What Is Non-Functional Testing?

Non-functional testing examines how well and how the software functions. Performance testing, load testing, stress testing, volume testing, security testing, upgrade and installation testing, and recovery testing are just a few examples of non-functional testing kinds. They are all examples of non-functional testing kinds. 

Testing that is not functional is crucial. But how do functional and non-functional testing differ from one another? In this blog, you can learn more about these variations and obtain a description of the most common types of non-functional testing.

Non-Functional Testing: What Is It?

Non-functional testing looks at aspects like performance, accessibility, dependability under load, and user experience to make sure that programs adhere to certain standards. Testing elements that don’t directly affect an application’s functionality but do improve the user experience as a whole is referred to as non-functional testing.

Functional Testing Types vs. Non-Functional Testing Differences

What is tested differs between functional testing and non-functional testing.

Functional testing guarantees that the application’s features and functionalities operate as intended. Non-functional testing looks at several facets of the application’s functionality.

An app’s functionality is tested during functional testing. The effectiveness of these functions is tested by non-functional testing.

Unit testing, integration testing, API testing, exploratory testing, and essential business flow testing are a few examples of functional testing. These all examine the functionality of a website or mobile app.

Below is a collection of several non-functional testing examples.

Why Non-Functional Testing Is Important

Functional and non-functional testing both have important roles to play. You should be performing both since teams need to blend different forms of testing.

Applications become more reliable and usable as a result of non-functional testing. Unfortunately, in an effort to fulfill release schedules, it is frequently hurried.

Performance and UX flaws can provide users with a terrible experience and harm a company when non-functional testing is neglected. Even worse, a surge in users could cause applications to crash. Defects in accessibility may incur compliance penalties. And there may be a threat to their safety.

Organizations are seeking ways to include non-functional testing types in the sprints themselves due to the risks involved with delaying non-functional testing. 

What Sorts of Testing Are Non-Functional?

An all-encompassing phrase is non-functional testing. There are numerous kinds of non-functional testing. Here are a few of the more well-known instances:

• Tests the app’s usability for those with disabilities, such as those who have vision impairments.
• Testing for availability measures how frequently and easily the software is used.
• Testing for compliance verifies that an application complies with regulations or requirements.
• Configuration testing evaluates a program using various hardware and software configurations.
• Disaster recovery testing examines how well business-critical applications recover in an emergency.
• Tests an application’s endurance under a lot of stress for a long time.
• Tests a backup system for an app in the event of a system failure. 
• Geolocation testing involves checking out location-based app scenarios.
• Testing for internationalization determines whether a program can adjust to local languages and other variables.
• The performance of an app is evaluated during peak loads.
• Testing the app’s capacity to be updated is known as maintainability.
• Performance testing measures how quickly and responsively an app responds to different inputs.
• Testing an app’s transferability between different software or operational environments.
• Testing for resilience measures how well an app operates under pressure.
• Testing for security flaws by putting an app’s security measures to the test.
• Testing for scalability determines whether a program can grow or shrink in response to changing user demands.
• Testing an app’s stability under stressful circumstances or high usage.
• An app’s usability is evaluated through usability testing.
• Shifting Left Non-Functional Testing
• According to the conventional method, non-functional testing happens at the very end—and occasionally even after—the software delivery process. Non-functional testing is far too frequently neglected or simply performed in part. Or, it might be done manually when it is outsourced to a third party because there isn’t enough time or automation technology to do it. 

In these situations, crucial tests fail to be completed in time to completely ensure that upcoming releases are delivery-ready. This could result in challenges with compliance, brand damage, or worse.

How can this be resolved?

Early testing in the SDLC is made possible by contemporary testing frameworks and cloud-based solutions. These make it possible to find and fix non-functional testing flaws. These flaws have the potential to cause delays in releases if non-functional testing is not conducted early in the cycle. Non-functional testing therefore cuts down on expenses, pointless work, and risk.

The move from development to functional and non-functional testing is facilitated by early testing as well.

But technology is only one component of the puzzle. Additionally required is a cultural commitment to agile principles. To ensure that their tests are coherent, well-received, and trustworthy, teams must continuously monitor and fine-tune them.

Conclusion:
Non-functional testing is a crucial aspect of manual testing, particularly for beginners embarking on a manual testing online course. This testing methodology focuses on evaluating the non-functional attributes of software, such as performance, usability, security, and scalability. It plays a vital role in manual testing, ensuring that software not only works correctly but also meets the quality standards for factors like speed, reliability, and user-friendliness. Manual and automation testing techniques are both integral to the comprehensive testing process, allowing testers to assess both functional and non-functional aspects of the software, making it a well-rounded approach for delivering high-quality applications.