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Leveraging Kotlin Collections in Android Development

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Leveraging Kotlin Collections in Android Development

Kotlin has gradually replaced Java as the lingua franca of Android programming. It’s a more concise language than Java, meaning your code works harder and you can build leaner applications. And Kotlin Collections are fundamental.

These collections play a fundamental role in our work as programmers by simplifying the organization and management of data. Whether it’s a list, set, map or other data structure, they allow us to categorize and store data logically. So we can save, retrieve and manipulate information, and manage a range of tasks from simple data presentation to complex algorithm implementation.

Collections also facilitate code reusability, enabling us to utilize their existing functions and methods rather than developing individual data-handling mechanisms for every task This streamlines development, reduces errors and enhances code maintainability.

At a granular level, collections enable us to perform operations like sorting, filtering, and aggregation efficiently, improving the overall quality of our products.

Overview of Kotlin Collections

Kotlin Collections come in three primary forms: Lists, Maps, and Sets. Each is a distinct type, with its unique characteristics and use cases. Here they are:

Kotlin Lists

A Kotlin List is a sequential arrangement of elements that permit duplicate values, preserving the order in which they are added.

Elements in a list are accessed by their index, and you can have multiple elements with the same value.

Lists are a great help when storing a collection of items whose order needs to be maintained – for example, a to-do list – and storing duplicate values.

Kotlin Maps

Kotlin Maps are collections of key-value pairs. In lightweight markdown language, a method allows us to link values with distinct keys, facilitating effortless retrieval of values using their corresponding keys.

The keys are also ideal for efficient data retrieval and mapping relationships between entities.

Common use cases of Kotlin Maps include building dictionaries, storing settings, and representing relationships between objects.

Kotlin Set

A Kotlin Set is an unordered collection of distinct elements, meaning it does not allow duplicate values.

Sets are useful when you need to maintain a unique set of elements and do not require a specific order for those elements.

Common use cases of Kotlin Sets include tracking unique items, such as unique user IDs, or filtering out duplicates from a list.

The choice between lists, maps, and sets depends on your specific data requirements. Lists are suitable for ordered collections with potential duplicates, maps are ideal for key-value associations, and sets are perfect for maintaining unique, unordered elements.

Kotlin Immutable vs Mutable Collections

Kotlin provides support for both immutable and mutable collections, giving you flexibility when managing data.

Immutable Collections

Immutable collections cannot be modified once they are created. They provide both general safety and specific thread safety, making them ideal for scenarios where you want to keep the data constant. Immutable collections are created using functions like listOf() , mapOf() , and setOf() .

Mutable Collections

A mutable collection can be modified after creation. These collections are more flexible and versatile, allowing you to add, remove or modify individual elements. Mutable collections are created using functions like mutableListOf() , mutableMapOf(), and mutableSetOf().

Now that we have a foundational understanding of Kotlin collections, let’s dive deeper into each type.

Using Kotlin List

How to create a list in Kotlin

Creating a Kotlin list is straightforward. Here are two great ways to get started.

Create an immutable list

To create an immutable list we can use listOf(). Check out the following example:// Example Of listOf function fun main(args: Array<String>) { //initialize list var listA = listOf<String>("Anupam", "Singh", "Developer") //accessing elements using square brackets println(listA[0]) //accessing elements using get() println(listA.get(2)) }

In the Kotlin console, you will see the following output:[Anupam, native, android, developer]

Create a mutable list

If you want to create a mutable list, we should use the mutableListOf() method. Here is an example:// Example of mutableListOf function fun main(args: Array<String>) { //initialize a mutable list var listA = mutableListOf("Anupam", "Is", "Native") //add item to the list listA.add("Developer") //print the list println(listA) }

And this is the output :[Anupam, Is, Native, Developer]

Working with a Kotlin List

Now, we’ll look at working with list items.

