Friday, 23 October 2020

Software Testing: Alpha Testing and Beta Testing



Software testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the software product or service under test. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to appreciate and understand the risks of software implementation. Test techniques include the process of executing a program or application with the intent of finding software bugs (errors or other defects), and verifying that the software product is fit for use.

Alpha and beta testing are two of the stages that software must undergo testing. Alpha testing occurs first and when the software passes that, beta testing can then be undertaken. If the software fails alpha testing, changes are done and it repeats the tests until the software passes. 


Alpha Testing


Alpha testing is the final stage of testing performed by your Quality Assurance team to check that your application is ready for release outside your company. 

Alpha testing is simulated or actual operational testing by potential users/customers or an independent test team at the developers' site. Alpha testing is often employed for off-the-shelf software as a form of internal acceptance testing before the software goes to beta testing. 


OR

Alpha Testing is a type of software testing performed to identify bugs before releasing the product to real users or to the public. ... Beta testing is performed by clients who are not part of the organization. Alpha testing is performed at the developer's site. Beta testing is performed at the end-user of the product. Alpha Testing is one of the user acceptance testings.


Beta Testing


Beta testing involves releasing the software to a limited number of real users. Beta testing is a type of user acceptance testing where the product team gives a nearly finished product to a group of target users to evaluate product performance in the real world. There is no standard for what a beta test should look like and how to set up beta testing.


OR


Beta testing comes after alpha testing and can be considered a form of external user acceptance testing. Versions of the software, known as beta versions, are released to a limited audience outside of the programming team known as beta testers. The software is released to groups of people so that further testing can ensure the product has few faults or bugs.


User acceptance testing, or User Acceptance Testing, is similar to beta testing, but it has a different goal in mind. Specifically, User Accepting Testing is used to ensure that the final product meets the requests of the client or end-user. Every piece of software is built for a reason, and User Acceptance Testing ensures that reason is fulfilled before a product is shipped.



Here is a simple difference between alpha and beta testing mentioned below:

Alpha Testing

Beta Testing

Alpha Testing is done by testers ( Internal employees of that company or organization)

Users and clients do it, ( not the employees of any company or organization).

Alpha testing type is carried out at the developer's site.

Beta testing is carried at the end user's location.

It uses white box testing. The testers know what is happening and what they are tested.

It uses black-box testing only. The tester just sees the application.

Execution of the test cycle might take a longer time.

Execution time for test requires only a few months (at maximum).

 



References:

  1. Brijendra Singh, “ Systems Analysis and Design,” New Age International Publisher's, New Delhi Year: 2016
  2. Brijendra Singh, Shikha Gautam, “ Systems and Software Process”, Narosa Publication House, New Delhi Year : 2020.



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