IT Assignments paper for IT Students and readers

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Software Engineering
BT0081 Part-2
By Milan K Antony

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Explain different kinds of assessment techniques.
Metric-oriented assessments framed or synthesized processes
and provided standards and metrics for further process enhancement
and evaluation, as described in the work of Humphrey & Kellner
(1989);
Sutton (1988); and Curtis et al. (1992). The metrics took the form
of factors or goals, as in Boehm and Belz (1990); Madhavji et al.
(1994);
Khalifa and Verner (2000); and Blackburn et al. (1996). Some
assessments suggested elicitation procedures or plans as well
(Jaccheri, Picco, & Lago 1998; Madhavji et al. 1994).
 Unified model or taxonomy-driven assessments surveyed as many
models as possible in an attempt to build a classification or taxonomy

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(Blum 1994) or make comprehensive conclusions regarding a unified
process model derived through a broad selection and understanding of
process models (Jacobson et al. 1999).
 Process improvement assessments come from the perspective that
existing models are insufficient and need enhancements and new
architectures, as described in Bandinelli et al. (1995); Basili and
Rombach (1988); El-Emam and Birk (2000); and Baumert (1994). The
Capability Maturity Model has been the official reference platform for
this approach, in addition to efforts to integrate it with ISO9000
standards. Some of the assessments have focused on dramatic change
rather than incremental development.
 Tool support and software environment-based assessments incor-
porated automated tools into process modeling. Some have even
proposed frameworks for process model generation (Boehm & Belz
1990). These approaches have focused more on software development

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environments and included tool support to build more sophisticated
process models using CASE tools and automation, as described in
Osterweil (1997) and Ramanathan and Soumitra (1988). This and the
process improvement category overlap substantially.
1.Give the importance of version and release management.
Version and release management are the processes of
identifying and keeping track of different versions and releases of a
system. Version managers must devise procedures to ensure that
different versions of a system may be retrieved when required and
are not accidentally changed. They may also work with customer liaison
staff to plan when new releases of a system should be distributed.A
system version is an instance of a system that differs, in some way,
from other instances. New versions of the system may have different
functionality, performance or may repair system faults. Some versions
may be functionally equivalent but designed for different hardware or

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software configurations. If there are only small differences between
versions, one of these is sometimes called a variant of the other.A
system release is a version that is distributed to customers. Each
system release should either include new functionality or should be
intended for a different hardware platform. Normally, there are more
versions of a system than releases. Some versions may never be
released to customers.
For example, versions may be created within an organization for
internal development or for testing.
A release is not just an executable program or set of programs. It
usually includes:
(1) Configuration files defining how the release should be configured
for particular installations.
(2) Data files which are needed for successful system operation.
(3) An installation program which is used to help install the system on

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target hardware.
(4) Electronic and paper documentation describing the system.
All this information must be made available on some medium, which can
be read by customers for that software. For large systems, this may
be magnetic tape. For smaller systems, floppy disks may be used.
Increasingly, however, releases are distributed on CD-ROM disks
because of their large storage capacity.When a system release is
produced, it is important to record the versions of the operating
system, libraries, compilers and other tools used to build the
software. If it has to be rebuilt at some later date, it may be
necessary to reproduce the exact platform configuration. In some
cases, copies of the platform software and tools may also be placed
under version management. Some automated tool almost always
supports version management. This tool is responsible for managing
the storage of each system version.

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2.Give brief account of Software Testing Fundamentals.
esting presents an interesting anomaly for the software
engineer. During earlier software engineering activities, the engineer
attempts to build software from an abstract concept to a tangible
product. Now comes testing. The engineer creates a series of test
cases that are intended to 'demolish' the software that has been
built. In fact, Testing is the one step in the software process that
could be viewed (psychologically, at least) as destructive rather than
constructive.
Software engineers are by their nature constructive people. Testing
requires the developer discard preconceived notions of the
'correctness' of software
just developed and overcome a conflict of interest that occurs when
errors are uncovered.
3.Describe the various testing strategies.
Top-Down Testing tests the high levels of a system before

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testing its detailed components. The program is represented as a
single abstract component with sub components represented by stubs.
Stubs have the same interface as the component but very limited
functionality. After the top-level component has been tested, its
stub components are implemented and tested in the same way. This
process continues recursively until the bottom level components are
implemented. The whole system may then be completely tested.if top-
down testing is used unnoticed design errors might be detected at an
early stage in the testing process. As these errors are usually
structural errors, early detection means that they can be corrected
without unduecosts. Early error detection means that extensive
redesign and re-implementation may be avoided. Top-down testing
has the further advantage that a limited, working system is available
at an early stage in the development. This is an important
psychological boost to those involved in
the system development. It demonstrates the feasibility of the system

