Software Testing Fundamentals
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Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of software testing?

  • To ensure that the software is developed quickly and within budget.
  • To guarantee that the software is completely error-free before release.
  • To verify that the software behaves as expected and identify defects systematically. (correct)
  • To provide documentation for the software's features and functionality.

What is the significance of early testing in the software development lifecycle?

  • It is less important than testing at the end of the development cycle.
  • It helps in identifying and addressing defects early on, reducing costs and potential risks. (correct)
  • It complicates the development process due to constant changes.
  • It reduces the need for extensive testing in later stages.

Which of the following testing activities is most closely associated with defining the 'how' of testing?

  • Analysis and design of test cases (correct)
  • Reporting
  • Planning and control
  • Carrying out testing

What does 'verification' in software testing primarily ensure?

<p>That the software is built according to the specified requirements. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement challenges the idea that finding and fixing all bugs before release guarantees a successful software product?

<p>Absence of errors fallacy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it impossible to perform exhaustive testing on most software systems?

<p>The number of possible input combinations and scenarios is too large to test comprehensively. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of 'validation' in software testing?

<p>To confirm if the software meets the user's needs and functions effectively in the intended environment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which core testing activity defects of a software system are found and reported?

<p>Carrying out testing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which testing type primarily focuses on evaluating a software application against end-user requirements and specifications?

<p>Acceptance Testing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

After implementing changes to a system, what type of testing is conducted to ensure the system functions as specified, previously tested functionality remains consistent, and no new bugs have been introduced?

<p>Regression Testing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following testing types is NOT considered a non-functional system test?

<p>Unit Testing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In system testing, what is the PRIMARY perspective used when evaluating the system's functions?

<p>End-User's Perspective (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does performance testing evaluate in the context of non-functional system testing?

<p>Speed, Scalability and Stability (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST direct purpose of Unit Testing?

<p>Testing individual modules or components in isolation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of system testing specifically evaluates the behavior of an application beyond normal and peak load conditions?

<p>Stress testing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of re-running unit tests after modifications are made to a module?

<p>To verify the modifications have not introduced new bugs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does successful unit testing, confirmed by users, primarily indicate about a software system?

<p>The software system is ready for deployment for live usage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which team is typically responsible for developing and executing unit tests?

<p>Developers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following teams is typically independent of the development team, with a separate budget and headcount?

<p>Software Quality Control/Assurance Engineers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which testing type is conducted by user representatives?

<p>User Acceptance Testing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the V-Model of Software Testing in SDLC, which testing phase corresponds to the 'Requirement specifications' stage?

<p>Acceptance Testing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the V-Model, what type of specifications drive the planning for Integration Testing?

<p>Technical specifications (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the V-Model of Software Testing in SDLC, what type of specifications is Unit Test planning derived from?

<p>Program specifications (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Agile (Scrum) Software Development, when does the team typically decide what to test?

<p>While the final product is still unfinished. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which testing activity focuses primarily on interaction between software modules?

<p>Integration Testing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Agile process, the build and test phases occur...

<p>after the requirements and design phase but before deploying or delivering. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is exhaustive testing generally impossible in software testing?

<p>The complexity and number of inputs for most software systems are too large. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'pesticide paradox' in software testing refer to?

<p>The fact that repeated use of the same test cases becomes ineffective at finding new defects. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main implication of the principle that 'testing shows the presence of bugs'?

<p>Testing can reveal defects, but cannot guarantee that software is error-free. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'absence of errors fallacy' in software testing imply?

<p>Concluding that software is error-free solely based on a lack of detected defects is incorrect. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is early testing considered more cost-effective in the software development lifecycle?

<p>Defects found earlier are generally cheaper and easier to fix. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the principle of 'testing is context dependent' influence the testing process?

<p>The testing approach should be tailored to the specific characteristics and risks of the project. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of software testing, what is a 'defect cluster,' and why is it important?

<p>A concentration of defects in specific modules; it allows for focused testing efforts. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a 'defect' from a 'feature request' in software development?

<p>Defects cause the software to deviate from expected behavior, while feature requests are for new or altered functionality. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided cost analysis of fixing critical defects, what is the most likely trend observed as development progresses?

<p>The cost of fixing defects increases exponentially as development progresses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies would be LEAST effective in reducing the overall cost associated with fixing software defects?

<p>Focusing primarily on testing only after the entire system is integrated. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A development team has completed unit testing and is moving towards integration testing. What is the primary objective of integration testing in this scenario?

<p>To ensure that the integrated modules function correctly together and satisfy functional specifications. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which testing level(s) would black box testing be most appropriate?

<p>All testing levels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST important reason for documenting test cases and recording test results?

<p>To provide evidence of testing coverage, facilitate regression testing, and support debugging efforts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A software engineer is tasked with unit testing a function that calculates the area of a rectangle. Which approach would be MOST aligned with white box testing techniques?

<p>Examining the function's code to design test cases that cover all possible execution paths. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A development team is preparing for system testing after completing integration testing. Which of the following actions should they prioritize?

<p>Verifying that the entire system meets all specified requirements and performs as expected in a production-like environment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST appropriate attitude to have towards testing?

