Testing involves more than just executing tests on a computer

However, testing involves much more than just performing a series of test cases. The test process involves a range of separate activities, and performing tests and checking the results are just two of these. Other testing activities include test planning, test analysis, and the design and implementation of test cases. Additional activities include writing reports… Continue reading Testing involves more than just executing tests on a computer

Testing involves taking a spot-check approach

Testing is often understood as spot-check execution1 of the software in question (the test object) on a computer. The test object is fed with test data covering various test cases and is then executed. The evaluation that follows checks whether the test object fulfills its planned requirements.2

Testing helps to assess software quality

It is therefore extremely important to check the quality of a software product to minimize the risk of failures or crashes. Testing monitors software quality and reduces risk by revealing faults at the development stage. Software testing is therefore an essential but also highly complex task.

Faulty Software is a Serious Problem

Software that is unreliable or that simply doesn’t perform the required task can be highly problematic. Bad software costs time and money and can ruin a company’s reputation. It can even endanger human life—for example, when the “autopilot” software in a partially autonomous vehicle reacts erroneously or too late.

Software is intangible

What is generally true for industrial production processes is also true for the development of software. However, checking parts of the product or the finished product can be tricky because the product itself isn’t actually tangible, making “hands-on” testing impossible. Visual checks are limited and can only be performed by careful scrutiny of the development… Continue reading Software is intangible

Quality requirements

Industrially manufactured products are usually spot-checked to make sure they fulfill the planned requirements and perform the required task. Different products have varying quality requirements and, if the final product is flawed or faulty, the production process or the design has to be modified to remedy this.