02 - Introduction to Software and Software Testing

Hi there! In my first article, High-Level Overview of Software Quality Assurance, I provided a brief introduction to Software Quality Assurance (SQA) as a whole. As we move forward and dive deeper into topics such as Software Testing, Testing Management, and Bug Reporting, it’s important to take a step back and clarify what we mean by “Software” and “Software Testing.”

In this article, I’ll define these key concepts, which will help lay a solid foundation for the more detailed discussions to come.

Software Overview:

A software is a collection of computer programs designed to perform specific tasks or functions.

Types of Software:

• System Software:

  – Examples: Device drivers, Operating Systems, Servers, Utilities, etc.
  – Primarily manages computer hardware and provides a platform for other software to run.

• Programming Software:

  – Examples: Compilers, Debuggers, Interpreters, etc.
  – Aids developers in creating, testing, and debugging software applications.

• Application Software:

  – Examples: Web Applications, Mobile Apps, Desktop Applications, etc.

Software Testing

• Definition:

  – Part of the software development process.
  – Activity to detect and identify defects in the software.

  - Objective: Release a quality product to the client.

• Software Quality:

  – Quality is defined as justification of all the requirements of a customer in a product.

  – Quality is not defined in the product. It is defined in the customer`s mind.

• Characteristics:

  – Bug-free.
  – Delivered on time.
  – Within budget.
  – Meets requirements and/or expectations.

  – Maintainable.

  Why Do We Need Software Testing?

• Ensure that software is bug free.

• Ensure that system meets customer requirements and software specifications.

• Ensure that system meets end user expectations.

• Fixing the bugs identified after release is more expensive.

  Project vs. Product

• Project:

  - Developed for a specific customer based on their requirements.

• Product:

  - Developed for multiple customers based on market requirements.

  Error, Bug/Defect and Failure

• Error:

  – Human action that produces an incorrect result.

• Bug/Defect:

  – Human action that produces an incorrect result.

• Failure:

  – Human action that produces an incorrect result.

  Reasons for Software Bugs

• Miscommunication or no communication.

• Software complexity.

• Programming errors.

• Changing requirements.

• Lack of skilled testers.