Overview

The software development process includes testing, verification, validation, and code debugging to ensure proper function and reliability. Verification is the process of ensuring that programs meet their design specifications. Validation is the process of ensuring that a program meets its functional specification. Case studies demonstrate the use of Taguchi Methods for both program verification and validation. Seven types of software tests are described to verify and validate software; however, it is impossible to explicitly test every execution path through a large program. Black-box testing strategies test the functionality of each unit of code, and white-box testing methods are used to test the fidelity to design for each unit of code. Integration testing tests the interoperability of previously tested units of code. Bottom-up integration testing is an intuitive process of testing assemblies as the system is built. Top-down testing is a structured, algorithmic process that begins with the control program coded as a series of stubs or pseudo-programs that are replaced in a top-down fashion by actual code. Regression testing is employed to ensure that new versions of the program do not lose functionality over previous ones.

Chapter Outline

• Continuing the Development Cycle

• Verification

• Validation

• Testing and Evaluation

• Key Points

• Additional Resources

• Internet Exercises

• Review Questions

• Discussion Questions and Projects

• Problems

• Endnotes