Random test Monkey Test

Let’s talk about random testing today, Monkey Test. Translated into Chinese is the monkey test. You can imagine a monkey lying in front of the computer, randomly clicking with the mouse.

One, what is random testing?

Monkey testing in software testing is a method in which testers make random inputs to an application to verify its functionality. This is a functional black-box testing approach used when there is not enough time to write and execute tests.

Monkey testing is also known as random testing and can be used for mobile, web and desktop applications. It is usually implemented as a random and automated unit test, which makes it advantageous as it can quickly assess the reliability of the software.

Second, the characteristics of random testing

Monkey tests are executed automatically without regard to specifications. The main goal of testing is to identify bugs and errors in the program to ensure that the product can be released to the public.

Following are some characteristics of Monkey testing:

Monkey testing verifies behavior and identifies any bugs by providing unexpected actions or random inputs in a software application.

Testers, developers or stakeholders can perform monkey testing even if they do not understand the domain and logic of the program.

Monkey testing is done randomly, verifying valid and invalid scenarios.

Monkey testing does not follow any test cases and there are no pre-defined conditions for this technique.

Monkey testing has similarities to fuzz testing, with the main difference being repetitive and random actions.

Three, the type of Monkey test

Although the monkey typing test is administered randomly, there are still different ways to perform this type of test.

Here are some of the most commonly used techniques:

1. Smart Monkey Test

In "Smart Monkey" testing, the test manager or lead assigns testers who are familiar with the program they will be testing. Since they're already familiar with the product, they can input random data to test it, know it's invalid, and perform random operations at the same time.

Smart monkey testing is beneficial as it ensures that the program works as expected under valid conditions and also handles invalid data accordingly.

2. Stupid Monkey test

Dumb monkey testing is when the test lead or manager assigns a tester who has no knowledge of the application or module. Testers have to test the program according to their intuition and input random data that they think is correct.

3. Smart Monkey Test

Brilliant monkey testing is the deployment of testers to test a program, especially because they have domain knowledge of the application.

Testers can expect the sequence of steps to be executed in a certain way, and they may have a solid understanding of the data being used. In this domain, however, end users with domain expertise may use other data to perform tasks differently.

It is beneficial for tests to be performed by knowledgeable people, since they can input random data from their domain perspective.

4. What is the Gorilla Test?

Gorilla testing is another software testing method in which a module of an application is tested repeatedly to ensure that it works correctly and no bugs are found in the module.

Gorilla testing is also known as fault-tolerant testing or torture testing, where developers and testers work together to test the functionality of a module following a manual, repetitive approach.

Monkey vs. Gorilla Test Comparison

Although monkey testing and gorilla testing take similar approaches in applying random inputs to the program under test, they have distinct differences in how they verify the application, which makes both unique.

monkey test	gorilla test
It is executed based on random input without using any test cases	Gorilla test repeatedly executes random input based on a certain module
It is designed to verify the performance of the entire application,	Gorilla Test performs a thorough inspection and analysis of individual modules
Project stakeholders perform related operations	A knowledgeable tester or developer is the one who performs the relevant tests.
Using Monkey Tests in System Tests	Use gorilla test in unit test
The goal of monkey testing is to crash the whole system	The goal of gorilla testing is to crash a specific module at a time

Five, Monkey test vs. special test

You may also have heard of ad hoc testing, which has similarities to the monkey test. While it may seem so, the two tests differ from each other in the following specific ways:

Monkey test	ad-hoc test
Bugs in monkey testing were found after applying random inputs	Bugs are discovered after analyzing undeveloped areas of the program
Testers are not familiar with the application	Testers get to know the application and understand its functionality
Testers who perform monkey testing do not need to be experts or have in-depth knowledge of the application.	Testers performing ad-hoc testing need to have extensive experience with the workflow and domain of the application

Six, the advantages of Monkey testing

Here are the advantages you can gain with Monkey testing:

• Test for new types of bugs: While performing Monkey testing, testers can fully expose bugs or errors in the system.

• Ease of execution: Tests that are randomly scheduled and use random data are easy to execute.

• Does not require a great deal of skill to execute: it can be done without experienced testers.

• Cost-effective: Monkey testing requires fewer resources to complete than other types of software testing.

Seven, the shortcomings of the Monkey test

Although monkey testing has many benefits, it also has its own disadvantages.

• Bugs cannot be reproduced: As tests are performed randomly, it is difficult to reproduce bugs and bugs.

• Inaccurate: The tester cannot guarantee the accuracy of the test cases.

• Specific technical knowledge required: Testers need to have some knowledge of the domain.

• Time-consuming: Monkey testing takes longer to complete than other types of software testing.

Eight, Monkey testing tool

There are many tools that help testers to monkey test more easily. Here are two of the most popular Monkey testing tools:

1. Monkey Runner Tool

The Monkey Runner tool is a program for testing Android applications that install, execute, and record screenshots on a computer. The tool can also be used for random testing and running test suites.

2. UI/Application Exerciser Monkey

The UI/Application Exerciser Monkey tool is different from Monkey Runner because it runs in the ADB shell in the emulator or device. The tool can also be used to generate user and system events in a random stream.

in conclusion

Monkey testing is a method in software testing that helps testers identify new bugs or bugs in an application while being easier and more cost-effective to perform than other types of testing. It differs from gorilla testing and ad hoc testing because monkey testing is mostly based on random inputs.

Although this type of testing may seem chaotic, it is recommended that leaders plan ahead and assign it to qualified testers to ensure the greatest probability of success.

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