Basic Points of Software Testing

What is software?

            Software is often divided into two categories:

         System software :    Software is a general term for the various kinds of  

                       Programs used to operate computers and related devices.

         Application software : Includes programs that do real work for users. 

                      For example, word processors, spreadsheets, and database

                      Management systems fall under the category of application

                      Software.

What is quality?

            It is very difficult to define quality. To have better understanding on quality, go through the simple example given below.

            Ex: let us take two well known models in car segment.

                        1. Maruthi 800               2. Skoda  Octiva

            Can we say which a quality car here is?   No. 

         Because here the quality depends on the customer requirements

For a customer, the requirements are like this

1.      it should not cost more than 3 lac.

2.      it should give good mileage 14 km/l

3.      it should be low maintainable

So here for the above said customer which would be a quality car?

Absolutely Maruthi 800.

So quality does not lies in product, it depends on customer requirements.

We can define quality as justification of requirements of a customer.

 Þ Project:

      That is developed based on the particular customers requirements and used by that customer only

ÞProduct:

            That is developed based on the companies’ specification and used by the multiple customers)

What is quality software?

            If the software is reasonably, bug free which meets all the requirements and expectations of the customer, delivered in the right time with in the budget. Then it is said to be quality software.

Defect: - Defect is defined as deviation from the requirements

Þ Bidding the Project:

            Bidding the project is defined as request for proposal, estimation and signing off (Official agreement).

Þ Kick Off Meeting:

            It is an initial meeting conducted in the software company soon after the project is signed off. In order to discuss the overview of the project and to select a project manager for the project.

            Usually high level management, Project managers, team managers, quality managers, team leads and quality leads will be involved in this meeting.

ÞPIN (Project Initiation Note):-

            It is a mail prepared by the project manager and sent to the CEO of the soft ware company in order to get the permission to start the project developments.

What is software testing?

            We can give so many definitions for testing

Testing is obviously concerned with errors, faults, failures, and incidents. A test is the act of exercising software with test cases. There are two distinct goals of a testing: either to find failures, or to demonstrate correct execution

                                    Or

            Testing is an activity aimed at evaluating capability of a program or system and determining that it meets its required results.