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Software Testing Basics: Why Coding Matters in the Age of AI

By DeVry University

November 21, 2025

8 min read

When your favorite mobile app or video game is running smoothly, you may not think twice about what goes into creating that experience. But behind the scenes of every digital product is a dedicated team of software testers working to make it happen.

 

Rigorous software testing is essential for everything from digital health record systems to banking websites to rideshare apps and beyond. As our world becomes more connected and technology advances what’s possible, the role of the software tester remains as vital as ever. Here’s everything you need to know about software testing basics, the continued importance of human-powered coding, and how emerging tools like AI are reshaping the field.

What is software testing?

Software testing is the process of evaluating a website, app, or other digital system to ensure it’s working correctly, including finding and fixing errors. The process of software testing includes:

  • Making sure the product works as intended and meets preset requirements

  • Searching for bugs that interrupt an app’s functionality

  • Checking if the software is secure and ensuring private data is protected

  • Verifying it provides a good user experience and runs smoothly

Why software testing still matters in the age of AI

While AI software testing tools are driving innovation and creating new efficiencies, human-powered software testing still matters because people provide ethical oversight, collaboration, and layers of knowledgeable quality assurance.

Importantly, AI tools are not replacing the need for skilled tech pros. Instead, they’re redefining the future of work by augmenting human-driven processes and creating additional forms of validation to the software testing process. In some cases, automations are even freeing up developers’ time to put their software developer skills to work on more complex and strategic projects.

AI software testing activities that go hand in hand with human-driven processes include:

  • Supporting quality assurance processes

  • Creating visual data dashboards

  • Developing test cases and predicting defects

  • Automating workflows

  • Analyzing test results

  • Making optimization recommendations

Core principles and types of software testing

There are many types of software testing, and the ones a tester uses depends on the needs and functionality of a software product. Most software testing types fit into one of these categories:

  • Manual software testing: A person interacts with the software by hand to check and test functionality. Human testers may notice nuances and complexities that automated tests don’t, but manual testing might take longer, be more expensive, or introduce human error.

  • Automated software testing: A machine or AI runs tests based on scripts written ahead of time. This method is often faster than a manual test but often requires oversight by people to ensure it’s working as designed and stays up to date.

Here are some of the common types of software testing methods and what tech teams use them for:

Category
What it’s used for
Acceptance testing Checks if the system meets business requirements and can replicate real user behaviors
Accessibility testing Tests if the software provides an optimized experience for people with disabilities, such as those with low vision
Functional testing Checks a system or other software to ensure it’s working properly
Nonfunctional testing Assesses qualities like user experience, security, and performance
Regression testing Focuses on whether recent code changes have negatively impacted the software
Security testing Looks for vulnerabilities that could lead to security breaches or cyber attacks
Smoke testing Tests critical functionality and stability, often with new builds
Stress testing Examines if the software can remain stable and reliable under extreme conditions

 

Software developer skills every beginner should learn

There are many paths to explore within software development, but anyone starting out in the field will want to learn these fundamentals:

  • Debugging and testing processes to ensure software functions as expected

  • Scripting and coding languages like Python, HTML, CSS, C++, Java, and Java Script

  • Version control, which includes tracking and managing changes to code

  • Soft skills, like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, and collaboration

  • Documentation, such as keeping records of requirements, test logs, plans, and more

The good news is that you don’t have to tackle all these skills at once. In fact, learning the basics of coding, for example, can be an exciting way to get to know the field and explore your interests.
 

Sharpening both your technical and soft skills can also help you stand out in software development. Virtually anywhere you work, you’ll be interacting with peers and leaders while striving toward a common goal. Learning to communicate professionally and solve problems together is vital to building successful software solutions in nearly any industry.

Careers in software testing and how to get started

To get started on the path to a career in software testing, it’s important to gain industry knowledge and practice hands-on testing. You might also want to pursue professional software developer certifications that can boost your resume.

