User interface testing and Usability testing are two testing methodologies that have much importance to the customers.
The basic difference between these two is that the usability testing is a type of non-functional testing technique whereas the user interface testing falls under the class of functional testing techniques.
In simple words, the user interface testing involves identification of various elements of the user interface of the software application such as:
Let us see an illustration for grasping the concept of usability testing in quite a simple way:
– Consider a drop down menu consisting of some 100 options in it.
– Say you want a particular option, and then you will have to scan the entire menu to get that option.
– But would not this task be easier if there was a menu search box in which if you would type the first few letters of the option, it would automatically be displayed or highlighted or selected.
– This is what is verified by usability testing.
– It checks whether or not the application software is easy for the user to use as well as learn.
– On the other hand, the purpose of the user interface testing (or more appropriately graphical user interface testing) is to ensure that all the interactive elements of the UI of the software such as pop – ups, links, navigation, content etc. work as desired.
– Here, all the aspects of the user interface are tested with the help of the tests designed based on the functional requirements stated by the client.
– UI testing verifies whether the application software’s interface confirms to the design specifications.
– These specifications might be in regard to the fonts, font size, colors, data fields and labels, links, buttons and so on.
– The usability testing on the other side tests the software application in contrast with the non – functional requirements of the system.
– These include guidelines for development and certain standards.
– Certain design constraints are imposed up on the development activity because of these non-functional requirements.
– But, still they do not state how the exact functioning of the state should be.
– The usability testing also covers up the aspects of the GUI testing i.e., it takes in to consideration the conformation that the graphical user interface of the application is working well and is quite convenient.
The things that might be tested include:
– These are only a few aspects, the list is even longer and we shall not state all here.
– These aspects can be classified in to various categories such as learn-ability, reversibility of the actions, ease of use, design consistency, informative feedback and so on.
– If you observe, these are the aspects that are tested by observing the behavior of the real word users rather than being tested by the tester.
– Usability testing gives a confirmation to the client that the software product is no mess to use and can be easily learned whereas the GUI testing tests the way the various possible ways in which the application can be used.
– GUI testing is all about looking and feeling the software on various operating systems.
– Usability testing checks if everything is in order and the information is displayed in one window so that the user does not has to jump through many windows to get some information.
– The goal of the usability testing is to cut down on the drudgery of using some software as far as possible.
– GUI testing takes care of the screen validations including navigation conditions, aesthetic conditions, and validation conditions and so on.
