Software Testing Course Syllabus

Software testing is important to ensure that the software meet the quality standards and work properly. With the increasing demand for skilled testers, structured training programs are important. A well-designed course teaches the testers everything they need to know to excel in this field. In  this article we shall discuss Software Testing Course Syllabus [2024].

Why Software Testing?

Software testing is important for various reasons:

Find Problems Early

• Finding Bugs: Testing helps in finding mistakes before they become big problems.
• Saving Money:Fixing issues early is cheaper than later.

Making Sure Software Works Well

• Quality Check:Testing ensures software meets standards and does what it should.
• Happy Users:Good testing means users get software that’s easy to use and works right.

Meeting Business Needs

• Happy Customers:Good software keeps customers satisfied and loyal.
• Protecting Reputation:Reliable software keeps a company looking good.

Following Rules and Staying Safe

• Playing by the Rules:Testing ensures software meets industry standards.
• Keeping Data Safe: Testing helps keep user information secure.

Getting Better All the Time

• Feedback for Improvement:Testing tells us how to make software better.
• Adding New Features Safely:Testing lets us add new stuff without breaking what’s already there.

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Software Testing Course Syllabus

Module 1: Foundation Module

Program Orientation

• Overview: Introduction to the software testing program, including objectives, expectations, and resources.
• Activities: Understanding program structure, familiarizing with course materials, and setting expectations.

Pre-Learning

• Overview: Preparatory materials to introduce basic concepts and terminology related to software testing.
• Activities: Self-paced learning modules, quizzes, and readings to prepare for upcoming topics.

Module 2: Introduction to Software Testing

Importance of Testing in Software Development

• Overview: Understanding the significance of software testing in ensuring quality and reliability.
• Key Concepts: Role of testing in identifying defects early, preventing costly errors, and enhancing user experience.

Types of Testing: Manual vs. Automation

• Overview: Differentiating between manual and automated testing approaches.
• Key Concepts: Pros and cons of manual and automated testing, scenarios where each approach is suitable.

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Testing (STLC)

• Overview: Exploring the relationship between the software development life cycle and the testing process.
• Key Concepts: Phases of SDLC and corresponding testing activities, importance of structured testing processes.

Assignment 1

• Overview: Practical assignment to apply concepts learned in the Foundation Module and Module 2.
• Activities: Developing test scenarios, identifying test cases, and preparing documentation based on provided specifications.

Module 3: Test Planning and Strategy

Test Planning and Strategy

• Overview: Formulating test plans and strategies to ensure comprehensive testing coverage.
• Key Concepts: Establishing testing objectives, defining scope, identifying resources, and setting timelines.

Test Case Design and Execution

• Overview: Creating and executing test cases to validate software functionality and behavior.
• Key Concepts: Techniques for designing effective test cases, executing test scripts, and documenting results.

Types of Testing: Functional & Non-Functional

• Overview: Understanding different types of testing, including functional and non-functional testing.
• Key Concepts: Testing approaches to validate functional requirements and assess non-functional aspects such as performance, security, and usability.

Defect Reporting and Tracking

• Overview: Implementing processes for reporting, tracking, and managing defects identified during testing.
• Key Concepts: Tools and methodologies for defect identification, prioritization, resolution, and tracking progress.

Test Documentation

• Overview: Creating comprehensive documentation to record testing activities and outcomes.
• Key Concepts: Types of test documentation, such as test plans, test cases, test reports, and traceability matrices.

Demo: Manual Testing

• Overview: Practical demonstration of manual testing techniques and best practices.
• Activities: Hands-on exercises to illustrate manual testing processes, including test case creation, execution, and defect reporting.

Assignment 2

• Overview: Practical assignment focusing on test planning, test case design, execution, and documentation.
• Activities: Developing test plans, designing test cases, executing tests, reporting defects, and preparing test documentation.

Module 4: JAVA

Introduction to JAVA & Installation

• Overview: Introduction to the Java programming language and setting up the development environment.
• Key Concepts:Understanding the basics of Java, downloading and installing JDK (Java Development Kit), configuring IDEs (Integrated Development Environments).

