Software Testing: Types and Methods

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of software testing?

To write efficient code.
To design the user interface.
To ensure the software is delivered on time.
To evaluate the quality and identify defects in software. (correct)

Which phase includes software testing in a typical software development lifecycle?

Testing Phase (correct)
Coding Phase
Requirements Gathering
Design Phase

Which of the following is NOT a type of software testing?

Hardware testing (correct)
Cybersecurity testing
Performance testing
Functional testing

What is the focus of usability testing?

Determining how easily users can understand and use the software. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which testing method does NOT require knowledge of the system's internal code?

Black box testing (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does black box testing primarily evaluate?

The functionality, security, and performance of an application. (C) Signup and view all the answers

From whose perspective does black-box testing primarily identify issues?

The user's (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of testing is specifically used to ensure a new version of software does not negatively impact existing functionalities?

Regression Testing (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of black box testing, what is a 'test case'?

A scenario used to validate specific features or functions by providing inputs and examining outputs. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Use Case Testing?

Validating the functionality of the system based on user interactions described in use cases. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is black box testing considered essential in the software development process?

It provides a user-centric perspective, ensuring the software meets user requirements and expectations. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies the application of black box testing?

Entering various inputs into a software application to verify that the outputs are as expected. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does black box testing contribute to software quality assurance?

By ensuring that the software functions correctly from a user's perspective, without needing to understand the internal structure. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A tester inputs a valid username and password into a login form, but the system redirects them to an error page. Which type of testing has identified this fault?

Functional Testing (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key distinction between functional and non-functional testing in black box testing?

Functional testing checks 'if' the software can perform a specific action, while non-functional testing assesses 'how' well it performs that action. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which testing approach is most effective in identifying vulnerabilities related to unexpected user inputs or edge cases?

Black box testing (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of an online shopping application, which test case best exemplifies black box testing?

Verifying that a user receives an order confirmation after completing a purchase. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A QA engineer is using black-box testing to evaluate a new 'Smart Home' device application. They create a series of test cases, including one where the user attempts to set the thermostat to a negative temperature value. If the application does not prevent this and proceeds to send an invalid signal to the thermostat, causing it to malfunction, what feature of black box testing has been highlighted by uncovering this?

Functional Robustness (C) Signup and view all the answers

In black box testing, a tester is instructed to create a test case for a banking application where the user attempts to transfer a sum of money exceeding their account balance. The system allows the transaction to proceed, resulting in a negative account balance without any warning or error message displayed to the user. Further investigation reveals that the system also doesn't log this overdraft event, making it difficult to trace or audit. Besides functional failure. what critical security or compliance principle is violated in this scenario?

Audit Trail Integrity (B) Signup and view all the answers

A software development firm adopts an incremental model. During black box testing of Increment-2, a tester discovers that a feature, initially verified as working correctly in Increment-1's testing phase, no longer functions as expected in Increment-2. This issue wasn't due to code changes in Increment-2 but rather a latent incompatibility exposed by new functionalities added in Increment-2. Which advanced testing strategy or technique could have proactively identified this type of regression issue early in the development cycle, thereby minimizing integration costs and delays?

Contract Testing (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

The Testing Phase

A phase in software development that assesses software quality and identifies defects.

Black Box Testing

Testing the functionality of software by providing inputs and checking the output without knowing the internal code structure.

Functional Testing

Ensuring software meets explicit function specifications.

Non-Functional Testing

Evaluating aspects beyond features of software.

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Regression Testing

Verifying that new versions of software don't reintroduce old faults.

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Test Case

A complete set of conditions for testing based on inputs and expected results to verify software correctness.

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Use Case Testing

Verifying the functionality of a system based on user interactions described in use cases and that system requirements are met.

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Study Notes

Software testing is being introduced in this lecture.

Software Testing Phase

The testing phase is a stage in software development that occurs after coding and before operations.
In an incremental model, analysis, design, coding, and testing are repeated for each increment.

Types of Testing

Functional testing ensures each function of the software application operates in conformance with the requirement specification.
Performance testing is done to evaluate the speed, stability, and scalability of a software.
Cybersecurity testing is the process of assessing and measuring security vulnerabilities in a system.
Usability testing is a way to see how easy to use something is, by testing it with real users.

Methods of Testing

Black box testing is a method where the internal structure/design/implementation of the item being tested is not known to the tester.
White box testing is a testing technique which involves working with the code to find bugs.

Black Box Testing

Black box testing can assess functionality, security, and performance without knowledge of the system's internal workings.
Testers input data, observe the output, and check the system's response to expected and unexpected actions, speed, usability, and reliability.
Issue identification from the user's perspective improves software reliability, user experience, and quality
Usable in situations when testing functional requirements, user acceptance, regression, load, performance, usability, security, output validation, and integration.

Features of Black Box Testing

Functional testing can test specific functions or features of the software under test.
As an example, it can check if logging in is possible with correct credentials and impossible with incorrect ones.
Non-functional testing can check aspects of software beyond functionality, focusing on "how" an action is performed rather than "if" it can be done.
Black box tests can show if the software is usable, easy to understand, and performs well under expected loads.
Testing can uncover if it is compatible with devices and exposed to threats.
Checking if a newer software version shows regression or faults versus older versions can be done by black box testing.
Regression testing can be applied to non-functional or functional aspects and software.

Test Cases

A tester creates positive and negative scenarios by selecting valid and invalid input values for black box testing, to ensure processing is proper.

Use Case Testing example

Use case testing validates functionality based on user interactions and confirms that system needs are met for each case.
An example: for logging into an online shopping application, is entering a username and password to log in successfully and see the first page.

An example of a simple black box test for the login function of an online shopping application.
Testers verify the login page without access to internal details.
Log in is tested for success with valid credentials.
Open a browser, go to the app’s login page, enter valid credentials and press "login".
The user should be at the homepage, indicated by a "Pass" result.
Testers verify unsuccessful logins with invalid credentials.
Steps includes: opening the app in a browser, entering invalid credentials and pressing "login".
The login should fail with an error message, shown by a "Pass" result.

Online Shopping

Purchase items requires selection, adding to cart, checkout, entering details, and confirming purchase.
When an order is made, the expected outcome is that it gets recorded and a confirmation message appears.
Departments and items are needed for an online shopping application.