Software Testing – Desktop vs Client-Server vs Web Application Testing

Here, we will discuss the difference between Desktop application testing, client-server application testing, and web application.

What is Desktop Testing?

In these testing, required applications or software are installed on a standalone machine and these can be accessed by only one user at a time. Thus, it is also known as Standalone Application Testing. For example, MS Excel, MS  Word, Calculator, etc.

Important types of testing to perform include:

1. Security Testing.
2. Functional Testing.
3. Performance Testing.
4. Regression Testing.

Advantages:

• No Internet connectivity is required.
• The hacking of this application is impossible because of high security. 

Disadvantages:

• High maintenance is required.
• It is not possible to share data. 

What is Client-Server Testing?

Client Server Application is an Application that requires to be preinstalled on the client’s Desktop or laptop. In these testing, the client sends a request to the server and the server sends a response back to the client with the required information. Thus, it is also known as Two-Tier Application Testing. For example, Email, FTP, etc.

Important types of testing to perform:

1. GUI Testing.
2. Manual Testing.
3. Configuration Testing.
4. Interoperability Testing.

Advantages:

• Internet connectivity is required.
• GUI feature is available on both client and server-side machines. 
• Data can be accessed efficiently if the server is located away from the client.

Disadvantages:

• The cost of setting and maintenance is high.
• If the server fails then none of the client requests can be fulfilled.

What is Web Application Testing?

A web Application is an Application capable of working directly from a web browser. In these testing, the browser sends requests to the web server and the web server sends requests to the Database, and the Database responds back to the web server from there it sends the same response to the browser with the required information. Thus, it is also known as Three-Tier Application Testing. For example, Yahoo, Facebook, etc.

Important types of testing to perform:

• Exploratory Testing

Advantages:

• It is platform-independent.
• The data can be accessed efficiently from anywhere with no location constraint.

Disadvantages:

• The application can’t be accessed if a server is down.
• There is browser dependency.

Desktop vs Client-Server vs Web Application Testing

The following table differentiates between Desktop vs Client-Server vs Web Application Testing:

Basis	Desktop Testing	Client-Server Testing	Web Application Testing
Definition	Desktop Testing is also known as Standalone Application Testing.	Client-Server Testing is also known as Two-Tier Application Testing.	Web Application Testing is also known as Three-Tier Application Testing.
Performed On	Performed on Personal System, Computer or Machine.	Run on two or more systems.	Run on two or more systems.
Known As	These are Desktop Driven Application Testing.	These are Menu-Driven Application Testing.	These are URL Driven Testing.
Knowledge Required	It requires knowledge of the interaction of the user with the application	It requires knowledge of Networking	It requires knowledge of the Interaction of web applications with the user.
Features Checked	It checks for features like functionality, GUI, back-end, user interface, Database, features, and Load.	It checks for features like functionality, GUI on both(Server and Client),  Interaction (Between client and Server), Database, and Load.	It checks for Browser Compatibility, Operating system Compatibility, features like functionality, GUI, Back-end, Static Page Testing, and Load Testing.
Number of Users	These applications may or may not require authentic access to use it having a single user.	In these applications, the user is already known before as they might have a username/password to open the application having a limited number of users.	In these testing, all users can approach these applications having an unlimited number of users.
Testing Environment	In this type of testing the environment is the user machine.	In this type of testing the environment is usually the intranet.	In this type of testing the environment is usually the web browsers.
Examples	Auto-CAD, Adobe Photoshop	Gateway, Web Browsers, NET.	Gmail, Twitter