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Manual Testing Process »

Manual Testing Process :

Process is a roadmap to develop the project is consists a number of sequential steps.

Software Testing Life Cycle:
• Test Plan
• Test Development
• Test Execution
• Analyse Results
• Defect Tracking
• Summarise Report

Test Plan :

It is a document which describes the testing environment, purpose, scope, objectives, test strategy, schedules, mile stones, testing tool, roles and responsibilities, risks, training, staffing and who is going to test the application, what type of tests should be performed and how it will track the defects.

Test Development :

• Preparing test cases
• Preparing test data
• Preparing test procedure
• Preparing test scenario
• Writing test script

Test Execution :

In this phase we execute the documents those are prepared in test development phase.

Analyse result :

Once executed documents will get results either pass or fail. we need to analyse the results during this phase.

Defect Tracking :

When ever we get defect on the application we need to prepare the bug report file and forwards to Test Team Lead and Dev Team. The Dev Team will fix the bug. Again we have to test the application. This cycle repeats till we get the software with our defects.

Summarise Reports :

• Test Reports
• Bug Reports
• Test Documentation

Bhrigus Interview Questions »

1) What is different between Primary key and unique?
Primary means unique and not null.
Unique means not duplicate.

2) What View in database?

3) Delete and Truncate ?

4) Write a test cases which is best of all?

5) What is different Client/server and web testing?

6) What is test plan?

7) Write the possible test cases for date field?

8) If there is not document and what will be your approaching?

9) What is database testing?

10 ) Why u what to change your company?

11) What is your expectation for our company?

Test Automation Interview Questions »

1. What automating testing tools are you familiar with?
2. How did you use automating testing tools in your job?
3. Describe some problem that you had with automating testing tool.
4. How do you plan test automation?
5. Can test automation improve test effectiveness?
6. What is data - driven automation?
7. What are the main attributes of test automation?
8. Does automation replace manual testing?
9. How will you choose a tool for test automation?
10. How you will evaluate the tool for test automation?
11. What are main benefits of test automation?
12. What could go wrong with test automation?
13. How you will describe testing activities?
14. What testing activities you may want to automate?
15. Describe common problems of test automation.
16. What types of scripting techniques for test automation do you know?
17. What are principles of good testing scripts for automation?
18. What tools are available for support of testing during software development life cycle?
19. Can the activities of test case design be automated?
20. What are the limitations of automating software testing?
21. What skills needed to be a good software test automator?
22. How to find that tools work well with your existing system?
23. Describe some problem that you had with automating testing tool.
24. What are the main attributes of test automation?
25. What testing activities you may want to automate in a project?

WinRunner Functions »

Database Functions

db_check

This function captures and compares data from a database.
Note that the checklist file (arg1) can be created only during record.
arg1 - checklist file.

db_connect

This function creates a new connection session with a database.
arg1 - the session name (string)
arg2 - a connection string
for example “DSN=SQLServer_Source;UID=SA;PWD=abc123″

db_disconnect

This function disconnects from the database and deletes the session.
arg1 - the session name (string)

db_dj_convert

This function executes a Data Junction conversion export file (djs).
arg1 - the export file name (*.djs)
arg2 - an optional parameter to override the output file name
arg3 - a boolean optional parameter whether to
include the headers (the default is TRUE)
arg4 - an optional parameter to
limit the records number (-1 is no limit and is the default)

db_execute_query

This function executes an SQL statement.
Note that a db_connect for (arg1) should be called before this function
arg1 - the session name (string)
arg2 - an SQL statement
arg3 - an out parameter to return the records number.

db_get_field_value

This function returns the value of a single item of an executed query.
Note that a db_execute_query for (arg1) should be called before this function
arg1 - the session name (string)
arg2 - the row index number (zero based)
arg3 - the column index number (zero based) or the column name.

db_get_headers

This function returns the fields headers and fields number of an executed query.
Note that a db_execute_query for (arg1) should be called before this function
arg1 - the session name (string)
arg2 - an out parameter to return the fields number
arg3 - an out parameter to return the concatenation
of the fields headers delimited by TAB.

db_get_last_error

This function returns the last error message of the last ODBC operation.
arg1 - the session name (string)
arg2 - an out parameter to return the last error.

db_get_row

This function returns a whole row of an executed query.
Note that a db_execute_query for (arg1) should be called before this function
arg1 - the session name (string)
arg2 - the row number (zero based)
arg3 - an out parameter to return the concatenation
of the fields values delimited by TAB.

db_record_check

This function checks that the specified record exists in the
database.Note that the checklist file (arg1) can be created
only using the Database Record Verification Wizard.
arg1 - checklist file.
arg2 - success criteria.
arg3 - number of records found.

db_write_records

This function writes the records of an executed query into a file.
Note that a db_execute_query for (arg1) should be called before this function
arg1 - the session name (string)
arg2 - the output file name
arg3 - a boolean optional parameter whether to
include the headers (the default is TRUE)
arg4 - an optional parameter to
limit the records number (-1 is no limit and is the default).

ddt_update_from_db

This function updates the table with data from database.
arg1 - table name.
arg2 - query or conversion file (*.sql ,*.djs).
arg3 (out) - num of rows actually retrieved.
arg4 (optional) - max num of rows to retrieve (default - no limit).

