Page 83 - SOFTWARE TESTING & QUALITY ASSURANCE

Software Testing and Quality Assurance

need to constantly import and export data to other programs that run simultaneously on the same
hardware.
As a software compatibility test engineer, you need to ensure that the interaction between different
software operates or functions as required by the users. Issues pertaining to the way in which the
software functions with the various operating systems and the different types of hardware and software
systems are identified.

Did you know? Compatibility testing helps you to avoid the dangerous and expensive hazards or
troubles that can occur after the product is released into market.

6.1.1 Overview of Compatibility Testing

Compatibility testing also relates to testing the interactions between programs or software either in the
same computer or between different computers that are located thousands of miles away connected
through the Internet.
These interactions can be as simple as saving the data to a Compact Disc (CD) and carrying it to another
computer situated across the room. Let us look at some of the examples for compatibility testing.

1. Copying text from a web page and pasting it on to a document in word
processor.

2. Saving data related to accounts from one spreadsheet program to another
spreadsheet program.

Compatibility testing is carried out using real-time environments and not virtual environments.
Testing the compatibility of the product varies from one testing team to another, since each testing team
will be assigned specific tasks to test. These tasks differ based on the system requirement and the
software on which it runs.
The software for standalone medical devices run on their own operating systems, store data on their
own memory, and do not connect to any other device. Hence, in this scenario, there is no room for
considering compatibility.

Did you know? Today, some companies outsource compatibility testing to third parties. One such
example is ApTest.
ApTest is an expert in testing product compatibility with both hardware and software
environments.

If you have been assigned the task of conducting compatibility testing on a piece of
software, the following checklist must be followed:

1. What are the various platforms and application software your software is
designed to be compatible with?
2. What are the compatibility standards and guidelines to be followed and how
should your software interact with other software?
3. What are the types of data that your software will use to interact and share with
other software and platforms?

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