Introduction to Software Testing

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Questions and Answers

What is the likelihood that a software component will produce an incorrect output?

  • Software reliability (correct)
  • System reliability
  • Operator reliability
  • Hardware reliability

What is the probability that a hardware component fails?

  • Hardware reliability (correct)
  • System reliability
  • Operator reliability
  • Software reliability

What is the probability that a system user makes an error?

  • System reliability
  • Software reliability
  • Operator reliability (correct)
  • Hardware reliability

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding software reliability?

<p>Software reliability is the probability that a software component will not wear out. (C)</p>
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What is an example of a system that met all of the requirements set though still experienced failure due to lack of focus on the user experience?

<p>The Aegis radar system (C)</p>
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If there are two independent components in a system and the operation of the system depends on them both, what is the formula for the probability of system failure?

<p>P(S) = P(A) * P(B) (A)</p>
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What is the formula for the probability of system failure if the components are replicated?

<p>P(S) = P(A)n (A)</p>
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A fault in a computer program can be described as:

<p>A structural imperfection that can lead to failure. (C)</p>
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What was the primary cause of the Ariane 5 rocket failure?

<p>A software error during data conversion (A)</p>
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What is the main objective of software testing?

<p>To ensure the software meets its intended functionality and requirements. (D)</p>
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What is the main objective of the Integration Test phase?

<p>Testing interactions between integrated software modules, including communication and resource management. (B)</p>
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What is 'defect masking' in software testing?

<p>A situation where one error hides the existence of another error. (A)</p>
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Which of these statements best describe the role of testing in software development?

<p>Testing can reveal the presence of errors, but cannot guarantee the absence of errors. (D)</p>
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What is the primary focus of the Module Test?

<p>Verifying the consistency of the software modules with the design and specifications. (B)</p>
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Which of the following is not an objective of the Software Integration Test?

<p>Ensuring that the software meets all business requirements specified by stakeholders. (D)</p>
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Why is it important for software engineers to be familiar with the ISO 9126 standard?

<p>It defines quality attributes that are essential for software systems. (A)</p>
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What is the main goal of the Software Test?

<p>Ensuring that the software meets all defined specifications and requirements. (C)</p>
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Why is it crucial to test software for medical devices, like X-ray machines?

<p>To prevent potential malfunctions that could harm patients. (B)</p>
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What does the term "test oracle" refer to in software testing?

<p>A set of predefined criteria that defines acceptable behavior for the software. (C)</p>
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What is the difference between a fault and an error?

<p>A fault is a cause of a problem, while an error is the consequence of a fault. (C)</p>
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What are the key factors that determine the scope of software testing?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p>
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Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between a failure and an error?

<p>A failure is the result of an error. (D)</p>
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What is the intended outcome of the Integration phase in software development?

<p>A collection of integrated software modules ready for further testing and deployment. (A)</p>
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What is the primary difference between Module Test and Software Test?

<p>Module Test focuses on individual modules, while Software Test considers the overall system. (C)</p>
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What is the key difference between testing and debugging?

<p>Testing focuses on predetermined conditions and procedures while debugging focuses on unpredictable initial conditions. (B)</p>
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Why is it often said that programmers can't effectively test their own code despite testing it themselves?

<p>Programmers are biased towards their own code and may miss subtle errors. (A)</p>
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According to the excerpt, which of the following is a challenge commonly faced in testing?

<p>Inability to fully test a complex software system due to its inherent complexity. (A)</p>
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The example of the Space Shuttle Columbia launch highlights which challenge of testing?

<p>The difficulty of testing for edge cases and unforeseen scenarios. (C)</p>
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What is an 'oracle' in software testing?

<p>A person or system that determines the expected outcome for a given test. (B)</p>
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Why is it crucial to have different levels of testing, as mentioned in the excerpt?

<p>Different levels of testing allow for the identification of different types of defects throughout the software development cycle. (C)</p>
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According to the content, how is debugging different from testing?

<p>Debugging requires creativity and intuition, while testing is more systematic. (A)</p>
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of debugging mentioned in the excerpt?

