ABSTRACT
Software Testing being one of the most important phases of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), a study was engaged with student and professional groups who are actively involved with various IT Development Projects.
The study determined software testing practices and techniques exercised by these groups and then compared to the theory of software testing.
Keywords: Software Testing, Software Development Life Cycle,
INTRODUCTION
Software Testing is widely recognized as an integral part and a very important phase within the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), The purpose of software testing is to ensure that the system being developed is working perfectly, free from bugs and system errors; and in certain cases to
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“Software testing is the process of executing a program or system with the intent of finding errors” (Myers, 1979).
With information and IT systems being critical in a company’s success and superior systems allowing more efficient business processes and the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage in the industry, companies and developers tend to test software thoroughly and rigorously; and spend more than 50% of their time and resources within the testing phase to ensure systems are “bug-free” and all requirements is in accord.
Software Testing Techniques Two main techniques are used for testing
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In software testing, the more knowledge you have of the system, the better. So therefore it would be more advantageous for a tester with more knowledge of the operations and architecture of a system then a tester with limited knowledge
Unlike black-box testing, where the tester only tests the application's user interface; in grey-box testing, the tester has access to design documents and the databases linked to the system, with this a tester can prepare better testing tools while preparing its test plan.
Software Testing Levels
Software Testing has different levels which it’s being tested, Initially units are tested independently, these units are then integrated and checked for interfaces established between them. There after the entire software is tested to ensure that the output produced is according to user requirements and finally then the acceptance Testing to ensure the systems quality. So there are four levels of software testing, namely:
1. Unit testing
2. Integration testing
3. System testing
4. Acceptance
Some of the testing at the unit level would be White Box testing. Making sure that different parts of processes or objects were executing properly during state transitions. It would look at the accuracy of logical operations for financial transactions and functions such as keeping double booking of appointment times from occurring.
The project is going I am working is almost in the finish stage it is going into the production phase means getting to the live so that the users can able to use the application. After the developing the total code it will go to the testing phase where the testers will check the code is working properly without any errors actually the testers task is to check the code and submit to the developers if they found any errors or mistakes or else they will send the code to the production phase to deploy in the server to check the application.
Software design and development is a field that requires various skills and abilities. Companies engaged in the development of software should provide an inclusive work environment where the different strengths of their employees are recognised, utilised and respected. Software development involves far more than programming skills. Personnel are required with strong communication, teamwork, attention to detail, creativity, design and problem-solving skills. Different personnel will possess these skills in varying proportions. It is the job of management to foster and encourage the development and enhancement of skills in the workplace.
Because of complexity and the way it (project) is too long each team member is assigned a task, making code for each programmer not to be too long. Both unit and module testing are accomplished here by software developers. The computer language like C++, Java, Pascal, COBOL and other programming languages is used for coding. On receiving system design documents, the work is divided in modules and actual coding is started. Since, in this phase the code is produced so it is the main focus for the developer. This is the longest phase of the software development life
Information and Software Technology Years 7–10: Advice on Programming and Assessment. (2003). Retrieved April 10, 2014, from http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/pdf_doc/info_soft_tech_710_support.pdf
Media reports in January of 2005 detailed severe problems with a $170 million high-profile U.S. government IT systems project. Software testing was one of the five major problem areas according to a report of the commission reviewing the project. In March of 2005 it was decided to scrap the entire project.
1.0 IntroductionIn this report I will be concentrating on the failure of software systems. To understand why software systems fail we need to understand what are software systems. Software systems are a type of information system. This is because a software system is basically a means for hardware to process information. Flynn’s definition of an information system is:"An information system provides procedures to record and make available information, concerning part of an organization, to assist organization-related activities."Humans have been processing information manually for thousands of years, but with the vast increase of demand for knowledge this century has meant that a new method of information processing has been needed. Software systems have provided a new means that is much faster and efficient.
A software development methodology is a standard proven process which helps programmers, architects, system analysts and others to make a well controlled and an efficient progress in the high quality software development.
testing shows everything a person is capable of doing and/or showing. From my experience of
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) consists of phases used in developing a piece of software. It is the plan of how to develop and maintain software, and when necessary, replace that software. In 2007 during my hospital’s transition to a new software system, I was fortunate enough to be included in the process. I did not get involved until the implementation phase, but from then on, until now, I remain very active in the process. I decided to highlight the Waterfall Model of SDLC. The Waterfall Model is a “sequential development process” with each phase continuing in a line (McGonigle and Mastrian, 2012, p. 205).
So what’s the big issue with traditional testing methods? They’ve been instituted for years and no one seemed to have a problem before now. Well, in the past decade, the nation’s citizens have become increasingly compassionate towards students and their individual needs. President George W. Bush has gotten generous praise for his No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 as a result of popular concerns among communities across the country. While the act may still have areas in need of improvement, it illustrates that educators, parents, and students alike have been desirous of reform within school systems. “The number of calls complaining about high-stakes exams coming from parents...are increasing, and is a reason for concern” (Report, 2001). The recent act caters to the actualization that students are different from one another, and in order for teaching and learning to take place in a non-discriminatory manner, adjustments must be made. According to the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), “Alternative assessment is any form of measuring what students know and are able to do other than traditional standardized tests. Alternative forms of assessment include portfolios that are collections of students' work over time, performance-based assessments, and other means of testing students such as open-ended essays with no single correct answer, and project work that involves collaboration with peers” (2000). Students learn in many ways. Some learn by listening to lessons and may prefer an environment with the aid of music and rhythm. Others may be visual learners who gather information by looking at photographs or watching videos. There are still others that learn kinesthetic...
Testing constitutes one of the most important aspects of software development or most important phase in the software development life cycle. Out of many different types of software testing, acceptance testing is a test conducted to determine if the requirements of a specification or contract are met. The acceptance testing is defines as: formal testing with respect to user needs, requirements, and business processes conducted to determine whether a system satisfies the acceptance criteria and to enable the user, customers or other authorized
The initial step is to make a test and add it to the test suite. The primary motto is to make the code fail and pass after making certain changes to it. After the case has passed, another set of tests are being added and dealt in the same fashion one at a time. So one requires basic understanding of ...
What Is Software Testing? And Why Is It So Hard? James A. Whittaker,IEEE SOFTWARE January/February 2000
Ravitch, Diane “In Defense of Testing.” Forming a Critical Perspective, Ed, Ann Spurlock. 1st. Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2010. 194-195. Print.