GUI-Functions

GUI_add

This function adds an object to a buffer
arg1 is the buffer in which the object will be entered
arg2 is the name of the window containing the object
arg3 is the name of the object
arg4 is the description of the object

GUI_buf_get_desc

This function returns the description of an object
arg1 is the buffer in which the object exists
arg2 is the name of the window containing the object
arg3 is the name of the object
arg4 is the returned description

GUI_buf_get_desc_attr

This function returns the value of an object property
arg1 is the buffer in which the object exists
arg2 is the name of the window
arg3 is the name of the object
arg4 is the property
arg5 is the returned value

GUI_buf_get_logical_name

This function returns the logical name of an object
arg1 is the buffer in which the object exists
arg2 is the description of the object
arg3 is the name of the window containing the object
arg4 is the returned name

GUI_buf_new

This function creates a new GUI buffer
arg1 is the buffer name

GUI_buf_set_desc_attr

This function sets the value of an object property
arg1 is the buffer in which the object exists
arg2 is the name of the window
arg3 is the name of the object
arg4 is the property
arg5 is the value

GUI_close

This function closes a GUI buffer
arg1 is the file name.

GUI_close_all

This function closes all the open GUI buffers.

GUI_delete

This function deletes an object from a buffer
arg1 is the buffer in which the object exists
arg2 is the name of the window containing the object
arg3 is the name of the object (if empty, the window will be deleted)

GUI_desc_compare

This function compares two phisical descriptions (returns 0 if the same)
arg1 is the first description
arg2 is the second description

Interview Questions in QTP-I »

1. This Quick Test feature allows you select the appropriate add-ins to load with your test.

Add-in Manager

2. Name the six columns of the Keyword view.

Item, Operation, Value, Documentation, Assignment, Comment

3. List the steps to change the logical name of an object named “Three Panel” into “Status Bar” in the Object Repository.

Select Tools>Object Repository. In the Action1 object repository list of objects, select an object, right click and select Rename from the pop-up menu.

4. Name the two run modes available in Quick Test Professional.

Normal and Fast

5. When Quick Test Professional is connected to Quality Center, all automated assets (e.g. tests, values) are stored in Quality Center.

True

6. What information do you need when you select the Record and Run Setting – Record and run on these applications (opened when a session begins)?

Application details (name, location, any program arguments)

7. Name and discuss the three elements that make up a recorded step.

Item – the object recorded, Operation – the action performed on the object, Value – the value selected, typed or set for the recorded object

8. There are two locations to store run results. What are these two locations and discuss each.

New run results folder – permanently stores a copy of the run results in a separate location under the automated test folder.

Temporary run results folder – Run results can be overwritten every time the test is played back.

9. True or False: The object class Quick Test uses to identify an object is a property of the object.

False

10. True or False: You can modify the list of pre-selected properties that Quick Test uses to identify an object.

True

11. True or False: A synchronization step instructs Quick Test to wait for a state of a property of an object before proceeding to the next recorded step. Synchronization steps are activated only during recording.

True

12. Manually verifying that an order number was generated by an application and displayed on the GUI is automated in Quick Test using what feature?

a Checkpoint

13. True or False: Quick Test can automate verification which are not visible on the application under test interface.

True

14. What is Checkpoint Timeout Value?.

A checkpoint timeout value specifies the time interval (in seconds) during which Quick Test attempts to perform the checkpoint successfully. Quick Test continues to perform the checkpoint until it passes or until the timeout occurs. If the checkpoint does not pass before the timeout occurs, the checkpoint fails.

15. True or False:You can modify the name of a checkpoint for better readability.

Ans: False

16. Define a regular expression for the following range of values
a. Verify that the values begin with Afx3 followed by 3 random digits
Afx3459, Afx3712, Afx3165

b. Verify that a five-digit value is included in the string
Status code 78923 approv

Afx3\d{3}
Status Code \d{5} approved

17. Write the letter of the type of parameter that best corresponds to the requirement:
a. An order number has to be retrieved from the window and saved into a file for each test run.
b. A value between 12 and 22 is entered in no particular order for every test run.
c. Every iteration of a test should select a new city from a list item.

A. Environment Parameter
B. Input Parameter
C. Component Parameter
D. Output Parameter
E. Random Parameter

D, E, B

18. This is the Data Table that contains values retrieved from the application under test. You can view the captured values after the test run, from the Test Results. What do you call this data table?.

Run-Time Data Table

19. Name and describe each of the four types of trigger events.

Ans:A pop up window appears in an opened application during the test run.
A property of an object changes its state or value.
A step in the test does not run successfully.
An open application fails during the test run.

20. Explain initial and end conditions.

Ans: Initial and end conditions refer to starting and end points of a test that allows the test to iterate from the same location, and with the same set up every time (e.g. all fields are blank, the test starts at the main menu page).

21. What record and run setting did you select so that the test iterates starting at the home page?

Ans: Record and run test on any open Web browser.

22. What Quick Test features did you use to automate step 4 in the test case? What property did you select?

Ans: Standard checkpoint on the list item Number of Tickets
Properties: items count, inner text, all items

23. Select Tools> Object Repository. In the Action1 object repository list of objects, select an object, right click and select Rename from the pop-up menu.

Ans: Input Parameter

24. What planning considerations did you have to perform in order to meet the above listed requirements?.

Ans:Register at least three new users prior to creating the automated test in order to have seed data in the database.

25. What Quick Test feature did you use to meet the requirement:
“The test should iterate at least three times using different user names and passwords”

Ans: Random parameter, range 1 to 4

26.Discuss how you automated the requirement:
“Each name used during sign-in should the be first name used when booking the ticket at the Book a Flight page.”

Ans: The username is already an input parameter. Parameterize the step ‘passFirst0’ under BookAFlight and use the parameter for username.

27.Challenge: What Quick Test feature did you use to meet the requirement:
“All passwords should be encrypted”

Ans: Challenge: From the Data table, select the cell and perform a right mouse click. A pop up window appears. Select Data > Encrypt.

