Mobile application testing

Mobile application testing is a process by which application software developed for handheld mobile devices is tested for its functionality, usability and consistency. Mobile application testing can be an automated or manual type of testing. Mobile applications either come pre-installed or can be installed from mobile software distribution platforms. Mobile devices have witnessed a phenomenal growth in the past few years. A study conducted by the Yankee Group predicts the generation of $4.2 billion in revenue by 2013 through 7 billion U.S. smartphone app downloads.

Additionally, wearable application testing is an interesting market. Bluetooth, GPS, Sensors, Wi-Fi are some of the core technologies at play in wearables. A lot of importance is needed here for field testing, user focus, and looking at areas where hardware and software need to be tested in unison.

1. Must be Downloadable: Should be Downloadable from Particular Store

2. Diversity in Mobile Platforms/OSes: There are different mobile operating systems in the market. The major ones are Android, iOS, Symbian, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry (RIM). Each operating system has its own limitations. Testing a single application across multiple devices running on the same platform and every platform poses a unique challenge for testers.

3. Device Availability: Access to the right set of devices when there is an ever-growing list of devices and operating system versions is a constant mobile application testing challenge. Access to devices can become even more challenging if testers are spread across different locations.

4. Mobile network operators: There are over 400 mobile network operators in the world; out of which some are CDMA, some GSM, whereas others use less common network standards like FOMA, and TD-SCDMA. Each network operator uses a different kind network infrastructure and this limits the flow of information.

5. Scripting: The variety of devices makes executing a test script (scripting) a key challenge. As devices differ in keystrokes, input methods, menu structure and display properties single script does not function on every device.

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