In the realm of software development, ensuring the quality and reliability of a software solution is paramount. One crucial aspect of this process is system testing. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what system testing entails, its process, types, tools used, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.

What is System Testing?

System Testing is a vital phase in software development, where the complete and integrated software solution is evaluated to ensure it meets specified requirements and is suitable for end-users. It’s conducted after integration testing and before acceptance testing, focusing on both functional and non-functional aspects.

System Testing Process

System Testing involves several steps:

1. Test Environment Setup: Creating a testing environment for quality testing.
2. Creating Test Cases: Generating test cases for the testing process.
3. Creating Test Data: Generating data for testing.
4. Executing Test Cases: Running test cases using the generated data.
5. Defect Reporting: Detecting and reporting system defects.
6. Regression Testing: Testing for side effects of the testing process.
7. Log Defects: Logging and fixing detected defects.
8. Retesting: Repeating tests if unsuccessful.

Types of System Testing

1. Performance Testing: Evaluates speed, scalability, stability, and reliability.
2. Load Testing: Determines system behavior under extreme loads.
3. Stress Testing: Checks system robustness under varying loads.
4. Scalability Testing: Tests system performance in scaling up or down.

Tools used for System Testing

Several tools aid in system testing, including JMeter, Selenium, HP Quality Center/ALM, and more. The choice depends on factors like technology used, project size, and budget.

Advantages of System Testing

• Ensures comprehensive testing of the entire software.
• Validates technical and business requirements.
• Detects and resolves system-level problems early.
• Improves system reliability and quality.
• Enhances collaboration between teams.
• Increases user confidence and reduces risks.

Disadvantages of System Testing

• Time-consuming and expensive.
• Requires good debugging tools.
• Dependent on quality of requirements and design documents.
• Limited visibility into internal workings.
• Can be impacted by external factors like hardware configurations.

Personal Reflection

This resource has equipped me with valuable insights into system testing, which I believe will greatly enhance my job hunting process in software development. Understanding the various testing processes, types, and tools will make me a more competitive candidate, allowing me to target roles that specifically require expertise in system testing. Additionally, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of system testing will help me assess potential job opportunities more effectively, ensuring alignment with my skills and preferences. As I have seen many open roles looking for Software Q&A applicants.

Source: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/system-testing/

From the blog CS@Worcester – CS: Start to Finish by mrjfatal and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Introduction

In the journey of our careers, it’s not uncommon to reach a point where the road we’ve been traveling no longer feels right. Maybe it’s the urge for more time with family, the pursuit of a new passion, or simply a desire for change. Whatever the reason, it’s important to recognize that diverging from the familiar path doesn’t mean getting lost.

Sometimes, after diligently following the path laid out before us, we realize that it’s not leading where we want to go. The “Different Road” pattern acknowledges this pivotal moment, encouraging us to reflect on what truly matters to us.

Letting Go of the Long Road:

Embracing change often means bidding farewell to the familiar. Whether it’s stepping away from a successful career in software development or leaving behind a role we’ve invested years into, it can be daunting. However, the pattern reminds us that this departure doesn’t have to be permanent. Instead, it’s an opportunity to explore new horizons and grow in unexpected ways.

One of the most valuable aspects of taking a different road is recognizing that the journey doesn’t erase the experiences we’ve accumulated. Like Dave, who transitioned from family therapy back to technology, our skills and insights remain with us. Whether we’re teaching, parenting, or pursuing other passions, the problem-solving mindset and analytical skills we honed as software developers enrich our new endeavors.

Navigating Challenges

Leaving the Long Road might come with its own set of challenges. Some may fear judgment or difficulty reentering the software development field after a hiatus. However, as Larry’s journey illustrates, the skills acquired in one domain are often highly transferable. Additionally, the experiences gained from pursuing other interests can bring fresh perspectives and creativity to our work when we return.

If you find yourself considering a different road, start by exploring what else you might enjoy doing. List potential jobs or pursuits that intrigue you and speak to people who are already on those paths. Hearing about their experiences and comparing them with what you love about software development can provide valuable insights.

Conclusion

Embracing change in our careers can be both exhilarating and challenging. However, by recognizing when the Long Road is no longer the right path for us and bravely venturing onto a different road, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and opportunities for growth. So, if you’re feeling the pull of a different road, remember, it’s okay to take that leap. Your journey is yours to define, and the experiences you gain along the way will shape you in ways you never imagined possible.

From the blog CS@Worcester – CS: Start to Finish by mrjfatal and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Have you ever felt like your career path doesn’t quite fit the mold provided by your employer or the traditional trajectory laid out by society? You’re not alone. In fact, many professionals find themselves in this position, yearning for something more but unsure of how to break free from the constraints imposed by their current roles.

Enter the concept of “Drawing Your Own Map.” This pattern, inspired by real-life stories and experiences, encourages individuals to take the reins of their career paths and chart a course that aligns with their aspirations, interests, and values.

Imagine this: you’re at a crossroads in your career, feeling dissatisfied with the options presented to you. You realize that your employer’s idea of your career path doesn’t quite match your own vision. What do you do? You draw your own map.

