Systems Analysis and Design

Testing and Quality Assurance

The software system needs to be checked for its intended behavior and direction of progress at
each development stage to avoid duplication of efforts, time and cost overruns, and to assure
completion of the system within stipulated time. System testing and quality assurance come to
aid for checking the system. It includes:

 Product level quality (Testing)

 Process level quality. Let us go through them briefly:

Testing
Testing is the process or activity that checks the functionality and correctness of software
according to specified user requirements in order to improve the quality and reliability of system.
It is an expensive, time consuming, and critical approach in system development which requires
proper planning of overall testing process. A successful test is one that finds the errors. It
executes the program with explicit intention of finding error, i.e., making the program fail. It is a
process of evaluating system with an intention of creating a strong system and mainly focuses on
the weak areas of the system or software.
Characteristics of System Testing
System testing begins at the module level and proceeds towards the integration of the entire
software system. Different testing techniques are used at different times while testing the system.
It is conducted by the developer for small projects and by independent testing groups for large
projects.
Stages of System Testing
The following stages are involved in testing:
Test Strategy
It is a statement that provides information about the various levels, methods, tools, and
techniques used for testing the system. It should satisfy all the needs of an organization.

Test Plan
It provides a plan for testing the system and verifies that the system under testing fulfils all the
design and functional specifications. The test plan provides the following information:

 Objectives of each test phase

 Approaches and tools used for testing

 Responsibilities and time required for each testing activity

 Availability of tools, facilities, and test libraries

 Procedures and standards required for planning and conducting the tests

 Factors responsible for successful completion of testing process Test Case Design

 Test cases are used to uncover as many errors as possible in the system.

 A number of test cases are identified for each module of the system to be tested.

 Each test case will specify how the implementation of a particular requirement or design
decision is to be tested and the criteria for the success of the test.

 The test cases along with the test plan are documented as a part of a system specification
document or in a separate document called test specification or test description.
Test Procedures
It consists of the steps that should be followed to execute each of the test cases. These procedures
are specified in a separate document called test procedure specification. This document also
specifies any special requirements and formats for reporting the result of testing.
Test Result Documentation Test result file contains brief information about the total number of
test cases executed, the number of errors, and nature of errors. These results are then assessed
against criteria in the test specification to determine the overall outcome of the test.
Types of Testing Testing can be of various types and different types of tests are conducted
depending on the kind of bugs one seeks to discover:

Unit Testing
Also known as Program Testing, it is a type of testing where the analyst tests or focuses on each
program or module independently. It is carried out with the intention of executing each statement
of the module at least once.

 In unit testing, accuracy of program cannot be assured and it is difficult to conduct testing of
various input combination in detail.
 It identifies maximum errors in a program as compared to other testing techniques.
Integration Testing In Integration Testing, the analyst tests multiple module working together.
It is used to find discrepancies between the system and its original objective, current
specifications, and systems documentation.

 Here the analysts are try to find areas where modules have been designed with different
specifications for data length, type, and data element name.

 It verifies that file sizes are adequate and that indices have been built properly.
Functional Testing
Function testing determines whether the system is functioning correctly according to its
specifications and relevant standards documentation. Functional testing
typically starts with the implementation of the system, which is very critical for the success of
the system.
Functional testing is divided into two categories:

 Positive Functional Testing: It involves testing the system with valid inputs to verify that the
outputs produced are correct.

 Negative Functional Testing: It involves testing the software with invalid inputs and undesired
operating conditions.
Rules for System Testing
To carry out system testing successfully, you need to follow the given rules:

 Testing should be based on the requirements of user.

 Before writing testing scripts, understand the business logic should be understood thoroughly.

 Test plan should be done as soon as possible.

 Testing should be done by the third party.

 It should be performed on static software.

 Testing should be done for valid and invalid input conditions.

 Testing should be reviewed and examined to reduce the costs.

