Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter
13
Quality, Standards,
and Software Testing
Many people get confused with software quality, software testing, standards for
software development processes, and standards for software product. In fact, many
people get confused and use software testing and software quality interchangeably.
he purpose of writing this topic will be defeated until we discuss the relation-
ship between quality, standards, and software testing. Let us discuss these things
in detail.
1..1 Quality
Quality in any activity refers to meeting certain norms when the outcome of that
activity is measured. A product, when produced, must meet certain physical, aes-
thetical, chemical, and some other norms set and agreed upon by a certain certify-
ing body to be qualified as a quality product. Only then it is considered appropriate
to be consumed by a certain group of people. Now how does a person consider a
product suitable for his consumption? He sees the name of the certifying agency on
the product label and then decides to consume it or not.
Similarly, when a service is on offer, any person will avail himself of that service
only after getting satisfactory information about service quality. And this service
quality information is again provided by a certification agency.
A consumer trusts a certifying agency because the certifying agencies are gener-
ally unbiased and certify any product or service only after thoroughly testing it and
finding that it meets certain standards. If the certifying agency becomes biased and
1..
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