Accessing elements from the List

We can reach a list item using its place or index. Here’s the first item from the cantChangeList.// get first item from list var cantChangeList = listOf<Int>(1, 2, 3) val firstItem = cantChangeList[0] println(firstItem) //Output: 1

Iterating over a list

There are multiple ways to traverse a list effectively, leveraging higher-order functions such as *forEach* or utilizing for loops. This enables you to handle the list’s elements one after the other, in sequence. For example:var MyList = listOf<Int>(1, 2, 3) // print each item from list using for loop for (element in myList) { println(element) } //output: //1 //2 //3 // print each item from list using forEach loop MyList.forEach { println(it) } // Output: // 1 // 2 // 3

Adding elements from a list

Modifying a Kotlin List is a great option for mutable lists that harness functions like *add()* , **remove()** , and set(). If we want to add an element to a list, we will simply use the add()method.// Example of add() function in list val numberAdd = mutableListOf(1, 2, 3, 4) numberAdd.add(5) println(numberAdd) //Output : [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Removing elements from a list

Removing elements is also a straightforward process. Here’s a coding example:// Example of remove() function in list val numberRemove = mutableListOf(1, 2, 3, 4) numberRemove.remove(3) println(numberRemove) //Output: [1, 2, 4]

Modifying List Items

Altering list items is simple. You can swap them directly with new data via their indices or by using the set commands. Here we have an example of changing an item value, either through its place marker or by using the setmethod:var myList = mutableListOf<String>("Anupam","five", "test", "change") // Changing value via index access myList[0] = "FreshValue" println(myList[0]) // Ouput: // FreshValue // Changing value using set method myList.set(0, "SetValue") println(myList[0]) // Ouput: // SetValue

Other list functions and operations

In Kotlin, list methods are essential tools when we work with collections. While there are numerous methods available, we’ll limit our focus to the most commonly used ones today.

Each of these methods brings its own unique power and utility to a Kotlin collection. Now let’s explore them in detail.

sorted() : Returns a new List with elements sorted in natural order.

sortedDescending() : Returns a new List with elements sorted in descending order.

filter() : Returns a new List containing elements that satisfy a given condition.

map() : Transforms each element of the List, based on a given predicate.

isEmpty() : Checks whether the List is empty.

Here are some key examples of these methods:

Sort a Kotlin list

This collection includes the following elements (3, 1, 7, 2, 8, 6).

Here they are in ascending order:// Ascending Sort val numbs = mutableListOf(3, 1, 7, 2, 8, 6) println(numbs) val sortedNumbs = numbs.sorted() println(sortedNumbs) //Output: // Before Sort : [3, 1, 7, 2, 8, 6] // After Sort : [1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8]

Now, here’s an example of sorting in descending order:// Descending Sort val numbs = mutableListOf(3, 1, 7, 2, 8, 6) println(numbs) val sortedDesNumbs = numbs.sortedDescending() println(sortedDesNumbs) //Output: // Before Sort : [3, 1, 7, 2, 8, 6] // After Sort : [8, 7, 6, 3, 2, 1]

Filtering a Kotlin list

If you want to filter a Kotlin list, you can use the filter function. This allows you to specify a condition that each element of the list must satisfy in order to be included in the filtered list. Here’s an example:val listOfData = listOf("Anupam","is","native","android","developer") val longerThan5 = listOfData.filter { it.length > 5 } println(longerThan5)

In this example, we have a list of strings under the heading listOfData. We use the filter function to create a new list, longerThan5 , that contains only the strings from listOfData with a length greater than five characters.

Finally, we print the filtered list. The output will be:[Anupam, native, android, developer]

Check whether a Kotlin list is empty

Here you can use the isEmpty() function, as you can see in this example:val myList = listOf<Int>() if (myList.isEmpty()) { println("The list is empty.") } else { println("The list is not empty.") } // Output: // The list is empty.

In the following example we’ll create a list, myList , with values using the listOf() function, so the isEmpty will return false:// example of isEmpty() return false var list = listOf<String>("Anupam") if (list.isEmpty()) { println("Its empty.") } else { println("Its not empty.") } // Output: // Its not empty.

