Understanding the 7 Principles of Software Testing

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Based on my years of experience as a software developer and tester, I can state that software testing is not just a cycle but a very important process. Testing prevents software from being released with serious bugs and significantly decreases correspondence to users’ needs. Software testing is a critical aspect that comes with software development to ensure that it meets the intended standards. To do the testing effectively, one should follow the 7 Principles of Software Testing. Software testing involves:

Confirm and ensure that the product is free from bugs.
Determines if the product meets the technical specifications, according to the design and development.
Analyzes if the product meets the technical specifications according to the design and development.
Assess the product’s functionality and performance.
Find ways to optimize software efficiency, accuracy, and usability.

Are you blank? Don’t worry, knowing the software testing principles can greatly contribute in enhancing the efficiency of testing and the quality of the final output. Here in this blog, I will take you through these important software testing principles with examples.

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Principles of Software Testing

Software products are getting complicated in their functionality, and thus testing needs to find more efficient ways to reveal defects. However, as they adopt the new tools and methods, they should also adhere to some principles.

These principles aim to verify the specification, functionality, and performance of any software under test. They also make sure that the software serves the intended business and customer needs consistently. Let’s look at the 7 principles of software testing:

1. Testing Shows the Presence of Defects

To establish quality in the development phase and provide an accurate evaluation of the operational environments we test software. It helps us to find out the issues that require correction before the software is rolled out into the production environment. Nevertheless, this process implies that there are no defects in a particular product. However, this statement is not entirely true. It just means that there could be flaws, but you were unable to identify them.

The reasons why you may not have identified all the bugs could be endless. For instance, the test cases do not cover all the possible scenarios.

This software testing can help you in shaping software to meet stakeholder’s expectations and implies that you cannot vouch for the absence of defects in the software.

Example: For instance, Knight Capital, a financial services company that in 2012 was hit by a software glitch because of inadequate testing. For this glitch, they had to lose $440 million in half an hour.

2. Exhaustive Testing is Not Possible

The reality is that everything can’t be tested. In other words, all combinations of preconditions and inputs cannot be tested. If you attempt to do so, you are simply heading towards a situation where you are bound to spend a lot of cash and much time. The quality of the software will not be enhanced in any way with this process.

What you have to do is evaluate risk and then organize your tests based on these risks? To make sure you are testing these important functions. Planning and assessment guarantee your test coverage is good so that you do not have to test every single line of code.

Example: Suppose we need an input field that accepts percentages between 50 and 55. Then it’s simple, we can test this field with input data 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55. What if the same input field accepts values between 30 and 100 percent? Imagine we have to test with values from 30, 31,…, 99, 100. This will be a hectic process when quantity increases. This is a basic example. Perhaps you can imagine that with the help of an automation tool, you can do this task. But think of a field that accepts a billion values. Will you be able to test all potential values?

Therefore, as long as we continue to test all possible scenarios, it will affect both the time of software execution and financial resources. Since it is not possible to perform all those tests, some important testing such as risks and priorities, will be incorporated into our testing estimation.

3. Early Testing

In the 7 principles of software testing, early testing can locate any defects in the requirements or design phase. Bugs are easier and cheaper to fix at the preliminary stages of testing than at the final stages. This might avoid redoing whole areas of functionality. And as well, that will cause missed deadlines and cost overruns.

Example: In the development of the Airbus A380's software systems, several design defects that have the potential to cause fatal mishaps were determined through early testing. By detecting these problems early, Airbus was able to reduce substantial costs and at the same time protect the lives of passengers.

4. Defect Clustering

Defect clustering is the idea that the largest number of defects is in only a few modules. Or parts of the software project sort of applying the Pareto Principle to software testing, i.e., nearly 80% of the defects are noticed in 20% of the components.

Knowledge of this can be useful in your testing because if you identify a defect, there are more possibilities of finding others in same module. If you try to identify the critical areas that are changing the mos, you will be able to concentrate your testing on these primary areas of risk.

Example: Having analyzed the results of the research conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), it is possible to state that frequently used modules contained 80% of simple errors. This means that proper attention has to be paid to come up with more elaborate testing strategies for such regions. I have observed this principle several times. For example, in one large-scale project, I found out that the majority of the defects were always from a few core modules. These areas are critical in the development of software. Thus by directing our testing functions towards these aspects, we were able to enhance the standard of the software in general.

5. Pesticide Paradox

This principle is based on the theory that if you repeatedly use a particular pesticide on your crops, the insects you're trying to exterminate or repel will eventually gain the ability to withstand the pesticide and it will be of no use anymore.

