Unit-3 Software Engineering
Definitions
Software Testing
A process of evaluating a software system to determine whether it meets specified requirements and produces desired results.
Software Quality
The degree to which a software product meets the needs for which it was intended, and how free it is from defects.
Software Maintenance
The process of modifying and updating software applications after distribution to correct faults and improve performance.
Software Testing Fundamentals
Software testing is vital to ensure that software applications operate smoothly and provide the desired outcomes. The fundamentals of software testing cover various techniques and processes to identify defects, ensure correctness, and validate that the application fulfills its required functionality.
Strategic Approach to Software Testing
A strategic approach to software testing involves planning, designing test cases, executing tests, analyzing results, and tracking test progress. It aims to systematically test software features to identify issues early and reduce potential risks.
Testing Techniques
Validation Testing
Validation testing determines whether the software meets the client’s needs. It involves verifying the product's compliance with requirements during and at the end of the development process and checking whether the software meets the client's expectations.
System Testing
System testing tests the complete and integrated software to evaluate the system's compliance with its specified requirements. It ensures end-to-end quality and validates the entire software’s behavior in alignment with the required specifications.
Black-Box Testing
This technique focuses on testing the functionality of an application without peering into its internal structures or workings. The tester is aware of what the software is supposed to do, but not how it does it. Tests are based on requirements and functionality.
White-Box Testing
White-box testing, also known as clear, glass, or transparent testing, is based on the internal paths, structure, and implementation of the software under test. It requires detailed knowledge of the internal programming code and is used for testing specific paths within the code.
Basis Path Testing
Basis path testing focuses on using the program’s control structure as a guide. It aims to derive a logical complexity measure and uses this as a guide for designing test cases.
Quality Management in Software
Software Reliability and Reviews
Software reliability refers to the probability of a software functioning without failure over a specified period under stated conditions. Formal technical reviews are assessments of software products that help uncover errors, ensure adherence to specifications, and enhance software quality.
Statistical SQA and ISO 9000 Standards
Statistical Software Quality Assurance (SQA) involves the application of statistical methods to monitor and control the quality of the software processes. ISO 9000 standards provide a model for quality assurance concerning design, development, production, installation, and servicing.
SQA Plans and SEI-CMM
The Software Quality Assurance (SQA) plan outlines the processes, tools, and techniques for managing product quality throughout the software development lifecycle. The SEI Capability Maturity Model (CMM) helps organizations improve their software processes, an integral part of managing software quality.
Software Maintenance and Reuse
Types of Software Maintenance
Software maintenance includes corrective modifications to fix errors, adaptive modifications to address changes in the environment, perfective modifications to improve performance, and preventive modifications to ensure future occurrences of errors are minimized.
Software Reverse Engineering and Maintenance Models
Software reverse engineering involves analyzing a software system to identify its components and interrelationships. Different maintenance models, such as quick fix, adaptive, and iterative enhancements, provide frameworks for maintaining and evolving software applications.
Software Reuse
Software reuse refers to the process of using existing software for the creation of new software. It involves using pre-existing code, components, and systems to reduce development time and costs while increasing software reliability.
To remember :
To summarize, Unit 3 of Software Engineering encompasses essential topics such as software testing, quality management, and maintenance. The understanding of software testing strategies, including black-box and white-box testing, is fundamental. Quality management focuses on the reliability, reviews, and standards needed for high-quality software products. Finally, the understanding of software maintenance and reuse is crucial for the prolonged efficiency and effectiveness of software products. Mastery of these concepts ensures that future software engineers can design, develop, and manage high-functioning and reliable software systems.
