Adhoc Testing In Software Testing

In this article, we will see Adhoc Testing in Software Testing, an explanation with examples, when to do it, its types, its scenarios for WhatsApp, the difference between exploratory testing and monkey testing, its advantages and disadvantages, and its interview questions.

“Adhoc testing is an informal and unstructured testing technique where testers explore the software without predefined test cases to discover defects and improve overall quality.”

Adhoc Testing In Software Testing With Example

Adhoc testing in software testing is an informal and unstructured approach where testers explore the software application without predefined test cases or plans. Here’s a real-time example to illustrate adhoc testing:

Imagine a team of testers working on a social media application. During adhoc testing, one tester decides to explore the functionality related to posting images. Instead of following a scripted test case, they decide to take an exploratory approach.

The tester starts by uploading images of various sizes, resolutions, and formats to examine how the application handles them. They purposely select images that are larger than the allowed file size, expecting the application to display an error message indicating the limitation. This helps in validating the input validation and error handling capabilities of the application.

Next, the tester tries uploading images with unusual file extensions, like .txt or .mp3, to see if the application correctly identifies and rejects unsupported file types. This ensures the application handles file format compatibility appropriately.

Furthermore, the tester tries different image orientations, such as landscape and portrait, to ensure the application displays them correctly and maintains aspect ratios.

During this adhoc testing session, the tester also explores the user interface (UI) elements related to image posting. They randomly click on buttons, drag and drop images, and try different gestures to ensure all the image-related features function as intended.

In addition to validating the image upload functionality, the tester also takes the opportunity to perform adhoc testing on other related areas. For instance, they check if uploaded images appear correctly in posts, comments, or user profiles.

They try posting images from various locations within the application, such as direct messaging or group chats, to verify consistent behavior across different contexts.

Through this real-time example, it becomes evident that adhoc testing allows testers to think creatively, simulate real-world scenarios, and uncover potential defects or usability issues that may not be addressed by predefined test cases.

It provides flexibility in exploring specific areas of concern and helps improve the overall quality of the software application.

Adhoc Test Purpose

In this section we will see the purpose of adhoc testing in software testing

• Discover defects: Uncover hidden issues and flaws in the software.
• Validate functionality: Ensure that the software performs its intended tasks correctly.
• Improve overall quality: Enhance the overall reliability and performance of the software.
• Test boundary conditions: Assess how the software behaves at its limits and edge cases.
• Enhance user experience: Improve the usability and satisfaction of the software for users.
• Identify compatibility issues: Check if the software works well across different platforms and configurations.
• Supplement structured testing: Provide additional testing to complement formal test plans and uncover unforeseen issues.

When To Perform Adhoc Testing

In this section we will see when to perform adhoc testing

1. Exploratory Testing: Use adhoc testing to explore the software and uncover potential issues that might not be covered by formal test cases.
2. Time Constraints: When there is limited time for extensive testing, adhoc testing can be used to quickly identify critical defects.
3. New Features or Changes: Perform adhoc testing when new features or changes are implemented to ensure they work as expected and do not introduce any unintended side effects.
4. Regression Testing: After fixing bugs or making changes, adhoc testing can help verify that the fixes or changes have not caused any new issues.
5. Real-World Scenarios: Adhoc testing can simulate real-world usage scenarios to test the software under different conditions and user interactions.
6. User Feedback: When users report unexpected behavior or issues, adhoc testing can be used to reproduce and investigate those problems.
7. Adhoc Testing Sessions: Dedicated adhoc testing sessions can be conducted periodically to proactively search for defects and improve overall product quality.

NOTE

It’s important to note that while adhoc testing is valuable, it should not replace structured and planned testing methodologies.

Adhoc Testing Types

In this section we will see what all are the adhoc testing types:

Adhoc Testing Vs Exploratory Testing

In this section we will see comparison of Adhoc Testing and Exploratory Testing:

Criteria	Adhoc Testing	Exploratory Testing
Purpose	To identify defects through random testing	To discover defects, learn, and understand the system
Approach	Unplanned and unstructured testing	Planned but flexible testing
Test Planning	Minimal or no test planning involved	Some level of test planning may be involved
Test Cases	No predefined test cases	Test cases are created on-the-fly
Time Allocation	Performed as and when needed	Continuous testing throughout the project
Documentation	Minimal documentation	Documentation is not the primary focus
Test Coverage	Limited coverage of specific areas	Comprehensive coverage based on tester’s expertise and intuition
Focus	Mainly on basic functionality and critical areas	Broad focus on various aspects of the system
Defect Discovery	Relies on chance discovery of defects	Actively searching for potential defects
Learning	Limited learning opportunity during testing	High learning opportunity during testing
Skills Required	Basic knowledge of the system under test	Strong understanding of the system and domain
Reproducibility	May not be reproducible	Can be reproduced for further investigation

NOTE

It’s important to note that both Adhoc Testing and Exploratory Testing can complement each other and be used in combination to ensure comprehensive testing.

