How Database Testing can Transfigure Enhancing Quality Assurance

Database testing is an important part of the quality assurance process for software development. By identifying and fixing errors in the database design and structure, we can decrease the number of errors in production. This blog post will look at how database testing can help enhance quality assurance. We’ll also discuss some common problems that can Impact database testing and deliver some tips on how to overcome them. Finally, we’ll take a look at some tools and procedures that can help you get commenced with database testing.

What is database testing?

Testing an application’s database design and structure (database testing) is an important component of quality assurance.

The objective is to identify any errors or problems with how the database has been structured before the application goes into production. Database testing is all about detecting bugs in the process that direct to data integrity issues, performance problems, and impacts.

Database testing helps to assure that data integrity is protected throughout the procedure. From design, development, and right up until the application goes live. It assures that no changes are submitted into production without being validated by quality assurance protocols.

We can assure that the application is more maintainable by assuring the database code complies with the best methods for structure, organization, and naming conventions. Problems found in testing can be efficiently resolved before release (and ideally before development even starts). And if all goes well, our final product will be robust, efficient, and easy to use.

The Three Main Stages of Database Testing

There are three main stages to database testing. These contain explaining the process, recognizing errors or defects, and conducting validation. We’ll take a look at each of these phases in turn.

• Explaining the process is about understanding what requires to be tested, why it requires to be tested, and how best to test it. Software testing mainly involves entering data into forms or screens that interact with the database somehow. Database testing can also contain reviewing queries developed by the application or reading data directly from the database tables.
• Identifying errors is about seeing any issues with the design and structure of the database. This can have difficulties with table relationships (i.e., foreign keys, primary keys), incorrect data types (i.e., dates/times, phone numbers), or invalid values (i.e., non-numeric, alphabetic characters within numeric data fields).
• Conducting validation is about making sure that the expected results are acquired. This includes assuring that queries return the proper results and forms/screens reflect modifications to the database structure. It also contains checking for excessive wait times and false error messages.

Some Common Issues with Database Testing

Testing the database design and structure is not without its challenges. Most of these issues relate to third-party tools or technologies or can be evaded using open-source options instead. Let’s take a glance at some of the most common problems and how to overcome them.

Database Virtualization

A common issue with database testing is the use of third-party virtualization tools. These tools let developers build an isolated environment (i.e., a virtual database) that represents the production database without affecting or interrupting it in any way. However, issues can arise when trying to run multiple virtualized instances simultaneously.

Open-source options such as SQLite let you run multiple database instances on the same system. Therefore, this procedure uses a single file rather than copy-on-write and is easier and faster to use and configure.

Database Migrations

One of the most challenging issues we encounter in software testing is when the database is migrated (i.e., upgraded) at some point during the development process. This can cause application failure and inconsistent outcomes between testing environments (development, QA, pre-production, production).

The best answer to this problem is never to migrate a current database that includes data on your application requirements.

You may also decide to run multiple database instances simultaneously. Here, one instance would be utilized for development purposes and the other(s) for testing purposes. Or, if this is not an alternative, you can have different databases with all testing being done in a pre-production environment.

Database Integration Issues

Suppose that your application employs several different databases to conduct its tasks. For example, your user management and profile data may be stored in one while your order history is saved in another.

When you require to test all of these transactions and interactions between databases, it can be time-consuming and laborious (specifically when live data is involved). This is because each database must be packed separately, taking up to several minutes. This also suggests that you’ll require to load all of your data into each one for testing purposes, which can take actually more time.

Also Read: Database Testing: Practical Tips & Necessary Insights

Final Thoughts

 If the database is so important to your company, shouldn’t you assure it’s as error-free as possible? We can assist! Contact us today for more information on enhancing quality assurance with database testing. You’ll be happy that you did.

At TestUnity, we strive for the highest quality in every project, and our professional QA specialists are ready to ensure it. Contact us if you’re looking for a dedicated team to enhance your product’s quality.

TestUnity

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