Interview Questions on QTP »

1. What are the Features & Benefits of Quick Test Pro (QTP)?

1. Key word driven testing
2. Suitable for both client server and web based application
3. Vb script as the scripts language
4. Better error handling mechanism
5. Excellent data driven testing features

2. Where can I get Quick Test pro (QTP Pro) software? This is Just for Information purpose only.

Introduction to Quick Test Professional 8.0, Computer Based Training: Please find the step to get Quick Test Professional 8.0 CBT Step by Step Tutorial and Evaluation copy of the software. The full CBT is 162 MB. You will have to create account to be able to download evaluation copies of CBT and Software.

3. How to handle the exceptions using recovery scenario manager in QTP?

You can instruct QTP to recover unexpected events or errors that occurred in your testing environment during test run. Recovery scenario manager provides a wizard that guides you through the defining recovery scenario. Recovery scenario has three steps

1. Triggered Events
2. Recovery steps
3. Post Recovery Test-Run

4. What is the use of Text output value in Qtp?

Output values enable to view the values that the application talks during run time. When parameterized, the values change for each iteration. Thus by creating output values, we can capture the values that the application takes for each run and output them to the data table.

5. How to use the Object spy in QTP 8.0 versions?

There are two ways to Spy the objects in QTP
1) Thru file toolbar

—In the File Toolbar click on the last toolbar button (an icon showing a person with hat).

2) Tru Object repository Dialog

—In Object repository dialog click on the button “object spy…”
In the Object spy Dialog click on the button showing hand symbol.
the pointer now changes in to a hand symbol and we have to point out the object to spy the state of the object

If at all the object is not visible. Or window is minimized then Hold the Ctrl button and activate the required window to and release the Ctrl button.

6. What is the file extension of the code file & object repository file in QTP?

File extension of
– Per test object rep: - filename.mtr
– Shared Object rep: - filename.tsr
Code file extension id script.mts

7. Explain the concept of object repository & how QTP recognizes objects?

Object Repository: displays a tree of all objects in the current component or in the current action or entire test (depending on the object repository mode you selected).
We can view or modify the test object description of any test object in the repository or to add new objects to the repository.

Quick test learns the default property values and determines in which test object class it fits. If it is not enough it adds assertive properties, one by one to the description until it has compiled the unique description. If no assistive properties are available, then it adds a special Ordinal identifier such as objects location on the page or in the source code.

8. What are the properties you would use for identifying a browser & page when using descriptive programming?

“Name” would be another property apart from “title” that we can use.
OR
We can also use the property “micClass”.
Ex: Browser (”micClass: =browser”).page (”micClass: =page”)….

9. What are the different scripting languages you could use when working with QTP?

Visual Basic (VB), XML, JavaScript, Java, HTML

10. Give me an example where you have used a COM interface in your QTP project?

11. Few basic questions on commonly used Excel VBA functions.
Common functions are:
Coloring the cell
Auto fit cell
setting navigation from link in one cell to other
saving

12. Explain the keyword create object with an example.

Creates and returns a reference to an Automation object

Syntax: Create Object (servername.typename [, location])

Arguments
servername: Required. The name of the application providing the object.
typename: Required. The type or class of the object to create.
Location: Optional. The name of the network server where the object is to be created.

13. Explain in brief about the QTP Automation Object Model.

Essentially all configuration and run functionality provided via the Quick Test interface is in some way represented in the Quick Test automation object model via objects, methods, and properties. Although a one-on-one comparison cannot always be made, most dialog boxes in Quick Test have a corresponding automation object, most options in dialog boxes can be set and/or retrieved using the corresponding object property, and most menu commands and other operations have corresponding automation methods. You can use the objects, methods, and properties exposed by the Quick Test automation object model, along with standard programming elements such as loops and conditional statements to design your program.

14. How to handle dynamic objects in QTP?

QTP has a unique feature called Smart Object Identification/recognition. QTP generally identifies an object by matching its test object and run time object properties. QTP may fail to recognize the dynamic objects whose properties change during run time. Hence it has an option of enabling Smart Identification, wherein it can identify the objects even if their properties changes during run time.
Check this out-

If Quick Test is unable to find any object that matches the recorded object description, or if it finds more than one object that fits the description, then Quick Test ignores the recorded description, and uses the Smart Identification mechanism to try to identify the object.

While the Smart Identification mechanism is more complex, it is more flexible, and thus, if configured logically, a Smart Identification definition can probably help Quick Test identify an object, if it is present, even when the recorded description fails.
The Smart Identification mechanism uses two types of properties:

Base filter properties—the most fundamental properties of a particular test object class; those whose values cannot be changed without changing the essence of the original object. For example, if a Web link’s tag was changed from to any other value; you could no longer call it the same object. Optional filter properties—other properties that can help identify objects of a particular class as they are unlikely to change on a regular basis, but which can be ignored if they are no longer applicable.

15. What is a Run-Time Data Table? Where can I find and view this table?

In QTP, there is data table used, which is used at runtime.
-In QTP, select the option View->Data table.
-This is basically an excel file, which is stored in the folder of the test created, its name is Default.xls by default.

16. How does Parameterization and Data-Driving relate to each other in QTP?

To data drive we have to parameterize.i.e. We have to make the constant value as parameter, so that in each iteraration (cycle) it takes a value that is supplied in run-time datatable. Through parameterization only we can drive a transaction (action) with different sets of data. You know running the script with the same set of data several times is not suggestible, & it’s also of no use.

17. What is the difference between Call to Action and Copy Action?

Call to Action: The changes made in Call to Action, will be reflected in the original action (from where the script is called).But where as in Copy Action, the changes made in the script, will not effect the original script (Action)

18. Discuss QTP Environment.

Quick Test Pro environment using the graphical interface and Active Screen technologies - A testing process for creating test scripts, relating manual test requirements to automated verification features - Data driving to use several sets of data using one test script.

19. Explain the concept of how QTP identifies object.

During recording qtp looks at the object and stores it as test object. For each test object QT learns a set of default properties called mandatory properties, and look at the rest of the objects to check whether this properties are enough to uniquely identify the object. During test run, QT searches for the run time objects that match with the test object it learned while recording.

