Week 6: Test Design & Static Testing
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Static Testing Techniques
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Let's begin with static testing. It includes techniques like reviews and walkthroughs. Can anyone tell me what they think is the primary goal of static testing?
Isn't it to catch errors before any code is executed?
Exactly, Student_1! Static testing aims to identify defects early in the software development process. This significantly reduces costs and effort later down the road. Remember, 'Find it early, fix it cheap!'
Can you explain the difference between a review and a walkthrough?
Sure! A review is generally more formal, involving a specified group of people who inspect a document. A walkthrough is more informal, usually involving a more open discussion format. Think of it like a play reading versus a rehearsal!
That helps a lot! How can we put static testing into practice?
Great question, Student_3! We can start practicing by conducting a review session on a sample requirements document. The goal will be to identify ambiguities or errors that could lead to issues during later stages.
To recap, static testing involves techniques aimed at catching issues before code execution. Remember: reviews are formal assessments, while walkthroughs promote open dialogue about requirements.
Decision Table and State Transition Testing
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Next, weβll discuss decision table testing and state transition testing. What are the benefits of using decision tables?
They help to cover all possible inputs and conditions, right?
Absolutely, Student_4! Decision tables effectively map conditions to outcomes. However, can someone explain why you might use state transition testing instead?
It seems useful when there are different outputs depending on the current state of the system, such as in a login flow.
Correct! State transition testing is crucial for validating behaviors that change based on various scenariosβthink of it as verifying the paths a user can take in an application. So, letβs practice! I want you all to create a decision table for a login feature.
To summarize, use decision tables to ensure all logic paths are tested, while state transition methods validate that the application behaves correctly as it moves between different states.
Use Case Testing and Risk-Based Testing
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Moving on, what do you think is the purpose of use case testing?
It ensures that we validate key functionalities based on user interactions?
Exactly! Use case testing mimics real user interactions, which helps us ensure that all functionalities work as intended in real-world scenarios. Now, let's touch on risk-based testing. How can prioritizing risks impact testing efforts?
It could help to focus testing on areas that could cause more harm if they fail, right?
That's spot on! Risk-based testing ensures that the most crucial aspects are tested thoroughly. Now, if we link this to traceability, who can explain what a traceability matrix is?
It's a way to connect requirements to test cases to ensure everything is covered, isnβt it?
Correct again! Keeping track of which requirements have corresponding test cases helps pull focus back to high-risk areas. So remember, risk-based testing prioritizes testing on critical areas, while use cases guide real functionality validation.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
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In this section, learners will explore different approaches to test design, including static testing methods such as reviews and walkthroughs, as well as dynamic testing strategies like decision table and use case testing. The importance of risk-based testing and maintaining traceability between requirements and test cases will also be highlighted.
Detailed
Week 6: Test Design & Static Testing
In this section, we dive into critical aspects of software testing focusing on Test Design and Static Testing methodologies. The week begins with an introduction to Static Testing, which entails techniques like reviews and walkthroughs that help identify issues in the early stages of development by analyzing documents without executing code.
Key Components:
- Static Testing: Reviews documents (e.g., requirements, code) to detect defects before the execution phase. This step is crucial for ensuring clarity and completeness of requirements, reducing downstream errors.
- Decision Table Testing: A systematic approach to testing different combinations of inputs and their outcomes, useful in complex business logic scenarios. This technique helps in validating behavior against various conditions.
- State Transition Testing: Focuses on the changes in state of the system based on certain inputs. This method is important for applications where the system behaves differently in various states.
- Use Case Testing: Guarantees that the application functions according to defined use cases, reflecting real-world interactions.
- Risk-Based Testing: Prioritizes tests based on the risk of failure associated with requirements. It ensures that high-risk areas are tested comprehensively, making efficient use of limited resources.
- Traceability Matrix: This tool links requirements to corresponding test cases, allowing teams to ensure that all requirements are covered by tests, and assists in impact analysis when changes occur.
Through practical sessions, students will engage with computation of decision tables, risk analysis for requirements, and will be tasked with designing test cases effectively, relying on the traceability concepts to ensure thorough test coverage.
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Static Testing Overview
Chapter 1 of 8
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Chapter Content
Static testing involves reviewing documents (e.g., requirements, code) to find issues early.
Detailed Explanation
Static testing is an important phase in the software testing process. It involves the review of documents and code without executing the code. By examining these documents, QA professionals can identify potential issues before the software is executed. This method saves time and resources by addressing flaws early in the development process.
Examples & Analogies
Think of static testing as proofreading a book before it goes to print. Just like an editor reviews the manuscript for spelling and grammatical errors, static testing allows QA testers to find ambiguous requirements or mistakes in the code before the software is launched.
Static Testing Techniques
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Example: A QA reviews a requirements document to identify ambiguities.
Detailed Explanation
When a QA reviews a requirements document, they look for unclear phrases, incomplete information, and conflicts in the requirements. For instance, if a requirement states that a user must 'easily log in,' the QA needs to identify what 'easily' meansβthis could lead to different interpretations and implementations. By clarifying these ambiguities, the team can ensure that everyone is on the same page about what needs to be created.
