Data Integrity Testing in Software Testing

Every software development process follows the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) for the development and delivery of a good quality software product. In the testing phase of software development, different types of software testing are performed to check different check parameters or test cases. Where in each software data is an important part as with the help of data a software application performs its operations. Testing allows us to make data actionable. It is a great way to improve without getting caught up in different reports and issues for doing the previous jobs. So, to check the data integrity of the software application data integrity testing is performed. In this article, we will explore data integrity testing.

So before exploring the concept of data integrity testing, let's first know what is data integrity. This data Integrity refers to the reliability and trustworthiness of data through its life cycle that is stored in the Database. Now let's know about data integrity testing.

What is Data Integrity Testing?

It is a process in which data is verified in the database whether it is accurate and functions as per requirements. Also used to validate whether data is not modified or corrupted unexpectedly while accessing the Database.

• Tests are done regularly to make sure stored data is unchanged and to search for new bugs that may alter the files present in the Database.

Characteristics of Data Integrating Testing

• Data compatibility with the older versions of the OS is ensured.
• It checks while verifying whether data in data tables, is altered or not.
• It examines all data and whether it is successfully saved to the Database or not.
• It also includes running tests of all data files which includes clip art, templates, etc.
• Also helps in analyzing blank values or default values whether they can be retrieved from the Database or not.

Why Database & Database Testing is required?

• To check whether the map is connected between the front end and back end i.e. Database such that all functionality is done in the front end is reflected in the back end and vice versa.
• To verify the ACID (Accuracy, Consistency, Integrity, Durability) property of the Database.
• As in constant increase in the size of data, the complexity of the Database increases which evokes relational constraints. So it is recommended to making sure flawless Database Operation.
• We can making sure data integrity such that changes that occur afar CRUD operation should be reflected correctly whenever data is stored in any form.

Data Integrity Testing Process

Data integrity can be performed by the following steps

1. Data Validation

Data validation is the first step in making sure data integrity. It involves checking that data values match the expected format, range, and type.

• Field-level validation: making sure that individual data fields, like postal codes or phone numbers, follow the correct format.
• Record-level validation: making sure that entire records (like rows in a database) follow the necessary rules.
• Referential integrity checks: Verifying that relationships between tables are consistent, meaning that records in one table should refer to existing records in another table.

2. Data Consistency Checks

After validating the data, it’s essential to check its consistency. This making sure s that data remains uniform across systems or tables.

• Cross-system consistency checks: Comparing data across different systems to making sure it’s the same everywhere.
• Cross-table consistency checks: making sure data across different tables in the same system is consistent.

3. Data Anomaly Detection

Anomalies, such as duplicate or conflicting data, can cause problems in analysis. Data integrity testing helps detect and address these issues.

• Duplicate detection: Identifying and removing any duplicate entries to maintain data accuracy.
• Outlier detection: Spotting data points that deviate significantly from the expected pattern, which could indicate errors or inconsistencies.

4. Data Integrity Monitoring

Data integrity isn’t a one-time task; it requires ongoing monitoring. Regular checks help maintain data quality over time.

• Automated data integrity checks: Running regular tests to assess the health of your data.
• Real-time monitoring: Continuously checking data as it’s entered, processed, or retrieved to catch issues immediately.

Types of Data Integrity Test

There are three types of data integrity test

1. Entity Integrity - It examines that each row of a table consists of a non-null primary key where each should be specific. The test may be attained by defining duplicate or null values in test data.
2. Domain Integrity - It checks each set of data values. Column falls within a specific permissible range. Testing may be achieved using null, default, and invalid values.
3. Referential Integrity - It checks the relationship between a foreign key and the primary key of multiple tables. This test is achieved by eliminating parent or child rows in a table.

Verification of Data Integrity in ETC Process, Schemas & BI Report

1. Verification of source & target data Requirements and Schema execution - The requirement and schema level test validate what range of the data components matches with business requirements.

1. Data models for the implemented data schema.
2. Technical requirement for every source's data and its mapping.

Schemas of all data storage utilized in the Database contain data sourcing. Staging and data marts are essential to examine schema quality, i.e. the ability of a schema to efficiently project information.

2. ETC Source and Data Integrating Test - This test is used to examine most of the tests and evaluate most Data Integrity.

1. Check foreign & primary key integrity.
2. Checks test the correctness of data transformation.
3. Also used to verify all valid & invalid conditions then subsequently we proceed to source and target data.

A properly designed ETC system extracts data from sources, examines, confirms data, and finally delivers data in a format that enables the developer to build the application.

3. BI Reporting Verification - They provide an interface that enables interaction with users and the backend. Insights like what context uses which information map, and where interaction exists them is required to create a full suite of test cases. If any measures are defined in a report, then they should be verified as accurate.

Goals of Data Integrity Testing

Here is the Goals of Data integrity testing which we will discuss in detail

1. Ensure Data Accuracy

Data accuracy is about making sure the values stored in your system are correct and match the real-world information they represent. For example, in a customer database, it's crucial that the customer's name, address, and contact details are accurate.

• Verifying data matches the expected format (e.g., phone numbers should follow the correct pattern).
• making sure values are within the valid range (e.g., ages should be within a realistic range).
• Checking for typos or missing information.

2. Maintaining Data Consistency

Data consistency making sure s that the same data is uniform across different systems or within the same system. If data is inconsistent, it can lead to confusion or incorrect business decisions.

• Verifying that any updates, deletions, or additions are done according to set rules.
• making sure changes are consistently applied across all systems or databases that need them.

3. Safeguarding Data Reliability

Data reliability refers to the ability to trust the data being accessed or processed. Data must be accurate and accessible whenever needed, without corruption or loss.

• making sure is not corrupted during processing or transmission.
• Verifying that data can be accessed accurately whenever needed and can be trusted for decision-making.

Conclusion

Data integrity testing is essential for making sure that the data used by businesses is accurate, consistent, and reliable. By focusing on validating data, checking for consistency, detecting anomalies, and continuously monitoring data, companies can maintain high-quality information that helps make better decisions and reduces errors.