 JDK, JRE, JVM

• Overview: Understanding the components of the Java platform: JDK, JRE, and JVM.
• Key Concepts: Differentiating between JDK (Java Development Kit), JRE (Java Runtime Environment), and JVM (Java Virtual Machine), their roles, and interactions.

JAVA Basics

• Overview: Introduction to basic Java syntax, data types, variables, and operators.
• Key Concepts: Variables, data types (primitive and reference), operators, expressions, and basic input/output.

Control Statements

• Overview: Learning control flow structures in Java, including decision-making and looping constructs.
• Key Concepts: If-else statements, switch-case statements, loops (for, while, do-while), and flow control.

Exception Handling

• Overview: Handling errors and exceptional situations in Java programs.
• Key Concepts: Understanding exceptions, try-catch blocks, finally block, throwing and catching exceptions, and exception hierarchy.

Data Structures

• Overview: Introduction to data structures in Java for organizing and storing data efficiently.
• Key Concepts: Arrays, ArrayLists, LinkedLists, and other data structures, their properties, and usage.

OOP in JAVA

• Overview: Understanding Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles and concepts in Java.
• Key Concepts: Classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction.

 Collections

• Overview: Introduction to Java Collections Framework for managing and manipulating groups of objects.
• Key Concepts: ArrayList, LinkedList, HashMap, HashSet, TreeSet, and other collection classes, their features, and usage.

Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)

• Overview: Connecting Java applications to databases for data manipulation and retrieval.
• Key Concepts: JDBC API, establishing database connections, executing SQL queries, handling result sets, and managing transactions.

Module 5: Automation Testing

Introduction to Automation Testing

• Overview: Understanding the concept and significance of automation testing in software development.
• Key Concepts: Advantages of automation testing, scenarios suitable for automation, and challenges in implementing automation.

Automation Testing Frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Appium, TestNG)

• Overview: Exploring popular automation testing frameworks and their features.
• Key Concepts: Comparison of different frameworks such as Selenium WebDriver for web applications, Appium for mobile apps, and TestNG for test execution and reporting.

Setting up the Test Environment

• Overview: Configuring the necessary tools and environments for automation testing.
• Key Concepts: Installation and setup of testing frameworks, drivers, browsers, and other dependencies required for automation testing.

Basic Automation Scripting

• Overview: Learning the fundamentals of automation scripting using selected programming languages (e.g., Java, Python).
• Key Concepts: Syntax, variables, data types, operators, control structures, functions, and exception handling for writing automation scripts.

Hands-On: Automate simple test cases

• Overview: Practical exercises to automate simple test scenarios using automation testing tools and frameworks.
• Activities: Writing automation scripts to perform actions such as navigation, data input, verification, and reporting.

Assignment

• Overview: Practical assignment to apply automation testing concepts and techniques learned in the module.
• Activities: Automating test cases for a given application or scenario, writing automation scripts, executing tests, and documenting results.

Module 6: Selenium WebDriver

Selenium WebDriver Basics

• Overview: Introduction to Selenium WebDriver as a powerful automation tool for web testing.
• Key Concepts: Understanding the basics of Selenium WebDriver architecture, setup, and usage.

Locators (XPath, CSS, ID, etc.)

• Overview: Exploring different types of locators to identify and interact with web elements.
• Key Concepts: Understanding XPath, CSS, ID, and other locators for effective element identification.

Handling Web Elements

• Overview: Techniques for interacting with various web elements using Selenium WebDriver.
• Key Concepts: Methods for performing actions such as clicking buttons, entering text, selecting options, and verifying text.

 Page Object Model (POM)

• Overview: Introduction to the Page Object Model (POM) design pattern for organizing and maintaining test automation code.
• Key Concepts: Creating page classes, separating page elements and actions, and improving code maintainability and reusability.

Advanced WebDriver Techniques

• Overview: Advanced techniques for handling complex scenarios and elements in web applications.
• Key Concepts: Strategies for handling pop-ups, frames, dynamic elements, and implementing explicit and implicit waits.

Assignment

• Overview: Practical assignment to apply Selenium WebDriver concepts learned in the module.
• Activities: Developing automated test scripts using Selenium WebDriver, incorporating locators, POM design pattern, and advanced techniques to test web applications.

