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Unix basics for software testers

Posted In | Testing Skill Improvement, Testing Tips and resources

No matter whether you are working on stand-alone project or web project, operating systems and networking knowledge is must for testers. Many testing activities like installation testing, performance testing are dependent on operating system knowledge. Now days most of the web servers are Unix based. So Unix knowledge is mandatory for tester.

For the beginners in Unix, learning basic Unix commands is a good start. This article explains basic Unix commands and in next article we will move on to the Unix operating system basics and advanced Unix commands.

The best way to learn following commands is to read and simultaneously practice them on Unix operating system.

These are the Unix commands that are mostly used while interacting with Unix servers. Most of the time you might be interacting with Unix OS through remote windows machines using softwares like ‘Putty’. In such testing environment this article is very useful.

You can download the article written by Meenakshi on Unix basics for testers on below link:

Download: Unix basics for testers article (Doc file)

I will continue this series of “soft skills required for testers”. Here is list of skills on which I will concentrate in coming posts:

  • Operating systems skill for testers.
  • Networking skill.
  • Database ( Mainly SQL) knowledge for testers.
  • Basic programming skill.

All these skills are required to become a successful software tester.

If you think any other skill should be also included in this “soft skills for testers” article series then please let me know in below comment section. I will work on those subjects to include them in my future articles.

Update: For software Testing job seekers, I have updated our Job page with two new openings. See more details on these job openings on below links:

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Related Posts:

  • Soft Skill for Testers: Advanced Unix commands with examples
  • Software testing book for preparing testing interviews and learning basics of software testing [download]
  • Capgemini Pune looking for Testing professionals
  • Job Opportunity in Symantec Corporation Pune India
  • Software testing/QA openings at VerisoftIndia

    • 66 comments ↓

    #1 suri on 02.03.08 at 12:44 am

    Hi
    This is very useful to me , becs Im going to be UNIX testing.So, kindly send me more documents on UNIX testing pls.

    #2 shabeena on 02.03.08 at 4:20 am

    Hello,
    This s very good article (very simple sentences), a layman can also understand this thing. Thnx for giving such a nice article.

    #3 Jayant on 02.03.08 at 5:22 am

    HI Vijay

    Greetings!!

    Of course the above skills are necessary for testers.
    In addition to the above I would like to add, when we talk about Soft Skills necessarily it points out towards the personality as a professional. And that would include - COMMUNICATION SKILLS, INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES, RESUME BUILDING, LEADERSHIP SKILLS & PRESENTATION where I would like to contribute if you find it suitable to include along with the details mentioned by you above which more constitute the technical skills sets. Kindly me update me on the same so as to take it further.

    Regards
    Jayant

    #4 abhishek sharma on 02.03.08 at 10:39 am

    i want to learn software testing tools

    #5 ashutosh on 02.04.08 at 4:10 am

    Thanks Vijay..you are really lots of people.

    #6 ashutosh on 02.04.08 at 4:11 am

    Thanks Vijay..you are really helping lots of people through your articles.

    #7 Jayant on 02.04.08 at 4:13 am

    Hi Abhishek

    Where are you from?
    Are you currently working in testing, kindly forward you resume at jayant1966@gmail.com

    regards
    Jayant

    #8 Thragor on 02.04.08 at 8:29 am

    Hello,

    a promising start for this series - although I learned nothing new from the beginners guide. Well, ok: I am no beginner ;-)

    I am curious about the advanced Unix commands and Operating System Basics. Would expect to find information about e. g. kill/ps (especially on the different IX Systems, e. g. ‘ps -ef’/'ps aux’) and about the different directories like /etc and /var.

    Looking forward to it :-)

    Regards
    - Thragor

    #9 balu on 02.04.08 at 8:31 am

    Thanks .. This is a very good article it will helps alot

    #10 Jegan on 02.04.08 at 10:44 am

    I want to learn database testing. Please send me the articles.

    #11 santhosh on 02.04.08 at 11:08 am

    hi,

    Thanks for the above article.
    As i have started to study sofware testing from net.. Is its enough to find a job on testing. Right now i am working as a Mail Analyst. Guide me, shal i join for the testing cousre. which institute is good in Bangalore.

