- 6 Non-functional testing
- 6.1 Software performance testing and load testing
6.2 Stability testing
6.3 Usability testing
6.4 Security testing
6.5 Internationalization and localization
6.6 Destructive testing
- 6.1 Software performance testing and load testing
6. Non-functional testing
Special methods exist to test non-functional aspects of software. In contrast to functional testing, which establishes the correct operation of the software (correct in that it matches the expected behavior defined in the design requirements), non-functional testing verifies that the software functions properly even when it receives invalid or unexpected inputs. Software fault injection, in the form of fuzzing, is an example of non-functional testing. Non-functional testing, especially for software, is designed to establish whether the device under test can tolerate invalid or unexpected inputs, thereby establishing the robustness of input validation routines as well as error-handling routines. Various commercial non-functional testing tools are linked from the software fault injection page; there are also numerous open-source and free software tools available that perform non-functional testing.
6.1 Software performance testing and load testing
Performance testing is executed to determine how fast a system or sub-system performs under a particular workload. It can also serve to validate and verify other quality attributes of the system, such as scalability, reliability and resource usage. Load testing is primarily concerned with testing that can continue to operate under a specific load, whether that be large quantities of data or a large number of users. This is generally referred to as software scalability. The related load testing activity of when performed as a non-functional activity is often referred to as endurance testing.
Volume testing is a way to test functionality. Stress testing is a way to test reliability. Load testing is a way to test performance. There is little agreement on what the specific goals of load testing are. The terms load testing, performance testing, reliability testing, and volume testing, are often used interchangeably.
6.2 Stability testing
Stability testing checks to see if the software can continuously function well in or above an acceptable period. This activity of non-functional software testing is often referred to as load (or endurance) testing.
6.3 Usability testing
Usability testing is needed to check if the user interface is easy to use and understand.
6.4 Security testing
Security testing is essential for software that processes confidential data to prevent system intrusion by hackers.
6.5 Internationalization and localization
Internationalization and localization is needed to test these aspects of software, for which a pseudolocalization method can be used. It will verify that the application still works, even after it has been translated into a new language or adapted for a new culture (such as different currencies or time zones).
6.6 Destructive testing
Destructive testing attempts to cause the software or a sub-system to fail, in order to test its robustness.