Comprehensive Guide To Confirmation Tests In Software Testing
The world of software development is a dynamic landscape, and the need for robust testing practices is more crucial than ever. While manual testing remains a vital part of the QA (Quality Assurance) process, automation is rapidly transforming the field. This shift presents a fantastic opportunity for manual testers — the chance to upskill and transition into the highly sought-after role of an automation engineer.
What is Confirmation Testing?
Confirmation testing is a method of software testing where the software being tested is executed through a series of tests that have already been performed to ensure the outcomes are reliable and precise. The goal is to identify any leftover errors and verify that all bugs previously identified have been completely resolved within the software components. In essence, all tests that have been conducted before are executed again, following the resolution of any bugs identified in the initial tests by the development team. This process of test confirmation is also known as re-testing because it involves executing the same test twice – once before the bugs are fixed and once after. Typically, when a tester discovers a bug, they inform the development team responsible for writing the code. After examining the problem, the developers address the issue and release an updated version of the feature. Once the quality assurance team receives this updated version of the software, they perform tests to ensure that the new code is indeed free from bugs.
What is the Purpose of Confirmation Testing?
The primary purpose of confirmation tests is to ensure that the changes made to the software, specifically the bug fixes, are working correctly. It aims to verify that the initial problem is resolved and no new issues are introduced due to the fix. Lets learn in detail about the main purposes of Confirmation tests:
Verification of Defect Fixes:
The primary purpose of confirmation tests is to verify that the defects reported in the previous testing phase have been successfully fixed. It ensures that the specific issue identified has been addressed and resolved by the development team.
Ensuring Stability of Fixes:
Confirmation tests ensure that the fix applied to a defect does not negatively impact other parts of the software. It verifies that the changes made to resolve the defect have not introduced new issues or caused regression in related functionalities.
Maintaining Software Quality:
By confirming that defects have been fixed, confirmation tests help maintain the overall quality of the software. It ensures that the software functions as intended and meets the specified requirements, contributing to a stable and reliable product.
Building Confidence in the Release:
Confirmation tests aim to build confidence among stakeholders, including developers, testers, and clients, that the software is ready for release. By validating defect fixes, it assures everyone involved that the software is in a stable state and ready for production deployment.
What is a Test Confirmation Example?
A confirmatory test example involves a practical scenario where a specific defect was identified, fixed, and then re-tested to ensure the fix is effective. Let's consider a common example involving a login function:
Scenario:
During a testing phase, testers discover that the login function of an application fails to validate passwords correctly. Specifically, users with valid passwords are unable to log in, while some invalid passwords are incorrectly accepted. This defect is reported to the development team.
Fix Implementation:
The developer team investigates the issue and identifies a bug in the password validation logic. They modify the code to ensure that the system correctly validates both valid and invalid passwords according to the defined rules.
Confirmation Testing:
After the developers implement the fix, it's time for the confirmation tests. Testers re-execute the same test cases that initially failed to verify the effectiveness of the fix. The following steps outline the confirmatory test process.
Test with Valid Passwords:
Testers use known valid passwords to attempt logging into the application. They verify that users with valid credentials can successfully log in without any issues. This confirms that the fix allows proper validation of valid passwords.
Test with Invalid Passwords:
Testers use known invalid passwords to attempt logging into the application. They ensure that users with invalid credentials are denied access and receive appropriate error messages. This confirms that the fix correctly identifies and rejects invalid passwords.
Edge Cases and Variations:
Testers explore edge cases such as passwords with special characters, different lengths, and other variations. They ensure the application consistently handles these cases according to the validation rules. This step ensures comprehensive coverage and robustness of the fix.
Regression Testing:
Although not strictly part of confirmation tests, testers may also perform some regression tests to ensure that the fix has not unintentionally affected other parts of the login functionality or related areas of the application.
Outcome:
If all the test confirmation passes successfully, it indicates that the defect has been effectively resolved, and the login function now works as intended. This process helps maintain software quality and ensures that the specific issue reported has been addressed without introducing new problems.
When to Do Confirmation Testing?
Confirmation tests should be conducted immediately after developers claim to have fixed a reported defect. It is a follow-up activity that is integral to the defect life cycle, ensuring the reliability and stability of the software before moving on to further testing phases. Let us see in detail:
Bug Resolved:
When a tester finds an issue during software testing, they report it to the development team. The developers then fix the issue. Afterward, the tester checks to make sure the issue is completely resolved.
Pre-Regression Testing:
It's a standard practice to conduct confirmation tests prior to regression testing, as this ensures the issue has been properly identified and resolved. Regression testing then verifies that the software's functions remain unaffected by the changes made to fix the issue.
Expect Top-Tier Software:
When a client requires a software with a high success rate and is willing to invest significantly in testing.
Issue Deemed Unacceptable:
If a detected bug is rejected by the development team, it progresses through the bug life cycle. If rejected confirmation tests are carried out to replicate the issue and correct it, ensuring the software's functions are not compromised.
Confirmation Testing Techniques
Rechecking procedures involve repeating prior exercises, rather than utilizing specialized methods. However, certain critical factors need to be paid attention to throughout this stage:
Prior Preparation:
Choosing Test Scenarios:
Pinpoint the specific scenarios from earlier that uncovered the identified issues.
