Simplified Struts concepts

• A request comes in from a Java Server Page into the ActionServlet.
• The ActionServlet having already read the struts-config.xml file, knows which form bean
  relates to this JSP, and delegates work to the validate method of that form bean.
• The form bean performs the validate method to determine if all required fields have been
  entered, and performs whatever other types of field validations that need to be performed.
• If any required field has not been entered, or any field does not pass validation, the form bean generates ActionErrors, and after checking all fields returns back to the ActionServlet.
• The ActionServlet checks the ActionErrors that were returned from the form bean’s validate method to determine if any errors have occurred. If errors have occurred, it returns to the originating JSP displaying the appropriate errors.
• If no errors occurred in the validate method of the form bean, the ActionServlet passes
  control to the appropriate Action class.
• The Action class performs any necessary business logic, and then forwards to the next
  appropriate action (probably another JSP).

Software Tester Skills

There are three categories of skill that needed for any software tester.

• Testing skill
• Domain knowledge
• Technical expertise.

Any tester should have the basic testing skills like Manual testing and Automation testing. Tester having the common sense can even find most of the obvious bugs in the software.While testing any application tester should think like a end-user.

When tester know the functional domain better , then he/she can better write and execute more test cases and can effectively simulate the end user actions which is distinctly a big advantage.

Here is the big list of the required testing knowledge:

• Testing skill
• Bug hunting skill
• Technical skill
• Domain knowledge
• Communication skill
• Automation skill
• Some programming skill
• Quick grasping
• Ability to Work under pressure …

It is very difficult to have all the above skills.But you can stick to one skill or can be expert in one skill and have good understanding of other skills or balanced approach of all the skills. This is the competitive market and you should definitely take advantage of it. Make sure to be expert in at least one domain before making any move.

If tester don’t have enough domain knowledge of that project they need to quickly grasp as many concepts .Try to understand the product as if you are the customer and what customer will do with application. Visit the customer site if possible know how they work with the product, Read online resources about the domain you want to test the application, participate in events addressing on such domain, meet the domain experts. Or either company will provide all this in-house training before assigning any domain specific task to testers.