Database testing involves assessing elements including schema, tables, or triggers. The process of database testing involves checking data integrity and consistency. In order to perform this, complex queries are created to load or stress test the database. Thereby, experiencing a rise in the demand for database testers. Moreover, the backends get more complicated as the front ends become more complex. As a result, it’s even more critical to learn about database testing and be able to successfully evaluate databases in order to assure database security and quality. Let’s first begin by understanding more about Database Tester and career opportunities
About Database Testing
Database testing entails writing SQL queries to assert and validate various database actions, structures, and characteristics that are required by the application for which the database is being used. Validating the schema, testing CRUD operations and transactions, and ensuring that the database is set up appropriately are all part of this process. These tests can be completely automated, completely manual, or a combination of both human and automated procedures.
In a fully manual test, for example, you might go into the database management system and perform queries to verify assumptions. Alternatively, you may test the application’s user interface to ensure that it delivers the proper data after a transaction.
Database testers collaborate with application developers to thoroughly evaluate the database’s scenarios. In addition to being knowledgeable with the database structure, a database tester should have a thorough understanding of the application’s business rules.
Let us now look at why should you get into the field of database testing.
Importance of Database Testing
When the integrity of data in an application is compromised, it can result in significant financial losses and perhaps the failure of the entire company. The severity of these repercussions varies, ranging from less data-sensitive features such as the amount of retweets on a tweet to the actual worth of stock on a trading platform. While database testing cannot avoid all data breaches or integrity compromises, it can help to reduce the worst effects by extensively evaluating the database system that an application uses.
The following are some of the most prevalent reasons for database testing:
- SQL injection attacks, for example, must be avoided.
- Assuring that network difficulties or power outages do not compromise data integrity, resulting in data loss or corruption.
- To ensure data quality, mistakes must be removed from the database.
- additionally, To ensure that each piece of data is saved in the correct format.
- To verify the database’s relationships between entities.
Let us now look at the scope and job profiles in this domain.
Scope and Data Testing Job Profiles
The demand for database testers has been increasing over the past decade. On average, a Database tester earns an average annual income of $85,470, or $41 per hour. The richest ten per cent earns more than $109,000 per year, while the poorest ten per cent earn less than $66,000. Some of the job roles that you can expect after getting into this field are –
Senior Information Technology Manager
You will be responsible for maintaining the efficiency and performance of the organization’s technology and network systems as a senior information technology manager. You’ll keep an eye on technological infrastructures and operations to make sure they follow corporate rules and laws. You’ll examine computer system schematics and specs.
Senior Quality Assurance Analyst
A senior quality assurance analyst is a member of the quality assurance team who is in charge of the quality assurance process. They work on requirements and design documents analysis. Additionally, They do code reviews and assist in the quality assurance process as well as daily rituals. They also improve and develop the existing quality assurance methods. Other responsibilities include effectively managing existing bugs and logging new bugs, producing defect reports, status reports, and test reports as needed, raising product issues to the team as soon as possible, establishing metrics and best practices, and recommending review processes and methods, as well as communicating with internal teams such as developers and product owners.
Quality Assurance Lead
A quality assurance lead’s main responsibility is to supervise the testing of a product or service to verify that it meets industry and organizational standards. They assist in the development of testing plans, risk mitigation methods, and collaborating with the product team on process improvements. A quality assurance lead’s degree will vary depending on the industry. Working at a food production plant, for example, will need a scientific degree, whereas maintaining the TikTok platform will necessitate an IT degree.
Let us now have a small glimpse of how to test a database!
How to test a database?
These tests may be done manually, as I described before, by executing operations via the application UI to ensure that the correct data is returned after each action, or by verifying the database records for the operation’s outcomes. You may also use a database management system (DBMS) to perform your test queries and verify the results.
If you prefer not to test manually, you’ll be glad to learn that automated database testing is quite comparable to automated application code testing. The main change is that instead of application code, your tests are now executing queries. The stages in testing application code are also applicable:
- Prepare your test environment
- Run your tests using a test runner (e.g. Selenium)
- Check and validate your results
- Report your assertions
This is why a database tester’s most valuable skill is the ability to write SQL queries for each and every test scenario.
Now that you know completely about this domain, let us dive into some of the sources that you can use in order to sharpen your skills even if you are a fresher or someone experienced looking to climb up the corporate ladder.
How can you learn about Database Testing?
Before you can become an expert in desired areas, you must first build a solid base. Before you can move on to practical teaching, you’ll need to have the right applied skills. To gain a better understanding of the domain, you can use the following tools:
- Firstly, Online Tutorials for database testing
- Also, Certification Courses from verified sources such as Vskills, Coursera, Udemy and so on.
- In addition, Online communities
- Moreover, Blogs and study material from experts in this field and many more.