Transforming a list using map

As we mentioned earlier, the Kotlin map function is a powerful tool for transforming each element of a list into a new form. It applies a specified transformation function to each element and returns a new list with the results. This gives us a concise way to modify the elements in a list, without mutating the original collection.val numbers = listOf(1, 2, 3, 4, 5) val squaredNumbers = numbers.map { it * it } println(squaredNumbers) // Output: // [1, 4, 9, 16, 25]

In this example, we have a list called numbers, containing integers. We apply the map function to numbers and provide a lambda expression as the transformation function. The lambda expression takes each element in the numbers list and returns its square. The map function applies this transformation to each element of the list and creates a new list, squaredNumbers, with the squared values.

Searching elements in a List

Check whether element exists in the list

To search for an element in a Kotlin list, you can utilize the various methods available in the Kotlin standard library. One widely used method is the contains() function, which allows you to check whether a list contains a specific element.

Here’s an example of how you can use the contains() function in Kotlin:val myList = listOf("apple", "banana", "orange") val isElementFound = myList.contains("banana") if (isElementFound) { println("Element found!") } else { println("Element not found!") } // Output: // banana

You can also use the filter() method we mentioned earlier to filter all the elements that match a given criteria.

Search the element and get its index

Another option is to use the indexOf() method, which returns the specific position of an element in the list.val myList = listOf("apple", "banana", "orange") val index = myList.indexOf("banana") if (index != -1) { println("Element found at index $index") } else { println("Element not found in the list") } // Output: // Element found at index 1

Working with Kotlin Map

Accessing and modifying a Kotlin Map

Creating and initializing a map in Kotlin

In Kotlin, you can create and initialize a map by utilizing either the mapOf() function for immutable maps or the mutableMapOf() function for mutable maps. Here is an example of how you can create a map containing names and ages:// Immutable Map Example. Syntax is mapOf<key,value> val myImmuMap = mapOf<Int,String>(1 to "Anupam", 2 to "Singh", 3 to "Developer") for(key in myImmuMap.keys){ println(myImmuMap[key]) } // Output : // Anupam // Singh // Developer

The mapOf() function allows you to create an immutable map, ensuring that its content cannot be altered once initialized. Conversely, the **mutableMapOf()** function enables you to modify the map, transforming it into a mutable map.

In the example provided, the map contains pairs of names and ages. Each pair is created using the ‘to’ keyword, where the name is associated with its corresponding age. The map’s content is enclosed in curly brackets which look like {}.

By utilizing these functions, you can easily create and initialize maps in Kotlin according to your specific needs.

Retrieving map values

To access values in a Map, you use the associated key. For example, to get the value of “Anupam” in ‘immutable map’, you can do the:val myImmuMap = mapOf<Int,String>(1 to "Anupam", 2 to "Singh", 3 to "Developer") val valueOfAnupam = myImmuMap["Anupam"] // valueOfAnupam will be 1

Modify a map entry

You can also modify the values in a mutable Map, using keys:val myImmuMap = mapOf<Int,String>(1 to "Anupam", 2 to "Singh", 3 to "Developer") myImmuMap["Anupam"] = 5 // Update Anupam value from 1 to 5

Iterating over map entries via the map keys

You can use a for loop to iterate over a map. In this case we are iterating the map using the keys property, which contains all the keys present in the Map:val myImmuMap = mapOf<Int,String>(1 to "Anupam", 2 to "Singh", 3 to "Developer") for(key in myImmuMap.keys){ println(myImmuMap[key]) } // Output: // Anupam // Singh // Developer

Iterating over map values

We can also use a for loop to iterate over a map’s values, ignoring the map keys:val myImmuMap = mapOf<Int,String>(1 to "Anupam", 2 to "Singh", 3 to "Developer") for(value in myImmuMap.values){ println(value) } // Output: // Anupam // Singh // Developer

Other map functions and operations

Kotlin provides several useful functions and operations for working with maps. Some common ones include:

keys : This method retrieves a set, comprising all the keys present in the map.

values : The values function ensures retrieval of a collection, containing all the values stored in the map.

containsKey(key) : Determines whether a key exists in the map.

containsValue(value) : Checks whether a value exists in the map.

