Types of Software Testing Every QA Engineer Should Know

Software Testing is the process of evaluating a software application to ensure it works as expected, is secure, and performs well. It is broadly categorized into Static Testing and Dynamic Testing.

🔍 1. Static Testing

  • What it is:
    Testing the software without executing code. It’s done during the early stages of development.
  • Key methods:
    • Review
    • Walkthrough
    • Inspection

This helps find early-stage errors in requirements or design.

⚙️ 2. Dynamic Testing

  • What it is:
    Involves running the actual software and validating its behavior.
  • Two major branches: Functional & Non-Functional Testing

🔧 Functional Testing

Focuses on what the software does (its features and functions). It includes:

✅ White Box Testing

Tests internal code and logic. Done by developers.

  • Unit Testing – Tests individual functions/methods
  • Code/Statement/Path Testing – Analyzes code coverage
  • Branch Coverage – Ensures each decision point (like if-else) is tested

✅ Black Box Testing

Focuses on inputs and outputs without knowing the internal code.

  • Integration Testing – Checks interactions between modules
  • Smoke/Sanity Testing – Basic checks after builds
  • Functionality Testing – Verifies features as per requirements
  • Regression Testing – Ensures old features work after changes
  • System Testing – Full end-to-end testing of the entire app
  • User Acceptance Testing (UAT) – Final testing by users before release

🧱 Non-Functional Testing

Tests how the software performs rather than what it does. Examples:

  • Load and Stress Testing – Tests system behavior under high load
  • Compatibility Testing – Ensures software works on different devices and platforms
  • Security Testing – Checks for vulnerabilities and data protection
  • Recovery Testing – Verifies how the app recovers from crashes
  • Usability Testing – Ensures app is user-friendly
  • Cookies Testing – Validates cookie creation, expiry, and behavior

✅ Final Thoughts

Using the right types of software testing helps teams build secure, fast, and high-quality software. Static and dynamic testing together cover both the visible functions and hidden logic of the system.