What is GUI testing in software testing?

Overview

Software testing is an essential part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to ensure the quality of a software product. Out of several software testing techniques employed, we will discuss the GUI testing technique.

Definition

GUI testing ensures that the graphical user interface of the software corresponds with the functionality of the software, meaning that the software functionalities are easily accessible via the GUI.

Types

GUI testing is categorized as follows:

Manual-based testing

In manual-based testing, all the screens are checked manually by the testers. The purpose of the test is to ensure that the user interface has all the functionalities listed in the documentation of the software and that the functionalities work correctly via the interface.

Record & reply

The record & reply approach is a slight automation of the previous approach. In the record & reply approach, a tool is used to record the sequence of operations to be performed on the UI, and afterward, this recording is executed in the play phase. The testers then verify the end result of the operation.

Model-based testing

Model-based testing is a graph-based approach for GUI testing. In model-based testing, a graph that represents the testing model is created. Inputs, as well as the expected outputs, are determined for the model. Afterward, the model is executed and the actual output is compared with the expected output.