What are the advantages of using testing tools? Explain in detail different type of testing tools.

The advantages of testing tools are:

�             They improve the productivity and quality of software development.

�              Help in identification of errors which are difficult and time consuming to find manually.

�             Reduce the testing time.

�             Help in running large volumes of test unattended for 24 hours.

�             Automatic generation of test cases.

�             Automated the regression testing.

�             Improve the productivity of the testers.

Some of the important testing tools are:

(a)   Test Case Generators: These tools generate test cases from SRS, program or test design languages. They use certain rules called test design techniques to generate rest cases.

(b)  Capture/ Playback and Test harness tools: These tools automate the re running of manual test by recording and replaying the test scripts. The recorded test scripts can also be edited as per need. They can be either intrusive or non intrusive type. Intrusive tools along with software under test reside on the same machine.

(c)    Coverage Analysis Tools: These tools ensure that the software is tested and helps the tester to find the parts which are not covered.

(d)  Test Comparators: These tools compare the results of software under test with the expected results and generate the report.

(e)   Memory Testing Tools: These tools are used to test memory related problems. such as using uninitialized memory location, accessing memory locations which are out of range etc.

(f)   Simulators: These tools are used to simulate the hardware/ software with which software under test is going to interact.

(g)   Test database: It is a sample of database which is being manipulated by software under test.