Alpha testing is one of the most common software testing strategy used in software development. Its specially used by product development organizations.
- This test takes place at the developer’s site. Developers observe the users and note problems.
- Alpha testing is testing of an application when development is about to complete. Minor design changes can still be made as a result of alpha testing.
- Alpha testing is typically performed by a group that is independent of the design team, but still within the company, e.g. in-house software test engineers, or software QA engineers.
- Alpha testing is final testing before the software is released to the general public.
- It has 2 phases:
- In the first phase of alpha testing, the software is tested by in-house developers. They use either debugger software, or hardware-assisted debuggers. The goal is to catch bugs quickly.
- In the second phase of alpha testing, the software is handed over to the software QA staff, for additional testing in an environment that is similar to the intended use.
Alpha testing is simulated or actual operational testing by potential users/customers or an independent test team at the developers’ site. Alpha testing is often employed for off-the-shelf software as a form of internal acceptance testing, before the software goes to beta testing.
