Compatibility testing, part of software non-functional tests

Non-functional tests

Non-functional testing is the testing of a software application for its non-functional requirements. The names of many non-functional tests are often used interchangeably because of the overlap in scope between various non-functional requirements...

, is testing conducted on the application to evaluate the application's compatibility with the computing environment. Computing environment may contain some or all of the below mentioned elements:

• Computing capacity of Hardware Platform (IBM 360, HP 9000, etc.)..
• Bandwidth handling capacity of networking hardware
• Compatibility of peripherals (Printer, DVD drive, etc.)
• Operating systems (MVS, UNIX, Windows, etc.)
• Database (Oracle, Sybase, DB2, etc.)
• Other System Software (Web server, networking/ messaging tool, etc.)
• Browser compatibility (Firefox, Netscape, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.)

Browser compatibility testing, can be more appropriately referred to as user experience testing. This requires that the web applications are tested on different web browsers, to ensure the following:

• Users have the same visual experience irrespective of the browsers through which they view the web application.
• In terms of functionality, the application must behave and respond the same way across different browsers.

For more information please visit the link BCT

• Carrier compatibility (Verizon, Sprint, Orange, O2, AirTel, etc.)
• Backwards compatibility.
• Hardware (different phones)
• Different Compilers (compile the code correctly)
• Runs on multiple host/guest Emulators

Certification testing falls within the scope of Compatibility testing. Product Vendors run the complete suite of testing on the newer computing environment to get their application certified for a specific Operating Systems or Databases.