Manual Testing Tutorial

Manual Testing Tutorial – Comprehensive Guide | Software Testing Tutorial

This free online Software Testing Tutorial provides an in-depth understanding of manual testing concepts, designed to support learners at all levels—from beginners to advanced.

Module 1: Testing Fundamentals


Tutorial #1: Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Tutorial #2: Software-Testing-Life-Cycle-(STLC)
Tutorial #3: Level of Software Testing
Tutorial #4: Importance of Software Testing
Tutorial #5: Best Practices for Software Testing

Tutorial #1: Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured process used by software developers and project managers to design, develop, test, and deploy high-quality software efficiently. It defines a series of well-defined phases that guide the software development process from initial planning to final deployment and maintenance.

Phases of SDLC
  1. Requirement Gathering and Analysis
    Stakeholders and business analysts gather, analyze, and document the functional and non-functional requirements of the software.
  2. Planning
    Project scope, resources, timelines, and cost estimations are defined. A clear roadmap is created for the development process.
  3. System Design
    Architects and developers design the system architecture, including database design, user interface, and software modules based on the requirements.
  4. Implementation / Coding
    Developers write code according to the design specifications. This is the actual development phase where the application is built.
  5. Testing
    The software is tested to identify and fix bugs or defects. Testing ensures the product meets quality standards and functions as intended.
  6. Deployment
    Once the product passes testing, it is deployed to the production environment for real-world use.
  7. Maintenance and Support
    Ongoing support is provided to resolve issues, implement updates, and make enhancements based on user feedback or changing business needs.

Tutorial #2: Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)

The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a systematic process followed by the testing team to ensure the quality and correctness of software. It defines a series of well-structured phases that describe the testing process from the initial requirement analysis to the final test closure activities.

Phases of STLC
  1. Requirement Analysis
    • QA team studies and analyzes the requirements to identify testable aspects.
    • Clarifications are sought if any requirements are unclear or incomplete.
  2. Test Planning
    • The test lead creates a test plan outlining scope, objectives, resources, schedules, and responsibilities.
    • Risk analysis and tool selection are also performed in this phase.
  3. Test Case Design and Development
    • Detailed test cases and test scripts are created based on requirements.
    • Test data is prepared, and traceability is established with requirements.
  4. Test Environment Setup
    • The required hardware and software environment is prepared.
    • Configuration of tools, servers, and network settings is done to mimic the production environment.
  5. Test Execution
    • Test cases are executed, and results are recorded.
    • Any deviations from expected outcomes are logged as defects or bugs.
  6. Defect Reporting and Tracking
    • Identified defects are reported to the development team.
    • Bugs are tracked until they are resolved and retested.
  7. Test Closure
    • Testing activities are formally concluded.
    • A test summary report is prepared, and lessons learned are documented for future reference.

Tutorial #3: Level of Software Testing

Software Testing Levels define the stages in which testing is carried out during the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Each level focuses on a specific aspect of the software to ensure quality, functionality, and reliability.

1. Unit Testing

  • Purpose: Test individual components or functions of the software in isolation.
  • Performed By: Developers.
  • Tools: JUnit, NUnit, TestNG, PyTest.
  • Example: Testing a login function to ensure it returns the correct response for valid/invalid credentials.

2. Integration Testing

  • Purpose: Verify interactions and data flow between integrated modules or units.
  • Performed By: Developers or Testers.
  • Approaches: Top-down, Bottom-up, Big Bang, Sandwich.
  • Tools: JUnit (with mocks), Postman (for API integration), SOAP UI.
  • Example: Testing if the login module correctly passes the session to the dashboard module.

3. System Testing

  • Purpose: Test the complete and fully integrated software system to validate end-to-end functionality.
  • Performed By: QA/Testers.
  • Includes: Functional, non-functional, performance, and usability testing.
  • Tools: Selenium, QTP/UFT, LoadRunner.
  • Example: Testing the entire e-commerce flow from login to payment and order confirmation.

4. Acceptance Testing

  • Purpose: Validate the software against business requirements and ensure it’s ready for release.
  • Performed By: End-users or clients (UAT – User Acceptance Testing).
  • Types: Alpha Testing (internal), Beta Testing (external).
  • Example: The client tests whether the product meets their expectations and can be accepted for production.

Tutorial #4: Importance of Software Testing

Software testing is a critical phase in the software development lifecycle that ensures the final product is reliable, secure, and performs as expected. Here are the key reasons why software testing is important:

1. Ensures Software Quality

Testing identifies bugs, errors, or inconsistencies before software is released. This improves the overall quality of the application and ensures it meets user requirements.

2. Enhances User Experience

A well-tested application is more stable and user-friendly. Bugs and crashes can frustrate users and damage the reputation of the product and company.

3. Saves Time and Cost

Early detection of issues reduces the cost and time of fixing them. Fixing defects after release is often more expensive and complex.

4. Boosts Security

Testing, especially security testing, helps detect vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers, thereby protecting sensitive data and maintaining user trust.

5. Supports Continuous Improvement

Testing provides feedback for developers, allowing them to make incremental improvements and maintain software quality throughout the product lifecycle.

Tutorial #5: Best Practices for Software Testing

1. Start Testing Early
  • Involve testing in the early stages of development.
  • Catching bugs early reduces cost and rework.
2. Understand Requirements Thoroughly
  • Clear understanding of business and technical requirements ensures meaningful test cases.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve ambiguities.
3. Use a Combination of Testing Types
  • Apply unit, integration, system, regression, and acceptance testing.
  • Include non-functional testing like performance, security, and usability.
4. Automate Where Possible
  • Automate repetitive and regression tests to save time and ensure consistency.
  • Use frameworks like Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, or Cypress.
5. Maintain Test Documentation
  • Keep test cases, test plans, and bug reports well-documented.
  • Helps in knowledge transfer, audits, and future maintenance.