TESTING ANDROID APPLICATIONS

One of the most important parts of developing effective and reliable applications is testing or Quality Assurance (QA), during which specialists identify errors and check whether the functionality and capabilities of a software product meet its goals.

Quality assurance is a key concept that covers absolutely all stages of creation, release and operation of software. Testing is mandatory: usability, feature set, security level, compatibility, as well as the performance and speed of the software.

Before going directly to the tests, the entire QA team takes part in the planning. A general document is drawn up, in which the stages of verification are prescribed, as well as the nuances to which you should pay attention, for example:

• Will the application interact with other software products? How?
• Does the functionality meet its goals? Are all functions working correctly?
• What elements does the user pay attention to first of all?
• How fast does the app load and run, how long does it take to surf the menu?
• Does the app allow for in-app purchases?
• What peak loads can the application handle?
• Is the product convenient to use, is the interface structured correctly?
• What devices should be used for testing? And much more.

The checklist of almost any testing includes the following items:

• General functionality

The main functions of the software product, which are specified in the specification, are subject to verification. All interface elements and use cases, screen navigation logic, buttons, forms and fields, application security level, correct installation and launch, power consumption, interrupts, and device resources are tested.

If the product involves transactions, it must also support payment systems (Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, etc.).

In this type of validation process, a combination of manual and automated testing works great.

• Usability testing

After testing the functionality, it is time to make sure that the application provides a positive user experience, is easy to use and has the correct structure. The context menu should be active and stand out visually, all components should be synchronized with user actions, important elements should attract the attention of users, etc.

• Compatibility testing

It is extremely important that the application works correctly on gadgets of different models and with different versions of the operating system, and also displays correctly at startup. In order to make universal software, the QA team uses various devices for verification during the testing phase, identifies common problems and optimizes the product.

• Performance and speed testing

Efficiency in the use of device resources plays a huge role in the operation of any application. The maximum load that the product can withstand, the speed of response, the stability of its operation, and the consumption of battery power are subject to verification. Opportunities for further scalability are also being evaluated. Delays that form the overall reaction time of the product are eliminated or minimized.

In order to save time and resources in the QA process, automation tools are often used. They help testers catch bugs faster, work on multiple devices simultaneously, increase overall validation productivity, and reduce development costs.

As an example, consider UIAutomator – a framework that allows you to analyze an application from the perspective of an external user, or Espresso – designed to test the interface on a real device or emulator.

AVADA MEDIA offers services for the development and professional testing of Android applications for all areas and industries. We use an integrated approach: from consulting and analyzing client requirements to project implementation and promotion of the final product on the market.

Our specialists take a responsible approach to all stages of software design, and during testing they adhere to the following algorithm:

• Planning and defining the scope of work

First of all, a detailed plan is drawn up, which includes functional and business requirements for the product, a methodology is selected and testing methods are prescribed.

• Strategy development and selection of tools

Technical requirements are studied, scripts are written that allow you to check the functionality. Also, tools are selected, the timing and testing environment are determined.

• Testing the application directly

Based on the data obtained, test scenarios are implemented, problems in the operation of the software product are identified and solved. After the end of the check, preparation for the release begins.

In addition to the basic verification methods, experts pay attention to the security level of the program, estimate the application installation time on different devices (both old and new models), test UI / UX, screen orientation (portrait / landscape), sending push notifications, etc. …

QA has many advantages and helps to solve a number of problems:

• analysis of the quality of the product and the level of its readiness for release;
• identification of possible errors and problems in software operation;
• checking scenarios under valid and invalid conditions of use;
• elimination and prevention of performance defects;
• checking compatibility with different devices and screens;
• reduced service and support costs;
• compliance with all tasks and requirements of the client.

The AVADA MEDIA team conducts detailed analysis using automated and manual testing to ensure compliance with the customer’s requirements and expectations. To ensure the quality of a software product, our specialists carefully plan and control each stage of development: from setting a task to implementing a ready-made solution.