CSTE -- 1. Test Principles and Concepts

1. Test Principles and Concepts

1. Definition of Test Specifications - Establishing test objectives, purpose, approaches, pass/fail criteria, and the entrance and exit criteria.
2. Testing Techniques - Various approaches used in testing, including static or human (desk checking), white-box (logic driven), black-box (requirements driven), load testing, and regression. Also included are topics such as the purpose of, and methods for, designing and conducting tests.
3. Testing Methods - Methods or types include such tests as unit, performance, string, integration, systems recovery, regression, and acceptance.
4. Independent Testing - Testing by individuals other than those involved in the development of the product or system.
5. Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Software - Testing of purchased software is essential and must be included in the overall test plan. Besides verifying the reliability of the product, the integration of the COTS software with internally developed code must be insured.
6. Testing Code Developed Under Outside Contract - A primary objective of this testing effort is to determine conformance to requirements specified in the contracted documents. The integration of this code with the internal code is another important objective. The tester should be involved in establishing the requirement for the capability to establish and define testing requirements for a contract.
7. Test Quality - Determining the adequacy of a test to satisfy its purpose.
8. Testing Life Cycle - A systematic approach to testing that normally includes these phases:
1. Risk Analysis
2. Planning Process
3. Test Design
4. Performing Test
5. Defect Tracking and Management
6. Quantitative Measurement
7. Test Reporting
9. Vocabulary - The technical terms used to describe various testing types, tools, principles, concepts and activities.