7/15/22, 10:07 AM Testing and Quality Assurance

Testing and Quality Assurance

The software system needs to be checked for its intended behavior and direction of progress at
each development stage to avoid duplication of efforts, time and cost overruns, and to assure
completion of the system within stipulated time.The software system needs to be checked for its
intended behavior and direction of progress at each development stage to avoid duplication of
efforts, time and cost overruns, and to assure completion of the system within stipulated time.

System testing and quality assurance come to aid for checking the system. It includes −

Product level quality (Testing)

Process level quality.

Let us go through them briefly −

Testing
Testing is the process or activity that checks the functionality and correctness of software according
to specified user requirements in order to improve the quality and reliability of system. It is an
expensive, time consuming, and critical approach in system development which requires proper
planning of overall testing process.

A successful test is one that finds the errors. It executes the program with explicit intention of finding
error, i.e., making the program fail. It is a process of evaluating system with an intention of creating a
strong system and mainly focuses on the weak areas of the system or software.

Characteristics of System Testing

System testing begins at the module level and proceeds towards the integration of the entire
software system. Different testing techniques are used at different times while testing the system. It
is conducted by the developer for small projects and by independent testing groups for large
projects.

Stages of System Testing

The following stages are involved in testing −

Test Strategy

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It is a statement that provides information about the various levels, methods, tools, and techniques
used for testing the system. It should satisfy all the needs of an organization.

Test Plan

It provides a plan for testing the system and verifies that the system under testing fulfils all the
design and functional specifications. The test plan provides the following information −

Objectives of each test phase

Approaches and tools used for testing
Responsibilities and time required for each testing activity
Availability of tools, facilities, and test libraries
Procedures and standards required for planning and conducting the tests
Factors responsible for successful completion of testing process

Test Case Design

A number of test cases are identified for each module of the system to be tested.

Each test case will specify how the implementation of a particular requirement or design
decision is to be tested and the criteria for the success of the test.

The test cases along with the test plan are documented as a part of a system specification
document or in a separate document called test specification or test description.

Test Procedures

It consists of the steps that should be followed to execute each of the test cases. These procedures
are specified in a separate document called test procedure specification. This document also
specifies any special requirements and formats for reporting the result of testing.

Test Result Documentation

Test result file contains brief information about the total number of test cases executed, the number
of errors, and nature of errors. These results are then assessed against criteria in the test
specification to determine the overall outcome of the test.

Types of Testing
Testing can be of various types and different types of tests are conducted depending on the kind of
bugs one seeks to discover −

Unit Testing
Also known as Program Testing, it is a type of testing where the analyst tests or focuses on each
program or module independently. It is carried out with the intention of executing each statement of

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the module at least once.

In unit testing, accuracy of program cannot be assured and it is difficult to conduct testing of
various input combination in detail.

It identifies maximum errors in a program as compared to other testing techniques.

Integration Testing
In Integration Testing, the analyst tests multiple module working together. It is used to find
discrepancies between the system and its original objective, current specifications, and systems
documentation.

Here the analysts are try to find areas where modules have been designed with different
specifications for data length, type, and data element name.
It verifies that file sizes are adequate and that indices have been built properly.

Functional Testing
Function testing determines whether the system is functioning correctly according to its
specifications and relevant standards documentation. Functional testing typically starts with the
implementation of the system, which is very critical for the success of the system.

Functional testing is divided into two categories −

Positive Functional Testing − It involves testing the system with valid inputs to verify that the
outputs produced are correct.
Negative Functional Testing − It involves testing the software with invalid inputs and
undesired operating conditions.

Rules for System Testing

To carry out system testing successfully, you need to follow the given rules −

Testing should be based on the requirements of user.

Before writing testing scripts, understand the business logic should be understood thoroughly.

Test plan should be done as soon as possible.

Testing should be done by the third party.

It should be performed on static software.

Testing should be done for valid and invalid input conditions.

Testing should be reviewed and examined to reduce the costs.
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Both static and dynamic testing should be conducted on the software.

Documentation of test cases and test results should be done.

Quality Assurance
It is the review of system or software products and its documentation for assurance that system
meets the requirements and specifications.

Purpose of QA is to provide confidence to the customers by constant delivery of product

according to specification.

Software quality Assurance (SQA) is a techniques that includes procedures and tools applied
by the software professionals to ensure that software meet the specified standard for its
intended use and performance.

The main aim of SQA is to provide proper and accurate visibility of software project and its
developed product to the administration.

It reviews and audits the software product and its activities throughout the life cycle of system
development.

Objectives of Quality Assurance

The objectives of conducting quality assurance are as follows −

To monitor the software development process and the final software developed.

To ensure whether the software project is implementing the standards and procedures set by
the management.

To notify groups and individuals about the SQA activities and results of these activities.

To ensure that the issues, which are not solved within the software are addressed by the upper
management.

To identify deficiencies in the product, process, or the standards, and fix them.

Levels of Quality Assurance

There are several levels of QA and testing that need to be performed in order to certify a software
product.

Level 1 − Code Walk-through

At this level, offline software is examined or checked for any violations of the official coding rules. In
general, the emphasis is placed on examination of the documentation and level of in-code

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comments.

Level 2 − Compilation and Linking

At this level, it is checked that the software can compile and link all official platforms and operating
systems.

Level 3 − Routine Running

At this level, it is checked that the software can run properly under a variety of conditions such as
certain number of events and small and large event sizes etc.

Level 4 − Performance test

At this final level, it is checked that the performance of the software satisfies the previously specified
performance level.

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