Software Testing - Week 2 Overview

Week 2 (13-17 January, 2025)

• Topic: Software Lifecycle, Section 2: Software Testing
• Textbook pages: 26-29
• Workbook pages: 18-19

Last Week's Review

• The purpose of the review was to refresh knowledge from the previous week.

Software Testing

• This section gives a thorough explanation of the testing phase within the software development life cycle
• The importance of software testing is emphasized, along with different types, methods, and levels of testing.
• Each type and method will be examined briefly, providing examples to illustrate the distinctions between them.

Learning Outcomes

• Assess the significance of software testing.
• Create a test plan.

Key Word: Test Plan

• A test plan is a technical document outlining the approach utilized to test a product.

Software Testing Definition

• Software testing is the evaluation process to determine if the developed software meets the predefined requirements and specifications.
• A series of testing activities are carried out to discover errors, gaps, or missing elements in the requirements.

Importance of Software Testing

• Validates that the software requirements are implemented accurately.
• Identifies defects that are then corrected before product release to production.
• Enhances the user interface and increases customer satisfaction.
• Aids in product security.
• Ensures product quality.

When Is Testing Appropriate?

• The best time to test software depends on the software development life cycle (SDLC) model to follow.
• In the Waterfall model, formal testing happens after the software's development.
• In Agile development, testing happens as a part of each iteration or sprint.
• Testing also happens at the end of each iteration.

Verification vs Validation

• Verification: Checks that the software is built correctly (how).
  • Done by Developers
  • Focuses on internal aspects like documents and code
  • Static activities (reviews, walkthroughs, inspections).
• Validation: Checks that the software is the correct thing built (what).
  • Done by Testers
  • Focuses on the product's behavior against requirements.
  • Dynamic activities (executing the software for testing).

Types of Testing

• Manual testing relies on human judgment to test the software.
• Automation testing utilizes tools to perform tests.

Manual Testing Characteristics

• Less reliable; prone to error.
• Consumes more time
• Ideal for testing once-off or few times
• Important in customer experience where the user is a major factor.

Automation Testing Characteristics

• More reliable and accurate.
• More efficient, faster
• Ideal for repeated testing.
• Initial investment required for tools/frameworks.
• Might not guarantee high quality user experience, no human observation to confirm.

Activity 1.2.1 - Workbook

• Research what aspects of testing should be automated, and when.

Week 3 (20-24 January, 2025)

• Topic: Software Life Cycle
• Section 2: Software Testing
• Textbook pages: 30-40
• Workbook: 20

Explore the key concepts of software testing as outlined in Section 2 of the software lifecycle. This quiz focuses on the importance, types, and methods of software testing, helping you understand how to create a test plan effectively. Test your knowledge on the evaluation process to ensure software meets its requirements.