Mainframe Testing Procedures to Follow

When undertaking mainframe testing, keep the following steps in mind:

Step 1: Smoke Testing

Start with smoke testing to see if the code deployed is in the right test environment. It also ensures that the code is free of important flaws, saving time and effort for testers who would otherwise have to test a bad build.

Step 2:  Testing/System Testing

Following the smoke testing, one round of functionality or system testing will be done to evaluate the functionalities of several models independently and in relation to one another. The sorts of testing that must be performed while implementing System Testing are listed below-

• Batch testing: Conduct batch testing to verify that the test results on the output files and data changes made by the batch job comply with the testing specifications.
• Online testing: Evaluate the mainframe applications’ front-end functionality via online testing. Online testing covers a variety of topics, including user-friendliness, data input validations, look and feel, and screen navigation. Exact entry fields, such as interest on the plan, an insurance plan, and so on, should be tested in the application.
• Online-batch integration testing: On systems with batch processes and online applications, online-batch integration testing can be performed. The online process’s integration features with the backend process will also be tested here. Essentially, this testing verifies the accuracy of the data flow and the interactions between the screens and the backend system. Furthermore, the batch task is utilized to verify data flow and communication across the online screens.
• Database testing: Database testing is performed to ensure that the data stored by transactions meet the system’s requirements. And the databases, which contain data from mainframe applications such as IMS, IDMS, DB2, VSAM/ISAM, Sequential datasets, and GDGs, validated their layout and data storage. The data integrity and other database parameters may also be validated for optimal performance during database testing.

Step 3: System Integration Testing

System integration testing is used to verify the functionality of systems that are related to the system under test. Because it’s vital to test the interface and various types of messages like Job Successful, Job Failed, Database Updated, and so on, it’s run after unit tests. The data flow between modules and apps will also be checked for accuracy. System integration testing is carried out to ensure that the build is ready for deployment. One can execute the following tests during system integration testing-

• Batch Testing
• Online Testing
• Online -Batch Integration Testing

Step 4: Regression Testing

Regression testing is the most crucial part of any testing. Regression testing ensures that batch jobs and online screens cannot directly relate to the system under test and that the current project release has no effect on them. Regression testing ensures that changes made to a module do not have an impact on the parent application’s integrated application’s overall functionality. To achieve successful regression testing, a specified collection of test cases should be accepted depending on their complexity, and a Test cases repository should be built. And the specific test should be updated anytime a new feature is added to the release.

Step 5: Performance Testing

The next step in mainframe testing is performance testing. The aim is to uncover bottlenecks in key areas like front-end data, upgrading online databases, and protecting the application’s scalability during performance testing. One may face the following performance problems in Mainframe applications-

• The internet response time may be slow, causing user dissatisfaction.
• Batch jobs and backend processes can take longer than expected, limiting online users’ access to the system.
• Issues with scalability.

To fix the issues listed above, run the application through the following tests-

• Parameters for system integration.
• Coding for application and database design.
• Parameters of the system and the database.
• Back-end job scheduling.

Step 6: Security Testing

Threats, hazards, and vulnerabilities are evaluated, and remedial actions for applications and networks are recommended. Use cases in identity and access management, risk and compliance management, data protection, and privacy policy adherence should all be included in the security testing. To put it another way, security testing is done to see how well an application is designed and constructed to withstand anti-security attacks. The two types of security systems that should be tested are mainframe security and network security. One must test the following factors during security testing-

• Authorization
• Integrity
• Authentication
• Confidentiality
• Availability

Step 7: Agile Methodologies

The Agile methodology is used to simplify the gradual development of applications and responds to modification quickly. 

Mainframe testing is used to evaluate software, applications, and services built on Mainframe Systems. The major goal of mainframe testing is to ensure the application or service’s dependability, performance, and excellence through verification and validation methodologies, and to determine if it is ready to launch or not. Because CICS screens are custom-built for specific applications, the tester just has to know how to navigate them when performing Mainframe testing. Also, if the code in COBOL, JCL, or other languages is changed, the tester does not have to worry about the emulator being set up on the system.

Here, we will discuss the following points:

1. What is Mainframe?
2. Mainframe Testing Methodologies.
3. Prerequisites for Mainframe Testing.
4. Mainframe Attributes.
5. Steps for Mainframe Testing.
6. Mainframe Testing Procedures To Follow.
7. Types of Mainframe Manual Testing. 
8. Mainframe Automation Testing Tools.
9. Best Practices For Mainframe Testing.
10. Mainframe Testing Challenges and Troubleshooting.
11. Benefits of Mainframe Testing.