What is Portability Testing in Software Testing?

When we are talking about Portability testing, we should discuss ‘What is portability testing. It is the type of testing process of software or app where that software is installed in one environment from another platform.

The software or app is tested in another environment where software/hardware configurations are different. The purpose of this testing is to verify whether that project is running well in different environments. It also verifies that various business needs of the customer are fulfilled in the software.

When we practice software testing, running the complete app or software is essential to check whether the whole app functionality is running in varied environments or not. Other than that, it is also necessary to run automated tests on the software to check its functionalities on different platforms.

The other thing to consider is deploying the projects in systems having varied hardware configurations. When we deploy the project in different systems, we have to check that it is working fine in that environment where RAM, HDD, processor and everything can be different.

Now, let’s consider learning more about portability testing in the process of quality assurance. You will also come across its advantages in the further information. Let’s begin.

What is Portability Testing?

When the software testers are performing portability testing, they have to place the software or apps in different systems for testing their performance and functionalities.

Sometimes apps are required to be tested with different resolutions like 1280 x 1023 pixels, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. Apps should be checked on various web browsers like Chrome, Safari, etc.

Generally, the version used for testing is either the latest version of that browser or the previous 2 versions.

For instance, if the testing is done on Edge version 11, then version 10, and 9 is also used for testing that app or software. Here are the common browsers used in modern times:

• Safari
• Google Chrome
• Opera
• Internet Explorer/Edge

Currently, apps are created compatible with different mobile devices and mobile OS. So, besides web browsers, apps also need testing on different mobile devices with different OSs and their versions. Generally, it happens that the defects appear while Portability testing does not appear in normal testing processes like Unit testing, Module level tests, integration testing, etc.

There are a few errors that can only be found in portability testing. These errors need to be solved to make sure that the app is performative, and highly portable in different environments and will not fail when installed in various environments.

We need to check different third-party integration software in the project and ensure their compatibility with all possible environments where the app or software will run.

Portability testing is also done when:

The app requires to be upgraded and checked whether it is compatible with newer environments or not. This has to be done to ensure that end-users using different environments have a similar experience in using the app.

The core aim is to test different environments in which the apps can be executed. Now, as we know the basics of portability testing, we will see some common steps of how this testing is performed.

How to perform Portability Testing?

Here are some primary steps to follow while performing the portability testing process for your project:

• The primary step is gathering information on different platforms where the project can run in the future. Gather information about software and hardware configs of such devices.
• The second stage is that testers have to make test cases regarding the tests that have to be executed on the app. These test suites will have to be covered in the final test plan. Please ensure that tests like manual testing are done on the basis of test cases or test suites that contain specific customer business scenarios along with their expected results.
• The third stage is to execute the test cases made in the previous step.
• Now, one has to log the errors and defects
• In the final step, one has to verify whether the error still prevails after it is fixed by the developers. If yes, the development team must search for a new solution for that error.

These steps are more or less similar to the stages followed in the STLC (Software Testing Life Cycle). The other thing to verify is that testing is performed in an iterative & incremental model throughout the software development life cycle process.

What are the parameters of Portability Testing?

Here are some criteria for searching for portability testing in the software. These parameters are as follows:

Replaceability, adaptability, co-existence, installability, and many more.

These criteria will make your business project better and worth using. So, try to use portability testing while testing your software. Let’s see what are the advantages of using the Portability testing process along with its potential cons.

Here are some advantages of using Portability Testing

• Portability testing prevents the error from entering into production that could cause big rework or expense in the future. Much effort and time are needed to solve the issue as it arises in a whole new different app production platform.
• End users will not face different problems on various applicable platforms or systems and the software or app will work as per expectations.

Disadvantages of Portability Testing

• The primary disadvantage of Portability testing is that this makes the process monotonous for testing experts. They can lose concentration while testing.
• Too much time is needed in Portability testing

Over to you…

In the end, one can say that portability testing is an important type of testing that allows the software app to work similarly quickly in different app environments for ensuring that no app failures occur after the app release is done. Portability testing can be your time, money, and effort savior. For similar information and articles, stay tuned with us. Happy reading!