For Further Exploration | Software Testing Fundamentals: Methods and Metrics

Before you go on to the next chapter, it's a good idea to try out your understanding of what you read in this chapter. These concepts are not difficult to understand, but fitting them into different types of projects requires a fair amount of creativity. Here is an opportunity for you to apply the concepts presented in this chapter before you go on to read about how to automate the construction of your inventory.

Imagine you are applying for a job as a test engineer at TestersParadise.com. You have just been presented with product descriptions for Product A and Product B. After reading through the descriptions, perform the following steps:

Construct a preliminary test inventory for each product.
Determine what is missing from these descriptions.
Determine what questions you would have for the designers and developers.

Product A

This product is a flexible Web conferencing system, or forum, which enables online discussions via the Web on intranets and the Internet. People can share information with each other using their Web browsers. The product provides a wide range of options for configuring discussions and managing access and security. The system can scale from hobby class Web sites, to enterprisewide systems, to online Web services. All the system administration and configuration is accomplished through the Web. In addition, Product A features:

A simple user interface with highly customizable layout. This allows the user to easily adjust the format of each conference, including graphics, background colors, custom HTML headers and footers, and announcement text.
Unlimited conferences. The user can create any number of conferences on the same system.
Threaded discussions. The product uses an intuitive system of nested, threaded discussions that facilitates communication and increases the effectiveness of online interaction.
Advanced searching. Users can use powerful searching tools to find messages or search for postings by author, date, keyword, or discussion area.
Flexible security. The system provides highly configurable security options that meet the needs of a wide range of public and private conference configurations. It enables the use of transparent user identification with persistent cookies and email-back user verification.
Easy administration. The administrator can administer the system via a Web browser. The system uses simple wizards to set up and configure all system and user settings.

Product B

This product is a Win2000/XP device driver for IrDA-compatible mobile computers. (IrDA stands for Infrared Data Association.) This driver provides a fast, reliable, and convenient way to exchange data wirelessly to or from your desktop computer with any IrDA-equipped laptop computer. You can access data and applications from local floppy or hard drives, access networked data, or print to any printer that is connected to your desktop computer or network. In addition, this product:

Supports the Plug-and-Play standards.
Supports IrDA IrLAP (Infrared Link Access Protocol) to keep your data safe and error-free.
Supports IrDA infrared communications specification.
Transmits and receives data at 115,200 baud with baud-rate switching capabilities.
Uses standard PC serial (RS-232C) connections (9-pin or 25-pin).

As you can see, you could formulate any number of possible answers and questions about these projects. You can check your answers and compare notes with others online at www.testersparadise.com.