This concept urges you to identify an ambitious yet logical next step for your career, irrespective of what your employer or career counselor may suggest. It’s about taking ownership of your professional journey and understanding that you have the power to shape it.

But how do you go about it? Start by visualizing the smaller, interim steps needed to move forward. These steps may seem insignificant at first, but they generate the momentum necessary to propel you toward your goals. It’s about taking that first terrifying step, even without a perfect plan, and trusting that you’ll figure it out along the way.

One of the most thought-provoking aspects of this pattern is its emphasis on defining small, achievable goals. By breaking down your aspirations into manageable tasks, you not only make progress but also gain valuable feedback that informs your journey.

Perhaps what’s most inspiring about this approach is its recognition that there’s no one-size-fits-all path to success. Each individual’s career map is unique, shaped by personal values, interests, and circumstances. It’s about finding your own route through the wilderness, even if it means deviating from the norm.

Now, you might be thinking, “But what about external constraints? What if economic conditions or family responsibilities limit my options?” Valid concerns indeed. The pattern acknowledges these challenges but encourages you to find creative solutions and challenge accepted norms.

In conclusion, drawing your own career map is about embracing personal agency, taking calculated risks, and continuously adapting to change. It’s about recognizing that your professional journey is yours and yours alone, and you have the power to redefine it at any time. So, grab a pen and start drawing your map. Who knows where it might take you?

From the blog CS@Worcester – CS: Start to Finish by mrjfatal and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

I recently read quite a few blogs regarding test-driven development (TDD), with many of them referencing behavior-driven development (BDD). This left me curious to learn about BDD and how it was different from TDD. Phillip Rogers does a great job breaking down what BDD is, the three principles of BDD, and some examples of BDD with Gherkin in his blog: “Behavior-driven development principles and practices.” (https://blog.logrocket.com/product-management/behavior-driven-development-principles-practices/#:~:text=Behavior%2Ddriven%20development%20(BDD),%2C%20domain%2Dspecific%20scripting%20language.) 

What is Behavior-Driven Development?

Behavior-driven development (BDD) is a product management approach focusing on defining system behavior from the user’s perspective. It emphasizes user interaction, collaboration among stakeholders, and aligning the product with user needs. BDD is a test-first development method.

3 Principles of Behavior-Driven Development:

1. What the software could do: Discovering and understanding customers needs to avoid building the wrong features. Techniques like impact mapping help prioritize features based on customer value.

2. What the software should do: Collaboratively writing structured documentation (executable specifications) articulating user needs. This involves using scenarios and examples in a given-when-then format to describe user behaviors.

3. What the software does: Automating desired behavior based on specifications, writing code, and iteratively improving both code and tests. This aligns with the test-driven development (TDD) process of writing failing tests, writing code to pass tests, and refactoring.

Behavior-Driven Development practices:

Impact mapping: A visual technique that reinforces what user outcomes are most important and are therefore more important to the project.

Story mapping: A visual technique that is used to maintain an understanding of what specifications are needed for a feature.

Three amigos: Forming sub-groups with different skill sets to work together. This brings different perspectives and thought processes into groups that may not have been there otherwise.

Benefits of Behavior-Driven Development

BDD being focused on the users’ perspective gives an improved understanding of the users’ goals. The tests created for BDD are typically higher level tests covering user scenarios. This ensures a high test coverage. Other benefits include enhanced collaboration, code reuse, and reduced rework as required changes are more likely to be seen early on.

Behavior-Driven Development vs Test-Driven Development

BDD and TDD are both test-first development methods that require planning and understanding of the project before beginning development. So, how are they different? TTD is mainly focused on the functionality of a feature. Whereas, BDD is focused on the users’ experience with that feature. BDD is more focused on testing specific scenarios a user may encounter. One notable difference is the fact that a single developer can do TDD where-as the amount of insight needed to do BDD requires everyone from developers to stakeholders,

From the blog CS@Worcester – CS Learning by kbourassa18 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

For this week’s blog, I decided to research security testing because we didn’t have the chance to go over it in class. While researching, I found a blog called “Security Testing: Types, Tools, and Best Practices” by Oliver Moradov. The article is split up into a few main sections: “What is Security Testing?”, “Types Of Security Testing”, “Security Test Cases and Scenarios”, “Security Testing Approaches”, “What Is DevSecOps?”, “Data Security Testing”, “Security Testing Tools”, and  “Security Testing Best Practices”.

The first section “What is Security Testing?” explains the definition of security testing then spits off into two sections that explain the main goals and key principles of security testing using bullet points to organize the information. Security testing determines if the software is vulnerable to cyber assaults and evaluates the effect of malicious or unexpected inputs on its operations. Security testing demonstrates that systems and information are safe and dependable and that they do not accept unauthorized inputs. It’s a type of non-functional testing that focuses on testing if the software is configured and designed correctly. The main goals of this kind of testing are to identify assets, risks, threats, and vulnerabilities. It gives actionable instructions for resolving detected vulnerabilities and can verify that they have been effectively fixed. The key principles of security testing are confidentiality, integrity, authentication, authorization, availability, and non-repudiation.  