We have seen keys and values in the previous examples. Now let’s see the other methods in action.

Checking the existence of keys or values in the map

As we have mentioned, you can use the containsKey(key) function to check whether a specific key exists in the map, or the containsValue(value) function to determine whether a particular value is present in the map.val myImmuMap = mapOf<Int,String>(1 to "Anupam", 2 to "Singh", 3 to "Developer") // example of ***containsKey(key)*** println(myImmuMap.containsKey(2)) // exists so will print true println(myImmuMap.containsKey(4)) // not exists so will print false // Output: // true // false // example of ***containsValue(value)*** println(myImmuMap.***containsValue***("Ajay")) // not exists so print false println(myImmuMap.***containsValue***("Anupam")) // exists so print true // Output : // false // true

Working with Kotlin Set

Creating and manipulating sets in Kotlin

Creating a Kotlin Set is similar to other collections. You can use setOf() for an immutable set and mutableSetOf() for a mutable set. Here’s an example:// Immutable Set val intImmutableSet = setOf(1, 2, 3) for(element in intImmutableSet){ println(element) } // Output: // 1 // 2 // 3 // Mutable Set val intMutableSet = mutableSetOf(14, 24, 35) for(element in intMutableSet){ println(element) } // Output: // 14 // 24 // 35

Other useful Kotlin set operations and functions

Sets have unique characteristics that make them useful in certain scenarios. Common set operations include:

union() : Returns a new set that is the union of two sets.

intersect() : Returns a new set that is the intersection of two sets.

add(element) : A new element is added to enhance the set.

remove(element) : Removes an element from the set.

In the following example we show how to use the union() function:// Example of Union function val firstNum = setOf(1, 2, 3, 4,5) val secondNum = setOf(3, 4, 5,6,7,8,9) val finalUnionNums = firstNum.union(secondNum) println(finalUnionNums) // Output : // [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

And here we have an example of intersect()// Example of Intersect function val fArray = arrayOf(1,2,3,4,5) val sArray = arrayOf(2,5,6,7) val iArray = fArray.intersect(sArray.toList()).toIntArray() println(Arrays.toString(iArray)) // Output: // [2, 5]

Iterating over Kotlin Set elements

Iterating through a set bears resemblance to iterating through a list. You can use a ‘for’ loop, or other iterable operations, to process each element.val intImmutableSet = setOf(1, 2, 3) for(element in intImmutableSet){ println(element) } // Output: // 1 // 2 // 3

Use cases and examples of sets in Kotlin

Sets are particularly useful when you need to maintain a collection of unique elements. For example:

Keep track of unique user IDs in a chat application.

Ensure that a shopping cart contains only distinct items.

Manage tags or categories without duplicates in a content management system.

Sets also simplify the process of checking for duplicates and ensuring data integrity.

FAQs

How do I filter strings from a Kotlin list?

To extract only strings, which can contain elements of any type, utilize the filterIsInstance() method. This method should be invoked on the kist, specifying the type T as String within the filterIsInstance() function.

The appropriate syntax for filtering only string elements within a list is:var myList: List<Any> = listOf(41, false, "Anupam", 0.4 ,"five", 8, 3) var filteredList = myList.filterIsInstance<String>() println("Original List : ${myList}") println("Filtered List : ${filteredList}") // Output : // Original List : [41, false, Anupam, 0.4, five, 8, 3] // Filtered List : [Anupam,five]

Executing filterIsInstance() will yield a list consisting solely of the String elements present within the original list, if any are found.

How do I define a list of lists in Kotlin?

The Kotlin list function listOf() is employed to generate an unchangeable list of elements. This function accepts multiple arguments and promptly furnishes a fresh list incorporating the provided arguments.val listOfLists = listOf( listOf(1, 2, 3), listOf("Anupam", "Singh", "Developer") ) print(listOfLists) Output: [[1, 2, 3], [Anupam, Singh, Developer]]

How do I filter only integers from a Kotlin list?

