Today mobile software products are sensitive to various influences and often crash, freeze up or fail to handle some common situations. A lot of software bugs in mobile programs are coming from connectivity issues. Some unexpected errors often appear when mobile application testing as well as desktop testing or web site testing is held with usage of poor network connection.
Mobile software can be utilized anywhere, on the move. So, network connection should be supported in various situations. For this purpose modern tablets and smartphones can use various technologies and several types of network connection.
The device should also be able to switch between network types and providers in order to support sufficient connection for operating applications. Sometimes users walk into dead spots, where it is impossible to connect to a network. That is why a software testing company must make sure that the mobile system under test handles different connectivity issues and informative error messages are provided if some operations fail due to poor connection.
In order to find most of connection related defects it is necessary to check how the tested application manages various network transitions, loosing connection in a dead spot and connecting to the same or other provider, network type and so on.
During Such Network Transitions it is Wise:
- to try to log in the application account;
- to tap on a link or a button;
- to search for some data;
- to fill in an order or a request if such actions are assumed by the software;
- to submit an order or a request if such operations can be done in the software.
Nowadays network conditioner tools are available. The tools simulate common network conditions and allow observing how the system under test handles them.
But experienced software testers recommend avoiding of such automated testing and insist on performing these testing activities manually, in real world conditions. At present the instruments do not imitate all possible difficulties and situations that usually happen in reality and consequently do not provide proper mobile testing.
A professional software testing company usually wants its testers to repeat performing of different actions for several times during various network transitions. It is necessary to do so because some software bugs may surface only when several operations are done or after certain sequence of operations.
So, mobile application testing has some connectivity issues that are uncharacteristic of web site testing or desktop testing. Those who test mobile software products should keep in mind that proper managing of connection related problems is of utmost importance for mobile software.
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