<p>It's predictable and constrained. (B)</p>
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What is fault tolerance in the context of safety-related systems?

<p>The ability of a system to continue functioning even if faults occur. (A)</p>
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What is the main difference between an error and a failure in a safety-related system?

<p>An error is a potential problem that can lead to a failure, while a failure is the actual occurrence of a problem. (A)</p>
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In the Ariane 5 rocket explosion example, what was the error that led to the failure?

<p>A software error in the inertial reference system that caused a conversion error. (C)</p>
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What is defect masking, as described in the content?

<p>A situation where a defect prevents the detection of another defect. (C)</p>
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In the context of software development, what is the main difference between testing and fault tolerance?

<p>Testing involves simulating real-world conditions, while fault tolerance involves building redundancy into the system. (C)</p>
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What is the primary goal of fault avoidance techniques?

<p>To prevent the introduction of faults during the development process. (D)</p>
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Which of the following is NOT a key aspect of promoting fault tolerance in a safety-related system?

<p>Minimizing the use of complex software components. (C)</p>
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What is the difference between an error and a defect in the context of software development?

<p>An error is a deviation from the expected behavior, while a defect is a mistake in the code. (D)</p>
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What is a common use of method postconditions in automated class testing?

<p>As automated oracles (A)</p>
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Which of these is NOT a type of test oracle?

<p>Regression Oracle (B)</p>
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In the context of test oracles, what is an 'heuristic oracle'?

<p>An oracle that provides approximate results or exact results for a set of a few test inputs (B)</p>
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What is the potential challenge mentioned for using programs to check the output of other programs as test oracles?

<p>Input and output may be difficult to capture (B)</p>
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What is the main focus of a 'statistical oracle' in test automation?

<p>Analyzing statistical characteristics of the test results (C)</p>
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What is the core idea behind a 'model-based oracle' in software testing?

<p>Using a model to generate test inputs and verify the test results (B)</p>
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What is NOT part of the V-Model in software development?

<p>UML Modeling (B)</p>
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According to ISO 9126, what is NOT a software quality characteristic?

<p>Scalability (G)</p>
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Flashcards

Purpose of Testing

To detect software failures so defects can be corrected.

Defect Masking

When one defect hides the presence of another defect.

Software Validation

Process of checking if software meets business and technical requirements.

Software Verification

Process of confirming that software is built correctly as per specifications.

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ISO 9126

International standard for software quality characteristics.

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Software Error

A mistake in software code that causes incorrect behavior.

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Conversion Failure

When a number exceeds storage capacity in programming, causing errors.

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Testing Limitation

Testing can show presence, but not absence of errors.

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Module Test

A testing phase to verify software modules against specifications and design, ensuring total coverage of requirements.

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Integration Test

A phase that tests interactions between software modules to ensure they work together as designed.

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Software Test

A process to confirm that software meets business requirements and is error-free before integration with hardware.

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System Test

A type of testing that evaluates the complete and integrated software system to ensure compliance with specified requirements.

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System Integration Test

An assessment to verify that separate systems function together correctly after integration, focusing on interactions and dependencies.

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Failure

Occurs when the observed behavior of the software does not match the expected behavior, impacting functionality.

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Fault

The cause of an error in a system, originating from defects in software or hardware.

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Error

A system state that can potentially trigger a failure, indicating there's something wrong in the code or logic.

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System Reliability

The overall probability that a system will perform its intended function without failure.

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Hardware Reliability

The probability that a hardware component will fail during operation.

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Software Reliability

The probability that a software component will produce incorrect outputs.

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Operator Reliability

The probability that a system user will make an error while operating the system.

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Failure Probability Formula

For two independent components: P(S) = P(A) + P(B). If replicated: P(S) = P(A)^n.

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Fault Avoidance

Techniques to prevent faults during the safety lifecycle of a system.

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Fault Tolerance

The ability to keep functioning despite faults or errors present.

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Ariane 5 Explosion

An example of failure due to a software error related to data type conversion.

