The 21st century is all about new gadgets, software, and other automated solutions that can deliver functional capabilities to human beings. With various devices and platforms available along with different software, the need for compatibility testing becomes a necessity. But what is compatibility testing for software? Compatibility testing refers to the testing of software across multiple platforms and devices to ensure its smooth functionality. The test helps in evaluating whether software offers consistent user experience across different devices, operating networks, hardware, and browsers. It helps with the analysis of software and its seamless performance across different environments.
Following are some types of compatibility testing that users must be aware of:
- Hardware testing
To ensure seamless working across different hardware configurations and without any issues with different hardware components like processors is a part of hardware testing.
- Operating Testing
The compatibility testing ensures the software works across different operating systems and user interfaces like Windows and Mac OS.
- Browser and device comparability
The compatibility testing ensures the software works across different platforms, browsers, and devices like personal computers and smartphones.
But is Compatibility testing essential?
- Ensuring seamless software use by various users
Software created by companies is used by ultimate users who are spread all across the globe. They use different devices known for their different hardware and software combinations. Compatibility testing helps in the analysis of software and ensures its use across various devices, platforms, and environments.
- Hassle-free use across different platforms
The software developed is meant to be used across different environments and devices. The Compatibility testing helps ensure the software functions properly across multiple platforms, devices, and user interfaces. Any issue or bug across devices can be evaluated and resolved for the seamless use of software.
- Delivering smooth software use experience
Compatibility testing help ensure the developed software works smoothly and without any errors. This proves beneficial for the ultimate users looking for an error-free software-using experience. Any kind of error in the software functionality can be easily identified to deliver faultless software.
- To prevent post-release issues
Compatibility testing performed by testing staff is undertaken to ensure software once released does not affect user functionality. Any bug or issue can be easily identified and rooted out in the early phases of software development and release. This even reduces the effort of the software development team engaged in the development, management, and removal of bugs in the software.
- To support different devices and their updates
With new devices and updates being released on an everyday basis, compatibility testing becomes important as well. The testing team makes sure the software works smoothly on different devices after the release of new updates.
Companies and the testing teams responsible for carrying out compatibility test make use of automated testing solutions. The tools help with carrying out compatibility testing across various devices and environments. Moreover, real devices can be used for software testing. The tools and their respective compatibility testing process ensure the software stays free from errors and bugs. The test helps deliver high-quality functional software compatible across multiple devices, browsers, and platforms.
M Umair 
Abdul Basit