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to management. Validation, as distinct from verification, can begin
early in the testing process as a demonstrable system can be made
available to users. Strict top-down testing is difficult to implement
because of the requirement that program stubs, simulating lower levels
of the system, must be produced.
The main disadvantage of top-down testing is that test out put may
be difficult to observe. In many systems, the higher levels of that
system do not generate output but, to test these levels, they must
be forced to do so. The
tester must create an artificial environment to generate the test
results. Bottom-Up Testing Bottom – up testing is the converse of
top down testing. It involves testing
the modules at the lower levels in the hierarchy, and then working up
the hierarchy of modules until the final module is tested. The
advantage of bottom-up testing is the disadvantages of the top-
down testing and vice versa.

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These test drivers simulate components environment and are
valuable components in their own right. If the components being
tested are reusable components, the test-drivers and test data
should be distributed with the component. Potential re-users can run
these tests to satisfy themselves that the component behaves as
expected in their environment. If top-down development is combined
with bottom-up testing, all parts of the
system must be implemented before testing can begin. Architectural
faults are unlikely to be discovered until much of the system has
been tested. Correction of these faults might involve the rewriting
and consequent re-
testing of low-level modules in the system.
A strict top-down development process including testing is an
impractical approach, particularly if existing software components are
to be reused. Bottom-up testing of critical, low-level system
components is almost always

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necessary.Bottom-up testing is appropriate for object-oriented
systems in that individual objects may be tested using their own test
drivers they are then integrated and the object collection is tested.
The testing of these collections should focus on object interactions.
Thread testing
Thread testing is a testing strategy, which was devised for testing
real-time systems. It is an event-based approach where tests are
based on the events, which trigger system actions. A comparable
approach may be used
to test object-oriented systems as they may be modeled as event
driven systems.Thread testing is a testing strategy, which may be used
after processes, or
objects have been individually tested and integrated in to sub-
systems. The processing of each possible external event „threads its
way through the system processes or objects with some processing
carried out at each stage. Thread testing involves identifying and

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executing each possible processing „thread. Of course, complete
thread testing may be impossible because of the number of possible
input and output combinations. In such cases, the most commonly
exercised threads should be identified and selected for testing. Stress
testing ome classes of system are designed to handle specified
load. For example, a transaction processing system may be designed
to process up to 100 transactions per second; an operating system may
be designed to handle up to 200 separate terminals. Tests have to
be designed to ensure
that the system can process its intended load. This usually involves
planning a series of tests where the load is steadily increased. Stress
testing continues these tests beyond the maximum design load of the
system until the system fails. This type of testing has two functions:
(1) It tests the failure behavior of the system.
(2) It stresses the system and may cause defects to come to light,
which would not normally manifest themselves.

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Stress testing is particularly relevant to distributed systems based on
a network of processors. These systems often exhibit severe
degradation when they are heavily loaded as the network becomes
swamped with data, which the different processes must exchange.Back-
to-back testing Back-to-back testing may be used when more than
one version of a system is available for testing. The same tests are
presented to both versions of the system and the test results
compared. Difference between these test results highlights potential
system problems
Back-to-back testing is only usually possible in the following
situations:
(1) When a system prototype is available.
(2) When reliable systems are developed using N-version
programming.
(3) When different versions of a system have been developed for
different types of computers

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4.Write a note on Software Testing Strategy.
Initially, system engineering defines the role of
software and leads to software requirements analysis, where the
information domain, function, behavior, performance, constraints, and
validation criteria for software- are established. Moving inward along
the spiral, we come to design and finally to coding. To develop
computer software, we spiral inward
along streamlines that decrease the level of abstraction on each turn.
A strategy for software testing may also be viewed in the context of
the spiral. Unit testing begins at the vortex of the spiral and
concentrates on each unit (i.e., component) of the software as
implemented in source code. Testing progresses outwards along the
spiral to integration testing, where the focus is on design and the
construction of the software architecture. Taking another turn
outward on the spiral, we encounter validation testing, where
requirements established as part of software requirements analysis are

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validated against the software that has been constructed. Finally, we
arrive at system testing, where the software and other system
elements are tested as a whole. To test computer software, we spiral
out along stream-
lines that broaden the scope of testing with each turn.
Considering the process from a procedural point of view, testing
within the context of software engineering is actually a series of
four steps that are
implemented sequentially. The steps are shown in Figure 10.1. Initially,
tests focus on each component individually, ensuring that it functions
properly as
a unit. Hence, the name is unit testing. Unit testing makes heavy use
of white-box testing techniques, exercising specific paths in a
module's control
structure to ensure complete coverage and maximum error detection.
Next, components must be assembled or integrated to form the