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Module 7: Test Automation Frameworks

Introduction to Test Automation Frameworks

• Overview: Understanding the concept of test automation frameworks and their importance in streamlining the automation process.
• Key Concepts: Definition of test automation frameworks, benefits of using frameworks, and their role in enhancing test automation efficiency.

Data-Driven Framework

• Overview: Exploring the data-driven testing approach and its implementation within automation frameworks.
• Key Concepts: Utilizing external data sources to drive test case execution, separating test data from test scripts, and enhancing test coverage through parameterization.

Keyword-Driven Framework

• Overview: Introduction to the keyword-driven testing methodology and its integration into automation frameworks.
• Key Concepts: Creating reusable keywords to represent test actions, enhancing test maintainability and scalability, and promoting collaboration between testers and domain experts.

Hybrid Framework

• Overview: Understanding the hybrid automation framework, which combines elements of both data-driven and keyword-driven approaches.
• Key Concepts: Leveraging the strengths of data-driven and keyword-driven frameworks, optimizing test automation efforts for complex projects, and achieving flexibility in test execution.

Setting up a Test Automation Framework

• Overview: Practical considerations and best practices for setting up and configuring a test automation framework.
• Key Concepts: Selecting appropriate tools and technologies, defining project-specific requirements, establishing project structure and organization, and configuring environment setup.

Hands-on: Building a Simple Automation Framework

• Overview: Hands-on session where participants build a basic test automation framework from scratch.
• Activities: Step-by-step guidance on creating framework components such as test scripts, test data management, reporting, and integration with version control systems.

Assignment

• Overview: Practical assignment to reinforce concepts learned in the module and apply them to real-world scenarios.
• Activities: Developing a test automation framework based on provided specifications, including setup, configuration, and implementation of framework components. The assignment may involve automating test cases, integrating with existing systems, and demonstrating framework functionality.

Module 8: JIRA and CI/CD

 JIRA Basics

• Overview: Introduction to JIRA, a popular project management tool used for issue tracking and agile project management.
• Key Concepts: Understanding JIRA’s interface, project structure, issue types, workflows, and basic functionalities.

JIRA Tool

• Overview: Exploring advanced features and functionalities of JIRA for efficient project management and collaboration.
• Key Concepts: Customizing workflows, configuring dashboards, managing user permissions, and integrating with other tools.

Introduction to CI/CD

• Overview: Introduction to Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery/Continuous Deployment (CD) principles and practices.
• Key Concepts: Understanding the benefits of CI/CD, including faster release cycles, improved code quality, and automated deployment processes.

Jenkins and other CI tools

• Overview: Introduction to Jenkins, an open-source automation server used for implementing CI/CD pipelines.
• Key Concepts: Exploring Jenkins’ features, such as job scheduling, version control integration, build automation, and plugin ecosystem. Comparison with other CI tools like Travis CI, CircleCI, and GitLab CI.

Test Automation in CI/CD pipeline

• Overview: Integrating automated testing into the CI/CD pipeline to ensure quality and reliability of software releases.
• Key Concepts: Setting up automated testing frameworks, configuring test suites, and executing tests as part of the CI/CD workflow.

Cucumber Framework

• Overview: Introduction to Cucumber, a behavior-driven development (BDD) tool used for writing automated acceptance tests.
• Key Concepts: Understanding Gherkin syntax, writing feature files, defining scenarios, and implementing step definitions for test automation.

Hands-on: Integration of test automation with Jenkins

• Overview: Practical session demonstrating the integration of automated tests with Jenkins CI/CD pipelines.
• Activities: Configuring Jenkins jobs to trigger automated tests, analyzing test results, and generating reports within the CI/CD environment.

Assignment

• Overview: Practical assignment focusing on implementing CI/CD pipelines, integrating automated tests, and utilizing JIRA for project management.
• Activities: Setting up CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, integrating test automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Appium) with Jenkins jobs, and managing project tasks and issues in JIRA.

Module 9: Performance Testing

Introduction to Performance Testing

• Overview: Understanding the importance of performance testing in evaluating the responsiveness, scalability, and stability of software applications.
• Key Concepts: Definition of performance testing, objectives, benefits, and challenges.

