Software Testing Overview

What is Software Testing?

Software Testing is the process of evaluating a software application to detect and resolve defects. It ensures that the software meets business and technical requirements and functions as expected.

Objectives of Software Testing:

Identify and fix software defects.
Ensure software quality, reliability, and security.
Validate that the product meets customer requirements.
Improve overall performance and user experience.

Importance of Software Testing:

Prevents high-cost failures in production.
Ensures compatibility across different environments.
Enhances customer satisfaction and business reputation.

Common Types of Software Testing

Type	Description
Unit Testing	Tests individual components or functions of code.
Integration Testing	Ensures multiple components work together correctly.
Regression Testing	Confirms new code changes don’t break existing features.
System Testing	End-to-end testing to validate the entire application.
Smoke Testing	A quick validation of basic functionality before deeper testing.
Performance Testing	Assesses response time, speed, and scalability.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT)	Ensures the software meets customer expectations before release.
Stress Testing	Evaluates how the system handles high loads or extreme conditions.
Sanity Testing	Verifies bug fixes and changes after a build.

Software Testing Q&A

What is software testing?
- Software testing involves evaluating and verifying a software product’s functionality to ensure it meets requirements and is defect-free.
What are the different types of software testing?
- Functional Testing: Unit testing, integration testing, system testing, regression testing, user acceptance testing.
- Non-Functional Testing: Performance testing, security testing, documentation testing, installation testing.
What are the principles of testing?
- Absence of errors fallacy: Bug-free software must still meet customer needs.
- Testing shows the presence of errors: Testing reduces, but doesn’t eliminate, defects.
- Exhaustive testing is not possible: It’s impractical to test all possible cases.
- Defect clustering: Most defects are found in a small number of modules.
- Pesticide paradox: Re-running the same tests won’t find new bugs; test cases need updates.
- Early testing: Catching defects early reduces costs.
- Testing is context-dependent: Testing strategies vary by project.
What is API testing?
- API testing verifies interactions between different software components by testing their requests, responses, and error handling.
How does a test coverage tool work?
- It measures how much of the codebase is executed during testing to ensure adequate coverage.
What are the different types of test coverage techniques?
- Statement Coverage
- Decision Coverage
- Path Coverage
- Function Coverage
What is black-box, white-box, and grey-box testing?
- Black-box testing: Tests external behavior without knowing internal code structure.
- White-box testing: Tests internal logic, focusing on how the code works.
- Grey-box testing: Combines both, testing with partial knowledge of the system.
Is automation testing useful in Agile methodology?
- Yes, automation helps achieve maximum test coverage in less time, supporting frequent releases.
What is the difference between a test scenario, test case, and test script?
- Test Scenario: Covers an end-to-end feature.
- Test Case: Describes specific test conditions and expected results.
- Test Script: A set of instructions executed for automated testing.
What is a bug?
- A bug is a software defect recorded in a bug-tracking system and assigned a priority before being fixed and retested.
What is the difference between a bug and an error?
- Bug: Found by testers and occurs when software behavior deviates from expected results.
- Error: Occurs when the code fails to compile or execute correctly.
What is a test plan?
- A dynamic document describing the testing scope, objectives, strategy, and resource planning.
What is a test report?
- A summary document detailing test execution, objectives, and results.
What do you mean by test deliverables?
- A list of documents, tools, and components shared with stakeholders at different phases of testing.
What is A/B testing?
- A method of testing two different versions of software with users to determine which performs better.
What is boundary value analysis (BVA)?
- A technique where test cases are created using boundary values, as they have a higher probability of defects.
Why shouldn’t developers test their own software?
- Developers may be biased, lack detailed test cases, and focus on making the code work rather than breaking it.
What is the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)?
- Requirement Analysis
- Test Planning
- Test Case Development
- Test Environment Setup
- Test Execution
- Test Closure
What is alpha testing?
- Internal testing conducted before software is released to customers.
What is beta testing?
- Testing performed by customers after release, providing final feedback.
What is the V-Model in software testing?
- A development model where each testing phase is associated with a corresponding development phase.
What is the defect life cycle?
- The stages a defect goes through: New → Assigned → Active → Tested → Verified → Closed.
What is Test-Driven Development (TDD)?
- A methodology where developers first write failing tests, then implement code to make the tests pass.

Summary

Software testing ensures quality, reliability, and security.
Different testing techniques focus on functionality, performance, and usability.
Automation is essential for Agile methodologies.
Testing requires continuous improvements with evolving test cases.