    Regards
    Santhosh Kumar

    #12 Purvi on 02.04.08 at 11:36 am

    Hello,
    I want to learn more about OS, networking & web site testing, could you help me out?

    #13 Chandika on 02.04.08 at 4:57 pm

    Hi,
    It’s really good.But it’s not enough,if a tester will work on Unix environment.
    Specially needs more to clarify
    Thanks

    #14 Chandika on 02.04.08 at 5:01 pm

    Hi,
    It’s really good.But it’s not enough,if a tester will work on Unix environment.
    Specially needs more to clarify.Please follow the given website,really will help you.

    http://www.computerhope.com/unix.htm#04

    Thanks

    #15 pooja on 02.04.08 at 6:22 pm

    hi vijay

    i juz hav given exams of mca..n wanna go for s/w teting..i don hav much knowledge abt s/w testing..so wanna join s/w tsting ins to be a tester …so can u tel me d best ins for s/w testing ..n sum1 has suggested me to do this fr webtek labs…its a company who providing traning for s/w testing..so if u knw abt dis den plzzzz suggest me wat to do… i will be really very grateful to u

    #16 meenakshi on 02.05.08 at 3:59 am

    To learn software testing in Bangalore a good institute is there in indiranagar,behind coffeday..KARVIN.

    #17 Vijay on 02.05.08 at 7:59 am

    Hi all,
    Thanks for your kind words.
    This is the beginning series on Unix and don’t expect all details in one article. We started with Unix basics. As many readers are asking for more detailed resources on Unix we will work on providing more and more guide on all topics of reader’s interest.

    I strongly urge to our readers if you are expert in topics mentioned here like Unix, Automation tools etc., you can answer readers queries in comments or can also write about your experience in testing.

    #18 chandravadan on 02.05.08 at 9:35 am

    hi vijay..
    i want to know that visionplus is any testing method or type of tool used for testing purpose?

    #19 vidyarani on 02.05.08 at 10:35 am

    hi
    iam just now registerd
    As i have started to study sofware testing from net.. Is its enough to find a job on testing. iwnt more information about i wnt to learn how to write test case
    pls help me out

    #20 Archana Bhattacharya on 02.05.08 at 10:56 am

    i want to learn software testing tools

    #21 pooja on 02.05.08 at 11:01 am

    thanks meenakshi!!bt i live in delhi..wat abt webtek labs school of s/w testing..its in naraina

    #22 pooja on 02.05.08 at 11:02 am

    thanks meenakshi!!bt i live in delhi..wat abt webtek labs school of s/w testing..its in naraina..so plzz suggest me ne ins in delhi

    #23 venkata on 02.05.08 at 12:20 pm

    Hi,

    Please let me know how to do unix / sql testing with example?

    #24 hari on 02.06.08 at 3:41 am

    Hi vijay,

    i like to go through the Database testing.Please publish articles related to Database testing…….

    Thanks,
    Haripriya.

    #25 Mohan D on 02.07.08 at 11:04 am

    Ya,u mentioned all are imp,apart from that one Functional Automation Tool(QTP),Management Tool(TD),Version Control tool,Domain and Functional Knowledge.
    Thanku ur article simply superb
    Thanku

    #26 Anil on 02.10.08 at 8:31 am

    hi,

    can give some examples on unix/sql testing with examples.

    Thanks,
    Anil

    #27 Rajupavan on 02.10.08 at 11:30 am

    Hi,

    This is Rajupavan. I want to know the information about software testing on UNIX environment. Plz send the information.

    byeee…..

    #28 ashutosh on 02.13.08 at 7:28 am

    hi Vijay , your articles are good but can you write some example for how to write descriptive programming and how to use it… you can use Flight Reservation application..
    Please write some article on DP..
    Its very imp topic

    Thank
    Ashutosh

    #29 Radhika on 02.13.08 at 3:25 pm

    hi vijay
    can u kindly send me more advaced topics related to testing on UNIX along with some good example..