<p>Testing should be seen as a challenge and an opportunity to improve the software's quality. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Purpose of Testing

To verify software behaves as expected and to control potential harm.

Systematic Approach

A method to find and report defects in software systematically.

Exhaustive Testing

It is impossible to test all scenarios; only a subset can be tested.

Early Testing

Testing should start early in the development process to catch bugs sooner.

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Verification

Process confirming the software meets its specifications and is built correctly.

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Validation

Process confirming the software meets user/business intended environment.

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Testing Principles

Key guidelines that underline effective testing practices.

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Testing Activities

Includes planning, designing tests, executing them, and reporting results.

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Cost of Fixing Critical Defects

The estimated financial expense involved in correcting major issues in software.

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Software Testing Best Practices

Guidelines to enhance testing efficiency, including accurate documentation and early testing.

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Types of Testing Levels

Different stages of testing software, including Unit Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing, and Acceptance Testing.

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Unit Testing

Testing conducted on single components of a software to ensure they work as intended.

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Integration Testing

Testing that combines two or more units to ensure they function together correctly.

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Black Box Testing

Testing method where the tester evaluates the outputs against expected outcomes without knowing internal code.

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White Box Testing

Testing method that involves looking inside the code structure and logic to verify correctness.

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Static Analysis

Review and evaluation of code without executing it, to find potential errors or vulnerabilities.

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System Testing

Testing the complete system for compliance with requirements.

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Regression Testing

Verifies that changes haven't broken existing functionality.

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Non-functional Testing

Testing performance, usability, reliability, etc., rather than specific behaviors.

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Performance Testing

Assesses speed, scalability, and stability of the application.

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Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Final testing stage to ensure functionality meets user requirements.

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Security Testing

Evaluates system's security features to protect against threats.

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User Acceptance Testing

Testing to determine if software meets user needs and requirements.

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V Model

A software development model emphasizing verification and validation.

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Agile Development

An iterative approach to software development focusing on collaboration.

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Test Planning

The activity of defining the scope and approach of testing.

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Quality Assurance

Ensuring the quality of the software through systematic processes.

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Technical Specifications

Detailed description of the software system's technical aspects.

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Functional Specifications

Detailed description of software functionalities and can include user requirements.

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Defect Detection

Identifying variance between expected and actual results.

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Defect Clustering

Most defects are found in complex modules within larger systems.

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Pesticide Paradox

Repetitive testing loses effectiveness over time.

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Presence of Bugs

Testing shows that defects exist but can't prove software is error-free.

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Absence of Errors Fallacy

No outstanding defects does not equal an error-free system.

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Context Dependent Testing

Different situations require different testing approaches.

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Study Notes

Software Testing Fundamentals

  • Software testing is the dynamic verification that a program provides expected behaviours on a finite set of test cases, suitably selected from the usually infinite execution domain.
  • The purpose of testing is to verify if a software system behaves as expected and to prevent potential harm.
  • A systematic approach for identifying software defects is critical for overall quality.
  • Testing shows the presence of bugs; exhaustive testing is impossible.
  • Early testing is recommended, as it minimizes potential costs.
  • Testing activities include planning, analysis, design of test cases, execution, and reporting.

Testing Principles

  • Exhaustive testing is impossible, except for systems with a simple structure and limited inputs.
  • Defect clustering: Complex modules are more likely to have bugs, enabling targeting and focus.
  • The pesticide paradox: Repeatedly using the same tests won't find new defects. Varied tests are needed for effective testing.
  • Testing shows the presence of bugs, not their absence.
  • Testing is context-dependent, varying based on the system and the risk/environment.
  • Early testing is more cost-effective for bug fixes.
  • Absence of errors fallacy: Absence of reported errors does not mean there are no errors in the software.

Objectives of Software Testing

  • Verification: Confirming the software meets specifications.
  • Validation: Confirming the software meets user needs and business goals.
  • Defect (Bug) Detection and Elimination: Finding and fixing differences between expected and actual results.

Software Testing Levels

  • Unit Testing: Testing a single component (e.g., a function or method). Often performed by the developers.
  • Integration Testing: Testing the interaction between two or more components. Generally, performed by system integration engineers.
  • System Testing: Testing the entire system as a whole, covering both functional and non-functional requirements. It is often from the customer perspective.
  • Acceptance Testing (UAT): Formal testing performed by end-users to determine whether the system meets acceptance criteria.

Software Testing Best Practices

  • Test against complete and accurate requirements.
  • Document test cases and results.
  • Perform early testing for a lower cost.
  • Complement testing with static and dynamic analysis techniques (peer reviews/code inspections).
  • Adopt a challenging attitude to testing.

Cost of Fixing Critical Defects

  • Fixing defects earlier is significantly cheaper compared to fixing them later.
  • Costs increase drastically when issues are detected during the Maintenance phase.

Agile Software Development Approach

  • Testing is built into each iteration of Agile development, as opposed to a separate phase.
  • A testing approach must be adjusted given the circumstances of the system/application.
  • Automate testing to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

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Related Documents

Software Testing Fundamentals 24S2 PDF

Description

Explore software testing: verifying program behavior, preventing harm, and identifying defects systematically. Learn the principles, including the impossibility of exhaustive testing and the pesticide paradox. Early and varied testing are essential for quality assurance and cost reduction.

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