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complete software
package. Integration testing addresses th e issues associated with the
dual problems of verification and program construction. Black-box
test case design techniques are the most prevalent during integration,
although a limited amount of white-box testing may be used to
ensure coverage of major control paths. After the software has been
integrated (constructed), a set of high-order tests are conducted.
Validation criteria (established during requirements analysis) must be
tested. Validation testing provides final assurance that software
meets all functional, behavioral, and performance requirements.
Black-box testing techniques are used exclusively during validation.
5.Give the importance of dimension of time in software
development.
Time has been the critical factor in software development from its
begin-nings; the original motivation for interest in computing was the
computer’s ability to carry out tasks faster than could be done

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otherwise. Computer
hardware provided fast processing power and high-speed memories
pro-vided fast storage. Software adapted this technology to the
needs of individuals and organizations to address problems in a timely
manner. It took only a while to recognize that building effective
software required more than just the time needed to write the source
code for a software product. Experience underscored the obvious:
software was only valuable when it met people’s needs and created
value. Software came to be viewed as a system that emerged during
the course of multiple, evolutionary, interdisciplinary life-cycle phases,
rather than a one-shot effort composed from a largely technical
perspective. Accordingly, the objective of development shifted
dramatically, from saving time in the short term to saving time in the
long term, w ith software production recognized as a lengthy process
that was engaged in developing solutions compliant with stakeholder
requirements. This decisive attitudinal

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change was the first step in transitioning software development from
coding to engineering, where business goals drove software
construction and not vice versa.
Of course, the short-term effect of the time factor as not cost
free. Software economics has underscored the importance of the time
value of money in assessing the actual costs and benefits of a
software project in
terms of discounted cash flow, net present value, return on
investment, and break-even analysis. Additionally, business and
technology have undergone dramatic – even revolutionary – changes
during the historic time-line of
software development, creating new demands and facilitating new
capabilities. From any perspective, time repeatedly plays a key role in
software development and its evolution.
Thus, a firm’s failure to respond to new business requirements within

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an adequate time to market can result in serious losses in sales and
market share; failing to exploit new enabling technologies can allow
advantageous
advances to be exploited by competitors. Although it is derived from
a business context, this time-to-market notion now plays a major role
in software process paradigms. The implication is that short-term
cycle time
must become shorter and, at the same time, the features and
expected quality of the final system must be retained. This is the new
challenge faced
by software development: building quality systems faster. The
required acceleration of the software development process entails an
extensive body of methodologies and techniques such as reusability;
CASE tools; parallel
development; and innovative approaches to project management.

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8.Explain various principles involved in Software Testing.
Before applying methods to design effective test cases, a software
engineer must understand the basic principles that guide software
testing All tests should be traceable to customer requirements: As
we have
seen, the objective of software testing is to uncover errors. It
follows that the most severe defects (from the customer's point
of view) are those that cause the program to fail to meet its
requirements.
 Tests should be planned long before testing begins: Test planning
can begin as soon as the requirements model is complete. Detailed
definition of test cases can begin as soon as the design model has
been solidified. Therefore, all tests can be planne d and designed
before any code has been generated.
 The Pareto principle applies to software testing: Stated simply, the

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Pareto principle implies that 80 percent of all errors uncovered during
testing will likely be traceable to 20 percent of all program
components. The probe" of course, is to isolate these suspect
components and to thoroughly test them.
 Testing should begin “in the small” and progress toward testing “in
the large”: The first tests planned and executed generally focus on
individual components. As testing progresses, focus shifts in an
attempt to find errors integrated clusters of components and
ultimately in the entire system.
 Exhaustive testing is not possible: The number of path permutations
even a moderately sized program is exceptionally large. For this
reason, it is impossible to execute every combination of paths
during testing. It is possible, however, to adequately cover
program logic and to ensure that all conditions in the component-
level design have been exercised.
 To be most effective, testing should be conducted by an

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independent third party: By most effective, we mean testing that
has the highest probability of finding errors (the primary objective
of testing). The software engineer who created the system is not the
best person to
conduct all tests for the software. Testability
In ideal circumstances, a software engineer designs a computer
program, a system, or a product with "testability" in mind. This
enables the individuals
charged with testing to design effective test cases more easily. But
what is testability? James Bach describes testability in the following
manner.Operability
"The better it works, the better it can be tested."
 The system has few bugs (bugs add analysis and reporting overhead
to the test process).
 No bugs block the execution of tests.
 The product evolves in functional stages (allows simultaneous