Tools like JMeter or LoadRunner

• Overview: Introduction to popular performance testing tools such as JMeter and LoadRunner.
• Key Concepts: Features and capabilities of each tool, comparison of strengths and weaknesses, considerations for tool selection.

Creating and Executing Performance Tests

• Overview: Planning and designing performance tests to simulate real-world user scenarios and workloads.
• Key Concepts: Identifying performance test scenarios, defining performance metrics and acceptance criteria, configuring test environments, and setting up test data.

Analyzing Performance Metrics

• Overview: Interpretation and analysis of performance metrics collected during test execution.
• Key Concepts: Understanding key performance indicators (KPIs) such as response time, throughput, resource utilization, and error rates, identifying performance bottlenecks, and tuning recommendations.

Practical Assignment: Performance testing a web application

• Overview: Hands-on exercise to apply performance testing concepts and tools to evaluate the performance of a web application.
• Activities: Setting up performance test scenarios, configuring JMeter or LoadRunner, executing performance tests, collecting and analyzing performance metrics, and preparing a performance test report.

Module 10: Mobile App Testing

Introduction to Mobile App Testing

• Overview: Understanding the unique challenges and considerations in testing mobile applications.
• Key Concepts: Differences between testing mobile and desktop applications, importance of mobile testing in the current market.

Testing on Real Devices

• Overview: Exploring the significance of testing on physical mobile devices.
• Key Concepts: Advantages of testing on real devices, considerations for device compatibility, network conditions, and user experience.

Testing on Emulators

• Overview: Utilizing emulators for mobile app testing in simulated environments.
• Key Concepts: Benefits and limitations of using emulators, scenarios where emulators are preferred over real devices.

Mobile Test Automation with Appium

• Overview: Introduction to Appium as a popular open-source tool for mobile test automation.
• Key Concepts: Setting up Appium, writing test scripts using WebDriver API, automating interactions with mobile apps.

Hands-on: Mobile App Testing and Automation

• Overview: Practical exercises to apply mobile app testing concepts and techniques.
• Activities: Hands-on testing of mobile applications on real devices and emulators, writing and executing automated test scripts with Appium.

Project: CAPSTONE PROJECTS

Learn through Various Industry Projects

• Overview:
  • In this phase, participants will engage in hands-on learning by working on real-world industry projects.
• Key Objectives:
  • Apply testing concepts learned throughout the course in practical scenarios.
  • Gain experience in testing diverse types of software applications.
  • Develop problem-solving skills and adaptability in different project environments.
• Activities:
  • Collaborating with project teams to understand project requirements and objectives.
  • Applying testing methodologies, techniques, and tools to plan and execute test activities.
  • Analyzing project artifacts such as requirements, design documents, and user stories to identify test scenarios.
  • Designing and executing test cases to validate functionality, performance, security, and other aspects of the software.
  • Reporting defects, tracking their resolution, and ensuring the quality of deliverables.
  • Participating in project meetings, discussions, and reviews to provide insights and contribute to project success.

Learn How to Apply Testing Concepts through Exciting Capstone Project Spanning 1 Month

• Overview:
  • The capstone project is a culminating experience where participants apply their learning to a comprehensive project spanning one month.
• Key Objectives:
  • Synthesize and apply testing knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in planning, executing, and documenting test activities in a real-world project setting.
  • Showcase problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and communication skills in a project-based environment.
• Activities:
  • Engaging in project kickoff meetings to understand project goals, scope, and deliverables.
  • Collaborating with project stakeholders, including developers, business analysts, and project managers, to clarify requirements and expectations.
  • Developing a comprehensive test plan outlining testing objectives, strategies, resources, and timelines.
  • Designing test cases and test scenarios tailored to project requirements and user needs.
  • Executing test cases, documenting test results, and reporting defects using industry-standard tools and techniques.
  • Conducting regression testing, performance testing, and other specialized testing activities as required by the project.
  • Providing regular progress updates, participating in project status meetings, and addressing feedback from project stakeholders.
  • Presenting the final project deliverables, including test reports, defect logs, and recommendations for quality improvement.

Software Testing Course Syllabus: Conclusion

A comprehensive software testing course syllabus covers a wide range of topics, from foundational concepts to specialized testing techniques. By following a structured curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience, learners can develop the skills and expertise needed to excel in the field of software testing.