20. Differentiate the two Object Repository Types of QTP.

Object repository is used to store all the objects in the application being tested.2 types of object repository per action and shared. In shared repository only one centralized repository for all the tests. Where as in per action for each test a separate per action repository is created.

21. What the differences are and best practical application of each.

Per Action: For Each Action, one Object Repository is created.
Shared: One Object Repository is used by entire application

22. Explain what the difference between Shared Repository and Per_Action Repository

Shared Repository: Entire application uses one Object Repository, that similar to Global GUI Map file in Win Runner
Per Action: For each Action, one Object Repository is created, like GUI map file per test in Win Runner
23. Have you ever written a compiled module? If yes tell me about some of the functions that you wrote.

I used the functions for capturing the dynamic data during runtime. Function used for Capturing Desktop, browser and pages.

24. What projects have you used Win Runner on? Tell me about some of the challenges that arose and how you handled them.

Pbs: WR fails to identify the object in GUI. If there is a non std window obj WR cannot recognize it, we use GUI SPY for that to handle such situation.

25. Can you do more than just capture and playback?

I have done dynamically capturing the objects during runtime in which no recording, no playback and no use of repository is done AT ALL.

-It was done by the windows scripting using the DOM (Document Object Model) of the windows.

26. How long have you used the product?

27. How to do the scripting. Are there any inbuilt functions in QTP as in QTP-S? Whatz the difference between them? How to handle script issues?

Yes, there’s an in-built functionality called “Step Generator” in Insert->Step->Step Generator -F7, which will generate the scripts as u enter the appropriate steps.

28. What is the difference between checkpoint and output value.

An output value is a value captured during the test run and entered in the run-time but to a specified location.

EX:-Location in Data Table [Global sheet / local sheet]

29. IF we use batch testing, the result is shown for last action only. In such cases that how can I get result for every action?

U can click on the icon in the tree view to view the result of every action

30. How the exception handling can be done using QTP

It can be done Using the Recovery Scenario Manager which provides a wizard that guides you through the process of defining a recovery scenario. FYI. The wizard could be accessed in QTP> Tools-> Recovery Scenario Manager.

31. How do you test Siebel application using qtp?

32. How many types of Actions are there in QTP?

There are three kinds of actions:

Non-reusable action—an action that can be called only in the test with which it is stored, and can be called only once.
Reusable action—an action that can be called multiple times by the test with which it is stored (the local test) as well as by other tests.

External action—a reusable action stored with another test. External actions are read-only in the calling test, but you can choose to use a local, editable copy of the Data Table information for the external action.

33. How do you data drive an external spreadsheet?

34. I want to open a Notepad window without recording a test and I do not want to use SystemUtil.Run command as well how do I do this?

U can still make the notepad open without using the record or System utility script, just by mentioning the path of the notepad “( i.e., where the notepad.exe is stored in the system) in the “Windows Applications Tab” of the “Record and Run Settings window.

Manual Testing Interview Questions-2 »

How is testing affected by object-oriented designs?

Well-engineered object-oriented design can make it easier to trace from code to internal design to functional design to requirements. While there will be little affect on black box testing (where an understanding of the internal design of the application is unnecessary), white-box testing can be oriented to the application’s objects. If the application was well-designed this can simplify test design.

What is Extreme Programming and what’s it got to do with testing?

Extreme Programming (XP) is a software development approach for small teams on risk-prone projects with unstable requirements. It was created by Kent Beck who described the approach in his book ‘Extreme Programming Explained’ (See the Softwareqatest.com Books page.). Testing (’extreme testing’) is a core aspect of Extreme Programming. Programmers are expected to write unit and functional test code first - before the application is developed. Test code is under source control along with the rest of the code. Customers are expected to be an integral part of the project team and to help develope scenarios for acceptance/black box testing. Acceptance tests are preferably automated, and are modified and rerun for each of the frequent development iterations. QA and test personnel are also required to be an integral part of the project team. Detailed requirements documentation is not used, and frequent re-scheduling, re-estimating, and re-prioritizing is expected. For more info see the XP-related listings in the Softwareqatest.com ‘Other Resources’ section.

What is ‘Software Quality Assurance’?

Software QA involves the entire software development PROCESS - monitoring and improving the process, making sure that any agreed-upon standards and procedures are followed, and ensuring that problems are found and dealt with. It is oriented to ‘prevention’. (See the Bookstore section’s ‘Software QA’ category for a list of useful books on Software Quality Assurance.)

What is ‘Software Testing’?

Testing involves operation of a system or application under controlled conditions and evaluating the results (eg, ‘if the user is in interface A of the application while using hardware B, and does C, then D should happen’). The controlled conditions should include both normal and abnormal conditions. Testing should intentionally attempt to make things go wrong to determine if things happen when they shouldn’t or things don’t happen when they should. It is oriented to ‘detection’. (See the Bookstore section’s ‘Software Testing’ category for a list of useful books on Software Testing.)
• Organizations vary considerably in how they assign responsibility for QA and testing. Sometimes they’re the combined responsibility of one group or individual. Also common are project teams that include a mix of testers and developers who work closely together, with overall QA processes monitored by project managers. It will depend on what best fits an organization’s size and business structure.

What are some recent major computer system failures caused by software bugs?