To extract only integers, which can contain elements of any type, you should utilize the filterIsInstance() method. This method should be invoked on the list, specifying the type T as Int within the filterIsInstance() function.

The appropriate syntax for filtering solely integer elements within a list is:var myList: List<Any> = listOf(5, false, "Anupam", 0.4 ,"five", 8, 3) var filteredList = myList.filterIsInstance<Int>() println("Original List : ${myList}") println("Filtered List : ${filteredList}") // Output : // Original List : [5, false, Anupam, 0.4, five, 8, 3] // Filtered List : [5, 8, 3]

Executing filterIsInstance() will yield a list consisting solely of the Int elements present within the original list, if any are found.

What are the different types of Kotlin Collections?

Kotlin’s official docs provide an overview of collection types in the Kotlin Standard Library, including sets, lists, and maps. For each collection type, there are two interfaces available: a read-only interface that allows accessing collection elements and provides some operations and then a mutable interface collections where you can modify the items. The most common collections are:

List

Set

Map (or dictionary)

How do I find out the length a Kotlin list?

To find out the length of a Kotlin list, you can use the size property. Here is an example:val myList = listOf(1, 2, 3, 4, 5) val length = myList.size println("The length of the list is $length")

Output:The length of the list is 5

What is List<*> in Kotlin?

In Kotlin, you can create a generic list with an unspecified type. When you use a generic list, you’re essentially saying, “I want a list of something, but I don’t care what type of things are in it”. This can be useful when you are writing generic code that can work with any type of list.fun printList(list: List<*>) { for (item in list) { println(item) } } val intList = listOf(1, 2, 3) val stringList = listOf("a", "b", "c") printList(intList) // This will print 1, 2, 3 printList(stringList) // This will print a, b, c

Can we use iterators to iterate a Koltin collection?

Yes, you can use iterators in Kotlin. In the previous examples we have seen how to iterate a Kotlin collection using for or forEach. In case you want to use iterators, here you can see an example of iterating a Kotlin list with an iterator.val myList = listOf("apple", "banana", "orange") val iterator = myList.iterator() while (iterator.hasNext()) { val value = iterator.next() println(value) }

In the example, we call iterator() on the list to get the iterator for the list. The while loop then uses hasNext() to check if there is another item in the list and next() to get the value of the current item.

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Understand Mobile App Testing: A Starter Kit For App Devs

In the 21st century, practically all technological innovation on the planet has been channeled into the mobile phone.

The first generation of mobile phones simply allowed you to make calls, store numbers and play rudimentary games (some of which, like Snake, didn’t even have an end sequence because the designers didn’t think anyone would complete them).

Today mobile phones are computers in our pocket, allowing us to shop, date, stream videos, buy food, order cabs and find our way around. We can browse for clothes in AI, play games in augmented reality and vent our customer grievances to chatbots built with natural language processing.

But all this progress has placed considerable pressure on devs. The further our apps go, the better our testing must be. More innovation equals more edge cases, higher customer expectations and greater geographic spread. If you’re new to mobile app development, this can seem daunting.

So we’ve put together a guide for individuals who have recently transitioned to mobile app testing and want to learn how to test a mobile app. In this guide, we’ll cover:

The core definitions you need to worry about.

The structure of a sound mobile app testing program.

The differences between mobile and web development.

And it’s all based on our experience with Bugfender, a tool that logs your app’s errors remotely and provides an ideal resource for any testing program. You can find out more about Bugfender here.

Why is Mobile App Testing Important?

Users of mobile apps typically outnumber those of desktop apps. To test mobile apps and provide high-quality apps, testing across a wider range of devices is required. So, the success of these applications depends extensively on testing for mobile applications. In addition to improving the Apps’ overall effectiveness on all fronts, this also raises user confidence in them.

Right, So What Is Mobile Application Testing?

