What This Document Is
This document is a comprehensive review of software testing principles and practices, originally published as a chapter within a larger work on software development. It’s geared towards students and professionals seeking a deeper understanding of how to assess and improve software quality. The material focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of testing, exploring its necessity and various approaches. It’s presented as a record of notes from a lecture delivered at the University of Central Florida as part of the Software Engineering II (EEL 6883) course.
Why This Document Matters
This review is particularly valuable for software engineering students, developers, and quality assurance professionals. It’s ideal for those looking to solidify their foundational knowledge of testing methodologies, understand the rationale behind different testing strategies, and prepare for discussions or assignments related to software quality. If you’re grappling with concepts like verification versus validation, or trying to determine the appropriate level of testing for a project, this resource can provide a helpful framework for thinking through those challenges.
Topics Covered
* The fundamental needs and motivations for software testing
* Distinctions between verification and validation processes
* Categorization of testing approaches – functional and non-functional
* Regression testing and its role in software maintenance
* The importance of considering non-functional requirements in testing
* Different perspectives on “situation testing” and its implications
* Key questions to address when planning a testing strategy
* Contrasting functional and structural testing methodologies
* Utilizing specifications and software structure as starting points for testing
What This Document Provides
* An overview of core terminology used in the field of software testing.
* A discussion of the relationship between testing and meeting user requirements.
* Exploration of the different facets of functional testing, including identifying and isolating functions.
* A framework for considering the scope and purpose of testing activities.
* Insight into how testing strategies can be derived from both software specifications and the internal structure of the code.
