Software Testing Important Questions:

1. Explain SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) in detail & also the needs of
software engineering.
2. Explain the role of process in software quality & discuss how to design an efficient
software.
3. Explain the concept of defect classes with suitable examples (defect repository).
4. Explain the process of test case design using the black box approach.
5. Explain the process of test case design using the white box approach.
6. Explain the concept of boundary value analysis with equivalence class partitioning
technique.
7. Explain all types of testing (unit, integration, validation, system, black box, white box,
alpha, beta, performance, stress, regression & random).
8. Explain the no. of independent paths & also discuss how we design the control flow
graph for a specific software.
9. Random testing: Explain the concept of test harness in software testing.
10. Discuss 7 principles of software testing.

1. Explain SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) in detail & also the needs of
software engineering.

Answer:

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured process used for developing
software applications, ensuring high quality and efficiency. The stages of SDLC include:

Planning: Identifying the requirements, objectives, and scope of the project.

Analysis: Analyzing user requirements and creating detailed specifications for the
software.
Design: Designing the system architecture, including data flow, database design, and
software interfaces.
Implementation (Coding): Writing the actual code based on the design documents.
Testing: Testing the software for defects and ensuring it meets the requirements.
Deployment: Deploying the software into the production environment for end-users.
Maintenance: Maintaining and updating the software to adapt to changes and fix issues.

Need for Software Engineering:

Ensures systematic and structured development of software.

Helps in managing complexities and changing requirements.
Enhances software quality, reliability, and maintainability.
Reduces development costs and time-to-market.
2. Explain the role of process in software quality & discuss how to design efficient
software.

Answer:

The role of process in software quality is crucial, as it defines a systematic approach to

software development, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and quality. A well-defined process
provides:

Standardization: Helps maintain quality across different phases of development.

Predictability: Enables accurate estimation of timelines and resources.
Efficiency: Reduces rework and ensures smooth progression from one phase to another.
Continuous Improvement: Allows for iterative enhancements based on feedback.

Designing Efficient Software:

Requirement Analysis: Clearly define user needs and requirements.

Modular Design: Break down the software into smaller, reusable modules.
Adopt Design Patterns: Use proven design patterns for solving common design problems.
Optimization: Focus on writing efficient algorithms and using resources effectively.
Testing and Validation: Perform regular testing to identify and fix issues early.

3. Explain the concept of defect classes with suitable examples (defect

repository).

Answer:

Defect classes refer to different categories of defects that can occur in software. They help
in identifying, tracking, and resolving defects efficiently. Some common defect classes are:

1. Functional Defects: Errors in the software's functionality, e.g., a calculator app

giving incorrect results.
2. Performance Defects: Issues affecting the software's speed, responsiveness, or
resource usage, e.g., a web page taking too long to load.
3. Usability Defects: Problems that affect user interaction, e.g., confusing navigation in
a mobile app.
4. Compatibility Defects: Issues with software running on different platforms, e.g., a
web application not working on certain browsers.
5. Security Defects: Vulnerabilities that expose software to security risks, e.g.,
improper input validation allowing SQL injection.

A defect repository is a database that tracks and categorizes all defects, providing
information like defect description, severity, status, and resolution steps.
4.Explain the process of test case design using the black box approach.

Answer:

The Black Box Testing Approach involves designing test cases without knowledge of the
internal code or structure. The focus is on testing the software’s functionality against the
specified requirements.

Process of Test Case Design in Black Box Testing:

1. Identify Test Scenarios: Based on the software's requirements, identify different test
scenarios.
2. Define Input Data: Create a variety of input conditions to test different functionalities.
3. Determine Expected Outputs: Define the expected results for each test case based
on the requirements.
4. Execute Test Cases: Run the test cases using the input data and compare the
actual output with the expected output.
5. Document Results: Record the outcomes, including any discrepancies or defects
found.

5. Explain the process of test case design using the white box approach.

Answer:

The White Box Testing Approach involves designing test cases with knowledge of the
software's internal structure, code, and logic.