Mobile app testing ensures that an app designed for mobile devices works as intended. It prevents both critical problems, such as software failures and security vulnerabilities, and everyday problems that can corrode user experience.

Every app created for portable devices must go through a form of mobile app testing before it can be made available on the relevant marketplaces, notably the App and Google Play Store.

Over recent years, mobile app testing has become more important than ever. Here are some specific reasons why.

1. An increase in the variety of smartphones

Apple has released 17 different versions of its operating system since 2007, and there are now over 24,000 Android devices worldwide. So your app needs to work with a huge variety of smartphones, and this can only be achieved with a rigorous app testing program.

2. Script and UX Issues

The proliferation of mobile apps has created a wide range of keyboards, menu systems and input techniques. This, in turn, makes it difficult to establish a standardized script or interface that can be universally adopted across all apps.

Developers must navigate through this complexity and find ways to ensure seamless user experiences regardless of the input methods employed by different apps. Again, app testing programs can help negotiate all the different edge cases.

3. Cross-OS Interoperability

Android and iOS started out fairly similar, but they have gone down increasingly different paths over the years. One prefers buttons while the other favors swiping, and the former has been far more customizable than the other (at least until iOS closed the gap recently).

Mobile app testing provides a bridge between these two divergent worlds, enabling you to ensure the compatibility and functionality of your app across both Android and iOS devices – and provide a seamless experience for all your users.

4. Internet Service Providers and Network Reliability

As the number of devices has proliferated, so has the number of internet service providers, or ISPs. We can’t (and certainly shouldn’t) expect our users to switch ISPs in order to use our apps, but app testing enables us to verify connectivity with various providers worldwide. We can also run tests under different network conditions to ensure our app works with different network speeds and cellular coverage.

Types of Mobile Apps

Your testing approach should be defined in large part by the types of mobile app you’re testing. In general, your app will fall into one of the following four categories:

Native Apps

Examples: Calculator, Notepad.

Native apps are created for a particular mobile platform or operating system (OS). They are expensive to maintain but they are speedier and more dependable than cross-platform apps (which we’ll get to) because they only concentrate on one OS. This results in improved utilization of the operating system.

Examples of Native Apps- Calculator, Notepad, etc.

Web Apps

Examples: Any application that is browser-accessible.

These apps, as the name suggests, are purely web-based and can be accessed using native mobile browsers (like Chrome and Edge) on mobile devices. They are fully reliant on the mobile device browser, although their development expenditures are minimal. They don’t need to be installed or require any storage space, and they are made to be flexible.

The most widely used automated testing frameworks, like Selenium, are specifically used to test web applications. They can also adjust to various screen sizes and devices, which lowers operating expenses for businesses.

Progressive Web Apps

Examples: Spotify, Starbucks.

PWAs, or progressive web apps, are a cross between mobile applications and conventional websites. They provide a compelling way to improve user experience and increase conversion rates, particularly for corporate use when mobile connectivity is scarce. PWAs don’t require consumers to download and install apps from app stores if they want to utilize them on any device.

The dependability, speed, and engagement provided by PWAs can boost your mobile conversion rates and deliver an excellent user interface and experience, even in the face of fluctuating network circumstances.

Hybrid Mobile Apps

Examples: Twitter, Facebook.

Hybrid apps are a combination of native and web-based applications, harnessing a web view control to present the HTML and JavaScript files in a full-screen format. These apps are not as quick or powerful as native apps, but they are quick and inexpensive to design.

Hybrid mobile apps are developed on a single platform and made available through a variety of app marketplaces, like the Play Store or App Store. A company can save significant time and money by doing this.

Types of App Testing

Testing mobile apps isn’t simply a question of flicking through the various screens and looking for errors. In fact app testing comes in various forms, and we’re going to dig into them right now.

Automated Testing

In this form of testing, the tester builds automated scripts (or uses pre-written ones) that emulate everyday user interactions such as swiping, scrolling and pressing buttons. These tests are designed to identify errors in core, repetitive code.

Pros

This increases the speed of mobile app testing through the automation of complex processes.

