When a software or a website is developed, it encompasses various components, such as a database, server, and other related components. The link that enables you to establish communication between these components is referred to as an Interface. Interface Testing is a distinct category of software testing that aims to verify the communication between two software systems. This blog will help you understand what is Interface testing in the following sequence:
- What is Interface Testing
- Phases of Interface Testing
- Steps involved in Interface Testing
- Why do we need Interface Testing
- Approach for Interface Testing
Let’s begin!
What is Interface Testing?
Interface Testing is a form of software testing that aims to verify the communication between two distinct software systems. It checks whether the connection has been authenticated.
The scope of interface testing encompasses the examination of two primary segments.
- Web server and application server interface
- Application server and Database server interface
After comprehending the significance, let us proceed to explore the various phases that Interface Testing encompasses.
Phases of Interface Testing
An interface testing lifecycle has three phases. Lets talk about the phases more.
Configuration and Development:
The configuration needs to be verified according to the requirements after the interface is set up and the development begins. In a nutshell, verification takes place.
Validation
After the configuration and development stage, it is imperative to conduct validation of the interface.
Maintenance
When the project reaches its working stage, the interface will be monitored for its performance after the completion of the project.
One important factor to bear in mind is that the code should be free from defects. To investigate this, tests must be conducted to ensure that any supplementary code does not introduce defects.
After the completion of the task, the validation of data and workflow is conducted. Therefore, it is imperative to uphold the authenticity of the program.
After gaining knowledge about Interface Testing and its various phases, we can proceed to the next topic.
Example of Interface Testing
Imagine that every ABC app takes an XML file as input and returns a JSON file as output. The only prerequisite for evaluating the interface of this application is the parameters of the XML file format and the JSON file format.
We can generate a prototype input XML file and transmit it to the interface by utilizing these specifications. The process of interface testing involves evaluating the input (XML) and output (JSON) files against the specified requirements.
Steps Involved in Interface Testing
There are certain steps involved in testing interfaces. Lets start with each one individually.
- Unit Testing is a method of testing the functionality of a specific component of the software. It ensures that every component of the programs functions optimally and is in complete sync with the software.
- Functional Testing is a method of testing the functionality during the creation, validation, and maintenance of test cases.
- Security Testing: The process of security testing involves evaluating the security mechanism. This encompasses the conduct of penetration testing, as well as the verification of access control, encryption, and other related matters.
- Load Testing: It checks how well something works when its being used a lot.
- Runtime error detection: It helps fix problems like running too fast or using too much memory, among other things.
- Workflow Testing: This test is done to make sure that the interface engine handles the workflow well.
Moving forward, let us comprehend the rationale behind the necessity of Interface Testing.
Why do we need Interface Testing?
Let’s look at the list below to understand why Interface Testing is important.
- To guarantee that end-users or customers do not encounter any difficulties while utilizing a particular software.
- To determine which application areas are most frequently used by end-users and assess their accessibility.
- To check the security requirements as the information flows between the systems.
- To test whether or not a solution is capable of handling network issues between an application server and a web page.
- To ensure that the software possesses proficiency in error handling.
After acquiring these insights, let us discover what essential considerations should be taken into consideration when executing interface testing!
Approach for Interface Testing
The following guidelines will help you carry out a successful interface evaluation. You should:
- Make sure you have properly defined your requirements.
- It is recommended to commence with the development of small codes and then conduct testing on them, rather than immediately embarking on the creation of large codes.
- There are some automation tools you can use.
- It is imperative to clearly indicate the commencement and conclusion points, as this will ultimately aid in evaluating the tests performance.
