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Mobile Testing

Mobile Apps Testing is not just about testing of mobile product or application. Knowing the telecom basics will always give you an added advantage.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
288 views9 pages

Mobile Testing

Mobile Apps Testing is not just about testing of mobile product or application. Knowing the telecom basics will always give you an added advantage.

Uploaded by

Partap007
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Getting Started with Mobile Apps Testing 1.

Basics of Software Testing:Whether you are an experienced or a fresher in this field, knowledge of Software Testing basics is essential in any kind of testing you perform. Even if you are starting your carrier as a Mobile Apps Tester, you need to know all the software testing principles, Software Testing Techniques, Types of Software Testing, Objective of Testing and other basics in Software Testing. There are many sites and resources available on internet, which can guide you about the same. If you are just starting your carrier in this field, dont bother to accumulate all the complicated theories of software testing in your mind at once. Go stepby-step. It is strongly recommended to undergo some good training program in software testing which can give you some practical experience of testing. Please avoid mugging complicated testing theories. 2. Basics of Telecom:As you have decided to work in Mobile Domain, knowing the Telecom basics will always give you an added advantage. Mobile Apps Testing is not just about testing of mobile product or application. You will surely get an advantage if you are aware of other things in this domain which revolves around Mobile products testing. 2G, 3G, CDMA, GPRS, GSM, HSCSD, SIM, SMS, WAP are some basic things of telecom that you should be aware of. You can check out some more details about the same here. 3. Awareness about Mobile OS/Platforms:There are many Mobile OS/Platforms present in the market. Android, iOS( iPhone), Blackberry OS(RIM), J2ME, Symbian, Palm, Windows phone, Samsung Bada , Nokia Meego and so on. It is very important to have knowledge about these Mobile OS/Platforms as a Mobile Apps Tester. Awareness about the capabilities and limitations of these platforms give you confidence to differentiate application bug with platform/OS limitations. You may find some more details about Mobile Operating Systems. 4.Get familiar with your own Mobile Phone:-

I am sure many of you must not even be completely aware of which Mobile Handset model you are using, what is the OS in it and what is the software version your phone is having. If

you are a beginner, just start exploring your own cell phone. Just open up and try using internet on your Smartphone. Use Wi-Fi, GPRS. Check out how you can format or perform Factory reset on your device (Be careful).Check what is the IMEI number of your phone. Try to upgrade OS version of your Android device. Experiment with different settings and user permissions on your phone. In short, be familiar with all the features and functions of your mobile handset and it will surely help you to dig out more scenarios while testing any mobile app or any mobile Handset you are given to test . 5. Get aware of Testing in Mobile Domain:-

When we talk about testing in Mobile domain, it is not only confined to Mobile Apps, but also includes mobile handset and mobile website testing. Downloadable Mobile Application Testing: Some applications come pre-installed in mobile App world

handset while some mobile applications are downloadable from different mobile application stores(Apple App store, Android Market, Getjar, Nokia Ovi Store, Blackberry etc.). Apart from conventional Functional and UI testing, you may need to test your application against the submission criteria and guidelines provided by these Application stores. As said earlier, testers role here should not be only functional testing of mobile app, but also to make sure your application adheres to the guidelines provided by these mobile app stores. Mobile Handset Testing:-Similar to Organizations that develop third party downloadable mobile applications, there are many companies that develop complete mobile handset. A mobile QA here may need to test native applications or features that are available in the phone. SMS, MMS, Voice Call, MMS, Phonebook, Calculator, Bluetooth and other mobile features. It also includes Multimedia (Camera, Video, Media player, ringtones) and stack testing. Mobile Website Testing (WAP Sites):-Unlike downloadable mobile applications, mobile websites can be accessed via browser. No download involved. Testing of Mobile WAP sites has its own challenges. Proper navigation, good user interfaces (design), security, performance and mobile browser compatibility are important areas. 6. Get Aware of Types of Mobile Apps Testing:Mobile Protocol