Issue resolution is made simpler through integration with the current app build.

Cons

An automated testing framework can be complicated to set up and configure, particularly for inexperienced users.

The tests can incur significant maintenance expenses, which may offset any time savings.

Usability Testing

Mobile usability testing is similar to automated testing in that it evaluates the way that users interact with your app. Only this time the tests are carried out by real people.

Users are gathered together, either remotely or in-person, and asked to perform everyday activities. It’s a bit like a focus group, and it should give you a good idea of how actual users will interpret your app when it goes live.

Pros

Usability testing helps you find bugs and enhance the user experience.

It also helps you find usability difficulties, like unclear navigation or layouts.

Cons

It’s subjective and requires you to go out and find human testers.

Not every functional or performance issue will be found.

Can be very expensive.

Compatibility Testing

This non-functional testing method is used to verify that an application functions properly across a range of mobile devices, operating systems, network settings, physical devices and internal hardware requirements. This test is usually done in a mixed way as some areas can be automated but others need to be done manually.

Google Firebase provides a service that allows users to test their mobile applications in multiple devices without the need to buy them, you can check Firebase Test Lab. If you don’t want to use Google services, you can find other independent providers that allows you to test your apps on different mobile devices.

Pros

You can get a true picture of the versatility of your apps.

You also ensure the flexibility and responsiveness of the software.

Cons

This form of testing requires an abundance of real and virtual devices, which can be costly (and with so many devices rolling out all the time, your range of devices can easily become obsolete).

It’s a time-consuming way to test.

Performance Testing

Performance tests are written by developers to examine an application’s behavior or functionality under various loads. The tests can gauge a variety of metrics including processing speed, bandwidth and data transfer rates.

Pros

You can assess the application’s responsiveness, performance and resource usage.

You’ll find memory leaks, bottlenecks, and other performance-related problems.

Cons

This kind of test requires specific equipment and knowledge.

It also takes effort and time to plan and execute.

Security Testing

Security testing focuses specifically on user privacy and examines how a mobile app will behave when given different permission requests from the device.

Pros

You can determine the flaws and vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit.

You can take steps to protect user data and shield the application from dangers.

Cons

You need specialized knowledge to carry out security testing efficiently.

This form of testing is time-consuming and might miss some security flaws.

Localization and Internationalization Testing

Ideally, as a user’s location changes, the app should adapt. For example, U.S. users of YouTube might receive some location-based video recommendations. You can test this in various ways, for example by engaging a third-party agency that provides access to different browsers and device screens.

Pros

Localization and internationalization testing verifies whether the app is compatible with different languages, cultures and geographical areas.

It also establishes whether the app can handle date formats, money and other local parameters correctly.

Cons

You need access to multiple languages and zones to carry out this form of testing effectively.

Again, it is time-consuming to test this way.

Stages of Mobile App Testing

An effective, end-to-end testing strategy is essential to ensure the smooth operation of mobile apps. Here is a basic outline of the procedures you should adopt, from beginning to end.

1. Outline the Process

The first thing to do is to make a list of every test case that your mobile application requires, based on its use case, geographic reach and target demographics. You should include every use case you want to test, along with an explanation of the tests and the sprint’s anticipated outcome.

2. Select an Automated or Manual Test Type

As we’ve established above, some forms of test require automation and others should be performed manually. Tests may be mechanized:

If a use case requires regular execution.

If tests must be created for a range of hardware, software, and screen sizes.

Running unit tests on your code.

To maximize the benefit of the test and minimize the cost, quality assurance personnel must weigh the merits of manual and automated testing and decide which is most appropriate.

3. Preparing test cases for different user functionalities

After determining which testing type to employ, the first step in writing effective test cases for mobile applications is to define the cases. Here, two methods can be used:

Business scenario-based testing. This method evaluates the system from a business standpoint.

Testing based on requirements. This evaluates the effectiveness of particular app features.