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Method Postconditions

Automated oracles used in class testing to verify method outcomes.

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Automated Oracle

A mechanism that checks if outputs from programs meet expected results.

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Heuristic Oracle

An oracle providing approximate results for limited test inputs.

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Statistical Oracle

An oracle using statistical properties to analyze outcomes.

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Consistency Oracle

Compares results across multiple executions for similarity.

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Model-Based Oracle

Uses the same model to validate system behavior.

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Test Input Challenges

Difficulties in capturing complex inputs and outputs for testing.

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Test Oracle Output

The process by which results from tested software are evaluated by the oracle.

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Debugging

The process of identifying and fixing bugs in software code.

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Testing

The process of executing code to identify bugs under known conditions.

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Testing vs. Debugging

Testing is systematic; debugging is exploratory.

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Test Oracle

A mechanism to determine if a test has passed or failed.

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Independent Testing

Testing performed by individuals not involved in development.

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Difficulties of Testing

Challenges include being viewed as a beginner's task and often an afterthought.

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404 Error in Testing

It’s impossible to completely test a system for all bugs.

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Programmer's Role in Testing

Programmers often find bugs, but may miss many.

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Study Notes

Introduction to Software Testing

  • Software testing is crucial for identifying defects and ensuring software quality.
  • The primary goal of testing is to uncover and fix defects.
  • Testing is also used for validating and verifying a software program/application/product.
  • This involves confirming it meets business and technical requirements and functions as expected.

Software Testing Overview

  • Testing is necessary to find failures that need fixing.
  • Software testing involves concepts like failure, fault, and error.
  • Defects (bugs) can sometimes be masked by other errors.
  • Testing is distinct from debugging, which focuses on fixing identified errors.
  • ISO 9126 and system reliability are vital aspects.
  • Determining who is responsible for testing software programs is a key topic.

Testing and Debugging

  • Testing involves identifying errors, whereas debugging involves fixing them.
  • Testing aims to break the program, while debugging fixes the identified issues.

Module Test

  • The purpose of a module test is to verify that the software modules accurately reflect the intended design and specifications.
  • A primary target is achieving 100% C1 code coverage and ensuring complete coverage of relevant requirements.

Integration Test

  • The purpose is integrating software modules to create larger assemblies that consistently align with the design/architectural specifications.
  • This phase involves putting all modules and applications together to test their interactions and functionality.
  • Key concerns during integration testing include interactions between modules, communication issues, resource management problems, and runtime failures.

Software Test

  • Aiming to ensure the software meets all specifications defined in the software requirements.
  • It acts as a final quality check, identifying defects not previously detected.
  • This test ensures the software performs as expected, meets both sponsors' and users' requirements.

Failure, Fault, Error

  • A failure occurs when the observed software behavior deviates from the expected behavior.
  • An error represents a part of the system's state that can trigger a failure.
  • A fault is the underlying cause of the error.

System Reliability

  • Hardware reliability pertains to the probability of hardware components failing.
  • Software reliability refers to the probability of a software component producing incorrect output.
  • A reliable software component should not malfunction, wear out, but should continue functioning even with a bad result.
  • Operator reliability addresses the probability of a user making errors.

Failure Probability

  • If components are independent, the probability of system failure is the sum of their individual probabilities.
  • If replicated components fail, their failure probabilities add, resulting in a higher system failure possibility.

Defect Masking

  • A defect masks another defect if the initial defect obscures or prevents detection of the second one.
  • An example is a defect hindering the ability of the user to enter a data value.

Test Oracles

  • A test oracle is a mechanism that validates if a test case has passed or failed.
  • A test oracle compares the output of the system to the expected output.
  • Common oracles include formal specifications, other software products, heuristics, or mathematical expressions.

Software Development Lifecycle (V-Model)

  • Different roles within the software development lifecycle are represented, with a focus on testing, development, quality assurance, and project management.

Software Quality (ISO 9126)

  • ISO 9126 is a standard that defines software quality metrics.

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