Software Testing Tip's Asset By Sagar

Does automation replace manual testing? Automation is the integration of testing tools into the test environment in such a manner that the test execution, logging, and comparison of results are done with little human intervention. A testing tool is a software application which helps automate the testing process. But the testing tool is not the complete answer for automation. One of the huge mistakes done in testing automation is automating the wrong things during development. Many testers learn the hard way that everything cannot be automated. The best components to automate are repetitive tasks. So some companies first start with manual testing and then see which tests are the most repetitive ones and only those are then automated. As a rule of thumb do not try to automate: Unstable software: If the software is still under development and undergoing many changes automation testing will not be that effective. Once in a blue moon test scripts: Do not automate test scripts which w...

What are the different Ways of doing Black Box testing? There are five methodologies most frequently used: Top down according to budget WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) Guess and gut feeling Early project data TPA (Test Point Analysis) Can you explain TPA analysis? TPA is a technique used to estimate test efforts for black box testing. Inputs for TPA are the counts derived from function points. Below are the features of TPA: Used to estimate only black box testing. Require function points as inputs. Can you explain the elementary process? Software applications are a combination of elementary processes. When elementary processes come together they form a software application. There are two types of elementary processes: Dynamic elementary Process:  The dynamic elementary process moves data from an internal application boundary to an external application boundary or vice-versa. Example: Input data screen where a user inputs data into the application. Data mov...

What is meant by measures and metrics? Measures are quantitatively unit defined elements, for instance, hours, km, etc. Metrics are basically comprised of more than one measure. For instance, we can have metrics such as km/hr, m/s etc. Can you explain how the number of defects is measured? The number of defects is one of the measures used to measure test effectiveness. One of the side effects of the number of defects is that all bugs are not equal. So it becomes necessary to weight bugs according to their criticality level. If we are using the number of defects as the metric measurement the following are the issues: The number of bugs that originally existed significantly impacts the number of bugs discovered, which in turns gives a wrong measure of the software quality. All defects are not equal so defects should be numbered with a criticality level to get the right software quality measure. Can you explain unit and system test DRE? DRE is also useful to measure the...

What different sources are needed to verify authenticity for CMMI implementation? There are three different sources from which an appraiser can verify that an organization followed the process or not.  Instruments:  An instrument is a survey or questionnaire provided to the organization, project, or individuals before starting the assessment so that beforehand the appraiser knows some basic details of the project. Interview:  An interview is a formal meeting between one or more members of the organization in which they are asked some questions and the appraiser makes some judgments based on those interviews. During the interview the member represents some process area or role which he performs. For instance, the appraiser may interview a tester or programmer asking him indirectly what metrics he has submitted to his project manager. By this the appraiser gets a fair idea of CMMI implementation in that organization. Documents:  A document is a written work or pro...

What is CMMI and what's the advantage of implementing it in an organization? CMMI stands for Capability Maturity Model Integration. It is a process improvement approach that provides companies with the essential elements of an effective process. CMMI can serve as a good guide for process improvement across a project, organization, or division. CMMI was formed by using multiple previous CMM processes.  The following are the areas which CMMI addresses: Systems engineering:  This covers development of total systems. System engineers concentrate on converting customer needs to product solutions and supports them throughout the product lifecycle. Software engineering:  Software engineers concentrate on the application of systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to the development, operation, and maintenance of software. Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD):  Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) is a systematic approach that achie...

What is Six Sigma? Six Sigma is a statistical measure of variation in a process. We say a process has achieved Six Sigma if the quality is 3.4 DPMO (Defect per Million Opportunities). It's a problem-solving methodology that can be applied to a process to eliminate the root cause of defects and costs associated with it. Can you explain the different methodology for the execution and the design process stages in Six Sigma? The main focus of Six Sigma is to reduce defects and variations in the processes. DMAIC and DMADV are the models used in most Six Sigma initiatives.  DMADV is the model for designing processes while DMAIC is used for improving the process.  The DMADV model includes the following five steps: Define:  Determine the project goals and the requirements of customers (external and internal). Measure:  Assess customer needs and specifications. Analyze:  Examine process options to meet customer requirements. Design:  Develop the proces...