Chapter 1: Introduction to Software Testing
1. What is Software Testing?
o Process to identify software correctness, bugs, and defects.
o Ensures software is defect-free and meets requirements.
o Testing is necessary to catch mistakes that could be costly or dangerous.
2. Who Does Testing?
o Software testers, developers, project leads, and end-users.
o Roles vary based on company and project.
3. When to Start and Stop Testing?
o Start early in the SDLC (e.g., requirements gathering).
o Stop based on deadlines, test case completion, bug rate, and management
decisions.
4. Test Cases and Techniques
o Test Case: A set of conditions to verify software functionality.
o Good Test Cases: Target key functionalities, boundary conditions, and
error handling.
o Testing Techniques: Black-box (functional) and White-box (structural)
testing.
5. Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)
o Phases: Requirement Analysis, Test Planning, Test Case Development, Test
Execution, Defect Logging, Test Closure.
o Ensures early defect detection, improved quality, and cost efficiency.
6. Principles of Software Testing
o Testing shows the presence of defects, but cannot prove absence.
o Early testing, defect clustering, and context-dependent testing are key
principles.
Chapter 2: Software Testing Techniques and Types
1. Unit Testing
o Tests individual components/modules in isolation.
o Types: Static (non-execution) and Dynamic (execution-based).
o Tools: JUnit, NUnit, pytest.
2. Integration Testing
o Tests how modules work together.
o Techniques: Incremental, Top-Down, Bottom-Up, Sandwich, Big-Bang.
o Challenges: Managing dependencies, environment setup, and test data.
3. Functional Testing
o Verifies software against functional specifications.
o Techniques: Equivalence Partitioning, Boundary Value Analysis, Decision
Table Testing.
o Focuses on input-output behavior and validation of requirements.
4. System Testing
o Tests the entire system against requirements.
o Focuses on system-level properties and uncovering faults.
5. Acceptance Testing
o Validates if the software meets user needs and acceptance criteria.
o Types: User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Business Acceptance Testing
(BAT).
6. Automated Testing
o Automates repetitive tasks to improve efficiency.
o Tools: Selenium, JUnit, etc.
o Not all tests can be automated (e.g., usability testing).
7. Performance Testing
o Evaluates system performance under various conditions.
o Types: Load, Stress, Scalability, and Reliability Testing.
8. Other Testing Types
o Security, Usability, Documentation, and Regulatory Testing.
Chapter 3: Test Management, Design, and Execution
1. Test Management
o Involves planning, organizing, and controlling testing activities.
o Ensures high-quality software delivery and meets project timelines.
o Tools: TestRail, Jira, Zephyr.
2. Test Plan
o A document outlining testing scope, resources, budget, and risks.
o Key elements: Test Objectives, Scope, Methodology, Assumptions, Risks,
and Schedule.
3. Test Case Design Techniques
o Requirement-Based: Black-box techniques like Boundary Value Analysis,
Equivalence Partitioning.
o Structure-Based: White-box techniques like Statement Coverage, Path
Testing.
o Experience-Based: Error Guessing, Exploratory Testing.
4. Test Data Generation
o Process of creating data for test cases.
o Techniques: Manual, Automated, Backend Injection, Third-Party Tools.
5. Test Environment
o Mimics the production environment to uncover configuration-related
issues.
o Includes hardware, software, and network configurations.
6. Test Documentation
o Includes Test Scenarios, Test Cases, Test Plans, Bug Reports, and Execution
Reports.
o Ensures proper tracking and communication of testing activities.
7. Risk Testing
o Identifies and manages risks that could impact the project.
o Types: Schedule, Budget, Technical, Operational, Security, and Market
Risks.
