Among other tools of software testing, database is one of the
inevitable parts of a software system nowadays in which many people
want to learn it and build their career successfully. If you are also
among them and want to start your profession in this area then proper
database testing training is required for you through which
you would be able to get the complete knowledge of all concepts
related to database testing. And there are many leading institutes
like QACampus that would provide you both basic and advanced
training in not only database but also other technologies of testing
such as QC, QTP, selenium and so on. Coming back on to the subject of
this blog, I would be discussing one of the key concepts of database
testing, which is how to test database. So, get through it seriously
and obtain the required knowledge of it in order to boost your career
in this area of specialization.
What to Test in Database Testing?
Here are some key areas that is to be tested in database testing:
- Make Sure of Data Mapping: You should make sure that mapping between difference screens or forms of AUT and the Relations of its DB is not only error-free but also according to the test design documents.
- Ensure Data Integrity: Always consider that different modules that is, forms or screens of an application system use the same data in different ways. With this, forms should also perform all the CRUD operations on the data. In such case, it should be noted that you should make sure that the latest state of data is reflected everywhere.
- Make Sure of ACID Properties of Transactions: DB transactions have the ACID properties namely Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability. It is to make sure that proper testing of these four properties is done during the DB testing activity. This area of database testing needs more thorough, rigorous and keen testing when the database is distributed.
- Ensure Accuracy of Implemented Business Rules: The last thing to test in database testing is accuracy of an application. As the databases are not meant for storing records, Dbs have been evolved into extremely powerful tools that can provide enough support to the developers in order to put business logic at DB level in function.
How to Test Database?
Following are steps that are involved in the process of testing
database:
- Create Your Own Queries: In order to test database in the most accurate and proper way, you as a tester should have a complete understanding of SQL specially DML (Data Manipulation Language) statements. After this, you should obtain the good knowledge of internal DB structure of AUT. If these two pre-requisites are fulfilled by you then you would be able to test DB with full confidence.
- Have an Observation of Data Table by Table: In case, you are not good in SQL, then you may verify the result of CRUD operation, performed by using GUI of software by viewing the tables of DB. As this way may be a bit cumbersome and tedious especially when the DB and tables have large amount of data.
- Get Query from Developer: This can be a simplest way for you as a tester to test the DB. You need to perform any CRUD operation from GUI and verify its impacts by executing the respective SQL query obtained from the developer.
As the matter of the fact is that database is termed to be the core
and critical part of almost every software system, so DB testing of
an application demands good SQL skills, keen attention and proper
understanding of database structure of AUT along with proper training
in every database technology. Then only, you would be able to do
database testing perfectly and refine your skills in order to
successfully build your career in this important type of testing.
