Role of Software Functional Testing in Application Modernization

What happens typically in a Functional Testing scenario? In this back-box testing type, various functions are put under test with certain inputs, where their output is checked and measured for accuracy and effectiveness. Software Functional Testing is very much critical for software application development, as it helps to check the software’s dependency much before it is finally deployed for the users or across the IT infrastructures. Weighed on similar lines, Performance Testing and Functional Testing are the two most basic pre-deployment stage activities conducted in the application development process.

Digital Technologies are changing the way an application is consumed by the user and decide how long it would sustain in the market under growing risks. Functional Testing helps to determine if the desired purpose of the application is delivered and whether the users are able to experience the application as planned. Functional Testing is also implemented to estimate how the designed program is able to react to the host systems.

Hence, functional testing can help teams to resolve a whole range of issues, right from security concerns, accessibility issues, to performance gaps within the application. It also helps to address issues even while an upgrade is implemented or rolled out. With Functional Test Automation, testing various aspects in this context becomes a recurring task and a loop that can be repeated constantly. This helps to ensure flawless functioning of the application and software even during the next phases of software testing.

These are some of the basic strengths and benefits of conducting Software Functional Testing. Speaking of Application Development, how critical is the role of Functional Testing for Application Modernization? As the term states, an Application Modernization program is designed to enhance the scope and value of the existing applications. The program is designed to perform a particular function for the user or for a new application program.

Software Functional Testing is generally conducted towards the end of development. The developers tend to test the compatibility and performance of the application, where different components are written and tested individually across the entire structure of the software.

Digital Technologies and Transformation are throwing multiple opportunities for businesses to scale up their application’s scope and performance. Embedding new features on a regular basis is a fact that every business has to face. Application Modernization is needed to enable the innovation process and keep the application fresh and engaging for the users. Functional Testing gets within the code of the application to ensure that the new embedded features are not messing up with the overall functioning of the software.

How Software Functional Testing can enable Application Modernization?

The crucial role of Functional Testing or Application Development has been well stated. But in the context of Application Modernization, the role expands, as it brings in its purview the risks, challenges, and scope for upgrading and uplifting the application. In a way, it also supports teams for validating the efforts.

• Delivering the expected outcome

Functional Testing is needed to address the concerns around effective implementation of functional requirements. It is generally referred as black box testing, which doesn’t need much know-how around the implementation process. With Functional Test suites, each scenario becomes a functional test. Hence, when a function is implemented or introduced within the application, the specific functional test is applied after been unit tested. The quantum of functional tests totally depends on the priorities and objectives defined for the application. The objective is to deliver what is expected from the application.

• Seamless functioning and expected business outcome from all the functions

With System Testing the teams execute end-to-end functional tests across software units. This helps to confirm that, as a whole, all the functions deliver desired business outcome. The focus is on the overall scenario that needs critical units to integrate and deliver a particular activity. Hence, all subsystems have to be tested initially before they are incorporated with another subsystem. In order to avoid any difficulty in identifying immediate errors, the components are gradually integrated after being tested in isolation.

This is very much relevant in an Application Modernization scenario, where new features are being embedded, but these new component must integrate with the existing ones to deliver a seamless experience.

• Application changes do not impact the overall system

Regression Testing is required to ensure that the code modifications do not bring in bugs or glitches that might impact the overall system. Hence, it should incorporate plans from the original unit that also includes functional as well as system tests. This would help in demonstrating the current functionality that is expected from the application. Regression testing might not be required for the overall system, but it might be needed for particular function areas that are complicated in nature.

Nevertheless, the challenge comes in while modernizing legacy applications, where the development team has to deal with the hardcoded business process workflow and other tightly bound legacy codes.

Cigniti introduces early testing in the life cycle to prevent defects and detect defects early to reduce the overall testing costs, rework costs and improve quality. Cigniti’s functional testing approach is well structured and leverages proven industry standard testing techniques, tools, pre-built test accelerators, and methodologies. Our regression testing approach ensures that the new features or enhancements do not cause any unintended impact to the existing quality of applications.