Whether you are a manufacturer in the medical industry or a business owner, technological advancements are not unknown to any sector in the present scenario. Nevertheless, while adapting to changes, one should also analyze the pros and cons a new software or hardware device might bring to your organization. Tech-savvies know that ensuring the profitability of new software is pretty easy with automation system testing. However, in the quest to find accurate software, tech-savvies usually overlook the fundamentals of software testing.
So, here we bring you the list of five principles of software testing.
5 Software Testing Fundamentals For High Accuracy
Below we have mentioned five basic principles of software testing. Remember these to ensure accurate test results.
Presence of Defects, Not Their Absence
The first basic principle one should know about software testing is that every software testing tool is made to detect errors. It is the basic functionality of a testing tool to spot bugs, defects, and missing components. In case the tool fails to detect any problem, that could simply mean that the tool is not efficient enough. Additionally, if the tool fails to detect any issues or forgets about rectification, how will you spot the efficiency in the first place? So remember, if your tool shows errors – it is because the testing tool is efficient.
Exhaustion Testing Is Impossible
While testing, remember, at the end of the day, it is just a man-made tool. Therefore, it can’t be used to test EVERYTHING. However, a testing tool can assess risks and helps you to plan your tests. All you have to do is be careful while testing – analyze the most important functions. With careful planning and assessment, you can be assured of excellence. This will further enable the required confidence in the test software without the need to test every single line of code.
Testing Early Will Save Time And Money
It is fundamentally important for the software lifecycle to test the software at its early stages. As much as it means to start testing from the initial stages of coding, it also means to start testing even before the coding starts. For instance, if you begin altering the issues at this stage, it will be a lot easier as compared to testing after the end product is prepared. Not only does testing at an early stage save time, but it is also pretty cost-effective.
If you don’t follow early testing, the final testing will take up more time, and the error rectification will be costly as well. When a team performs early testing and encounters hurdles or impediments, feedback will be received at the initial stages. As a result, testers can come up with a solution at an early stage.
Defects cluster together
While you are testing, the basic idea is that there are certain components or modules of software that will usually have the most issues, i.e., certain modules will be responsible for the majority of the operational failures. Therefore, it is advised to focus the testing on these problem areas.
Most of the time, this clustering problem occurs with large and complex systems; however, defect density can vary for a number of reasons. In simple words, the more complex a software is, the more complex and clustered defects will be present. If testers are aware of this and incorporate it while testing, it can prove to be pretty valuable. If you find a defect in a particular module/area or component, the chances of discovering more become high.
Testing is context dependent
Speaking of testing, it is all about the context. Types of testing and methods are entirely dependent on the context of the software or systems. For instance, if you are testing for an e-commerce website, it requires different types of testing and approaches, whereas an API application or a database reporting application uses an entirely different approach (in accordance with their concept). The software or system you are testing will always have an impact on your approach.
Software testing is a complex process and needs to be followed along with the concept of the software. However, if testers use the right set of tools, the complexities can be minimized.