• A major U.S. retailer was reportedly hit with a large government fine in October of 2003 due to web site errors that enabled customers to view one anothers’ online orders.
• News stories in the fall of 2003 stated that a manufacturing company recalled all their transportation products in order to fix a software problem causing instability in certain circumstances. The company found and reported the bug itself and initiated the recall procedure in which a software upgrade fixed the problems.
• In August of 2003 a U.S. court ruled that a lawsuit against a large online brokerage company could proceed; the lawsuit reportedly involved claims that the company was not fixing system problems that sometimes resulted in failed stock trades, based on the experiences of 4 plaintiffs during an 8-month period. A previous lower court’s ruling that “…six miscues out of more than 400 trades does not indicate negligence.” was invalidated.
• In April of 2003 it was announced that the largest student loan company in the U.S. made a software error in calculating the monthly payments on 800,000 loans. Although borrowers were to be notified of an increase in their required payments, the company will still reportedly lose $8 million in interest. The error was uncovered when borrowers began reporting inconsistencies in their bills.
• News reports in February of 2003 revealed that the U.S. Treasury Department mailed 50,000 Social Security checks without any beneficiary names. A spokesperson indicated that the missing names were due to an error in a software change. Replacement checks were subsequently mailed out with the problem corrected, and recipients were then able to cash their Social Security checks.
• In March of 2002 it was reported that software bugs in Britain’s national tax system resulted in more than 100,000 erroneous tax overcharges. The problem was partly attibuted to the difficulty of testing the integration of multiple systems.
• A newspaper columnist reported in July 2001 that a serious flaw was found in off-the-shelf software that had long been used in systems for tracking certain U.S. nuclear materials. The same software had been recently donated to another country to be used in tracking their own nuclear materials, and it was not until scientists in that country discovered the problem, and shared the information, that U.S. officials became aware of the problems.
• According to newspaper stories in mid-2001, a major systems development contractor was fired and sued over problems with a large retirement plan management system. According to the reports, the client claimed that system deliveries were late, the software had excessive defects, and it caused other systems to crash.
• In January of 2001 newspapers reported that a major European railroad was hit by the aftereffects of the Y2K bug. The company found that many of their newer trains would not run due to their inability to recognize the date ‘31/12/2000′; the trains were started by altering the control system’s date settings.
• News reports in September of 2000 told of a software vendor settling a lawsuit with a large mortgage lender; the vendor had reportedly delivered an online mortgage processing system that did not meet specifications, was delivered late, and didn’t work.
• In early 2000, major problems were reported with a new computer system in a large suburban U.S. public school district with 100,000+ students; problems included 10,000 erroneous report cards and students left stranded by failed class registration systems; the district’s CIO was fired. The school district decided to reinstate it’s original 25-year old system for at least a year until the bugs were worked out of the new system by the software vendors.
• In October of 1999 the $125 million NASA Mars Climate Orbiter spacecraft was believed to be lost in space due to a simple data conversion error. It was determined that spacecraft software used certain data in English units that should have been in metric units. Among other tasks, the orbiter was to serve as a communications relay for the Mars Polar Lander mission, which failed for unknown reasons in December 1999. Several investigating panels were convened to determine the process failures that allowed the error to go undetected.
• Bugs in software supporting a large commercial high-speed data network affected 70,000 business customers over a period of 8 days in August of 1999. Among those affected was the electronic trading system of the largest U.S. futures exchange, which was shut down for most of a week as a result of the outages.
• In April of 1999 a software bug caused the failure of a $1.2 billion U.S. military satellite launch, the costliest unmanned accident in the history of Cape Canaveral launches. The failure was the latest in a string of launch failures, triggering a complete military and industry review of U.S. space launch programs, including software integration and testing processes. Congressional oversight hearings were requested.
• A small town in Illinois in the U.S. received an unusually large monthly electric bill of $7 million in March of 1999. This was about 700 times larger than its normal bill. It turned out to be due to bugs in new software that had been purchased by the local power company to deal with Y2K software issues.
• In early 1999 a major computer game company recalled all copies of a popular new product due to software problems. The company made a public apology for releasing a product before it was ready.

Why is it often hard for management to get serious about quality assurance?

Solving problems is a high-visibility process; preventing problems is low-visibility. This is illustrated by an old parable:

In ancient China there was a family of healers, one of whom was known throughout the land and employed as a physician to a great lord. The physician was asked which of his family was the most skillful healer. He replied,

“I tend to the sick and dying with drastic and dramatic treatments, and on occasion someone is cured and my name gets out among the lords.”

“My elder brother cures sickness when it just begins to take root, and his skills are known among the local peasants and neighbors.”

“My eldest brother is able to sense the spirit of sickness and eradicate it before it takes form. His name is unknown outside our home.”

Why does software have bugs?

• miscommunication or no communication - as to specifics of what an application should or shouldn’t do (the application’s requirements).
• software complexity - the complexity of current software applications can be difficult to comprehend for anyone without experience in modern-day software development. Windows-type interfaces, client-server and distributed applications, data communications, enormous relational databases, and sheer size of applications have all contributed to the exponential growth in software/system complexity. And the use of object-oriented techniques can complicate instead of simplify a project unless it is well-engineered.
• programming errors - programmers, like anyone else, can make mistakes.
• changing requirements (whether documented or undocumented) - the customer may not understand the effects of changes, or may understand and request them anyway - redesign, rescheduling of engineers, effects on other projects, work already completed that may have to be redone or thrown out, hardware requirements that may be affected, etc. If there are many minor changes or any major changes, known and unknown dependencies among parts of the project are likely to interact and cause problems, and the complexity of coordinating changes may result in errors. Enthusiasm of engineering staff may be affected. In some fast-changing business environments, continuously modified requirements may be a fact of life. In this case, management must understand the resulting risks, and QA and test engineers must adapt and plan for continuous extensive testing to keep the inevitable bugs from running out of control - see ‘What can be done if requirements are changing continuously?’ in Part 2 of the FAQ.
• time pressures - scheduling of software projects is difficult at best, often requiring a lot of guesswork. When deadlines loom and the crunch comes, mistakes will be made.
• egos - people prefer to say things like:
‘no problem’
‘piece of cake’
‘I can whip that out in a few hours’
‘it should be easy to update that old code’
instead of:
‘that adds a lot of complexity and we could end up
making a lot of mistakes’
‘we have no idea if we can do that; we’ll wing it’
‘I can’t estimate how long it will take, until I
take a close look at it’
‘we can’t figure out what that old spaghetti code
did in the first place’

If there are too many unrealistic ‘no problem’s’, the result is bugs.

