Introduction
Software development progressed after the creation of the iOS and Android apps. Software testing is currently recognized as an important arm of software development. Thanks to the fourth digital revolution. With every little thing hovering around our fingertips, we are now exposed to different types of software. With the increasing challenges, there is a need for an expert who can test the software and ensure that everything works seamlessly before it reaches the end user. Let’s go back to the basics and understand the fundamentals of software testing.
What is software testing?
Software testing is a method by which we validate and ensure that the developed software/application is free from bugs and shows no runtime errors while working in real time. A software testing expert ensures that the software/application works seamlessly in the capacity for which it was designed.
Why is software testing essential?
What if Mark Zuckerberg had launched Facebook before it was tested? The consequences could have been disastrous, leaving end users dry, and hackers could have accessed and used the data as a gold mine to steal user data and identities. But the testing of the software and the application made Facebook work without bugs or errors and Facebook started to become profitable. Profits aside, if we were to put it in a nutshell to understand why software testing is essential, we would learn that a thoroughly tested software product is reliable, secure, and delivers high performance. Of course, this saves time and is also cost effective.
Have there been any data breaches lately that highlight the importance of a software testing professional?
According to reports, there have been quite a few data breaches lately. These violations have impacted the life of the common man, highlighting the fact that currently the industry is facing a shortage of professional software testing experts. With the growing number of software and applications, the skills gap needs to be addressed at the earliest to combat some of the well-known flaws caused by software testing failure:
On September 25, 2018, a data breach was identified at Facebook, confirming that nearly 50 million accounts were at risk. Bugs were fixed later after testing the site
An outage that took place on Amazon’s cloud hosting service, which is supposed to be the most reliable service, has negatively impacted companies like Netflix, Slack, Business Insider, Quora and other well-known brands. known. These applications rely heavily on AWS services to store and run their data.
A data breach can damage brand image, damage the brand and also have a negative financial impact on it. Software testing comes to the rescue here.
Is software testing a lucrative job? Why choose the profession?
Data is the backbone of everything happening around us today, and software/applications and data share a hand-in-hand relationship. With so many new products and services we encounter daily, the role of a software tester will never be in short demand. It is a lucrative profession that is here to stay. Professionals are offered an attractive salary which, according to the Indian national average, amounts to the average sum of 4.2 lakhs per year. The amount will vary depending on experience. We can’t ignore the fact that software testing is a vanilla skill. Going further, everything will be managed by software and data management. This is the best time to enter the field.
Qualifications Required to Become a Successful Software Testing Professional
A B.Sc, B.Tech, BE BCA and MCA can apply for a course in Software Testing.
The technical skills required to become a software testing professional
A well-rounded software tester (manual and automation) should have knowledge of:
Test case development
Software testing techniques
SDLC models, test automation using Selenium and much more.
The learner should also master the concepts of Core Java variables such as data types, multithreading, collections and many more. It is also essential to learn how to implement Selenium WebDriver, manage Iframes, Cucumber, Jenkins, Gherkins, Alerts and Modal Dialog box among other tools. Understanding these concepts in the domain space will help apply the practices seamlessly in real-world scenarios. Soft skills that involve logical and analytical thinking coupled with creative ideas are equally important.
The Role of a Software Testing Professional
A software testing professional works across all DevOps maturity levels, survey respondent reports, and spends most of their time performing these five tasks in general:
1. Implementation of the tests
2. Design tests
3. Test planning
4. Testing strategy
5. Documentation of issues
Career Path of a Software Test Engineer
A good software test engineer will not be afraid to leverage their skills to maximize their career prospects. Expertise and experience can help a good software test engineer grow as a software test manager, test manager, software quality assurance manager, and project manager. It is often said that the role of the software test engineer is less difficult than that of a developer. However, this is not true. It is indeed difficult to keep up with changing industry trends and most importantly to understand the different data breach variants, to ensure that the software/application is secure and good to launch and use .
The role of a software testing professional is very technical, however, it is essential to understand that passion, a good attitude and excellent time management will help you excel and have a rewarding career in the field.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed above are those of the author.
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