 Both static and dynamic testing should be conducted on the software.

 Documentation of test cases and test results should be done.

Quality Assurance
It is the review of system or software products and its documentation for assurance that system
meets the requirements and specifications.

 Purpose of QA is to provide confidence to the customers by constant delivery of product

according to specification

 Software quality Assurance (SQA) is a techniques that includes procedures and tools applied
by the software professionals to ensure that software meet the specified standard for its intended
use and performance.

 The main aim of SQA is to provide proper and accurate visibility of software project and its
developed product to the administration.

 It reviews and audits the software product and its activities throughout the life cycle of system
development.
Objectives of Quality Assurance
The objectives of conducting quality assurance are as follows:

 To monitor the software development process and the final software developed.

 To ensure whether the software project is implementing the standards and procedures set by the
management.

 To notify groups and individuals about the SQA activities and results of these activities.

 To ensure that the issues, which are not solved within the software are addressed by the upper
management.

 To identify deficiencies in the product, process, or the standards, and fix them.

Levels of Quality Assurance There are several levels of QA and testing that need to be
performed in order to certify a software product.
Level 1: Code Walk-through
At this level, offline software is examined or checked for any violations of the official coding
rules. In general, the emphasis is placed on examination of the documentation and level of in-
code comments.
Level 2: Compilation and Linking
At this level, it is checked that the software can compile and link all official platforms and
operating systems.
Level 3: Routine Running
At this level, it is checked that the software can run properly under a variety of conditions such
as certain number of events and small and large event sizes etc.
Level 4: Performance test
At this final level, it is checked that the performance of the software satisfies the previously
specified performance level.
Exam:
1. The needs to be checked for its intended behavior and direction of progress at
each development stage to avoid duplication of efforts, time and cost overruns, and to
assure completion of the system within stipulated time.

A. Software System B. Computer C. Memory D. System testing

Ans: A

2. Is the process or activity that checks the functionality and correctness of

software according to specified user requirements in order to improve the quality and
reliability of system.

A. Software system B. Memory C. Testing D. Assurance

Ans: C
3. It is a statement that provides information about the various levels, methods, tools, and
techniques used for testing the system. It should satisfy all the needs of an organization.

A. Test strategy B. Testing C. Functional Testing D. Unit testing

Ans: A

4. Determines whether the system is functioning correctly according to its specifications

and relevant standards documentation. Functional testing

A. Test strategy B. Testing C. Functional Testing D. Unit testing

Ans: C

5. Also known as Program Testing,

A. Test strategy B. Testing C. Functional Testing D. Unit testing
Ans: D
6. It is the review of system or software products and its documentation for assurance that
system meets the requirements and specifications.
A. Test strategy B. Quality assurance C. Functional Testing
D. Unit testing
Ans: B

7. It involves testing the system with valid inputs to verify that the outputs produced are
correct.
A. Test strategy B. Quality assurance C. Positive Functional Testing
D. Negative Functional Testing
Ans: C

8. It involves testing the software with invalid inputs and undesired operating conditions.
A. Test strategy B. Quality assurance C. Positive Functional Testing
 D. Negative Functional Testing
Ans: D

9. The analyst tests multiple module working together. It is used to find discrepancies
between the system and its original objective, current specifications, and systems
documentation.
A. Test strategy B. Quality C. Testing D. Integration Testing
Ans: D

10. Is a techniques that includes procedures and tools applied by the software professionals
to ensure that software meet the specified standard for its intended use and performance.
A. SQA B. Quality C. Testing D. Integration Testing
Ans: A
11. The test cases along with the test plan are documented as a part of a system specification
document or in a separate document called

A. SQA B. Quality C. Testing D. test specification or test description.

Ans: D

12. to15.
What are the four Levels of Quality Assurance
Ans:
Level 1: Code Walk-through
Level 2: Compilation and Linking
Level 3: Routine Running
Level 4: Performance test