What Does a Software Tester Do?

What exactly is a Software Tester and what does the function of a Software Tester look like?

Software testing is more important than ever before and has become a professional discipline within many organizations. Logical, because almost no organization can afford long-term stagnation of their business processes as a result of incorrectly functioning software.

As a Software Tester you ensure that the software does what it is supposed to do by checking and testing it. How does this manifest itself in practice? In this article we tell you everything about the position and how you can become a Software Tester.

What is software testing?

First, some more information about software testing. Because what exactly is software testing?

This is the testing of software to prevent a product from not working properly. Using a checklist with acceptance criteria, you test whether the software meets the requirements. This aids the design process and ensures a high-quality, error-free product for the user.

Software testing can be useful when you:

• Find bugs in the software and verify that the software is ready for use.
• Provide organizations with information about the quality of the software.
• Provide an independent and objective picture of the software.
• Evaluate one or more important features of the software.

What is a software tester?

A Software Tester - also called a Software Test Engineer or Agile Tester - plays a major role in the development of new IT programs.

After developing the software, the Software Tester checks whether the program does what it is supposed to do and tries, as it were, to break the new piece of software. With the aim: an error-free program.

What does a software tester do?

A Software Tester checks whether the (new) software meets the design and development requirements. A tester tests the software both technically and functionally and plays an important role in the development of the software.

For example, a tester checks whether the software responds correctly to different types of input, whether it executes the functionalities within an acceptable time and whether it can be implemented in the environment for which it is intended.

In general, the following duties and responsibilities are included in the position:

• Drawing up test plans including checklist with software requirements
• Writing and executing test scripts. Consider a functional acceptance test, a user acceptance test or performance test of non-functional matters such as scalability or endurance.
• Recording test cases and test data
• Improving testing processes
• Reporting results and preparing advice

In addition, you often work together with developers, engineers and support teams to develop effective strategies and control plans for testing, among other things.

What do you need to be able to do in this position?

As a Software Tester, it is important that you have knowledge of various types of tests - both functional, non-functional and security tests. And depending on which type of software you are going to test, you also need knowledge of various programming languages.

For example, if you are going to test databases, you need knowledge of data tools. Think of tools like Oracle and SQL. Are you going to test the front-end of the website? Then you need knowledge of Javascript, CSS and HTML. And if you are going to test automated, you need knowledge of tools such as Selenium or Cucumber Appium.

Furthermore, it is important that you:

• Have good written communication skills to prepare good test reports and strong oral skills to present your advice.
• Are analytically strong, have an eye for detail and think problem-solving.
• Can perform well under pressure and work to strict deadlines.
• Can work both in a team and individually.