Page 30 - SOFTWARE TESTING & QUALITY ASSURANCE

Unit 2: Fundamentals of Software Testing

identifies areas of improvement in the processes through prevention plans and also ensures that the
processes followed are effective.
The main aim of quality control is to evaluate whether the deliverables are of acceptable quality. The
focus thus is to detect defects and correction of these defects (correction oriented). Normally, the
activities of quality control are performed by the testing team of an organization. The activities of
quality control ensure data integrity, correctness and completeness. The various quality control
activities include inspections, reviews, and walk throughs of design, code and documentation. Quality
control addresses bugs, errors and omissions.
In simple terms, the principles by which quality assurance works is to check whether the product is “fit
for purpose” and also to ensure that it is built “right the first time”. Quality control works on the
principle, “fix the problem”. In software quality control, testing methods like unit testing, integration
testing and system testing are the commonly used methods.
Test Plan:
A test plan is a document which gives information about the objectives, scope, approach and the
various attributes that the testing project must focus on.
Test Case:
A test case is a document and is the smallest unit of testing. It has a developed set of inputs, execution
preconditions and expected outcomes for a specific objective. This is done to ascertain that the feature of
a particular application is working as specified.

A test case generally contains test case identifier, test case name, objective, test conditions/setup, input
data requirements, steps, and expected results.
Table 2.1 below describes common terms and definitions associated with software testing:
Table 2.1 Terms and Definitions

Terms Definitions

Acceptance Testing Acceptance testing is conducted by the customer or the user to
check whether the software product meets the requirements.
Agile Testing Agile testing is for testing the software product from the customer
perspective at an early stage. Testing is carried out once the codes
become available.
Automated Testing Automated testing is a procedure of using automated tools to
execute tests.
Bug A bug is an error or a defect in a program which is unintended.
Debugging Debugging is the process of detecting and eliminating the causes of
software errors.
Defect A defect is an error or non-conformance of a specific program.
Integration Testing Integration testing is performed on interfaces between components.
System Testing System testing relates to testing the system after integrating the
units, to ensure that specifications are met.
Unit Testing Unit testing is the process of testing the basic unit of software,
which is the smallest testable piece of software.

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