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development and testing).Observability
"What you see is what you test."  Distinct output is generated for
each input.
 The system states and variables are visible or queriable during
execution.
 Past system states and variables are visible or queriable (e.g.,
transaction logs).
 All factors affecting the output are visible.
 Incorrect output is easily identified.
 Internal errors are automatically detected through self-testing
mechanisms.
 Internal errors are automatically reported.
 Source code is accessible.
Controllability
"The more we control the software, the more the testing can be

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automated and optimized.' All possible outputs can be generated
through some combination of input.
 All code is executable through some combination of input.
 Software and hadware states and variables can be controlled
directly by the test engineer.
 Input and output formats are consistent and structured.
 Tests can be conveniently specified, automated, and reproduced.
Decomposability
"By controlling the scope of testing, we can more quickly isolate
problems and perform smarter re-testing.'
 The software system is built from independent modules.
 Software modules can be tested independently.
Simplicity
"The less there is to test, the more quickly we can test it,
Functional
simplicity (e.g., the feature set is the minimum necessary to meet

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Requirements).
 Structural simplicity (e.g., architecture is modularized to limit the
propagation of faults).
 Code simplicity (e.g., a coding standard is adopted for ease of
inspection and maintenance).
Stability
"The fewer the changes, the fewer the disruptions to testing.”
 Changes to the software are infrequent.
 Changes to the software are controlled.
 Changes to the software do not invalidate existing tests.
 The software recovers well from failures.
Understandability
"The more information we have, the more effectively we test.
 The design is well understood.
 Dependencies between internal, external, and shared components are

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well understood.
 Changes to the design are communicated.
 Technical documentation is instantly accessible.
 Technical documentation is well organized.
 Technical documentation is specific and detailed.
 Technical documentation is accurate.
A software engineer to develop a software configuration (i.e.,
programs, data, and documents) that is amenable to testing can use
the attributes suggested by Bach.
6.Explain Verification and Validation.
Software testing is one element of a broader topic that is often
referred to as verification and validation (V&V). Verification refers
to the set of activities
that ensure that software correctly implements a specific function.
Validation refers to a different set of activities that ensure that the

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software that has
been built is traceable to customer requirements
The definition of V&V encompasses many of the activities that we have
referred to as software quality assurance (SQA). Testing does
provide the last bastion from which quality can be assessed and, more
pragmatically, errors can be uncovered. But testing should not be
viewed as a safety net. As they say, "You can't test in quality. If
it's not there before you begin testing, it won't be there when
you're finished testing." Quality is incorporated into software
throughout the process of software engineering. Proper application
of methods and tools, effective formal technical reviews, and solid
management and measurement all lead to quality that is confirmed
during testing. at the culmination of integration testing, software is
completely assembled
as a package, interfacing errors have been uncovered and corrected,
and a final series of software tests – validation testing – may begin.

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Validation can be defined in many ways, but a simple (albeit harsh)
definition is that validation succeeds when the software functions in a
manner that can be reasonably expected by the customer. At this
point a battle-hardened software developer might protest: Who or
what is the arbiter of reasonable expectations? Reasonable expectations
are defined in the Software Requirements Specification – a document
that describes all user-visible attributes of the
software. The Specification contains a sectio n called Validation
criteria.Software validation is achieved through a series of black box
tests that demonstrate conformity with requirements. A test plan
outlines the classes of tests to be conducted and a test procedure
defines specific test cases that will be used to demonstrate conformity
with requirements. Both the plan
and the procedure are designed to ensure that all functional
requirements are satisfied, all performance requirements are achieved,
documentation is correct and human-engineered, and other

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requirements are met
(e.g., transportability, compatibility, error recovery, maintainability).
7.What is Unit Testing? Explain.
Unit testing focuses verification effort on the smallest unit of
software design-the software component or module. Using the
component-level design description as a guide, important control
paths are tested to uncover
errors within the boundary of the module. The relative complexity of
tests and uncovered errors is limited by the constrained scope
established for unit testing. The unit test is white-box oriented, and
the step can be conducted in parallel for multiple components.
Top-down integration testing is an incremental approach to
construction of program structure. Modules are integrated by moving
downward through the
control hierarchy, beginning with the main control module (main
program). Modules subordinate (and ultimately subordinate) to the

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main control module are incorporated into the structure in either a
depth-first or breadth-first manner.Bottom-up integration testing, as
its name implies, begins construction and testing with atomic modules
(i.e., components at the lowest levels in the
program structure). Because components are integrated from the
bottom up, processing required for components subordinate to a
given level is always available and the need for stubs is eliminated.