E2E Black Box Testing for Enterprises

End-to-end testing (E2E testing) refers to a software testing method that involves testing an application’s workflow from beginning to end. This method basically aims to replicate real user scenarios so that the system can be validated for integration and data integrity. 

Essentially, the test goes through every operation the application can perform to test how the application communicates with hardware, network connectivity, external dependencies, databases, and other applications. Usually, E2E testing is executed after functional and system testing is complete. 

Since most of the time, testers struggle to work on the entire process of end-to-end testing, this blog will help you understand the importance of end-to-end testing when working on an enterprise solution. Also, we will underline all the essential steps, factors, and challenges surrounding end-to-end testing.  

Moreover, we will even highlight the concept of black box testing, its importance, and other important aspects of black box testing. 

Let’s begin!

Why End To End Testing Is Important For Any Enterprises? 

This increases the complexity of their entire workflow. If the systems outside of the enterprise experience an error or malfunction, it can have an adverse impact on the functioning of the application with which they are linked. That’s where E2E or end-to-end testing comes into play. In a competitive market where there’s no shortage of applications for an enterprise, it’s necessary to perform E2E testing on applications to ensure a good user experience. 

Steps for End-to-End Testing 

The steps below are required to initiate and complete any E2E test. 

• Analyze requirements. Have a clear idea of how the app is supposed to work in every aspect 

• Set up a test environment in alignment with all the requirements 

• Analyze software and hardware requirements 

• List down how every system needs to respond 

• List down testing methods required to test these responses. Include clear descriptions of standards (language, tools, etc.) to be followed in each test. 

• Design test cases 

• Run tests, study and save results 

Relevant Factors To Measure End-To-End Testing 

Consider the following factors to track the progress of end-to-end tests 

• Test case preparation: Are the right test cases being created to test every feature of software? The graph representing this should show the rate at which current vs planned test cases are being crafted. 

• Weekly test: A percentage base report of test completion each week is extremely necessary. The important parameters here are currently executed, not executed, and failed test cases. 

• Defect Details: A percentage of defects that are identified, closed, or opened each week is important. By distributing defects (for resolution) based on priority, it helps testers and managers keep track of bugs and supervise their resolution. 

• Test environment availability: This provides a comparison of the amount of time that is scheduled for testing every day vs the time actually spent. 

Main Challenges In End-to-end Testing 

The main challenges with E2E testing are the test environments and executing all user scenarios. A test environment provides critical resources for executing our test cases. The challenge is setting up a test environment that operates like an exact copy of the production environment. This factor is important to harness the power of E2E testing. 

Although significant, both environments rarely imitate each other. Most of the time, there is a difference between test data, hardware, the configuration of the environments, and the configuration of the networks. It’s difficult for a software development team to build a test environment that matches the production environment. 

Best Practices for End-to-End Testing 

The best practice for E2E testing always involves a plan. A plan for the requirements, environment, test scenarios, and test results. The software development team must invest resources and time for success. Here’s a list of best practices for E2E testing: 

• Communicate With End-Users – receive advice and understand issues experienced by the end-user. 

• Mimic The Production Environment – set up the test environment to resemble the production environment. 

• Document All Test Progress – keep track of all observations, results, etc. 

• Create Test Cases for Maximum Coverage – write tests for positive outcomes and negative outcomes. 

Why End To End Testing Is Important For Any Enterprises? 

This increases the complexity of their entire workflow. If the systems outside of the enterprise experience an error or malfunction, it can have an adverse impact on the functioning of the application with which they are linked.  

That’s where E2E or end-to-end testing comes into play. In a competitive market where there’s no shortage of applications for an enterprise, it’s necessary to perform E2E testing on applications to ensure a good user experience. 

Activities Required for End-To-End Testing 

Here are the key activities that are a must for E2E testing: 

Analyzing the requirements thoroughly before beginning the test. Following all the prerequisites when setting up the test environment. 

• Assessing the minimum and recommended configurations of the required hardware and software. 

• Examining the main system plus the attached subsystems. 

• Briefing the roles and responsibilities of all systems involved. 

• Creating a list of testing methods. 

• Writing the descriptions of the testing standards to be followed. 

• Designing test cases along with tracing the requirement matrix. 

• Securing the output results and entering data before conducting system tests. 

Black Box testing 

Black Box Testing involves testing a system with no prior knowledge of its internal workings. A tester provides input and observes the output generated by the system under test. 

The primary source of black box testing is a specification of requirements that are stated by the customer. In this method, the tester selects a function and gives input value to examine its functionality, and checks whether the function is giving the expected output or not. 

Which knowledge is the most important for black box testing? 

the main focus of black box testing is on the validation of your functional requirements. Black box testing gives abstraction from code and focuses on testing effort on the software system behaviour. To conduct White Box Testing, knowledge of the underlying programming language is essential  

Importance of black box testing 

So black box testing is an important phase of the software testing process where the tester does not see the code or content of the software. If you're wondering what the term “black box” means, it refers to a lack of information regarding the internal operations of the program, or of anything else within the box 

Most Automation Tools Don't Automate Black Box Applications 

Especially with what has traditionally been called non-functional testing. Many automation solutions rely on being able to see and interact with the elements under test, so they tend not to be great choices for package-based, black-box test automation. 

Conclusion 

The evolution of software technology has caused a greater need for quality assurance and software testing services. From website solutions to software and business apps, every digital product requires access to advanced testing practices like Agile, shift-left, and end-to-end testing.  

When businesses need solutions that offer uninterrupted services, end-to-end testing acts as the process of checking a software system and its sub-systems in software engineering. The most difficult aspect of this testing is having sufficient knowledge of the entire system as well as an associated sub-system. 

Nevertheless, having expert assistance from a reliable quality assurance service provider could help streamline things for the greater good. And just in case you are looking for QA testers who could help you meet your QA goals through end-to-end testing, feel free to reach us through info@bugraptors.com