Test Data:
Make sure the new testing data used matches or closely resembles the original data that caused the issues.
System for Tracking Deficiencies:
Look into the bug reports to grasp the precise problem and how it was reported.
Execution:
Executing the Same Scenarios:
Carry out the selected scenarios from before, now with the corrected software.
Monitoring and Recording:
Thoroughly monitor how the system behaves and record the findings.
Anticipated Results:
The scenarios that previously failed should successfully pass this time, showing the bugs have been fixed.
Analysis and Reporting:
Troubleshooting Bugs:
If the bug continues, it means the problem has not been fully solved. Inform with detailed details so the issue can be further examined.
Emergence of New Bugs:
Should new issues arise during the rechecking process, report them appropriately.
Recording of the Process:
Compile a report on the rechecking procedure, detailing the scenarios retested, outcomes, and any issues encountered.
Reasons Confirmation Testing Differs from All Other Testing Types
Confirmation tests is distinct from other types of testing for several important reasons:
Ensures Bug-Free Software:
Confirmation testing verifies that previously reported bugs have been successfully fixed, ensuring that the software is free of defects and functions as intended.
Increases Performance:
By eliminating live bugs, the performance of the application improves, making it more efficient and effective.
No Need for New Test Cases:
Since the same test cases used to identify the bugs are reused, there is no need to create new test cases, reducing the workload of the testing team.
Confirms Quality and Functionality:
It confirms the quality and functionality of the product, ensuring that it meets the required standards.
No New Environment Setup Required:
Unlike other testing techniques, confirmation tests does not require setting up new environments, making it easier to execute
Guarantees No Issues:
It guarantees that no issues are present in the product when it reaches the end-users, providing a high level of confidence in the software's quality.
Early Detection of Bugs:
Confirmation testing helps in the early detection of major or minor bugs, allowing for timely fixes and reducing the risk of further issues.
Disadvantages of Confirmation Testing
Despite its benefits, confirmation testing has some disadvantages:
Re-testing the same defects can be time-consuming, especially if there are many issues to verify.
It requires significant effort and coordination between the development and testing teams, potentially diverting resources from other important tasks.
Focus on fixed defects might lead to missing new issues, as testers may concentrate only on the known problems.
It involves re-running the same test cases, which can be repetitive and monotonous for testers, potentially leading to oversight or errors.
The effectiveness of confirmation testing depends on the accuracy and detail of the initial bug reports and the subsequent fixes by developers.
Confirmation testing focuses only on previously identified defects and does not explore other parts of the application, which might have been affected indirectly.
Challenges in Confirmation Testing
Challenges in confirmation tests include managing and tracking numerous defect reports, ensuring accurate reproduction of defects, maintaining synchronization between development and testing teams let’s see more of these in detail:
Precise Bug Reproduction:
Generating the exact conditions that led to the discovery of a bug can be hard, particularly when the bug appears randomly or in complex situations.
Collaboration Between Teams:
Performing thorough validation tests demands strong teamwork between the development and testing groups. Poor communication or misalignment can result in tests that miss parts or are flawed.
Distribution of Resources:
Distributing enough resources, such as time, staff, and equipment, can prove difficult, especially when there are a lot of issues to check or other tasks are running at the same time.
Keeping Comprehensive Records:
It's crucial to maintain detailed logs of every test case, reports of issues, and solutions, but this can be both daunting and time-intensive, particularly in big projects with numerous problems.
Preference for Known Problems:
Testers may unintentionally concentrate only on what they know, possibly missing new or related problems that were not first identified.
Managing Complex Interdependencies:
Certain issues may have complex relationships with various software components, making it hard to pinpoint and ensure a complete solution to the problem.
Capabilities of Testing Tools:
The success of automated testing can be hindered by their limitations in dealing with complicated situations or replicating real-world conditions, leading to tests that miss parts or are incomplete.
Effect on Testing Timeline:
The extra time needed for confirmation testing can alter the overall testing schedule, putting off other activities like regression testing and potentially derailing the project's timeline.
Conclusion
Confirmation tests are an essential aspect of the software testing lifecycle, ensuring that defect fixes are effective and the software is reliable. By understanding and implementing confirmation tests effectively, teams can maintain high-quality software and deliver robust applications to users.
Credits
SREEPAD KRISHNAN
Low-Code SaaS Industry Expert | Startups | Focused on Driving Scalable Solutions & Enhancing Customer Success | Customer-Centric Product Innovator | Gen AI Enthusiast
Frequently Asked Questions
Confirmation testing, also known as re-testing, is the process of verifying that specific bugs have been fixed. After a defect is reported and addressed by developers, testers re-run the original test cases that failed to confirm the issues are resolved.
The advantages of confirmation tests are numerous. They provide assurance that defects are fixed, help maintain software quality, prevent the recurrence of issues, and improve overall reliability. This targeted approach saves time and resources by focusing on known problem areas.
In testing, "confirmation" refers to the process of verifying that a specific defect or issue that was previously identified and reported has been successfully fixed. This involves re-running the same test cases that initially revealed the defect to ensure that the problem no longer exists and that the software functions correctly after the fix.