Page 141 - SOFTWARE TESTING & QUALITY ASSURANCE

Software Testing and Quality Assurance

Stress and Load Tools
Stress and load tools are used to test extreme conditions on software like the maximum number of
concurrent users or maximum number of transactions that could be performed. If an application is
being executed on the system with all available memory and disk space, it may work fine. But, if the
system does not have a few of these resources, there is a possibility of the occurrence of a new bug. A
user can copy files to fill up the disk, execute many programs, and perform various tasks, but these
methods are ineffective. This is the reason why a stress tool is introduced. The stress tool makes the
testing much easier. The stress program permits a user to set the values individually and use other
resources available to the software running on the machine.
Interference Injectors and Noise Generators
Interference injectors and noise generators are another class of tools. These tools are similar to stress and
load tools, but are more random in their functions.

The stress utility has an executor mode that changes the available resources
randomly. A program can be executed properly with the available memory, but
if the available memory changes constantly, it may create a problem. The
executor mode of the stress utility will not be able to discover these types of
bugs.

Analysis Tools
Analysis tool is the most commonly used tool. Following are the tools used by software testers to
simplify their work. These tools help in getting the job done and are less time consuming.
1. Word processing software.
2. Spreadsheet software.
3. Database software.
4. File comparison software.
5. Screen capture and comparison software.

6. Debugger.
7. Binary-hex calculator.
8. Stopwatch.
9. VCR or camera.
With the constant advent of new technology, it is necessary to select an appropriate tool to check the
complication and direction of the software on a regular basis.
9.1.2 Software Test Automation
Software test automation is a class of software testing tools. The software test tools mentioned above are
effective, but these tools must be operated or monitored manually. These tools can be formed and run
as a test suite, and run with little or no involvement from the tester. This results in a faster test process
that involves looking for bugs, analyzing them, and logging the results. In this section, we will study
the different types of automation, progressing from the simplest to the most complex.
Macro Recording and Playback
Macro recording and playback is known as the basic type of test automation. This tool is used to record
the keyboard and mouse actions as the tester runs the tests for the first time and then plays them back
when required to run again. Recording and playing the macros again is a simple task when the tests are
performed for Windows or Mac.

On Mac you can use Quick Keys; and on Windows the shareware program,
Macro Magic can be used.

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