Similar to general Software Testing, Mobile Software Testing also includes:-

User Interface Testing (Color scheme, Menu styles, Consistency of UI over various Devices) Functional Testing (Testing core functionality of Mobile App as per specification) Performance & Stress Testing [Behavior of Mobile Application in Low resources(Memory/Space), Behavior of mobile website when many mobile user simultaneously access mobile website)] Usability Testing (Testing of usability aspects of Mobile Apps) Apart from above mentioned testing types, some key testing types may include the following. Testing for Compatibility:-Testing the compatibility of your application with native device features (i.e. To make sure your application is not hampering native device functionality) Certification Compliance Testing:-For downloadable mobile applications, there are various Third party Mobile Quality Certification program for various platforms. Testing(for BREW Apps), Test Criteria Java Verified program (for J2ME apps), True Brew Symbian Signed

(for Symbian Apps) are some examples. Apart from regular functional

testing, you may need to test your application against the test cases/Testing criteria provided by these certification processes. However, it depends on your client, whether they want to certify their application or not. Submission Guidelines Compliance Testing: The application needs to adhere to the specified submission guidelines to publish it in any

mobile application store. Failure to meet these guidelines may result in rejection of your app on mobile application stores. For example failure to comply with application Submission guidelines for Apple App Store app store. Interruption Testing is running. Monkey Testing: Continual key pad entries via tools to test application stability with various key press events. Low Network/No Network case Testing: Application behavior when there is no network (Voice Calls, SMS, Charger, Low memory Notification) while application may result in rejection of your app in Apple

coverage or Low network strength. 7. Go through the Sample Test Cases for Mobile Application:-

For newbie in Mobile Testing, it is always advisable to go through some sample test cases for Mobile Apps. Going through the test cases for any mobile application, gives a complete insight of the kind of testing conducted for Mobile Application. You may ask your seniors to provide you some Test Suites for any mobile project your organization completed earlier. However, you can still go through some general Test Cases for Mobile application 8. Explore the Capabilities of Simulator:here.

Simulators always play big role when there are no mobile devices available for testing. Though Device testing is always preferred as it represents more likely end user scenarios, the importance of simulators cannot be ignored. In order to have effective testing over Simulator, It is recommended to explore all the capabilities of Simulator. 9. Take Help from Remote Device Access Service-

Due to a large number of devices available in the market, it is not feasible to buy a new device every time. At the same time Simulators are not completely reliable enough to launch a mobile app based on testing conducted only on simulators. RDA (Remote device services) can be a good solution to deal with these challenges. The remote device access services enable access to a live device over the Internet. As a Mobile Apps Tester, you should be aware of such services and should suggest your managers about the capabilities of such Services. Some Available RDA Services are: Device Anywhere Perfecto Mobile Nokia RDA (Paid) (Paid)

(Free, For Symbian Phones)

Advantages of RDA:

You dont need to purchase actual device. User can select different Carriers e.g. Verizon, T-Mobile, AT & T.

RDAs are more reliable than simulators as they are real devices. Some RDA Service like Device Anywhere also has automation capabilities. Disadvantages of RDA: Since you access devices remotely it takes time for any action or key event. Sometimes the needed device is not available due to prior reservations. Higher Service Cost 10 . Explore Tools and Utilities:-

There are many software tools and utilities available in the market which may help you in testing of your Mobile Application effectively. Some of these tools are available in SDKs itself. However you may still dig out the internet for such tools on various platforms. Tools to check Battery Consumption while your app is running. E.g. Nokia Energy Profiler.

Tools/Software to capture screenshot: There are many tools available for various mobile platforms to capture screenshot from device itself. E.g S60 Devices. Tools to Generate dummy files to test behavior of mobile app at Low EFS. e.g. Maxfilecnt utility from QUALCOMM for BREW mobile apps,Fill Device Memory Lite Tools to Generate Random key events. e.g. Hopper Test Tool (Windows Mobile) for Android apps. Screenshot tool for Symbian

Monkey tool(Android), BREW Grinder(BREW),

Tools to Capture Logs. E.g. Apphance for Android. 11. Explore Automation Tools for Mobile:-