Monkey Testing Vs Adhoc Testing

In this section we will see comparision between monkey testing and adhoc testing:

Criteria	Monkey Testing	Adhoc Testing
Purpose	To randomly test the software for unexpected behavior or crashes	To identify defects through unplanned and unstructured testing
Approach	Random interactions with the software	Unplanned and unstructured testing
Test Planning	Minimal or no test planning involved	Minimal or no test planning involved
Test Cases	No predefined test cases	No predefined test cases
Time Allocation	Performed as and when needed	Performed as and when needed
Documentation	Minimal documentation	Minimal documentation
Test Coverage	Random coverage of various areas	Limited coverage of specific areas
Focus	Mainly on random actions and inputs	Mainly on basic functionality and critical areas
Reproducibility	May not be easily reproducible	May not be easily reproducible
Learning	Limited learning opportunity during testing	Limited learning opportunity during testing
Skills Required	Basic knowledge of the software under test	Basic knowledge of the software under test
Defect Discovery	Relies on chance discovery of defects	Relies on chance discovery of defects

NOTE

Monkey Testing and Adhoc Testing serve different purposes. Monkey Testing is mainly focused on randomly interacting with the software to identify unexpected behavior or crashes, while Adhoc Testing involves unplanned and unstructured testing to identify defects. Both approaches can be used to complement each other and enhance overall testing coverage.

Adhoc Testing With Automation

Adhoc testing can also be performed using automation tools. Here’s how adhoc testing can be combined with automation:

1. Test Environment Setup: Set up the test environment with the required automation tools and frameworks.
2. Test Data Preparation: Prepare the necessary test data for the adhoc tests. This can include various scenarios, inputs, and data combinations.
3. Automation Scripting: Write automation scripts to perform adhoc tests. These scripts can simulate random user actions, inputs, and interactions with the application.
4. Random Test Execution: Execute the automation scripts in a random manner, allowing them to perform a variety of actions and inputs. This will help uncover unexpected behavior or defects.
5. Error Handling and Reporting: Handle any errors or exceptions encountered during the test execution. Capture and log relevant information for further analysis.
6. Logging and Documentation: Maintain proper logs and documentation of the adhoc test scenarios executed, including any defects or issues identified.
7. Iterative Testing: Repeat the adhoc testing process iteratively, introducing new test scenarios and data combinations to maximize test coverage.

By combining adhoc testing with automation, you can achieve faster and more efficient testing while still maintaining the exploratory nature of adhoc testing. Automation can help in executing repetitive tasks and capturing detailed results, allowing you to focus on the analysis and investigation of uncovered issues.

Adhoc Testing Scenarios For WhatsApp

In this section we will see some adhoc testing test cases for WhatsApp

• Verify that message sending is successful and received by the recipient.
• Verify that messages are delivered within an acceptable timeframe.
• Verify that read receipts are displayed when the message is read by the recipient.
• Verify that group chats can be created with multiple participants.
• Verify that messages can be sent and received in a group chat.
• Verify that multimedia files (photos/videos) can be shared and received intact without quality loss.
• Verify that voice calls can be made and successfully connected with clear audio.
• Verify that video calls can be made and successfully connected with clear video and audio.
• Verify that adding a new contact results in it appearing in the contact list.
• Verify that blocking a contact prevents them from sending messages or making calls.
• Verify that status updates can be posted and are visible to contacts.
• Verify that push notifications are received for incoming messages and calls.
• Verify that phone number verification is successful during the registration process.
• Verify that the app remains stable and responsive during usage.
• Verify that the app performs consistently across different operating systems.

NOTE

Test cases should be executed and the results verified during the testing process.

Adhoc Testing Advantages And Disadvantages

In this section we will see advantages and disadvantages of adhoc testing:

Advantages:

• Flexibility
• Real-world scenarios
• Discovering new bugs
• Quick feedback
• Cost-effectiveness

Disadvantages:

• Incomplete coverage
• Lack of reproducibility
• Lack of consistency
• Limited documentation
• Lower test efficiency

Adhoc Testing Interview Questions

Adhoc Testing interview Questions and answers we have covered in different article separately.