Overview of Testing - Software Testing: Testing Across the Entire Software Development Life Cycle - page 2

includes planning tests, completing tests, and understanding test results during every
phase of software development.
Readers who will benefi t the most from this textbook include software profes-
sionals, business systems analysts, more advanced Computer Science students, and
more advanced Management Information Systems students. The common experi-
ence shared by this diverse group of readers is an appreciation of the technology
challenges in software development. It is this common experience in software devel-
opment that will enable the readers to quickly gain a realistic expectation of testing
benefi ts and acknowledge the boundaries of good software testing.
Although this textbook focuses specifi cally on software testing, fundamental
testing concepts presented in the fi rst section apply to all kinds of testing from auto-
mobiles to wine. This is possible because, to a large extent, testing is a mindset that
anyone can practice on any professional task or pastime.
Computer hardware testers will fi nd about 85% of this textbook directly
applicable to their assignments. They should seek additional reference materials for
information about the remaining 15% of the techniques they need.
Note : The easiest way to determine whether you are doing software or hardware
testing is to examine the recommendation from the test outcome “this system runs
too slowly.” If the recommendation is to “tweak” the software or buy more/faster
hardware, then you are doing software testing. If the recommendation is to reach for
the soldering gun, then you are doing hardware testing.
Typically, a person interested in software testing as a profession will begin to
specialize in certain kinds of testing like functional testing. Whittaker's textbook
mentioned in the beginning of this section can serve as the logical next step for ob-
taining a deeper understanding of functional testing. The breadth of topics discussed
in this textbook should serve as a reminder to the specialists that there are other
aspects of testing that often impinge upon the success of their specialty.

1.2 OBJECTIVES AND LIMITS OF TESTING

There are many opportunities for testing in both professional and personal life. We
will fi rst explore some examples of non-computer-related testing that show patterns
of thinking and behavior useful for software testing. Then we will examine some of
the boundaries imposed upon testing by fi nancial considerations, time constraints,
and other business limitations.

1.2.1 The Mind of a Tester

Kaner, Bach, and Pettichord describe four different kinds of thinking exhibited by
a good tester: [7]

1. Technical thinking: the ability to model technology and understand causes

and effects
Creative thinking: the ability to generate ideas and see possibilities 2.