Interface Testing

February 16, 2019

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In the course of developing any new software, it has to undergo rigorous testing procedures. Some of these are manual and yet others automated. But, still there are some tests that fall into neither category as they are a combination of both. One such combination testing method is Interface Testing.

What Is An Interface?

In order to understand Interface Testing one first needs to know the meaning of “Interface”. An Interface is a point at which the user and the system interact with each other. In software terms, “Interface” is a platform that allows the user to interact with the hardware of the computer through a series of messages, instructions, and commands.

What Is Interface Testing?

Interface Testing is a way to validate that the user of the software will not face any trouble while using it. In a nut-shell, the ease with which a user can interact with the software is tested at this level.

Interface Testing In Detail

Since the idea behind Interface Testing is to check the ease with which the end-users can interact with the actual software, its results are judged on the basis of end-user feedback. This testing is done with the help of multiple end-users each of whom is given a set of tasks. As the test proceeds, the flow of work as well as the program flow are constantly monitored to see if they match the naturally expected strategy. During this time, a moderator also tends to make a note of how the end-users are reacting towards the steps that they have to perform to complete the assigned task. The important thing that the developers pay attention to at this point is how the end-users begin their interaction with the said software. Interface Testing also helps to identify those areas of the software that are used more often than the rest. At the end of the assigned task, the end-user feedback is collected individually in order to access the performance of the interface i.e., whether the directions given by the end-user were properly communicated by the interface to the actual software program.

Advantages Of Interface Testing

• Reduces Learning Curve :Interface Testing results in a highly efficient user interface. The more effective an interface is the lesser is the resultant learning curve for the end-user. All in all, it makes for software that has high demand.
• Helps Get Feel Of End-User Expectations :Interface Testing makes it easier to get a pulse of how the end-user is reacting towards the software and also helps to get a grasp of their expectations from the same. Hence, modifications can be made to the interface to make it up to the mark before the actual release.
• Makes For A Stable Final Product:An interface that has been intensely tested makes the final release software that much more stable. Ultimately the efficiency of the interface reflects on the performance of the said software.

Conclusion

To conclude, Interface testing is all about gauging the reaction of the end-user so that timely changes can be made, if necessary. After all, if the software super difficult to handle then why would anybody need it?