can understand software tests as a set of processes applied with the purpose of validating a system or application. These tests can be performed at different times, to verify their correct functioning or security level, for example.
It is important to note that, regardless of what many people think, the diagnosis of a system can be performed at any stage of software development. This includes when it is not yet implemented, or after years of use.
This happens because software tests work through a series of procedures, allowing it to be possible to evaluate the presence of possible bugs, report errors, identify usability problems, in different phases of the program’s life.
Thus, software tests aim to ensure that all requirements requested by the client are met at the time the system is used, reducing costs related to problem correction or specialized technical assistance. Additionally, it prevents the possibility of the system being invaded by sources of malware.
Security and quality assurance of the designed system
According to the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), an international reference for quality in computer systems and software professionals, the applicability of software testing is related to the assurance of security and quality in the designed system. In addition, when we perform a system diagnosis, we also ensure:
- The identification of faults or bugs during the development stages;
- Ensures the security and comfort of the end user and their satisfaction when using the software;
- Allows to ensure the quality of the product and its correct functioning;
- Guarantees the adequate integration of the system components;
- Allows the evaluation of practical performance, verifying if the requirements were implemented correctly;
- Ensures the elimination of problems before system implementation;
- Enables the reduction of expenditures for corrective maintenance and rework.
What are the types of software tests?
In general, there are several types of tests that can be applied to diagnose a company’s software. However, they should be chosen according to the client’s objective, aiming to meet their demands.
With that in mind, the Monitora team has compiled a list of the main tests used in the corporate environment. Check it out!
- Unit Test: It is used to validate if some parts of the code are working properly;
- Functional Test: It is used to validate the functionalities, requirements, and business rules;
- Interface Test: It is used to verify if the navigability and screen elements are working correctly, as well as to better meet the user’s needs;
- Performance Test: It is used to verify if the system response time is as desired;
- Installation/Uninstallation Tests: It is used to verify potential errors or bugs in the system installation or uninstallation process. Verifying if this process is being completed, partially completed, or updated correctly in different operating systems;
- Security Tests: As the name suggests, this type of diagnosis is used to test the system’s security or how it is being applied. For this, it is necessary that the company responsible for the diagnosis use different types of profiles and permissions within the system to be evaluated.
Have the best software testing
Monitora is a Brazilian company with international scope in the development of intelligent systems.
Together with Monitora’s experts, you can change your company’s reality through customized software systems.
Don’t waste any more time and ensure the success of your business! Access Monitora’s services page and discover the best solutions for your company!
*Text automatically translated from Portuguese to English.
