what is an alpha test?
Alpha testing is an acceptance test used to uncover potential issues or bugs before delivering the final product to end consumers. Alpha testing is performed by testers who are internal workers in the organization. The fundamental purpose is to identify and test tasks that a typical user might perform.
To put it as simply as possible, this type of testing is called alpha because it happens early in the software development process, before beta testing. The primary goal of alpha testing is to replicate real users using black and white box methodologies.
types of alpha testing
Alpha testing is a type of internal QA done by the development or internal QA team, not the customer. Its main purpose is to find previously unknown software problems. During the alpha testing phase, software behavior is validated in real-world situations, emulating end-user behaviors.
Alpha Testing helps us quickly obtain customer approval before proceeding with product delivery.
The alpha test includes
- Smoke
- Mental Health
- Integration systems
- Usability
- User interface (UI)
- Acceptance
- Regression
- Functional test
If a bug is discovered, it will be immediately reported to the development team. Alpha testing helps uncover issues that were missed during the requirements gathering stage. The software version that has passed the alpha test is known as the alpha version. After successful alpha testing, beta testing begins.
What is beta testing?
Beta testing is performed by “real users” of the software application in a “live environment” and is a type of external user acceptance testing. This is the last test performed before shipping a product to customers.
In beta testing, customer feedback is directly involved. Helps test products in the customer’s environment.
A beta version of the program is distributed to a small number of end users of the product to gather feedback on product quality. Through consumer validation, beta testing apps and websites reduce the risk of product failure and improve product quality.
types of beta testing
In software testing, there are several types of beta testing, which are as follows:
- Traditional beta test:
The product is delivered to the target market and data is collected on all aspects. This information is used for product development.
The product is made available to the public through web channels and data may be collected from anyone. Product improvements may be made based on feedback.
For example, before officially launching Windows 8, Microsoft conducted the biggest beta test of them all.
A product is distributed to an organization’s internal group for feedback/data from the organization’s staff.
The product is marketed for information about specific features of the program.
For example, critical software features.
The product is launched in the market and data is collected to improve the outcome of future launches.
different test phases
Alpha and beta testing is usually done for “off-the-shelf” software or product-focused businesses. The testing phases of a product company differ from those of a service-oriented company. This is the test phase used by product companies.
Pre-Alpha:
A software prototype. The user interface is complete. However, not all features have been finalized for release. The application or software is still under development and not yet available for download.
Alpha:
The software is almost complete and is currently being tested internally for bugs/issues.
Beta:
The software is stable and is distributed to a small number of users. The goal is to get customer feedback on the product and then make changes to the software in response.
Candidate for release (RC):
One may modify the program and wish to test bug fixes based on the beta test input. At this point, they should avoid making drastic feature changes and instead focus on finding issues. The Release Candidate is also available to the general public.
All works and software have been provided to the public.
alpha entry criteria
for the entrance,
- Business Requirements Specification or Software Requirements Document
- All requirements have test cases.
- The testing team has extensive experience in software applications.
- Configuring the test lab setup.
- The QA Build is now ready to run.
- Tool to upload test cases and log failures in test management.
- Ensure that each project requirement has at least one traceability matrix.
Beta Entry Criteria
for the entrance,
- Sign approval on an Alpha test document.
- The beta version of the software should be ready soon.
- The environment is now ready for public release of the software application.
- Real-time crash capture tool.
Exit criteria for Alpha
- All test cases have been executed and passed.
- All material issues must be resolved and terminated.
- The test summary report is issued.
- Make sure that no other resources can be added.
exit criteria for beta testing
- All primary and secondary issues have been resolved.
- A public feedback report should be created.
- The beta test summary report is delivered.
main differences
ALPHA TESTING BETA TESTING is performed by testers within the organization. It is performed by the end users of the organization. It is carried out on the developer’s website. It is carried out at the customer’s site. Security and reliability are not thoroughly checked. alpha, we witnessed both white box and black box testing. This usually involves black box testing. Requires a test environment. It does not require a test environment. Requires long run cycles Requires a few weeks to run. Critical issues are addressed and bugs are fixed in the case of alpha testing. In beta testing, issues and bugs are collected from end users and implemented in beta testing. Alpha testing tests and ensures the quality of the product before moving to beta testing. The primary focus of beta testing is product quality. During beta testing, the product is analyzed and put to work under real conditions so that it can be ready for users in real time.
advantages
ALPHA TESTING BETA TESTING Alpha testing gives a better idea of software reliability at an early age Simulates real-time user environment and mimics behavior Detects serious errors in the development path Has the ability to detect design errors or functionality Encourages customer validation and therefore reduces the risk of product failure. Beta testing allows a company to test the infrastructure after launch. With the help of customer feedback, beta testing improves the quality of the product.beta increases customer satisfaction by creating goodwill with customers. Beta testing apps and websites are TestFairy, Beta Family, BetaBound, HeadSpin, etc.
disadvantages
ALPHATEST BETA In alpha testing, the functionality of an application cannot be tested. The results obtained during alpha testing are often unsatisfactory for testers and developers In beta testing, test management is a trivial matter. real world and often has no control. Since beta testing involves beta users, finding one becomes a challenge.
how headspin makes beta testing easier
HeadSpin enables remote testing and debugging of mobile, web, audio and video applications on thousands of devices worldwide. Beta testing allows for cross-browser testing using users on multiple devices. They may differ in make and model, run multiple operating systems, and use different browsers. Testing in these various situations can help you develop reliable software that works well on various devices, operating systems and browsers.
The HeadSpin platform provides access to a variety of devices that you can connect to from anywhere. Our device cloud is ideal for testing your app before releasing it for beta testing.
Let’s say you created your app with some business goals in mind. It takes time, money and effort to ensure that these goals are achieved.
Beta testing can help you determine if your app users are striving to achieve these goals when using your app. If they’re struggling to achieve those goals, it can help you identify the hard-to-understand parts and take a different approach to them. HeadSpin encourages you to continue developing your application and helps you meet your needs.
Conclusion:
In software engineering, no matter how many tests you run or how many bugs you eliminate, your program is meaningless if your customers don’t like it. Beta testing (the second letter of the Greek alphabet) provides authentic feedback on your product from real users.
Alpha testing (the first letter of the Greek alphabet) simulates a real-time user environment before submitting the program for beta testing and helps to create a reliable software candidate suitable for beta testing.
Alpha and beta testing are essential components of the testing lifecycle.