What Is Software?

  • Software Testing – Introduction to Software Testing designed from absolute zero level, perfect for freshers, non-IT students, and career switchers. You can directly use this for your training institute foundation course.

  • Software Testing is the process of verifying and validating a software application to ensure it works correctly, meets user requirements, and is free from defects before it is released to users. It helps identify errors early in the development process, reduces the risk of failures in real use, and ensures quality, reliability, security, and performance of software. From the early days when developers tested their own code to today’s modern practices involving dedicated QA teams, automation, and continuous testing, software testing has become a critical part of software development. In today’s digital world—where software is used in banking, healthcare, education, e-commerce, and government services—testing plays a vital role in building user trust and delivering safe, high-quality products, while also offering strong career opportunities for professionals.

  • 1. What Is Software? (Start From Basics)

    1.1 Definition of Software

    • Software is a set of programs, data, and instructions that tell a computer what to do.

    • Examples:

      • Mobile Apps (WhatsApp, Paytm)

      • Websites (Amazon, IRCTC)

      • Desktop Applications (MS Excel)

      • Embedded Software (ATM, Washing Machine)

    1.2 Types of Software

    • System Software (Windows, Android)

    • Application Software (Banking Apps)

    • Web Applications

    • Mobile Applications

    2. What Is Software Testing? (Very Simple Explanation)

    2.1 Simple Definition

    Software Testing is the process of checking whether a software works correctly as expected or not.

    2.2 Real-Life Example

    • Buying a new bike:

      • Check brakes

      • Check lights

      • Check engine sound
        👉 That checking process = Testing

    2.3 In Software

    • Login working?

    • Payment successful?

    • Data saved correctly?

    • App crashing or not?

    3. Why Software Testing Is Required?

    3.1 What Happens Without Testing?

    • App crashes

    • Wrong calculations

    • Data loss

    • Security breaches

    • Customer frustration

    3.2 Famous Real-World Software Failures (Explain with Stories)

    • Space mission failure due to unit mismatch

    • Banking transaction issues

    • Railway / airline booking crashes

    • Hospital software errors

    3.3 Cost of Bug

    Stage FoundCost
    During DevelopmentVery Low
    During TestingMedium
    After ReleaseVery High

    👉 Earlier the bug is found, cheaper it is

    History of Software Testing (Very Important Concept)

    4.1 Early Days (1970s–1980s)

    • Developers tested their own code

    • No separate testing role

    • Focus only on finding errors

    4.2 Growth Phase (1990s)

    • Software became complex

    • Dedicated testers introduced

    • Manual testing dominated

    4.3 Modern Era (2000s–Present)

    • Agile & DevOps introduced

    • Automation testing

    • Continuous Testing

    • AI-assisted testing

    4.4 Today

    • Testing is not optional

    • Quality is a business requirement

    What Is a Bug / Defect / Error / Failure?

    5.1 Definitions

    • Error – Human mistake (developer writes wrong logic)

    • Defect/Bug – Problem in code

    • Failure – Software behaves incorrectly

    5.2 Simple Example

    • Calculator shows 2 + 2 = 5

      • Error → Wrong formula written

      • Bug → Incorrect code

      • Failure → Wrong output shown to user

    Objectives of Software Testing

    • Find defects before customers do

    • Ensure software meets requirements

    • Improve product quality

    • Reduce maintenance cost

    • Increase customer confidence

    • Ensure security & performance

    Myths About Software Testing (Important for Beginners)

    ❌ Testing is easy
    ❌ Anyone can do testing
    ❌ Testing means only clicking
    ❌ Testing has no growth

    ✅ Reality:

    • Testing needs logic + domain knowledge

    • Testing has career growth

    • Testing is critical to product success

    Importance of Software Testing in Today’s World

    8.1 Why Testing Is Critical Today?

    • Online payments

    • Banking systems

    • Healthcare software

    • E-commerce platforms

    • Government portals

    8.2 Impact of a Single Bug

    • Financial loss

    • Legal issues

    • Brand reputation damage

    • Loss of user trust

    Who Performs Software Testing?

    9.1 Roles Involved

    • Manual Tester

    • Automation Tester

    • Performance Tester

    • Security Tester

    • QA Analyst

    • Test Lead / QA Manager

    9.2 Tester vs Developer (Basic Difference)

    TesterDeveloper
    Finds bugsWrites code
    Thinks like end userThinks logically
    Prevents failuresBuilds features

    Where Does Software Testing Fit in SDLC?

    10.1 SDLC Overview

    1. Requirement

    2. Design

    3. Development

    4. Testing

    5. Deployment

    6. Maintenance

    👉 Testing is involved at every stage, not only after coding.


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  • Types of Software Testing (Introduction Only)

    (Just overview, detailed later modules)

    • Manual Testing

    • Automation Testing

    • Functional Testing

    • Non-Functional Testing

    • Regression Testing

    • Smoke & Sanity Testing

    Skills Required to Become a Software Tester

    12.1 Technical Skills

    • SDLC & STLC

    • Test case writing

    • Bug reporting

    • Basic SQL

    • Basic programming (later)

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  • 12.2 Non-Technical Skills

    • Logical thinking

    • Observation

    • Communication

    • Documentation

    • Patience

    Career Path After Learning Software Testing

    13.1 Entry Level

    • Manual Tester / QA Trainee

    13.2 Growth Options

    • Automation Tester

    • Performance Tester

    • Security Tester

    • Test Lead

    • QA Manager

    • SDET

    13.3 Future Opportunities

    • DevOps Testing

    • AI Testing

    • Cloud Testing