Where do you see yourself in 10 years? It’s hard to know what the future will look like anymore, but one thing is certain: Technology is already dominating and will continue to dominate the skilled job market, creating opportunities for a massive range of experience levels. Most of the tech needs high-quality software to run it, but before any program can be used, it must endure a rigorous debugging process, including real-world function analysis by thorough software testing.
How Is Software Developed?
Good software dev has a well-established process:
Identify a need.
Specify the goal.
Write the code.
Test the code.
Debug the code and retest it.
Distribute the completed software.
At any stage, the code can be returned to a previous stage. However, testing and debugging frequently are more cyclical, with many potential rounds for more complex code as the testers identify new bugs.
What Is Software Testing?
Software must be thoroughly tested to ensure it’s fit for use. Testing is part of the validation and verification process that can be handled either in-house or by a third party — or both. Verification of function is critical for working software, while validation demonstrates that the product meets the user’s needs.
Software can be tested either manually or automatically. In addition to ensuring the software is functional and safe, it also needs to be tested for:
Scalability
Reliability
Portability
Reusability
Most software also needs extensive security testing. Can the software be accessed online? Then it can potentially be hacked. Plus, if software has errors, it can cause damage in some cases. Companies producing buggy software have been sued for millions of dollars.
Why Is Testing Important?
While virtually all software has bugs, customers don’t like them. Small computer glitches cause a lot of frustration with users, especially if there are several. Bigger errors can prevent programs and devices from functioning, especially when integrating different software.
Bad software can even be a killer. In one famous incident, a jumbo jet crashed, killing 294 passengers and crew, thanks in part to a bug in the autopilot software that was awaiting an upgrade. No software is flawless, but skimping on testing is a disaster waiting to happen.
How Is Software Tested?
There are many approaches to software testing. Developing scripts to automatically test code is a growing industry. Automated testing is much cheaper than manual and is great for handling tasks that don’t require human intelligence, but in most cases, new software will require considerable manual testing, too.
Manual testing involves as many real-world uses as possible. Testers must be skilled and methodical, and are required to precisely follow testing parameters set by the client. They then create a listing of all errors and any other information the developers need to correct problems.
What Career Opportunities Are Found in Software Testing?
The expansion of the tech sector is phenomenal. It’s already a third of the economy, and future job growth is expected to be double that of other industries. In a world where everything is being automated, jobs are trending towards the design, implementation and maintenance of the technical world. Software testing is growing hand in hand with development in both the automated and manual realms.
Manual testing involves as many real-world uses as possible. Testers must be skilled and methodical, and are required to precisely follow testing parameters set by the client. They then create a listing of all errors and any other information the developers need to correct problems.
Do You Need a College Degree To Be a Software Tester?
Some software quality assurance jobs do require degrees, and any knowledge, experience or education in computer science can be helpful. However, many entry-level software tester jobs are available to those who take a relatively short training course.
Manual testing involves as many real-world uses as possible. Testers must be skilled and methodical, and are required to precisely follow testing parameters set by the client. They then create a listing of all errors and any other information the developers need to correct problems.
How Much Do Software Testers Earn in the United States?
Software testing is in high demand. The given range of salaries for testers is different everywhere you go, but the most common ranges are from as low as $30,000 a year for well-trained entry-level testers to considerably over $100,000 for experienced ones.
How Can You Learn To Test Software for a Living?
There are a number of paths to becoming a professional software tester. Earning a four-year degree in computer science is one way. A number of testers are hired in-house as employees who have proven their competence over time. Of course, the simplest way is also the quickest: Take classes from an established quality assurance school.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Software Testing?
The training time varies substantially depending on the subjects and student, but basic education can take as little as a few weeks or months. Professional software testers never stop learning and often add vital computer science certificates over the years as their career advances.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Software Testing?
To get a four-year degree, you’ll need to find a university with a good computer science department. However, entry-level jobs can be obtained by attending training boot camps. Look for a school with a solid history of placing software training graduates into a wide range of Fortune 500 companies for the best results.