• poorly documented code - it’s tough to maintain and modify code that is badly written or poorly documented; the result is bugs. In many organizations management provides no incentive for programmers to document their code or write clear, understandable, maintainable code. In fact, it’s usually the opposite: they get points mostly for quickly turning out code, and there’s job security if nobody else can understand it (’if it was hard to write, it should be hard to read’).
• software development tools - visual tools, class libraries, compilers, scripting tools, etc. often introduce their own bugs or are poorly documented, resulting in added bugs.

How can new Software QA processes be introduced in an existing organization?

• A lot depends on the size of the organization and the risks involved. For large organizations with high-risk (in terms of lives or property) projects, serious management buy-in is required and a formalized QA process is necessary.
• Where the risk is lower, management and organizational buy-in and QA implementation may be a slower, step-at-a-time process. QA processes should be balanced with productivity so as to keep bureaucracy from getting out of hand.
• For small groups or projects, a more ad-hoc process may be appropriate, depending on the type of customers and projects. A lot will depend on team leads or managers, feedback to developers, and ensuring adequate communications among customers, managers, developers, and testers.
• The most value for effort will be in (a) requirements management processes, with a goal of clear, complete, testable requirement specifications embodied in requirements or design documentation and (b) design inspections and code inspections.

What is verification? validation?

Verification typically involves reviews and meetings to evaluate documents, plans, code, requirements, and specifications. This can be done with checklists, issues lists, walkthroughs, and inspection meetings. Validation typically involves actual testing and takes place after verifications are completed. The term ‘IV & V’ refers to Independent Verification and Validation.

What is a ‘walkthrough’?

A ‘walkthrough’ is an informal meeting for evaluation or informational purposes. Little or no preparation is usually required.

What’s an ‘inspection’?

An inspection is more formalized than a ‘walkthrough’, typically with 3-8 people including a moderator, reader, and a recorder to take notes. The subject of the inspection is typically a document such as a requirements spec or a test plan, and the purpose is to find problems and see what’s missing, not to fix anything. Attendees should prepare for this type of meeting by reading thru the document; most problems will be found during this preparation. The result of the inspection meeting should be a written report. Thorough preparation for inspections is difficult, painstaking work, but is one of the most cost effective methods of ensuring quality. Employees who are most skilled at inspections are like the ‘eldest brother’ in the parable in ‘Why is it often hard for management to get serious about quality assurance?’. Their skill may have low visibility but they are extremely valuable to any software development organization, since bug prevention is far more cost-effective than bug detection.

What kinds of testing should be considered?

• Black box testing - not based on any knowledge of internal design or code. Tests are based on requirements and functionality.
• White box testing - based on knowledge of the internal logic of an application’s code. Tests are based on coverage of code statements, branches, paths, conditions.
• unit testing - the most ‘micro’ scale of testing; to test particular functions or code modules. Typically done by the programmer and not by testers, as it requires detailed knowledge of the internal program design and code. Not always easily done unless the application has a well-designed architecture with tight code; may require developing test driver modules or test harnesses.
• incremental integration testing - continuous testing of an application as new functionality is added; requires that various aspects of an application’s functionality be independent enough to work separately before all parts of the program are completed, or that test drivers be developed as needed; done by programmers or by testers.
• integration testing - testing of combined parts of an application to determine if they function together correctly. The ‘parts’ can be code modules, individual applications, client and server applications on a network, etc. This type of testing is especially relevant to client/server and distributed systems.
• functional testing - black-box type testing geared to functional requirements of an application; this type of testing should be done by testers. This doesn’t mean that the programmers shouldn’t check that their code works before releasing it (which of course applies to any stage of testing.)
• system testing - black-box type testing that is based on overall requirements specifications; covers all combined parts of a system.
• end-to-end testing - similar to system testing; the ‘macro’ end of the test scale; involves testing of a complete application environment in a situation that mimics real-world use, such as interacting with a database, using network communications, or interacting with other hardware, applications, or systems if appropriate.
• sanity testing or smoke testing - typically an initial testing effort to determine if a new software version is performing well enough to accept it for a major testing effort. For example, if the new software is crashing systems every 5 minutes, bogging down systems to a crawl, or corrupting databases, the software may not be in a ’sane’ enough condition to warrant further testing in its current state.
• regression testing - re-testing after fixes or modifications of the software or its environment. It can be difficult to determine how much re-testing is needed, especially near the end of the development cycle. Automated testing tools can be especially useful for this type of testing.
• acceptance testing - final testing based on specifications of the end-user or customer, or based on use by end-users/customers over some limited period of time.
• load testing - testing an application under heavy loads, such as testing of a web site under a range of loads to determine at what point the system’s response time degrades or fails.
• stress testing - term often used interchangeably with ‘load’ and ‘performance’ testing. Also used to describe such tests as system functional testing while under unusually heavy loads, heavy repetition of certain actions or inputs, input of large numerical values, large complex queries to a database system, etc.
• performance testing - term often used interchangeably with ’stress’ and ‘load’ testing. Ideally ‘performance’ testing (and any other ‘type’ of testing) is defined in requirements documentation or QA or Test Plans.
• usability testing - testing for ‘user-friendliness’. Clearly this is subjective, and will depend on the targeted end-user or customer. User interviews, surveys, video recording of user sessions, and other techniques can be used. Programmers and testers are usually not appropriate as usability testers.
• install/uninstall testing - testing of full, partial, or upgrade install/uninstall processes.
• recovery testing - testing how well a system recovers from crashes, hardware failures, or other catastrophic problems.
• security testing - testing how well the system protects against unauthorized internal or external access, willful damage, etc; may require sophisticated testing techniques.
• compatability testing - testing how well software performs in a particular hardware/software/operating system/network/etc. environment.
• exploratory testing - often taken to mean a creative, informal software test that is not based on formal test plans or test cases; testers may be learning the software as they test it.
• ad-hoc testing - similar to exploratory testing, but often taken to mean that the testers have significant understanding of the software before testing it.
• user acceptance testing - determining if software is satisfactory to an end-user or customer.
• comparison testing - comparing software weaknesses and strengths to competing products.
• alpha testing - testing of an application when development is nearing completion; minor design changes may still be made as a result of such testing. Typically done by end-users or others, not by programmers or testers.
• beta testing - testing when development and testing are essentially completed and final bugs and problems need to be found before final release. Typically done by end-users or others, not by programmers or testers.
• mutation testing - a method for determining if a set of test data or test cases is useful, by deliberately introducing various code changes (’bugs’) and retesting with the original test data/cases to determine if the ‘bugs’ are detected. Proper implementation requires large computational resources.

