System Testing - Software Engineering

Last Updated : 20 Jul, 2025

System Testing is a type of software testing that is performed on a completely integrated system to evaluate the compliance of the system with the corresponding requirements. In system testing, integration testing passed components are taken as input.

The goal of integration testing is to detect any irregularity between the units that are integrated. System testing detects defects within both the integrated units and the whole system. The result of system testing is the observed behavior of a component or a system when it is tested.
System Testing is carried out on the whole system in the context of either system requirement specifications or functional requirement specifications or the context of both. System testing tests the design and behavior of the system and also the expectations of the customer.
It is performed to test the system beyond the bounds mentioned in the software requirements specification (SRS). System Testing is performed by a testing team that is independent of the development team and helps to test the quality of the system impartial.
It has both functional and non-functional testing. System Testing is performed after the integration testing and before the acceptance testing.

System Testing Process

System Testing is performed in the following steps:

Test Environment Setup: Create testing environment for the better quality testing.
Create Test Case: Generate test case for the testing process.
Create Test Data: Generate the data that is to be tested.
Execute Test Case: After the generation of the test case and the test data, test cases are executed.
Defect Reporting: Defects in the system are detected.
Regression Testing: It is carried out to test the side effects of the testing process.
Log Defects: Defects are fixed in this step.
Retest: If the test is not successful then again test is performed.

System-Testing-Process — System Testing Process

Types of System Testing

Here are the Types of System Testing are follows:

Software-Testing-Types — Types of testing

Functional Testing: This checks if the system’s features work as expected and meet the defined requirements.
Performance Testing: This tests how the system performs under different conditions, like high traffic or heavy use, to ensure it can handle the expected load.
Security Testing: This ensures the system’s security measures protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or attacks.
Compatibility Testing: This makes sure the system works well across different hardware, software, and network environments.
Usability Testing: This evaluates how easy and user-friendly the system is, making sure it provides a good experience for users.
Regression Testing: This ensures that any new code or features don’t break or negatively affect the system’s existing functionality.
Acceptance Testing: This tests the system at a high level to make sure it meets customer expectations and requirements before release.

Tools used for System Testing

Here are the Tools used for System Testing are follows:

JMeter
Gallen Framework
HP Quality Center/ALM
IBM Rational Quality Manager
Microsoft Test Manager
Selenium
Appium
LoadRunner
Gatling
JMeter
Apache JServ
SoapUI

Note: The choice of tool depends on various factors like the technology used, the size of the project, the budget, and the testing requirements.

Advantages of System Testing

Here are the Advantages of System Testing are follows:

In System Testing The testers do not require more knowledge of programming to carry out this testing.
It will test the entire product or software so that we will easily detect the errors or defects which cannot be identified during the unit testing and integration testing.
The testing environment is similar to that of the real time production or business environment.
It checks the entire functionality of the system with different test scripts and also it covers the technical and business requirements of clients.
After this testing, the product will almost cover all the possible bugs or errors and hence the development team will confidently go ahead with acceptance testing
Verifies the overall functionality of the system.
Detects and identifies system-level problems early in the development cycle.
Helps to validate the requirements and ensure the system meets the user needs.
Improves system reliability and quality.
Facilitates collaboration and communication between development and testing teams.
Enhances the overall performance of the system.
Increases user confidence and reduces risks.
Facilitates early detection and resolution of bugs and defects.
Supports the identification of system-level dependencies and inter-module interactions.
Improves the system’s maintainability and scalability.

Disadvantages of System Testing

Here are the Disadvantages of System Testing are follows:

System Testing is time consuming process than another testing techniques since it checks the entire product or software.
The cost for the testing will be high since it covers the testing of entire software.
It needs good debugging tool otherwise the hidden errors will not be found.
Can be time-consuming and expensive.
Requires adequate resources and infrastructure.
Can be complex and challenging, especially for large and complex systems.
Dependent on the quality of requirements and design documents.
Limited visibility into the internal workings of the system.
Can be impacted by external factors like hardware and network configurations.
Requires proper planning, coordination, and execution.
Can be impacted by changes made during development.
Requires specialized skills and expertise.
May require multiple test cycles to achieve desired results.

Best Practices for System Testing

To make system testing effective, follow these best practices:

Clear Test Plan and Requirements: Make sure you have a well-defined test plan and clear requirements. This ensures all parts of the system are covered and tested correctly.
Test Early and Often: Start testing as soon as possible in the development process and continue testing regularly. Finding and fixing issues early helps save time and money.
Use Automation for Repetitive Tests: Automate tests that you run repeatedly, like regression or performance tests. This saves time and allows you to focus on more complex testing.
Create Realistic Test Scenarios: Design test cases based on how users will actually use the system. This includes testing for edge cases, unusual inputs, and potential system failures.
Collaborate with Developers: Work closely with developers throughout the testing process. They can help identify problems faster and provide insights into how the system functions.

Conclusion

System testing is a important step in software development that verify the system works as expected and meets the required standards. By testing the entire system, developers and testers can catch problems early, improve the software's quality, and provide a better user experience. Whether it's testing for functionality, performance, or security, system testing makes sure the software meets the needs of users and stakeholders, while reducing risks and errors. Successful system testing relies on careful planning, effective execution, and strong teamwork.

What is Software Testing?

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