    Thanks
    Radhika

    #30 balaji on 02.19.08 at 7:54 am

    hi Vijay

    I have some knowledge on SQL,unix and shell programming.how can use these concepts in testing.i want to become a backend tester.could you pls give me some suggestions.

    Regards
    balu

    #31 vikas on 02.20.08 at 7:18 pm

    Thanks for kind suggestion. Well I was asked in the interview about unix vi editor (how to use it). So could u send me articles regarding these.
    and Could u send me the url if possible where I could practisc unix commands as I don’t have the unix operating system installed.
    Regards Vikas

    #32 Vikas on 02.20.08 at 9:13 pm

    Hi Pooja
    I have also taken s/w testing course from Webtak Labs. Its a good going..but stil u r likely to face struggle.
    for more information ..write back to me.

    #33 Shabeena on 02.25.08 at 7:32 am

    Hello vikas,
    These r som links to understand vi.
    I hope u will find it easy………:)

    http://www.washington.edu/computing/unix/vi.html
    http://www.eng.hawaii.edu/Tutor/vi.html
    http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/unixhelp/vi/index.html

    #34 Vikas on 02.26.08 at 8:06 am

    Shabeena,
    I am not the same vikas. I am different and the one who asked about Unix VI is different. But thanks for the information. I hope to be benefitted by your information. Shabeena..i would like 2 know something more from you. can u give me ur e-mail address?
    Thanks and regards.

    #35 Vikas on 02.26.08 at 8:09 am

    Hi Pooja, i have taken s/w testing course from Webtek labs. for more info..u can write back to me. plz mention ur e-mail address..so that i can send u info directly to ur e-mail.
    Thanks and regards

    #36 Vikas on 02.26.08 at 8:16 am

    Hello Pooja,
    You can write to me. i have taken S/w testing course from wektak labs as well. plz write with ur e-mail address..so that i can directly reply to ur mail.
    Thanks and regards

    #37 Milind on 02.26.08 at 6:32 pm

    Hi,
    This is really a very nice article. Thanks for such good suggestions.

    #38 shabeena on 02.27.08 at 3:55 am

    Actually i helped tht Vikas only, I din’t know his ID, So i thought this s the better way to help tht vikas………
    And abt u, pls give me ur id, thn i wil send u my ID………..:)

    Any way thanx for informing me tht, thr r 2 VIKAS in ……………:)

    #39 Vishal on 02.27.08 at 5:45 am

    Hi,

    When ru planning to come out with posts for the topics listed below:

    Operating systems skill for testers.
    Networking skill.
    Database ( Mainly SQL) knowledge for testers.
    Basic programming skill.

    #40 Vikas on 02.27.08 at 6:51 am

    vikas_k32@yahoo.com

    #41 vikas on 02.27.08 at 10:56 am

    Hi

    Well ur links are proving to be great help regarding Unix testing and am able to understand atleat Basic Unix Operating sustem and its operation.
    My email id vikas_be2001@yahoo.com

    Well I am the one who requested abt the unix in depth knowledge related to testing and use of VI editor in testing the software. It is wonderful to see u testing professtionals on softwaretesting help.com and being so helpful to those who are new to this field. I highly appreciate .

    My another query is related to server side testing. How do we do it as It is a essential part in transaction related projects like amazon.com.

    Regards
    Vikas

    #42 Soft Skills for Testers: Advanced Unix commands with examples on 02.28.08 at 7:22 am

    […] If you have missed previous article on “Unix basics for tester” series, you can see the basic Unix commands article here. […]

    #43 puneet on 02.28.08 at 7:34 am

    Hi. i’m puneet from Bangalore.. currently working in a software company..i got very useful information.. thanks Vijay.. i want to know about use of sql in testinn.. plz give the valuable information..
    thanks and regards
    puneet

    #44 Jaykay on 02.28.08 at 7:44 am

    Hi Puneet, can u give me ur mail id pls, I need one help from u! or send test mail to this id jayakrishnamohan@gmail.com

    #45 anitha on 02.28.08 at 10:04 am

    i need some real time testing process which is used in some mnc companys with template

    #46 anitha on 02.28.08 at 10:05 am

    i need some real time testing process

    #47 puneet on 02.28.08 at 1:28 pm

    hii Jaykay.. my email id is puneetec58@gmail.com.

