GUI Testing

What is GUI Testing?

GUI testing is described as the testing of the application under the Test system graphical user interface. Graphical Testing consists of screen checks using controls such as icons, buttons, and menus with all types of the bar such as dialogues, menu bar, toolbar, Windows etc. Basically, we can say that what we see is GUI. For a computer application, there are two kinds of interfaces. The command-line interface is the one that answers to the command text and the computer. On the other hand, GUI is a graphical user interface in which you use pictures rather than text to communicate with the computer.

Let’s take an example. If you or your friend visiting a site which is Educba .com, First of all, he will see the home page, search button, course bar, and many more that is GUI (Graphical User Interface). A user sees no source code. The user can see the interface. The focus is particularly on the structure of the design, images that work correctly or not. The connections are also accessible, and if you click, the button should operate. Also, neither image nor content must decrease or overlap if the user redesigns the screen. So this is a little bit of introduction regarding the GUI (Graphical User Interface) Testing.

Features

By understanding its different characteristics, clarity about the GUI testing can be accomplished further. Thus, some critical GUI tests and other associated elements are described below.

• This testing method is harder than the line interface test command.
• Most test tools used for GUI testing focus mainly on regression testing.
• It also confirms that the components like the font and the pictures comply with their design specifications.
• GUI can face more challenges with automated testing, as the user interface often changes.
• It is carried out from the viewpoint of the user and not the developer or tester.
• It helps the team collect the data needed to decide whether an application can be deployed or not deployed.

GUI Testing in Different Ways

Software experts use three major GUI testers worldwide to verify the precision and quality of graphical user interface elements.

1. Manual based Testing.
2. Record and replay.
3. Model-Based Testing.

1) Manual Based Testing

Testers manually verified all graphics for the company document with the prerequisites. The multiplication (33X5), for instance, can be checked by manual testing.

2) Record and Replay

Record and Replay is an automated Graphical User Interface tool with all the test records at the time of testing.

3) Model-Based Testing

Model-based Testing acts as a graphic description. These tests predict the behaviour of the system, and this technique efficiently generates test cases. Decision and charts tables are some of the modelling techniques.

Check-List of GUI Testing

• Check GUI elements like length, width, size, font, etc.
• Check for the correct error message display.
• Size of font and fonts readability.
• Pictures should be aligned correctly.
• The positioning for various resolutions of all GUI elements.

Advantages

By applying the GUI testing method during the early phases of the SDLC, the team will be able to take advantage of various benefits, such as accelerated growth, performance enhancement, and the risk decrease at the end of the cycle.

In addition, this testing offers other benefits such as:

• Tests the interface from the point of view of customers.
• The risk to the end of the development cycle is reduced efficiently.
• Contributes to validating compliance with design specifications for the various icons and elements.
• Improves product reliability and increases product quality.

Disadvantages

While there are numerous benefits of GUI testing, the tests still require acknowledgement. In addition, there are a few drawbacks. Here are, therefore, the drawbacks/disadvantages.

• More memory resources are needed, which can slow the system.
• The testing method takes time and may involve additional GUI software.
• Given the frequent change in the implementation interface, the team could need to refactor a test script to enhance its precision.
• The method of testing is difficult due to limited access or no access to the source code.

Examples

• Test the height of the elements in size, location, width.
• Testing for the displayed error messages.
• Test the various parts of the screen.
• Test the font whether or not it is readable.
• We can also test the spelling.
• Testing the screen in various sizes by zooming in and out such as 600×800, 640 x 480 etc.
• Texts and other components such as buttons, icons and so on are in the correct location to test the alignment or not.
• We can also test the front colour.
• Testing error messages colours and warning messages.
• We can also test the clarity of the image
• We can Also test the Alignment of the image.
• Hyperlink colour testing.

How to Do GUI Testing?

• Make sure a text box is correctly aligned with the label “Source Folder.”
• Make sure that the text box is correctly aligned with the label “Package.”
• Check that the name “Browse” label is the button at the end of the TextBox named after the “Source Folder” label.
• Make sure that the label text box “Name” is correctly aligned.
• Verify that the ‘ Editors ‘ label consists of the public, default, private, protected names of 4 radio buttons.
• Verify that the “Super-Class” label under the “Modifier” label has to be correctly aligned.
• Ensure that wherever needed, an error should be produced in RED color.
• Make sure that a correct confirmation message is displayed after updating any field.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to GUI Testing. Here we have discussed the types, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of GUI testing in detail. You can also go through our other suggested articles to learn more –

1. Security Testing Tools
2. Performance Testing Tools
3. SOA Testing Tools
4. System Integration Testing