Roles in the industry vary depending on what you’re interested in, your skillset, your education, and even where you’re located. Some common software testing roles include:

  • Computer systems analyst

  • Junior QA software analyst

  • Software tester

The skills of a tester are often transferrable across software development, IT, and cyber security, which has the potential to open new doors along your career journey. As you develop your skillset, you may find your interests and experience lead to a variety of tech career opportunities.

For example, some software development roles that can include testing are:

  • AI application analyst

  • Computer programmer

  • QA lead

  • Software architect

  • Software designer

  • Software developer

  • Test engineer

Will coding be replaced by AI?

No, coding is unlikely to be fully replaced by artificial intelligence though AI is augmenting these processes. Coding and programming skills, and the human knowledge behind these activities, are critical to creating a healthy software product.

The industry is evolving, however, and professional developers are working with the latest AI technology right now to bolster their coding work, add layers of validation, streamline analytics reporting, run QA checks, and much more. These exciting advancements mean that testers, coders, and developers can harness the power of artificial intelligence to support their work and explore new possibilities in their field.

How does testing fit in with AI in software development?

Software testing and AI fit together well and are creating a strong partnership in the world of software development. Both manual and automated software testing are key processes in developing a functional software product, and testers can add AI tools to their workflow to perform their tests more efficiently and accurately.

With technology evolving quickly, gaining AI skills is a great way to help you stand out in the crowded job market. Whether you’re beginning your software development education or are looking to reskill to advance your career, you have options. Learning to leverage AI and discovering how to augment core coding skills is a smart way to keep up with industry changes, show your commitment to your career, and step into the future of the field.

Unlock the code to your future

Explore the field of software development with career-aligned tech programs at DeVry.

Frequently asked questions

What are the basics of software testing?

The basics of software testing involve assessing the functionality, stability, security, and usability of a software product, like a website or app. Software testers can run manual tests to check specific features or functions.

Increasingly, software testing leverages the power of AI to perform automated tests, reducing the burden on staff and quickly evaluating a software build. Automated and manual software testing processes often work hand in hand, giving software testers more tools to optimize their products effectively.

Do I need coding skills for software testing?

No, in some cases you may not need coding skills for software testing, but knowing some coding basics has benefits. Coding is a cornerstone of software development, and testers need to share the same language and knowledge base as their colleagues to collaborate effectively.

Manual coding in particular may require coding knowledge as it’s a hands-on process, while automated software testing relies increasingly on AI and other automations. Developing skills in coding and computer programming can also demonstrate your knowledge to hiring managers as you explore job opportunities.

How is software testing changing in the age of AI?

Software testing is changing in the age of AI by quickly adapting to more automated tools and processes. Testers now have the ability to augment their work with automated software tests, predictive analyses, AI-driven quality assurance checks, and much more. Learning to combine both emerging AI strategies with fundamental human knowledge can help software testers prepare for the future of the field.

What are the main types of software testing?

The main types of software testing are manual testing, which requires a person to perform testing tasks, and automated testing, which relies more on technology and AI.

Other common types of software testing include:

  • Accessibility testing
  • Continuous testing
  • Functional software testing
  • Nonfunctional software testing
  • Regression testing
  • Security testing
  • Smoke testing
  • Stability testing
  • User acceptance testing

What careers are available in software testing?

Software testing career options include roles like quality assurance analyst and software tester. More broadly, career paths in software development include:

  • Application developer
  • Game developer
  • Programmer analyst
  • Software developer
  • Web developer
  • Web program analyst

Is software testing still a good career?

Yes, for many people software testing is a great career! Those with an eye for detail, a passion for technology, and an interest in the systems and scripts that power apps and websites often thrive in these roles.

What’s more, it’s also a growing field, making now a great time to build your software developer skills. While actual local growth may vary, the Bureau of Labor Statistic projects a 15% increase in software developer, QA analyst, and tester jobs nationwide each year from 2024 to 2034.

The information presented here is true and accurate as of the date of publication. DeVry’s programmatic offerings and their accreditations are subject to change. Please refer to the current academic catalog for details.

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