In the same way, if you replicate similar tests over a certain period, they will not note new flaws. Even though they are likely to pass asserting that the software is functional it remains as a flaw.

Therefore, you have to carry on evaluating your tests, enrich scenarios, or alter them to avoid such a case of the pesticide paradox. For instance, you may apply different testing techniques, methods, and approaches at the same time.

Example: The initial test scripts in a typical large-scale e-business application failed to cover some prominent security features while testing. By updating and diversifying their test cases, the testing team identified and resolved several new issues, enhancing the site's security.

I've faced similar challenges. In one project, our test cases prepared at the start of the project were not as useful towards the end of the project. The integration of newer forms of tests and strategy is a means by which we were able to discover and rectify many matters that are undetected.

6. Testing is Context-Dependent

Testing is a situational activity which implies that there is no one right way of doing it. The categories of testing and approaches you employ are completely dependent on the context of the systems.

Example: The kind of testing that is associated with an iOS application is different from that of an e-commerce website. To state it in brief: whatever it is you are testing, it will influence or determine the approach you use.

7. Absence of Errors Fallacy

Even if your software is only 1% erroneous and 99% is perfect, if it does not satisfy the needs of your user, it is still unusable. That’s why we can run tests, which are relevant to the requirements of the system in question. Software testing is not only for the discovery of defects but also a confirmation that software corresponds to the user’s requirements.

Therefore, you also need to test your software with the users. During the usability testing phase, you can use early prototypes to get the users’ feedback. This process will help you shape the usability of the software. Even though your software might have relatively few issues, that doesn't mean it is ready to ship. It also has to fulfill the requirements and expectations of your consumers.

Example: In the development of the Healthcare.gov website, the first release of the website was technically correct, but was not able to handle the expected user load and deliver a satisfactory user experience. Although the site contained a relatively small number of bugs, it was considered a failure because of the low level of user satisfaction.

These are the important 7 Principles of Software Testing that can help in ensuring the software quality and making effective testing.

Why is it Crucial to Follow the Principles of Software Testing?

The 7 principles of software testing help in organizing the testing process and conducting testing correctly. Let me share why these principles are crucial:

Identifying Defects Early: This option helps to minimize the time and resources that are required for the elimination of bugs. For instance, in one of the projects, early testing helped us to avoid a major setback, where the product release delayed by several months.
Optimizing Testing Efforts: Focuses on the important issues to achieve efficiency. In a project, focusing on defect-prone modules helped us to significantly improve software quality with limited resources.
Ensuring Quality: Aligns the product with the context of the user’s needs and demands. I have noticed how understanding and meeting user needs can make the difference between a product's success and failure.
Adapting to Change: Ensures that the testing practices used in a business organization remain relevant and efficient at any given time. Continuous improvement and adapting testing strategies have been key to staying ahead of potential issues.

Implementing the above-mentioned 7 principles of software testing increases the quality and dependability of the software products, to meet the intended specifications. That structured style was very effective in my projects and provided me with more improved results.

Also Read: Risk Management in Testing

Conclusion

It is, therefore, necessary for anyone willing or involved in making high-quality software to adhere to 7 principles of software testing. These principles to determine faults are the right approach to take in testing. To ensure the quality of the finished product as per the needs of the user. For me, adhering to these 7 principles of software testing has helped me in achieving positive project outputs, and so I hope it will be helpful to all of you.

If you need to develop your testing skills, then the right choice can be stepping towards Automation Testing Certification. To be certified, you should take an Automation Testing Course at the best place, like Staragile. They can provide practical and quality knowledge with Automation Testing Training. These programs provide valuable skills to prepare you for the most complicated tasks of testing.

Study these 7 principles of software testing to learn how applying them can considerably enhance its effectiveness and eventually create the best software products.

Also Read: Risk Management in Testing

FAQs

1. What are the 7 steps of software testing?

The 7 steps of software testing are:

Requirement Analysis
Test Planning
Test Case Development
Environment Setup
Test Execution
Defect Reporting
Test Closure

2. Why are the principles of software testing important?

The testing principles help the testers to embark on the testing in the right manner and within the shortest time possible. The testing principles contribute to detecting defects early, prioritizing testing efforts, and ensuring that the end product meets user requirements and demands.

Also Read: Component Testing in Software Testing

3. Why should testing be considered context-dependent?

Different applications that are used by various stakeholders are different and they present different issues. A single approach to testing doesn't work for all. Context-dependent testing guarantees that the testing approach is tailored to the specific requirements of the project, leading to better outcomes.

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