Examples & Analogies
Consider planning a group trip. If one person says, 'We should leave early,' but doesn't specify a time, each person might have a different interpretation of 'early.' In software requirements, such ambiguities can lead to different features being developed. Getting clarity at this stage is similar to setting a specific meeting time for the group.
Decision Table Testing
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Decision Table Testing: Maps conditions to outcomes.
Detailed Explanation
Decision Table Testing is a structured way to capture the different conditions and the expected outcomes for each condition. It is particularly useful in scenarios with multiple inputs that may impact the result. By mapping possible outcomes against conditions, testers can ensure comprehensive coverage of all potential scenarios in their testing process.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you are trying to decide what to wear based on the weather. Your decision will depend on conditions like whether it's raining, sunny, or cold. A decision table can help you outline those conditions and plan your outfit accordingly, ensuring that you are prepared for whatever weather comes.
State Transition Testing
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State Transition Testing: Tests system state changes.
Detailed Explanation
State Transition Testing focuses on situations where the system's state changes based on certain inputs. It's essential for systems where the state is crucial to the function, like authentication processes. For each condition that causes a state change, testers must ensure that the system behaves as expected as it transitions between states.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a traffic light. It transitions between states (red, green, yellow), and its behavior changes based on those states. If a driver should stop at red and go at green, testing this transition ensures that the system behaves correctly just like you would observe traffic rules.
Use Case Testing
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Use Case Testing: Tests based on use cases.
Detailed Explanation
Use Case Testing involves creating test cases based on the defined use cases of the application. Each use case outlines how a user will interact with the system, helping testers validate that the software behaves as expected in real user scenarios. This process helps ensure that key functionalities align with user needs.
Examples & Analogies
When planning a party, a use case might be 'how guests RSVP.' By laying out this use case, every detail about how guests respond can be documented and tested to ensure that the RSVP system works smoothly, just like how you'll test to make sure your invites go out properly.
User Story Mapping
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User Story Mapping: Visualizes user journeys.
Detailed Explanation
User Story Mapping is a technique used to visualize a user's journey through the software. It helps teams focus on delivering value by understanding what the user experiences at each step of using the software. This mapping process creates a shared understanding of the functionalities needed.
Examples & Analogies
Consider navigating a new city. A map helps you visualize your journey from one location to another. Similarly, user story mapping provides a visual representation of how a user will interact with the application, helping developers understand what functionalities and features are necessary along that journey.
Risk-Based Testing
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Risk-Based Testing: Focuses on high-risk areas.
Detailed Explanation
Risk-Based Testing involves prioritizing tests based on the risks they address. Testing focuses on areas with the potential for significant impact if defects occur, ensuring that the most critical components of the software are thoroughly tested. This approach optimizes the testing process by allocating resources effectively.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a fire drill in a school where the focus is on exits that are most commonly used. It wouldnβt make sense to run drills for exits that are rarely used. Similarly, in Risk-Based Testing, you focus resources and efforts on the high-risk areas of the software that, if they fail, would cause the biggest issues.
Traceability Matrix
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Chapter Content
Traceability Matrix: Links requirements to test cases.
Detailed Explanation
A Traceability Matrix is a document that helps ensure that all requirements have corresponding test cases. This mapping verifies that every requirement is tested and helps track the testing process, ensuring no requirements are overlooked.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine checklist items that need to be completed for a travel itinerary. If each destination corresponds to an activity planned, the checklist ensures that nothing is missed before the trip. The Traceability Matrix serves a similar purpose in testing, ensuring every requirement is addressed with appropriate tests.
Key Concepts
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Static Testing: Identifies issues in documents/code before execution.
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Decision Table Testing: Covers possible input combinations for expected outcomes.
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State Transition Testing: Tests system changes based on events.
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Use Case Testing: Validates functional requirements through real user paths.
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Risk-Based Testing: Focuses testing on high-risk areas.
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Traceability Matrix: Ensures all requirements have test coverage.
Examples & Applications
A QA reviews a requirements document and finds unclear statements, prompting clarification.
In Decision Table Testing, different conditions such as user roles or account statuses dictate successful or failed logins.
A state transition diagram is drawn to visualize the change from 'User Not Logged In' to 'User Logged In' status upon successful credentials input.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
In static testing, we check and look, to find all flaws without the code we cook.
Stories
Imagine a librarian checking every book for errors before they reach readers; this represents static testing safeguarding quality before release.
Memory Tools
Remember the acronym 'R.E.S.T.' for our key testing methods: Reviews, Examination, State transitions, and Testing.
Acronyms
Use **RISK** to remember
Review
Identify
Score
Keep focused on testing high-risk areas.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Static Testing
Testing that involves reviewing documents and code to identify defects without executing the program.
- Decision Table Testing
A testing technique that maps inputs to outcomes, allowing for comprehensive test scenario coverage.
- State Transition Testing
A testing method used to validate transitions between different states of the system based on events or inputs.
- Use Case Testing
Testing that is based on use cases, ensuring the application meets user requirements and real-world scenarios.
- RiskBased Testing
Prioritizing tests based on the overall risk of potential failure associated with various components.
- Traceability Matrix
A document that links requirements to their corresponding test cases, ensuring all are covered.
Reference links
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