Test Process In Context

In this tutorial, we will learn about the test process in context-driven software testing. It advocates testing based on the context of the project.

Instead of going by books methodology testing or some fixed notion of best practices. Seven Basic Principle of Context-driven measurement given as The value of any method depends on its context.

 What is context-driven testing?

The context-driven testing concept is used for debugging and developing the computer software in which the programs will be used or expected to be used in the real world.

 To perform this testing, the software developers must identify the considered market and evaluate the environments in which people are likely to employ it. The context-driven testing is done with other types of conceptual testing in agile software development.

 Context-driven testing is different from other kinds of software testing that are more technical. For example, black-box testing and white box testing are two software testing methodologies that are different in terms of whether developers are looking at the product’s internal design.

 The context-driven testing methodology is similar to the agile process implemented when the end users have different preferences and needs; for instance, notepad is a simple application to write a text.

 The context-driven testers choose their testing objectives, techniques, and deliverables by looking into the specific situation’s details. Context-driven testing is about doing the best we can with what we get rather than applying best practices.

 Why do we need context-driven testing?

 Sometimes, the programmers do not have a proper document that can explain exactly how to do the work, which they are supposed to do, and testers will not be provided with complete materials; in that case, they will not be able to know the total requirement.

They may have an essential document like BRD or some reference documents that tell them what they need to do, but they can find the best way to achieve the task.

Techniques used in Context-Driven Testing are

Grey box testing

 Grey box testing is a software testing technique that combines the Black Box Testing technique and the White Box Testing technique. In the Black Box Testing technique, the tester is unknown to the item tested’s internal structure, and in White Box Testing, the internal structure is known to the examiner.

 Exploratory testing

It is a type of software testing where Test cases are not created in advance, but testers check the system on the fly. It may note down ideas about what to test before test execution. The focus of exploratory testing is more on trial as a “thinking” activity.

 Seven Basic Principles of Context Driven Testing

  •  In context-driven testing, there are good practices, but there are no best practices.
  •  Proper software testing is a challenging process.
  •  In context-driven testing, some projects unfold over time in ways that are often not predictable.
  •  Only through understanding and proper skills are exercised collectively throughout the entire project, then we can do the right things at the correct times to effectively test our products.
  •  The product is like a solution; if the problem is not solved, then the product will not work.
  •  People who are working together are an essential section of any project’s context.
  •  The value of any practice relies on its context.

Some of the Illustrations of Principles are:

  •  It is done on behalf of stakeholders in the service of developing, qualifying, investigating, selling, or debugging product. Different testing strategies are there for various objectives.
  •  Context Driven Testing is entirely for different test groups to have multiple missions.
  • The first practice in the service of one task may be irrelevant or counterproductive in the service of another.
  •  Testing groups are to provide testing-related services. They do not run the development project; they perform or assist the project.
  •  Test artifacts are worth as they satisfy the stakeholder’s relevant requirements.
  •  Automated testing is not automatic manual testing.
  •  Different types of tests will reveal different kinds of defects. Analyses should focus on various risks as the program becomes more stable.
  •  The value of testing can be determined when it provides useful and timely information.
  • Tester tries to understand the customer position and make the best case when they feel it is not addressing.
  •  Testing information providing solutions, not a quality assurance function.

Why is Testing necessary? – Importance of Software Testing

Testing is very much necessary to rectify the errors made in the software application and make sure good quality before delivering to customers or end users.

Software testing is essential as it discovers a defect before it is delivered to customer ensuring good software quality.

By performing testing, we can detect defects or bugs in the early stages of development. Defects identified at the later stage are more costly to rectify.

Testing helps us to make software more reliable and user-friendly.

Customers or end users of software product have huge benefits of software testing as it plays an essential role in ensuring good quality product delivered.

Software Testing gains customers confidence

Establishing the quality of the product is essential. As once the customer gets a quality product, it helps in gaining their confidence.

Product quality is very much essential to gain the confidence of the customer.

It is necessary to provide the facilities to the customers like the delivery of the high-quality software application which requires lower maintenance, and it results to more consistent, reliable and accurate results.

Software Testing is crucial as it makes sure that the customer finds the organization reliable and are satisfied with the application.

In case the customer is not satisfied with software testing or product quality at the time of delivery, then they may switch to another organization.

Sometimes the contract includes finance policies about the timeline and quality of the product, and in that case, testing also prevents the financial losses.

Delivering the excellent quality product on time helps us to build the customers confidence within the team and organisation.

The client does not like to use the software which has bugs so they may not accept the software if they are not happy with the application.

Testing helps in product performance and quality

It is also required to assure adequate performance of software application and software testing helps in assuring adequate performance.

It is essential to make sure that the applications should not result into any failures because it can be costly in the future or the later stages of the development.

