Alpha Testing

Alpha testing is acceptance testing (internal) done at developer's site (where software has been developed). It is done by end users or specialized testing team resembling end users verifying product meets all requirements. Alpha testing is done before beta testing.

Acceptance Testing

Acceptance testing (also called User acceptance testing - UAT) is performed by end user/customers to verify if the solution/product delivered to them meets all requirements, specifications and performs business processes.

• Falls in black-box testing methodology
• Also called validation testing, final testing, application testing
• Can include functional, performance, stress, load testing etc
• Specific test cases (mapped with requirements) created by end user focusing on specific functionality and priority areas with user defined test data
• Success of acceptance testing decides GO/ NO_GO decision for the product

Types of acceptance testing:

• User acceptance testing (UAT)
• Alpha Testing & Beta Testing
• Operational Acceptance Testing