Scheme for naming different types of testing

The various names used for different types of tests can be confusing. To understand the naming of tests it is useful to differentiate between the following naming categories:

1. Test objectiveThe naming of a test type is based on the test objective (for example, a “load test”).
2. Test method/techniqueA test is named according to the method or technique used to specify and/or perform the test (i.e., “state transition testing”, as described.
3. Test objectA test is named according to the type of object to be tested (for example, “GUI test“ or “database test“)
4. Test levelA test is named according to the corresponding level of the development model being used (for example, a “system test“)
5. Test personA test is named after the person or group who perform the test (for example, “developer test“, “user test“)
6. Test scopeA test is named according to its scope (for example, a “partial regression test“)

As you can see, not all of these terms define a distinct type of test. Instead, the different names highlight different aspects of a test that are important or in focus in a particular context or with regard to a particular testing objective.