Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
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Benchmark test
—When any component or the complete application is
tested with a view to compare it against a similar component or application.
The benchmark test is used mainly for marketing purposes to compare any
application with an application that is considered as an industry leader.
Big bang testing
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—When a software application is integrated with another
application, a lot of integration testing will be required to be performed. This
can be done in phases. But sometimes it can be taken in one go. Big bang
testing is the method to test complete integration under one phase.
Business process-based testing
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—Nowadays most enterprise-level software
applications (in the category of ERP, CRM, SCM, etc., applications) have
rich functionality that also contains complete business process functions.
Subject matter experts (SME) test these functions to ensure that all the steps
in business transaction and workflows work as per specifications. The SME
does not follow the menu hierarchy and instead follows the business flow to
test the complete business transactions. This kind of testing is known as busi-
ness process-based testing.
2.2
What Needs to Be Tested?
Software is developed for many uses. In fact, in today's world, we cannot visualize
our lives without the presence of software around us. It is everywhere. Software
is used for doing financial management, financial calculations, financial report-
ing, trade management, order management, customer management, operations
management (also known as supply chain management), logistics management,
spend management, retail management, supplier management, hospital manage-
ment, etc. These are examples of enterprise management software. Then there are
desktop applications that need to be tested (e.g. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Project,
Microsoft Visio, Notepad). There are software applications that act as interfaces
with the hardware part of computers. These are called device drivers. There are
software systems for operating mobiles, cars, airplanes, industrial and safety equip-
ment, and so on. These are called embedded systems. There are communication
applications for the telecom sector as well as instant messengers and VOIP systems,
which use networking protocols, ports, and many peripheral telecom devices to
operate. And who can forget e-mail programs, without which so much of our com-
munication needs would not be fulfilled.
Most of these software systems are used for commercial purposes (more than
90% of all software development is done for commercial purposes). Software is also
used for military, scientific research, and space missions.
Software development can also be classified as product development, application
development, custom software development, and customization. Testing of these
systems is also different. When a software product is being developed, it involves
creating a broad and rich functionality so that the software can be used by many
