What is the difference between client-server testing and web based testing?

WEB TESTINGThis is done for 3 tier applications (developed for Internet / intranet / xtranet)

CLIENT / SERVER TESTINGThis type of testing usually done for 2 tier applications (usually developed for LAN)

Web Based Application: here you are going to check the application which is going to be launched on the internet or intranet. means it is in the form of web pages.   Clinet Server application:  the applications used in LAN in which a client and a server is present. In this a .exe file of the application stored at the server is called from the client and accessed and all the databse is stored in the application.

CLIENT / SERVER TESTING:

 

This type of testing usually done for 2 tier applications. In client server application you have two different components to test. Application is loaded on server machine while the application "EXE" on every client machine.

 

Example: Applications developed in Java, C, C++, D2K, PowerBuilder and the backend for these applications would be MS Access, SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, Mysql, Quadbase.

 

The tests performed on these types of applications would be

– User interface testing

– Manual support testing

– Functionality testing

– Compatibility testing & configuration testing

– Intersystem testing

 

Client-Server Testing Technology

Client-server software requires specific forms of testing to prevent or predict catastrophic errors. Servers go down, records lock, I/O (Input/Output) errors and lost messages can really cut into the benefits of adopting this network technology. Testing addresses system performance and scalability by understanding how systems respond to increased workloads and what causes them to fail.

 

Client/Server application:

1. Application runs in two or more machines

2. Application is a menu-driven

3. Connected mode (connection exists always until logout)

4. Limited number of users

5. Less number of network issues when compared to web app.

 

WEB BASED APPLICATION TESTING:

A web-application is a three-tier application.

This has a browser (monitors data) [monitoring is done using html, dhtml, xml, javascript]-> webserver (manipulates data) [manipulations are done using programming languages or scripts like adv java, asp, jsp, vbscript, javascript, perl, coldfusion, php] -> database server (stores data) [data storage and retrieval is done using databases like oracle, sql server, sybase, mysql].

 

Web application is a bit different and complex to test as tester don’t have that much control over the application. Application is loaded on the server whose location may or may not be known and no EXE is installed on the client machine, you have to test it on different web browsers like IE or Chrome or Mozila firefox. Web applications are supposed to be tested on different browsers and OS platforms so broadly Web application is tested mainly for browser compatibility and operating system compatibility, error handling, static pages, backend testing and load testing.

 

The types of tests, which can be applied on this type of applications, are:

1. User interface testing for validation & user friendliness

2. Functionality testing to validate behaviors, i/p, error handling, o/p, manipulations, services levels, order of functionality, links, content of web page & backend coverage’s

3. Security testing

4. Browser compatibility

5. Load / stress testing

6. Interoperability testing

7. Storage & data volume testing

 

Web application:

1. Application runs in two or more machines

2. URL-driven

3. Disconnected mode (state less)

4. Unlimited number of users

5. Many issues like hardware compatibility, browser compatibility, version compatibility, security issues, performance issues etc.

 

As per difference in both the applications come where, how to access the resources. In client server once connection is made it will be in state on connected, whereas in case of web testing http protocol is stateless, then there comes logic of cookies, which is not in client server.

 

For client server application users are well known, whereas for web application any user can login and access the content, he/she will use it as per his intentions.

 

So, there are always issues of security and compatibility for web application.