What is compatibility tests and how are they performed?

What is a compatibility test?

Compatibility testing is a type of testing that examines and compares functionality over multiple browsers, devices, platforms, and OS to recognize potential discrepancies. Performing compatibility testing verifies that your product/software works efficiently in its intended environments.

How is compatibility testing performed?

1. Identification of Target Environments: The first step is to identify the target environments for the software application. This includes different combinations of operating systems, hardware devices, browsers, network configurations, databases, and other relevant components.

2. Test Environment Setup: Test environments are set up to replicate the identified target configurations. This may involve setting up virtual machines, installing different operating systems and browsers, configuring network settings, and deploying the application on various platforms.

3. Test Case Design: Test cases are designed to cover the different combinations of environments and configurations identified in the previous steps. Test cases may include verifying functionality, performance, usability, and compatibility with specific hardware or software components.

4. Execution of Test Cases: Test cases are executed across the different target environments. Testers verify that the software behaves as expected and that there are no compatibility issues, such as functionality not working correctly, layout or display issues, performance degradation, or compatibility conflicts with other software components.

5. Issue Reporting and Tracking: Any compatibility issues encountered during testing are reported to the development team using a bug tracking system. Detailed information about the issue, including the environment in which it occurred and steps to reproduce it, helps developers diagnose and fix the problem.

6. Regression Testing: After fixes or changes are made to address compatibility issues, regression testing is performed to ensure that the changes did not introduce new compatibility problems and that the software still works correctly across all target environments.

7. Documentation: Documentation is maintained to record the results of compatibility testing, including details of the target environments tested, issues encountered, and any workarounds or solutions implemented.