Along with Manual Mobile Testing, be ready to explore your potential in Mobile Automation Testing as well. Mobile Testing is a new field and many automation tools are coming in to market gradually. If you get any opportunity to work on any mobile automation tool, it is well and good. But if you dont get such opportunity, it is better to explore on your own. Dont wait for the time when you will get an opportunity to work on Mobile Automation Tool. Believe me, sooner or later you will definitely face a question from your InterviewerHave you worked on any Mobile automation tool ? Here are some automation tools available for Mobile Apps Testing:TestComplete M-Eux TestQuest Countdown Test Quest Pro Robotium VNC Sikuli Deviceanywhere FoneMonkey (iPhone) Eggplant (iPhone) TestiPhone( For iPhone Mobile Web) IBM Rational Performance Tester (RPT) 3P Mobile Expertest

MITE (A

Mobile content testing and validation tool

for Mobile Web app)

Mobile QA Zone collaborates with Tea-time with Testers After my announcement of collaboration between QA Zone UTI and MQZ for providing feedback on Mobile Tea-time with Testers. Tea-time with

UTI documents, let me declare yet another candid sync up between our very own and an International Monthly on software Testing i.e.

You all are already aware of our work as MQZ, let me tell you more about Testers taken by its Editor and Co-Founder Mr.Pratikkumar Patel brilliant venture. Mr.Lalitkumar Bhamare

(for those who dont know yet) . Tea-time with Testers is an outcome of efforts accompanied by who happens to be another key person and Co-founder of this

The reason I decided to go ahead with Tea-time with Testers is the true passion they have for software testing which is completely selfless.Their very first edition was launched in February 2011 and to my surprise, with launch of its 5th issue (June 2011 issue) time with Testers blowing ? This magazine has become talk of the Global Testing Community for its quality, content, design, liveliness and many other original ideas which are solely tester across the corner. In every single issue of Tester may need. Articles from Testers across the globe and thereby ensuring the integrity of testers which is very much needed. Thought provoking articles along with articles which teach us the craft of Testing. Blogger of the Month and Smart Tester of the Month awards to encourage young and fresh Testers to let them thrive in Global Testing Community. Testing Puzzles, Tickle your QA Bone sections are really mind blowing and one cant just Tea-time with Testers, youll realize that it has everything that one focused on benefit of every has reached up to 57 Countries in the world. Isnt that a Teamind

go ahead without leaving a smile

Mr.Lalit approached me and asked join the

wagon and guide their readers in separate column the answer

dedicated to Mobile Application Testing. When I asked, Why Mobile Apps? take their offer.

given by him made me confident about their foresight and that very moment I decided to

Am happy to announce myself as an Assistant Editor of Tea-time with Tester where I will be writing my thoughts around Mobile Application Testing. I look forward to see time with Testers and Mobile QA Zone efforts and of course with the very much needed support from you all. Teaflourishing together by our honest and sincere

Reasons Why Mobile Apps Need Testing For any mobile app developer hoping to produce a top quality mobile application, app testing

is an essential part of the app development process. Here are several reasons for getting your application tested by a mobile app testing professional before its consumer release: Check the Basic User Experience After designing and developing a mobile app you will need it to be tested by a group of eager mobile users. This simply requires the application to be test run in its simplest form fully using the app for its intended purpose. Users at this testing stage should be asked to give feedback on the complete user experience and record any glitches they discover. Screenshots can be extremely useful at this point, and if the app in question is iPhone based there is no excuse for making the most of the screen capture function. Test Navigation Whilst basic user testing may bring awareness to navigation problems, computer based app testing is the most accurate way of checking full app navigation. This process will check all menu functions are correctly working and that both internal and external links are accurate. Test System and Negative Usage By performing app tests, a developer can accurately determine how your application will function

in various conditions. Testing the apps reactions to system changes such as low memory or low battery as well as putting the application up against negative challenges such as malicious attacks. Check for Hidden Defects If all is well with the general user experience of your app, there could still be hidden issues that could cause sporadic performance or later problems. These defects are found through both software and hardware tests and are only completely detectable through professional services. Check Connectivity Many iPhone apps rely on internet connectivity in some form or another after original download (even if just for updates). Monitoring how a mobile app functions in conditions of low internet connectivity or mobile signal is a very important stage in mobile app testing and will ensure that any problems formed during app development can be corrected before release. Test Audio Functionality Another area which needs to be tested is the apps ability to interact with various audio settings on different handsets. App details including audio and vibrate feedback (when a sound or buzz plays on a touch) also need to be thoroughly checked to eliminate any future glitches.

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