Glossary of the Lecture 6 «Mobile application testing» for the «Software Testing: Basics and Practice» course

Autorotation – аutomatically adaptation of the image to the position of the device screen. Modern operating systems allow the image rotating on 90 °, 270 ° and sometimes 180 ° relatively to the base position.

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) – an Android SDK component that establishes a connection between the device and computer and allows various operations with the Android system to be performed directly on the computer.

Apple ID – an authentication system used in many Apple products, including the iTunes Store, App Store, iCloud, etc. Apple ID is an account that allows users to access Apple resources.

Crash Log – a file that contains all information about an efficiency error or unexpected application termination.

Concept design (sketch, design idea, concept art, Conceptual design) – the planned implementation of the layout, stage, or other objects. It is only a planned model and may differ from the functional and final version.

(See also design prototype, design mockup)

Design document (Software design description, SDD) – a documented description of the design. SDD is written by a designer in order to explain to the developers and tester teams the realization and possible design specifics.

Design mockup (Mockup) – a model for the layout, stage or other objects implementation, made in full size and copying a working instance. The model is as close to the final version, as possible.

 (See also prototype design, concept design)

Design Prototype – an experimental model for the layout, stage, or other objects implementation. It is a functional model that may be a subject to change and may differ from the final version.

 (See also concept design, layout design)

 Emulator – an application, software program or a system that copies the functionality and behavior of another program.

( See also simulator)

Fullscreen (Full-screen mode) – an application display mode in which system elements (navigation keys, status bar, etc.) are hidden to use it easier.

Gestures – a specific set of actions that simplifies the execution of frequently used functions. For example: swipe for status bar call in full-screen mode, function buttons press for screenshot-taking.

GUI (Graphical User Interface) – a type of the interface that allows users to interact with a component or system using graphical signs and visual indicators.

iTunes – a program for syncing the iOS based devices.

iTools – an iTunes analogue, a program for viewing and managing information on the device, getting logs, setting builds and taking video/screenshots based on iOS.

iFunbox – an iTools analogue that allows users to install applications, interact with media content and gain access to the root file system.

Keychain – an implementation of user data saving ability (logins, passwords, progress) on the device outside the application, allows saving data even after the application is uninstalled.

Log file (event log, Log) – a file containing system information on the operation of a server or computer into which certain user or program actions are entered.

Local Notification – a notification from the application, configured depending on the internal data (date, time, action timer).

Mobile Application – a specially developed application for a specific mobile platform (iOS, Android, Tizen).

Mobile Website – a specialized website adapted for viewing and functioning on a mobile device.

Mobile operating system (mobile OS) – an operating system for the cell phones, tablets, smartwatches and other mobile devices.

(See also mobile Platform, mobile OS)

Multitouch – a technology with which a simultaneous touch with two (or more) fingers on touch screens is allowed. Most often, this technology is used to provide navigational functions.

Picture in Picture – a feature in the modern operating systems that allows to display specific content of one application on the top of the others.

Push Notification – a notification from the application, configured depending on the external data (balance change in the bank account, message notification).

Reflector – an application for streaming the screen of a mobile device on PC and performing the further recording (can be useful for older Apple devices).

Retina – a general marketing name for LCD displays used in Apple devices that have such a high pixel density that the human eye is not able to notice that the image consists of them. Apple determines the different pixel density for different devices and sets them in accordance to the typical viewing distance for this class of devices – the larger the typical distance, the lower the pixel density is required to achieve indistinguishability. According to the research, the human eye can only distinguish 300 ppi, the manufacturer claims that on such displays the image pixelation is not visible to the eye.

Rapid Prototyping – a technology for the creation of the fast prototype or a working model of a system to demonstrate to a customer or verify the feasibility of the implementation. The prototype is later refined to create the design mockup and obtain the final product.

Split Screen – a function in modern operating systems that allows users to open and interact with two or more applications at the same time.

Smartphone – a category of the devices that includes mobile devices equipped with their own operating system. Besides, the touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS modules are almost indispensable equipment for a modern smartphone.

Status Bar – a panel (most often at the top of the screen) that displays information about the system: connection, connection type, notification icons, time, battery charge level, etc.

SDK Software Development Kit – (usually) a software developer kit that allows the creation of applications for a specific package, framework, game console, operating system or platform.

Touchscreen – a data input device, which is presented by the screen that responds to the touch.

User Interface – all components of the system that provide information and control facilities for the user to implement specific tasks with the system.

(See also graphical User Interface)

UDID (Unique Device Identifier) – a unique device identifier, consisting of 40 characters (for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch)

User experience (UX) – the perception and response of the user that appears as a result of the usage and/or the further usage of the system.