The software testing is vital for the effective performance of the software application or product.

Testing helps in identifying defects in early stages of software development

Software testing is required to detect the defects and errors introduced during the development phases.

By doing testing, it ensures that bugs and issues are detected early in the life cycle of the product development.

The requirement defects detected late in software development life cycle can be very costly to fix because it requires redesign, re-implementation and retesting of the application.

The programmers make a mistake during the implementation of the software, and there can be many reasons for this like lack of experience of the programmer, lack of knowledge, insufficient experience in that particular domain, and incorrect implementation of the algorithm due to complex logic.

Software Testing helps in reducing defect costs

The high-quality product has fewer defects and requires less maintenance which in turn means reduced costs.

After developing the product, it is critical to ensure that the application should not result in any failures because it can be costly in the future or the later stages of the development.

Difference between Errors, Defects and Failures in Software Testing

During the testing process, a software tester might come across several terms like errors, defects, failures, bugs, mistakes, and errors.

Let us understand the difference between Errors, Defects, Failures, Mistake, Fault and Bug.

Software Testers and quality analysts use these terms (error, mistakes, faults, bugs, failures, and defects) interchangeably. However, they signify and represent different aspects of the software.

These terms are the built-in part of the software testing lifecycle and you need to understand these terms clearly to validate the quality, effectiveness, and functionality of the software.

These terms have individual quality and are entirely different from one another.

The characteristics of occurrence and resolution of error, mistakes, faults, bugs, failures, and defects are different.

Let us go through each of these terms and understand the differences in detail:

What are Error and Mistake?

During the process of software testing, the team of testers has to face the most basic errors, and these are the mistakes made by the software developer or programmer while developing the code or design of the software.

Errors are the difference which we get from the results expected by the team, and errors further change the functionality of the software.

What are the reasons for error and mistakes?

The reasons for these mistakes and errors are the misunderstanding of requirements by the software developer.

Let us have a look at some other reasons for errors and mistakes in the software:

  • Mistakes made during code development in the program
  • Errors and mistakes may happen because of wrong coding logic, looping and syntax errors
  • Difference between actual and expected results – Misunderstanding of requirements by the developer

How to prevent Errors and Mistakes?

  • Implement a good code review process; reviews help to find the issues upfront and improve the quality of the software
  • Identify the issues and prepare a proper plan to rectify those issues
  • Verify the fixes after code deployment and confirm their quality and accuracy

What is Fault?

The fault is another discrepancy which is found by the tester during the process of software testing.

Unlike errors, the reason for a fault to occur is not because of some differences between the actual and expected result, but it is because of an error in software.

What are the reasons for faults?

Faults in software can occur because of various reasons, some of them are:

  • Discrepancies or issues in the software code because of which failure happens in the software
  • Incorrect process or steps followed which using the software
  • An inconsistency which makes the software act incorrectly and not as per the
    stated requirements

How to prevent Faults?

  • Proper code analysis implementation
  • Define proper Peer review process before code check-in

What is a failure?

When software is not able to perform as required and is presenting results that are not as per expected results, then it is termed as a failure.

These failures are incorrect external behavior which leads to software behaviour that is not in compliance with the specifications.

What are the reasons for Failures?

Failures occur when a defect present in the software is executed by the team, which forces to produce unpredicted results and function inappropriately.

Other reasons that may lead to the failure of the software are:

  1. Human errors and mistakes made while using the software and providing wrong or incomplete inputs.
  2. Users – Failures may also occur in the software or application if the user or client tries to perform operations that are disabled for that particular user or role
  3. Application Usage – Failures might also arise due to errors in the way application is being used.

How to prevent Failures?

  • First, identify and analyze errors and issues
  • Try to adopt effective preventive techniques
  • Perform re-testing and negative scenario testing
  • Verify and validate specifications and requirements thoroughly during all phases of development

What is a Defect?

Defect means when the actual result of the software differs from the one expected and predicted by the testers while testing the software.

Defects therefore are, defined as any difference encountered from the specifications mentioned in the product functional specification document by the client of the project.

These are the differences and issues in the software or application, found during the process of testing, that impact the functionality of the software and application.

What are the reasons for Defects?

Defects in the software can obstruct the functionality as well as the performance of the software application.

Hence, it is crucial for us to know the different reasons that cause defects in the software application.

Some of the other reasons for defects in software are:

  • The error made by the developer in code or incorrect coding logic causes software to perform inaccurately.
  • Any misunderstanding of requirements by developers can lead to defects
  • Updates to requirements in later phases of development lead to defects in the software or application
  • Setting up wrong and incorrect data for the software application

How to prevent Defects?

  • Implement a proper peer review process
  • Code reviews should be done on a regular basis to assess code quality and accuracy
  • Define and use effective software development methodologies
  • Adopt efficient programming techniques.