Compatibility Testing, and Why it is Crucial?

Compatibility Testing, and Why it is Crucial?

Compatibility Testing is a type of Non-functional testing, and it is performed on software to check its compatibility on different platforms/environments, hardware, operating systems, applications, network environments, or Mobile devices. This testing is done only when the software becomes stable.

Types of Compatibility Testing:

Several examples of compatibility testing are given below.

- Versions

Versions of the software: It is verifying your software is compatible with different versions of the software. For instance check your Microsoft Word to be compatible with Windows 8, Windows 10, and so on. It is important to test software in different versions of the software. There are two different types of version inspection:

Backward Compatibility Testing: Testing of the software in old or previous versions. It is also known as downward compatible.

Forward Compatibility Testing: Testing of the software in new or upcoming versions. It is also known as forward compatible

- Browser

It tests software working on various browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc. to make sure it is compatible with them. To know more about cross-browser testing, click here.

- Smartphones

Checking compatibility with different mobile platforms like android, iOS, etc.

- Hardware

It checks software to be compatible with different hardware configurations, such as different sizes of RAM, hard disk, processor, graphic card, etc.

- Network

Checking the compatibility of the software in the different network parameters such as operating speed, bandwidth, capacity, 3G, WIFI, etc.

- Operating Systems

Confirms the software performs appropriately with different operating systems, such as Linux, Mac, and Windows.

Why compatibility testing is important?

It helps us meet users’ expectations which in turn helps in profitability. Ensures the optimal performance of the software in any given platform. Users access the software on different devices. Enhances the development process by leveraging on delivering feedback. It checks the software’s stability, usability, and scalability across various platforms.

What is the most challenging part to test compatibility testing?

The most challenging thing while performing compatibility testing is to decide the necessary needs which are to be tested. We can't test on all existing platforms since it will be a time-consuming process and it's very expensive. We have to test manually in all resolutions to check visual bugs. Hence, we only select those platforms which are commonly used by the end-users. Also, browser versions get updated quite often.

Possible testing defects

  • Alignment issue.
  • Overlap issue.
  • Scattered issue.
  • Change in font size.
  • Change in CSS style and color.
  • Broken tables or Frames.
  • Component and SDKs don't work probably on different versions.
  • Buttons and links across the website/app.
  • Validation of forms.

Compatibility testing tools

Various tools have been developed to ease the compatibility testing process. These include:

  • CrossBrowserTesting
  • BrowserStack
  • LambdaTest
  • BrowserSandbox
  • Virtual Machines
  • Emulator and Simulator

Final Words: The use of compatibility testing is to make sure the software is working fine in all aspects of browsers, databases, hardware, operating system, mobile devices, and networks. Compatibility testing is very important from a product production and implementation point of view as it is performed to avoid future issues regarding compatibility, and is necessary to check whether the software is compatible with the client’s environment.