    #48 Srini on 02.29.08 at 6:47 am

    Very useful bit of info

    #49 sangameshwar on 02.29.08 at 1:37 pm

    Hi all,
    I have question for you all,
    What could be your answer to customer if you come across post release defect.
    Urgent

    #50 sonali on 03.01.08 at 7:21 am

    Hi,
    Thanks for the above article.
    I want to learn database testing. Please send me the articles.

    #51 Bhuwanesh sharma on 03.12.08 at 7:57 pm

    Hi,
    Today i visited this site for the very first time and this is true that i never see sooo good site like this… i mean i can find everything i want related to testing , soft skills jobs etc… You guys are soo helpfull… Thanks all you guys…..

    #52 Bhuwanesh sharma on 03.12.08 at 8:15 pm

    hey guys try try this link
    “http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Unix/unix1.html ”

    It may help you more for UNIX

    #53 Vikas Sharma on 03.13.08 at 8:49 am

    HI VijEveryone

    Could anyone send info about database testing in real environment.
    like Some name of good sites if possible
    My id is vikas_be2001@yahoo.com
    Thanks
    Vikas

    #54 Prasad on 03.14.08 at 3:18 pm

    Cany anybody give me any opensource testing projects on unix??????

    Rgds,
    Prasad

    #55 Syed on 03.24.08 at 4:34 pm

    Hi Everyone,

    Can anyone please let me know, where can i get UNIX OS & how can i install and practice on that.

    Kind Regards

    #56 zakir on 04.01.08 at 12:05 pm

    Hi all and vijay,

    Need an information from you. Suppose if I happen to work in Unix OS and I would’ve told to test / monitor the process and log information of the application how do I go about it. And is this testing is what we call Interface testing. Please let me know your thoughts.

    many thanks

    #57 zakir on 04.01.08 at 12:49 pm

    @ Bhuvanesh

    Thanks a lotttttttttt frnd. Thats a wonderful site for unix man.

    #58 Vishal Chhaperia on 04.02.08 at 9:08 am

    Hi Vijay,

    Thanks for UNIX command.
    It will reallly help us to develope our skills.

    call : +91-9830704327

    mail me: bishalchaperia@gmail.com

    #59 Smitha on 04.09.08 at 4:27 am

    Hi,
    I have done my MS in CIS in USA and I am looking to start a career in Software testing. I need to know where to start at and what tools and languages to learn. I also need to know what are the different certifications in testing.
    Thank you in advance and I really appreciate all your help.

    Regards
    Smitha

    #60 Vijay on 04.09.08 at 5:06 am

    Hi Smitha,
    If you are really interested to start a career in software testing then please go through this site and prepare a resume that suits for a testing career and apply for the vacancy of a test engineer and upload your resume to various consultancy services. No need to do any course as of now, let companies train you to their needs.
    thanks,
    Vijay

    #61 satyavir on 05.19.08 at 10:52 am

    thanks ! its really nice material for me

    #62 priti on 05.29.08 at 6:45 am

    I have some knowledge on SQL,unix and shell programming.how can use these concepts in testing.i want to become a backend tester.could you pls give me some suggestions.

    #63 priti on 05.29.08 at 7:07 am

    i m working into development side .now i want to build my carrer in testing .now i started reading testing articals from net.is it necessary to take any testing course? i have the knowledge of unix shell scripting,sql. need to know where to start at and what tools and languages to learn. I also need to know what are the different certifications in testing.
    Thank you in advance and I really appreciate all your help

    #64 Tarun on 07.10.08 at 7:09 am

    hello dears,
    i want to know what is the different between a Windows tester and UNIX tester. i am working on UNIX (Linux) environment, and we are using one auttomation tool to do our testing work. shall i call myself as UNIX tester. i mean can some tell me if i called myself as UNIX testere i should have which types of knowledge on UNIX.

    Regards,
    Tarun

    #65 venkat on 08.05.08 at 2:36 pm

    all the best to everyone send me some testing docs on unix

    #66 venkat on 08.05.08 at 2:39 pm

    hello send me testing docs pls

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