The kind of testing you wish to perform also affects how test cases are defined. Two groups of application tests are clearly separated:

Functional Testing: This comprises unit testing, integration testing, system testing, interface testing, regression testing and acceptance/beta testing.

Non-functional Testing: This comprises security testing, volume testing, performance testing, load testing, reliability testing, usability testing, compliance testing and localization testing.

4. Manual Testing

Manual testing should form the core of the testing process in most conditions. This doesn’t require any up-front investment, so you’re free to take an exploratory approach to get your testing sprint started.

You should maintain a consistent record of every log-in to every testing session, using a Word or Excel document. The development team should publish a fresh build for testing every two weeks, and the testing team should use the QA environment to run their test cases.

5. Automated Testing

As manual testing takes a lot of time, it cannot be used to handle every single software testing requirement. You may also want to utilize mobile test automation frameworks to automate tests across a variety of real devices.

The automation team should write test scripts for a basic set of features and execute them with a testing tool, to help assess whether the new build is stable enough to go forward to further testing. A manual testing crew will test the new functionality.

If you are interested in automated testing tools, you can check the following two articles:

6. Usability & Beta Testing

This form of performance testing demonstrates how responsive and reliable your application is under a certain workload. It is underpinned by the following characteristics:

Load testing. This tests the application’s load capacity under both typical and exceptional circumstances.

Stress testing. This verifies that the program functions as intended under excessive strain.

Stability testing. This verifies that the program can function properly under typical loads for an extended amount of time.

Volume testing. This examines how an application will function when exposed to large amounts of data.

Concurrency testing. This verifies the number of people who can utilize the program at once.

7. Security Testing

This form of security evaluates the danger of viruses, app protection, hackers, and illegal access to private information. These tests are very app specific based on their features and needs.

Usually tests involve multiple steps, the most advanced tests require manual testing and code analysis.

If you want to learn more about the topic, you can visit WASP Mobile Application Security, they have a very extensive information about the topic.

8. Complete testing prior to the publication of the final version

Once the mobile app has undergone all necessary testing, you should perform a final end-to-end testing sprint to ensure the app is ready for uploading and functions as intended on the server and backend.

Should any bugs be discovered in the application, they must be resolved and the entire sprint carried out again. You can then deploy the program to the App and Play Store if no significant defects are discovered.

How is Mobile Testing Different from Web Testing?

There are several distinctions to draw between testing web-based applications and testing mobile applications. Here are some of the main differences to bear in mind when designing your testing programs.

Screen Size

Web apps must only be tested across a handful of browsers when they are put through testing. Mobile applications, in contrast, must be tested across a wide range of browsers and devices.

This test can take time if it is not automated. For this reason, a test automation tool for mobile apps is advisable here. Regression test cases can then be run concurrently on the various devices.

Storage

Online apps won’t face storage problems if there is a lot of space available on a desktop or laptop. However, mobile devices always face a shortage of space because RAM and disk is always constrained. This makes storage problems far more common.

Speed Expectations

With mobile apps, it’s not always easy to meet users’ speed expectations. The longer it takes an app or a screen to load, the easier the user will leave the app without using it. So having a fast application to load and to respond to user interactions is important to keep the user using the app otherwise he might delete the app shortly after installing it.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Web apps are simpler to review than mobile apps. Web apps need only be compatible with a handful of browsers, while mobile apps must be compatible with a huge range of platforms and operating systems.

Offline Mode

Native mobile and hybrid apps must be tested both with and without internet connectivity to ensure data synchronization occurs immediately following a connectivity interruption. Web apps are not compatible with offline mode, so this step is redundant.

Conclusion

Mobile app testing is a complex procedure that entails several factors including usability, security, performance, functionality and device-specific readiness. Testing is essential to ensuring all these attributes, and is part of a continuous development process from initial coding to post-release monitoring and enhancements.

Quality assurance testers must guarantee that their programs undergo testing across all platforms, operating systems, networks, screen sizes, memory capacities and display types. No matter how much knowledge and experience these testers possess, they should follow a number of best practices to ensure that no crucial elements are overlooked.