Process of Test Case Design in White Box Testing:

1. Identify all paths in the code: Understand the program logic, flow, and structure.
2. Develop Test Cases for Coverage: Create test cases to cover all statements,
branches, conditions, and paths.
3. Execute Test Cases: Execute the designed test cases, ensuring all internal code
paths are validated.
4. Check for Logic Errors: Identify any logical errors or issues with loops, conditions,
or data flow.
5. Document and Analyze Results: Record the test outcomes and analyze any
defects found.

6. Explain the concept of boundary value analysis with equivalence

class partitioning technique.

Answer:

Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) and Equivalence Class Partitioning (ECP) are two
widely used techniques in test case design
.

● Equivalence Class Partitioning (ECP): Divides the input data into different classes
(equivalence partitions) where the system is expected to behave similarly. Test cases
are created for each partition.
○ For example, if a system accepts input from 1 to 100, ECP might have three
partitions: valid (1-100), below valid range (<1), and above valid range (>100).
● Boundary Value Analysis (BVA): Focuses on testing at the boundaries of the
equivalence partitions since errors often occur at boundary values.
○ In the example above, BVA would test values like 0, 1, 2 (just below and at
the lower boundary), and 99, 100, 101 (just below and at the upper
boundary).

7.Explain all types of testing (unit, integration, validation, system, black

box, white box, alpha, beta, performance, stress, regression & random).

Answer:

1. Unit Testing: Testing individual components or modules.

2. Integration Testing: Testing the interaction between integrated modules.
3. Validation Testing: Ensures the product meets user requirements.
4. System Testing: Tests the entire system as a whole.
5. Black Box Testing: Testing without internal knowledge of the code.
6. White Box Testing: Testing with internal knowledge of the code.
7. Alpha Testing: Conducted by developers/testers in a controlled environment.
8. Beta Testing: Conducted by end-users in a real environment before final release.
9. Performance Testing: Ensures the software performs well under expected load.
10. Stress Testing: Tests software beyond normal operational capacity to check its
robustness.
11. Regression Testing: Ensures new changes don’t negatively impact existing
functionality.
12. Random Testing: Involves random data inputs to test the system’s robustness.

8.Explain the number of independent paths & also discuss how we

design the control flow graph for a specific software.

Answer:

Independent paths in a software program represent unique execution routes through the
code, ensuring that all possible scenarios are tested. These are determined using
Cyclomatic Complexity, calculated as:

Cyclomatic Complexity=E−N+2\text{Cyclomatic Complexity} = E - N + 2Cyclomatic

Complexity=E−N+2 where EEE = number of edges, NNN = number of nodes in the control
flow graph.

Designing the Control Flow Graph:

 1. Identify all statements, conditions, and loops in the code.
2. Represent them as nodes and edges in a graph.
3. Draw directed edges from one node to another, representing the flow of execution.

Testing all independent paths ensures thorough coverage of the software logic.

9.Random testing: Explain the concept of test harness in software

testing.

Answer:

Random Testing: A technique where random inputs are used to test the software, aiming to
discover unexpected defects.

Test Harness: A collection of test scripts, software tools, and data that allows the
automation of testing by providing inputs, executing tests, and capturing results. It simulates
the environment and controls the execution of tests, making it easier to conduct repetitive
and thorough testing.

10.Discuss 7 principles of software testing.

Answer:

The 7 Principles of Software Testing are:

1. Testing shows the presence of defects: Testing can prove defects exist but cannot
confirm their absence.
2. Exhaustive testing is impossible: Testing all possible inputs and scenarios is
impractical.
3. Early testing: Testing should begin as early as possible in the SDLC.
4. Defect clustering: A small number of modules typically contain most defects.
5. Pesticide paradox: Repeating the same tests will no longer find new defects; tests
need to be updated regularly.
6. Testing is context-dependent: Different applications require different testing
approaches.
7. Absence-of-errors fallacy: Even a defect-free system might fail if it doesn't meet
user requirements.