What are 5 common problems in the software development process?

• poor requirements - if requirements are unclear, incomplete, too general, or not testable, there will be problems.
• unrealistic schedule - if too much work is crammed in too little time, problems are inevitable.
• inadequate testing - no one will know whether or not the program is any good until the customer complains or systems crash.
• featuritis - requests to pile on new features after development is underway; extremely common.
• miscommunication - if developers don’t know what’s needed or customer’s have erroneous expectations, problems are guaranteed.

What are 5 common solutions to software development problems?

• solid requirements - clear, complete, detailed, cohesive, attainable, testable requirements that are agreed to by all players. Use prototypes to help nail down requirements.
• realistic schedules - allow adequate time for planning, design, testing, bug fixing, re-testing, changes, and documentation; personnel should be able to complete the project without burning out.
• adequate testing - start testing early on, re-test after fixes or changes, plan for adequate time for testing and bug-fixing.
• stick to initial requirements as much as possible - be prepared to defend against changes and additions once development has begun, and be prepared to explain consequences. If changes are necessary, they should be adequately reflected in related schedule changes. If possible, use rapid prototyping during the design phase so that customers can see what to expect. This will provide them a higher comfort level with their requirements decisions and minimize changes later on.
• communication - require walkthroughs and inspections when appropriate; make extensive use of group communication tools - e-mail, groupware, networked bug-tracking tools and change management tools, intranet capabilities, etc.; insure that documentation is available and up-to-date - preferably electronic, not paper; promote teamwork and cooperation; use protoypes early on so that customers’ expectations are clarified.

What is software ‘quality’?

Quality software is reasonably bug-free, delivered on time and within budget, meets requirements and/or expectations, and is maintainable. However, quality is obviously a subjective term. It will depend on who the ‘customer’ is and their overall influence in the scheme of things. A wide-angle view of the ‘customers’ of a software development project might include end-users, customer acceptance testers, customer contract officers, customer management, the development organization’s management/accountants/testers/salespeople, future software maintenance engineers, stockholders, magazine columnists, etc. Each type of ‘customer’ will have their own slant on ‘quality’ - the accounting department might define quality in terms of profits while an end-user might define quality as user-friendly and bug-free.

What is ‘good code’?

‘Good code’ is code that works, is bug free, and is readable and maintainable. Some organizations have coding ’standards’ that all developers are supposed to adhere to, but everyone has different ideas about what’s best, or what is too many or too few rules. There are also various theories and metrics, such as McCabe Complexity metrics. It should be kept in mind that excessive use of standards and rules can stifle productivity and creativity. ‘Peer reviews’, ‘buddy checks’ code analysis tools, etc. can be used to check for problems and enforce standards.

For C and C++ coding, here are some typical ideas to consider in setting rules/standards; these may or may not apply to a particular situation:
• minimize or eliminate use of global variables.
• use descriptive function and method names - use both upper and lower case, avoid abbreviations, use as many characters as necessary to be adequately descriptive (use of more than 20 characters is not out of line); be consistent in naming conventions.
• use descriptive variable names - use both upper and lower case, avoid abbreviations, use as many characters as necessary to be adequately descriptive (use of more than 20 characters is not out of line); be consistent in naming conventions.
• function and method sizes should be minimized; less than 100 lines of code is good, less than 50 lines is preferable.
• function descriptions should be clearly spelled out in comments preceding a function’s code.
• organize code for readability.
• use whitespace generously - vertically and horizontally
• each line of code should contain 70 characters max.
• one code statement per line.
• coding style should be consistent throught a program (eg, use of brackets, indentations, naming conventions, etc.)
• in adding comments, err on the side of too many rather than too few comments; a common rule of thumb is that there should be at least as many lines of comments (including header blocks) as lines of code.
• no matter how small, an application should include documentaion of the overall program function and flow (even a few paragraphs is better than nothing); or if possible a separate flow chart and detailed program documentation.
• make extensive use of error handling procedures and status and error logging.
• for C++, to minimize complexity and increase maintainability, avoid too many levels of inheritance in class heirarchies (relative to the size and complexity of the application). Minimize use of multiple inheritance, and minimize use of operator overloading (note that the Java programming language eliminates multiple inheritance and operator overloading.)
• for C++, keep class methods small, less than 50 lines of code per method is preferable.
• for C++, make liberal use of exception handlers

What is ‘good design’?