Here are some examples of how you can improve your abilities:
- Freelancing
- In addition, Internships
- Also, Apprenticeship programs
The above steps will help you to get this domain started. It’s a long way to go, however. You can take an advanced course to reach a new level of skills.
Let us also look at database tester certification by Vskills which can help you to boost your knowledge in this field and can aid you in reaching new heights in your career.
Certificate in Database Testing by Vskills
Vskills offer software testing certification for all those interested in working in this field or in advancing their career. This certification course covers various objectives –
Software Testing Basics
- Scope
- Functional vs. Non-Functional testing
- Defects and failures
- Finding faults early
- Compatibility
- Input combinations and preconditions
- Static vs. dynamic testing
- Software verification and validation
- The software testing team
- Software quality assurance (SQA)
- Testing Methods – The box approach
Database Basics
- What is a Data?
- and, What is a Database?
- What is DBMS or Database Management System?
- DBMS vs RDBMS vs File System
- Client/Server Basics
- DBMS Architecture
- Data Models
- and, Data Schemas
- Data Independence
- ACID Property
SQL Basics
- Relational Model
- Normalization
- DDL Commands
- DML commands
- Joins
- Functions
- Cursors
- Procedures
Database Testing Basics
- firstly, Database Process
- Database Transformations
- also, Database Testing Types
Database Test Design
- Database Testing Challenges
- also, Database Testing Requirements Gathering
- Database Testing High Level Design
- and, Database Testing Low level Design
Database Test Execution
- Unit Testing
- Integration Testing
- Database Test Development
- Database Testing Defects
- Defects Reporting
Database Functional Testing
- What is Database Functional Testing
- Database Testing for Data Accuracy
- furthermore, Database Testing for Data Quality
- also, Database Testing for Data Completeness
Database Security Testing
- What is Database Security Testing
- Access Security
- Data Security
- Single Sign-on Security
- Integrated Security
Database Stress Testing
- What is Database Stress Testing
- and, Database Testing for Scalability
- Database Stress Testing
- and, Testing for Availability
Database Testing Tools
- Microsoft SQl Server
- also, Oracle SQL Developer
- furthermore, NoSQL Unit
- in addition, SLOB
- also, Orion
- DB Unit
- Database Benchmark
Vskills also offers free practice tests and online tutorials to supplement the learning process. You can check them by clicking on the following links –
- Free practice tests
- Online tutorials for database testing
Now that we equipped you with whole information about the field and the resources which can be used to gather complete information about the field, it is time to know about How can you secure job as a database tester? So, let us jump to this part.
How to get job as Database Tester?
To be acceptable at something, it is critical to have a good start with appropriate assets and learning material. As a result, in order to be a pro in this sector, your first steps toward learning must be appropriate. Let’s have a look at some actions you may take to get started with your studies.
Step 1 – Learn about the important tools and concepts
There are several database testing tools available. One or more of the following factors will influence the database testing tool you select:
- Methodology for testing (manual, automated or hybrid)
- Type of database (SQL or No-SQL)
- Provider of databases (MySQL, MSSQL, Oracle, or other)
The majority of database testing solutions are made up of many tools. Selenium may be used with TestNG to test databases in Java applications, for example. Similarly, SeLite utilises Selenium to test SQLite databases, but SQL Server includes tools for database unit testing.
Step 2 – Create a Portfolio and take up Mini Projects for Practice
Building a portfolio may help you build confidence in your abilities while also allowing you to put what you’ve learned into practice. Your portfolio demonstrates your ability to develop and implement diverse initiatives as well as your database testing skills. These activities should use a range of datasets and give readers with interesting facts gathered from your study. Look for codes that interest you and find out how to mix them in your portfolio; it doesn’t have to be on a single theme.
You must practice if you want to arrive in a good spot. It’s also a great way to assess where you stand in terms of applying what you’ve learned. Experience may help you outlast other things in practical aspects like as the usage of software testing concepts in projects. You can complement your studies by reading blogs and tutorials on other websites to have a better understanding of the practical aspects. Database Test Design, and, Database Test Execution, Database Functional Testing, also, Database Security Testing, in addition, Database Stress Testing, and Database Testing Tools are all principles you’ll need to understand.
Step 4 – Prepare for Interviews and Apply for Database Tester jobs
It’s just as vital to prepare for interviews as it is to achieve conceptual clarity. In order to ace the interviews, you must know the correct manners. Vskills also provides example interview questions to help you build confidence in your abilities.
These were the steps that will help you bag a good job offer. Remember to be always prepared and revise important concepts before sitting for an interview.
We hope this article helped you in gaining complete knowledge about the database tester domain. Hurry up and start preparing now with Vskills.in!
