Compatibility implies how one thing mixes with the other. With regards to quality assurance testing, there are two types of compatibility based on version checking are backward and forward compatibility testing.

While we talk about difference forward and backward compatibility testing, we see a lot of changes in our web or mobile applications or mobile OS versions also. With each passing period of innovation, tech monsters are going up against each other in order to exceed expectations.

Software organizations like iPhone, Nokia, Samsung, Blackberry are in a race to hold most extreme market section possible.

Consequently, with every version being released each new feature is included that leads to backward and forward compatibility

Two terms you’ll hear with respect to compatibility testing are forward compatibility testing and backward compatibility testing.

In the case, something is backwards compatible; it will work with past version of the product. If something is forward compatible, it will work with future version of the product.

What is backward and forward compatibility testing?

Backward Compatibility Testing:

An Application/Product created utilizing one version of a platform should, in any case, work in the latest version of a platform. The Testing that guarantees the new version of the product to keep on working with the older product is known as backward compatibility.

For this situation, the majority of the progression of the possibly compatible platform is known, so backward compatibility testing is substantially more predictable than forward compatibility

Forward Compatibility Testing:

It is performed to check the behavior of the developed equipment/software with the latest version of the equipment/software.

Since the greater part of the dynamics of the future compatible platform(s)  are not generally known, forward compatibility testing is somewhat harder to test than backward compatibility.

Forward Compatibility Testing Example:

A Siebel CRM update to the new version was stopped with the assistance of compatibility testing:

Our customer needed to overhaul Siebel CRM from 8.1 to 8.4. With the assistance of a test domain setup with Siebel’s backup system, the testing watched that the relocation of their altered database would not be steady with the Siebel 8.4 version. Because of this testing, development of the migration to the new version was halted. This served to maintain a strategic distance from loads of issues and had the customers begin thinking about alternative platforms.

Backward Compatibility Testing Example:

A client has made an exceptionally complex exceed expectations sheet to track project plan, assets, costs utilizing Excel 2000. The client at that point overhauls his MS Office to 2010 version. The functionalities that were dealing with MS Office 2000 should in any case work which implies resources made utilizing old version should keep on working.

In the case, if the resources developed using older versions don’t support new version because of any reason, at that point, migration path should be given to the client so they can relocate easily from earlier version to recent version

In a dynamic existence where change is inescapable, it is imperative to design our tasks in a way that does not struggle with different things. So both the testing is important to check whether the application is perfect with customer’s condition.

We, at TestOrigen, provides all types of compatibility testing based on system, browser, version etc with more than 300+ platform as well as our services include usability testing, accessibility testing, stability test and much more.