Hey there! Are you a tester or developer looking to understand the difference between dynamic and static testing techniques? Look no further! In this blog, we’ll explore the possibilities of these approaches, their purpose, and basic examples that will help a beginner understand the context behind each point. So, let’s start with the basics.

What is Dynamic Testing?

Dynamic testing is a quality assurance technique that is used to test the behavior of software. This testing is performed when the software is executing. It can be done manually or using software testing tools. This testing technique is used to test the functionality, performance, and security of the software.

📘 Note: Dynamic testing is used to verify whether the software meets the requirements specified by the developer or not and is performed during runtime.

Examples of Dynamic Testing

There are various types of dynamic testing, some of which are:

  • Unit Testing: In this type of testing, individual units of the software are tested to ensure that they work correctly.
  • Integration Testing: This type of testing is used to verify whether different modules or units of the software work correctly when combined.
  • System Testing: System testing is done to verify whether the software meets the requirements or not when tested as a whole.

A person testing software while it's running

What is Static Testing?

Static testing is a technique that is used to test software without executing it. It is done at the early stages of software development, often during the development of requirements and design documents. This technique aims to find defects in the system requirements, design documents, or any other documentation related to the software development process.

📘 Note: Static testing is performed during the software development processes and is used to find errors in the software requirements or design documents.

Examples of Static Testing

Some examples of static testing are:

  • Code Reviews: Code reviews are a type of static testing done while developing software to ensure the code follows best practices and quality standards.
  • Walkthroughs: Walkthroughs are where the developer walks the reviewer through the code that has been written. This is a great way to catch and find defects early on.
  • Inspections: In this technique, a team of reviewers inspects the software, design documents, and other requirements to ensure that they meet the quality standards.

A person reviewing code on a computer monitor

Dynamic vs Static Testing: What’s the difference?

The fundamental difference between dynamic and static testing is the stage at which they are executed. Dynamic testing is executed at runtime, while static testing is performed before the software is executed.

The dynamic testing process assesses the software’s behavior based on various test cases and scenarios. On the other hand, static testing involves reviewing and analyzing the software’s documents, code, and other artifacts.

With dynamic testing, errors only manifest themselves when the software is already in action, while static testing helps to identify errors early in the development process.

Which approach should you use?

Both dynamic and static testing techniques are essential for discovering different types of defects in software development. The selection of the approach depends on the system’s level of complexity, requirements, and the developmental stage.

Dynamic testing is best for uncovering functional and non-functional issues, including usability, compatibility, and security. Static testing is ideal for assessing software documentation and finding logical defects in the design and functionality.

In the end, both testing types are critical and should be used in software development. Combining both dynamic and static testing approaches yields the best results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dynamic and static testing techniques are vast and useful software testing methods used to ensure the software’s quality and reliability. Understanding their roles will help you master the art of software testing and become a quality testing and software development professional.

I hope this blog has given you a good understanding of dynamic and static testing and their differences. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions or need more information.

A person looking through a magnifying glass to examine code