‘Design’ could refer to many things, but often refers to ‘functional design’ or ‘internal design’. Good internal design is indicated by software code whose overall structure is clear, understandable, easily modifiable, and maintainable; is robust with sufficient error-handling and status logging capability; and works correctly when implemented. Good functional design is indicated by an application whose functionality can be traced back to customer and end-user requirements. (See further discussion of functional and internal design in ‘What’s the big deal about requirements?’ in FAQ #2.) For programs that have a user interface, it’s often a good idea to assume that the end user will have little computer knowledge and may not read a user manual or even the on-line help; some common rules-of-thumb include:
• the program should act in a way that least surprises the user
• it should always be evident to the user what can be done next and how to exit
• the program shouldn’t let the users do something stupid without warning them.

What is SEI? CMM? ISO? IEEE? ANSI? Will it help?

• SEI = ‘Software Engineering Institute’ at Carnegie-Mellon University; initiated by the U.S. Defense Department to help improve software development processes.
• CMM = ‘Capability Maturity Model’, developed by the SEI. It’s a model of 5 levels of organizational ‘maturity’ that determine effectiveness in delivering quality software. It is geared to large organizations such as large U.S. Defense Department contractors. However, many of the QA processes involved are appropriate to any organization, and if reasonably applied can be helpful. Organizations can receive CMM ratings by undergoing assessments by qualified auditors.

Level 1 - characterized by chaos, periodic panics, and heroic efforts required by individuals to successfully complete projects. Few if any processes in place; successes may not be repeatable.

Level 2 - software project tracking, requirements management, realistic planning, and configuration management processes are in place; successful practices can be repeated.

Level 3 - standard software development and maintenance processes are integrated throughout an organization; a Software Engineering Process Group is is in place to oversee software processes, and training programs are used to ensure understanding and compliance.

Level 4 - metrics are used to track productivity, processes, and products. Project performance is predictable, and quality is consistently high.

Level 5 - the focus is on continouous process improvement. The impact of new processes and technologies can be predicted and effectively implemented when required.

Perspective on CMM ratings: During 1997-2001, 1018 organizations were assessed. Of those, 27% were rated at Level 1, 39% at 2, 23% at 3, 6% at 4, and 5% at 5. (For ratings during the period 1992-96, 62% were at Level 1, 23% at 2, 13% at 3, 2% at 4, and
0.4% at 5.) The median size of organizations was 100 software engineering/maintenance personnel; 32% of organizations were U.S. federal contractors or agencies. For those rated at
Level 1, the most problematical key process area was in Software Quality Assurance.

• ISO = ‘International Organisation for Standardization’ - The ISO 9001:2000 standard (which replaces the previous standard of 1994) concerns quality systems that are assessed by outside auditors, and it applies to many kinds of production and manufacturing organizations, not just software. It covers documentation, design, development, production, testing, installation, servicing, and other processes. The full set of standards consists of: (a)Q9001-2000 - Quality Management Systems: Requirements; (b)Q9000-2000 - Quality Management Systems: Fundamentals and Vocabulary; (c)Q9004-2000 - Quality Management Systems: Guidelines for Performance Improvements. To be ISO 9001 certified, a third-party auditor assesses an organization, and certification is typically good for about 3 years, after which a complete reassessment is required. Note that ISO certification does not necessarily indicate quality products - it indicates only that documented processes are followed. Also see

http://www.iso.ch/ for the latest information. In the U.S. the standards can be purchased via the ASQ web site at http://e-standards.asq.org/

• IEEE = ‘Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ - among other things, creates standards such as ‘IEEE Standard for Software Test Documentation’ (IEEE/ANSI Standard 829), ‘IEEE Standard of Software Unit Testing (IEEE/ANSI Standard 1008), ‘IEEE Standard for Software Quality Assurance Plans’ (IEEE/ANSI Standard 730), and others.

• ANSI = ‘American National Standards Institute’, the primary industrial standards body in the U.S.; publishes some software-related standards in conjunction with the IEEE and ASQ (American Society for Quality).

• Other software development process assessment methods besides CMM and ISO 9000 include SPICE, Trillium, TickIT. and Bootstrap.

What is the ’software life cycle’?

The life cycle begins when an application is first conceived and ends when it is no longer in use. It includes aspects such as initial concept, requirements analysis, functional design, internal design, documentation planning, test planning, coding, document preparation, integration, testing, maintenance, updates, retesting, phase-out, and other aspects.

Will automated testing tools make testing easier?

• Possibly. For small projects, the time needed to learn and implement them may not be worth it. For larger projects, or on-going long-term projects they can be valuable.
• A common type of automated tool is the ‘record/playback’ type. For example, a tester could click through all combinations of menu choices, dialog box choices, buttons, etc. in an application GUI and have them ‘recorded’ and the results logged by a tool. The ‘recording’ is typically in the form of text based on a scripting language that is interpretable by the testing tool. If new buttons are added, or some underlying code in the application is changed, etc. the application might then be retested by just ‘playing back’ the ‘recorded’ actions, and comparing the logging results to check effects of the changes. The problem with such tools is that if there are continual changes to the system being tested, the ‘recordings’ may have to be changed so much that it becomes very time-consuming to continuously update the scripts. Additionally, interpretation and analysis of results (screens, data, logs, etc.) can be a difficult task. Note that there are record/playback tools for text-based interfaces also, and for all types of platforms.
• Other automated tools can include:
code analyzers - monitor code complexity, adherence to standards, etc.
coverage analyzers - these tools check which parts of the code have been exercised by a test, and may be oriented to code statement coverage, condition coverage, path coverage, etc.
memory analyzers - such as bounds-checkers and leak detectors.
load/performance test tools - for testing client/server and web applications under various load
levels.
web test tools - to check that links are valid, HTML code usage is correct, client-side and server-side programs work, a web site’s interactions are secure.

other tools - for test case management, documentation management, bug reporting, and configuration management.