Software development and QA testing may seem similar on the surface, but there are some distinct differences between the two fields that make them play complementary roles in the larger field of software development. In this article, we’ll explore how QA testing and software development are different despite being alike. You would also learn about the career prospects in both technology and how you can acquire these skills. Let’s begin!
What Is Software Development?
Software development is the process of making an idea into a tangible product that can be marketed and sold to the public. Having a great idea is not just enough for you to take that idea and turn it into something tangible.
Software development typically requires a lot of time and resources to work properly. So when people talk about their idea being developed, they’re talking about how much time and money they spent on creating the software before it was ready for sale or public use.
What is QA testing?
QA testing is performing quality assurance and quality control measures to ensure that an application works correctly under diverse conditions, especially when changes are made during development before it is released for distribution.
The tester will use black-box testing techniques, which means they don’t need to know how the program functions to test it. They execute a series of tests according to pre-determined requirements.
QA testing is a crucial part of any software development process and is done during every stage. QA testing aims to identify defects as early as possible to ensure that they can be repaired at minimal cost before further phases of development or, even better, before the product moves into user acceptance testing. As developers make changes to applications, additional defects will likely appear, or existing ones will reappear.
Who Are Software Developers?
Software developers are responsible for the entire life cycle of software products, from conceptualization to maintenance. Also known as Computer programmers develop computer programs and write code for them, fixing any errors that arise.
This type of software development is web development, which involves writing computer code to create websites, online shopping platforms, video games, and anything else you can find online.
Desktop applications are the primary software development programs used on computers, like Microsoft Word & iTunes.
The code written by software developers is then sent to someone else in charge of testing it, a process known as Quality Assurance (QA). Software testers may also be referred to as quality assurance engineers or quality analysts, and they check that applications work correctly and do not contain bugs or errors.
Who Are QA Testers?
Quality assurance, or QA testing, is a critical role in software development that entails testing for software defects and determining the readiness of a product for production release. A quality assurance tester assesses the software’s intended functionality and critical characteristics to evaluate whether it is fit for release, meets specifications, and is ready for customers or clients. The essential roles of a QA tester involve:
- Developing requirements
- Test Cases/Test Scenarios Creation
- Unit Tests;
- Functional Tests
What Does a Quality Assurance Tester Do?
The difference between QA testing and software development is that the former aims to address any potential issues in software before the latter even starts. As a tester, you can find glitches, issues, and bugs during all phases of the production process–design, programming, data entry, documentation, etc.-and your feedback is valuable during beta or alpha testing too. With this line of work, you’ll always be working on new and exciting challenges; your mind will never grow tired of repetitive tasks!
Comparison of Roles Based on End Results
Whether a QA developer or a Software Developer, hiring for both roles in the tech industry is essential. Yet, they both acquire unique skill sets that set them apart. Below are the difference between QA Tester and Software Developer:
| S. No. | Software Developers | QA Testers |
| 1. | Software Developers create software, | QA developers who check for bugs and errors during software testing. |
| 2. | Software developers are responsible for designing & coding a custom application | Testers have their hands full looking for errors in each module of an app. |
| 3. | Developers must have programming skills, be proficient at writing code & time management skills | Testers must have deep knowledge of the system being developed, good communication skills & Critical thinking |
| 4. | They mainly focus on user requirements while developing software. | Their focus mainly centers on the end user’s behaviors while testing software. |
Potential Career Paths
Software development and quality assurance are vital parts of the tech industry, but what sets them apart? Software developers are creative and usually work on a software’s design and development, using one or more programming languages from conception to execution. They work closely with the marketing team to ensure their product appeals to users’ needs.
Quality assurance analysts’ roles differ from software developers, yet both play vital roles in creating and error-free & effective software. Quality assurance (QA) analysts are responsible for testing and verifying that software developers’ software works properly and is secure from outside intrusions, such as viruses or malware attacks.
Those seeking a career in software development typically pursue a bachelor’s degree, although many employers look for employees with computer science degrees. Quality assurance analysts usually have a bachelor’s degree in any field, but earning a certification will increase their job prospects and salary potential.
The Future of Software Development & QA Testing
Software development and quality assurance are vital parts of the tech industry, but what sets them apart? Software developers are more creative, usually working on a software’s design and development from conception to execution, using one or more programming languages, and working closely with the marketing team to ensure their product appeals to users’ needs.
The future of software development & QA testing is inextricably linked. Quality assurance testing will become more important as the software world becomes more complex. At the same time, the role of software development will continue to evolve as developers increasingly focus on creating robust applications that can handle a variety of inputs and outputs.
The companies need to invest in both software development and QA testing. By doing so, they’ll be able to create better products and services that meet the ever-changing needs of their customers.
Conclusion
Software development and QA testing are two areas of software engineering that are commonly confused with one another, but both serve different purposes in software creation.
Software developers create the functional design of the software. At the same time, testers test out that functionality by looking for bugs and problems to be fixed before the product is launched to customers. So if you are hiring software developers for your business project, having a QA Tester will be like adding a feather on your cap.