Software Tester: where to start

Software tester - what kind of profession is this? What is its essence? And how much it is relevant in the modern world? All these questions are quite appropriate, since today the IT professions are among the most highly paid in the labor market. Not to mention the fact that the development of such specialties provides a stable future for man.

Software Tester: what is it?

Today, most electronic devices work correctly only thanks to the built-in programs. They are written by programmers of all kinds and levels of training. And believe me, their number is really breathtaking. So, every day is created not one thousand programs: starting with simple calculators and ending with artificial intelligence for high-tech machines.

And, as in any production, the product can not be released to the broad masses without first checking it for defects. So, a software tester (software) is a person who is involved in the field testing of programs. At the same time, he can be a staff member of the company, so working for a freelancer.

Why are program testers needed?

When creating programs, various programming languages are used. This can be C ++, JavaScript, Python, and so on. After the product is completed, the author first checks it. But, since he is the creator of the program, he can not always objectively evaluate the quality of the received product. Not to mention the fact that he may simply not have enough time to modulate all possible ways of using it.

And just at this stage in the game includes a software tester. It is he who takes care of all the operations connected with the verification of the new application. In this case, unlike the programmer, the tester does not have access to the program code. That is, he tests the application as a simple user and only occasionally has special privileges.

The main responsibilities of the program tester

A software tester is a profession that requires a thorough approach to business. Here you can not work in half the force, as this will certainly affect the reputation of a specialist. As for the duties themselves, they consist of the following items:

1. Create a verification plan. The software tester must first think through all the scenarios for using the application and recreate them. At the same time, the more experienced an expert, the faster he can determine the most dangerous factors for the application of the factors.
2. Software testing , through special automated tools. As well as at any other master, the tester has the adaptations for optimization and acceleration of work. They are universal and, nevertheless, require prior learning and practice.
3. A competent and systematic description of the problems and shortcomings found. The bottom line is that it's not enough just to find out the error. In addition, you need to be able to correctly draw up a protocol of work so that the programmer can understand what caused the failure and which part of his application is guilty of this.

It should be noted that quite often testers are combined into small groups. First of all, this is necessary in order to speed up the verification or make it better. In this case, the work can be evenly distributed among all specialists. For example, one will be occupied by the application interface, the second will look for errors in the calculations, and the third will simulate the most dangerous scenarios for the program.

Professional training

Anyone who is good at "friends" with exact sciences can become a software tester. Ideally, it is better to have a programmer's education or at least to understand the basics of writing applications. Proceeding from this, this specialty is good for those who study in IT specialties. First, it will help to gain experience and look at the works of other people, and secondly, it will bring in additional income, which is also not bad.

However, you can become a software tester without specialized education. So to say, learn everything yourself. Fortunately, today this is not a problem, because the network has a lot of cognitive courses that can visually demonstrate all the subtleties of this work.

In addition, you can test your destiny and try to get to the prepared seminars, which are held in many organizations that produce software. For example, GlobalLogic periodically conducts training courses specifically for software testers. Moreover, after graduating from them, a person can become one of its employees, after which to start working in her staff or remotely, as a freelancer.

What skills should a self-respecting specialist have?

A software tester without experience can find a job, but a specialist who does not know the basics - never. However, what are they, the basics of the profession? What kind of knowledge should every reliable tester possess?

• First, such a specialist should be familiar with the basics of programming, in order to be able to compete in the labor market.
• Secondly, you have to remember the principles of building software and administering the OS.
• Third, learn how to work with common databases.
• Fourthly, to study the special language of SQL queries, without which today can not do.

In addition, the tester must have a good command of English, since it is the dominant language in the programming world. Moreover, over time it will be necessary to bring its level to the ideal, and also to study all the subtleties of the technical style.

Practical experience

Let the software tester without experience - this is quite a usual phenomenon, yet it is unlikely to take a decent project for such a specialist. Therefore, after studying the basics of the profession, it is necessary to engage in the development of practical skills and positive feedback.

To do this, you need to go to one of the sites that provide jobs to freelancers. Every day there are laid out not one dozen proposals related to testing the health of applications. At the same time there are a lot of orders for beginners, which do not require experience or special skills in programming.

Thus, in a month or two, you can make good progress in your business and earn some reputation. The only drawback is that such orders are often poorly paid. But this will have to be reconciled, because in the future such deprivations can bring much more profitable orders, which will pay back the spent efforts with interest.

Where to look for profitable work

So, let's say you are already an experienced software tester: where to start looking for promising work? Well, the first thing to do is look at the ads on the online labor exchanges and the forums of programmers. Periodically, there are good offers that can bring a stable income.

However, do not rely only on luck. If you have work experience and a good resume, then you can apply for several applications in the IT company. Management loves dedicated specialists, and therefore, such an initiative can bear fruit. Especially if you aim at those companies that are engaged in the production of quality software.

If the constant place at this stage is not lucky, then you can become a freelancer. A well-proven software tester remotely working at home can earn as much as a full-time colleague. The only difference is that instead of one employer he will have several.

Pros and cons of the profession

For those who love exact sciences and modern technologies, this profession will seem very fascinating and interesting. After all, every day you will have to deal with a new product that will soon be able to fundamentally change the world of information technology. In addition, work is considered very prestigious and excludes any physical activity.

Also, many are pleased with the fact that this profession is equally suitable for both men and women. Moreover, it can become a lifeline for those who, due to health problems, can not find a job for more difficult work.

However, there are disadvantages. The main one is the high competition caused by the deficit of high-paid orders. You should also pay attention to the fact that the software tester spends a lot of time at the computer. At the same time, he does not just sit behind him, but is completely absorbed in what is happening on the monitor. Because of this, over the years there may be problems with eyesight, which is extremely unpleasant.

Salary

It is quite difficult to deduce the average arithmetic salary of a software tester. This is due to the fact that it depends on how successful the expert is. So, you can take one order for 10 thousand rubles and make it for a week, and you can get a job for 20 thousand rubles and not overcome it for a whole month.

And yet we can say with confidence that the income of a beginner tester varies within the limits of 10-15 thousand rubles a month. An experienced specialist can earn the same money twice as fast. A staff member of a prestigious firm and does receive about 40-45 thousand rubles.