The next section provides multiple sections that delve deeper into the multiple types of security testing. The examples provided are penetration testing (ethical hacking), application security testing (AST), web application security testing, API security testing, vulnerability management, configuration scanning, security audits, risk assessment, and security posture assessment. I knew about a few of these types of security testing. However, it was interesting to learn about API security testing and security posture assessments. It provided information like how APIs allow attackers to gain access to sensitive data and utilize them as an entry point into internal systems and the basics of what a security posture entails. 

The blog then discusses some important test scenarios like authentication, input validation, application, and business logic then provides other tests in a bulleted list. It then discusses the types of approaches ( white box, black box, and grey box testing) and a few useful tools.

The next section that I found very important was the section about best practices. The best practices mentioned were: “Shift Security Testing Left”, “Test Internal Interfaces, not Just APIs and UIs”, “Automate and Test Often”, “Third-Party Components and Open Source Security” and “Using the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide”. I knew about some of the practices like automating and testing often and testing often but I did not know about the Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG). I like the fact that the author provided a link to that resource as well. I think this blog is a great resource for those who want to learn about security testing. It is well organized and made me feel like I’m a bit better prepared to enhance security for future projects. 

From the blog CS@Worcester – Live Laugh Code by Shamarah Ramirez and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

The “Stay in the Trenches” pattern is a reflection of the temptation to prioritize promotions and managerial roles over staying engaged in programming, which is usually a developer’s passion. This pattern draws attention to the societal pressure to achieve success with upward mobility, highlighting the importance of sustainable motivations and the long-term commitment required for mastering software development. The pattern begins by addressing the common idea of being offered a promotion away from programming due to someone’s proven track record of delivering amazing work. While promotions are usually seen as signs of success this pattern challenges that notion. It emphasizes the risk of losing touch with the craft and the journey toward mastering when you step away from programming roles. The solution is to resist the given promotions that take you away from programming. Instead, it encourages people to negotiate with their employers for alternative forms of recognition and rewards that allow them to stay in programming. These alternatives may include increased pay or non-traditional technical leadership roles that still involve hands-on coding.

The main message of the “Stay in the Trenches” pattern is about keeping the passion for software development. Its about staying true to one’s love for coding and finding ways to balance career growth with meaningful work in programming. By rejecting promotions that lead away from programming, individuals can maintain their passion and commitment to the craft. This pattern challenges the usual idea of success and encourages to rethink of what truly motivates us in our careers. It helps remind us that staying connected to our passion and purpose is important for long-term fulfillment and excellence in software development. This pattern has made me rethink the usual idea of career advancement and success. It shows the importance of staying grounded in what I love to do and finding ways to align my career growth with my passion for programming even though the idea of the promotion maybe. This pattern has changes the idea that true success lies in finding joy and fulfillment in the work we do, even if it means resisting the loads of promotions that might take us away from our passion. The “Stay in the Trenches” pattern is a important pattern that reminds us to nurture our passion for software development by staying engaged in programming roles. It challenges us to focus on meaningful work over success and encourages us to negotiate for rewards that relate with our motivations and values.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Kaylene Noel's Blog by Kaylene Noel and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

With artificial intelligence increasing computational power and variability in usage, I wondered what advances were being made with AI. The tedious and repetitive aspect of test-driven development can sometimes leave the development process stagnating, so I was interested in how AI is changing the software testing process. This blog post, AI for Unit Testing: Revolutionizing Developer Productivity, by Philip Riecks, expands on how AI is improving the quality of our code and the productivity of our developers. 

The article highlights AI’s revolutionary steps in software testing and development. It discusses tools like IDE plugins that act as digital coding assistants and surveys from GitLab that show a significant increase in AI usage and demand for AI testing solutions. Philip explains the benefits of AI, which include streamlining test creation, boosting developer productivity, reducing developer fatigue, and many more. The article addresses why developers hate unit testing, highlighting the importance of it despite its tedious nature. It then gives an assortment of those tools with a small explanation of their specialization.

I found this article very enlightening, especially regarding the impressive abilities of AI-driven tools. My first thought when thinking of AI is to fear for developers’ jobs or worry about copyright infringement. It is nice to see that the focus of AI tools based on this article is to help developers by removing tedious tasks and allowing them to focus on improving the code. One of the sections mention AI’s ability to use user stories to generate test cases automatically. This was particularly interesting to me because a big part of behavioral-driven development involves using user scenarios when developing tests. Having AI take the workload off those using the BDD method would significantly increase productivity.

While reading, I still worry about the experience of those who use AI. If AI predicts defect areas, creates tests, and assists you every step of the way, how will that affect your ability to do those tasks? I also wonder if it matters if our abilities are lowered if we always have the tool at our disposal anyway. I imagine it would end up the same way we use calculators. We learn and can do calculations, but use the tool for convenience. Overall, I’m cautiously excited about AI, the stress taken off developers’ shoulders, and the increased time they will receive to focus on enhancing their projects.  

In the future, I will endeavor to learn more about AI, focusing on current and upcoming tools. When I use these tools, I will use them as an assistant and not as a crutch. 

The Article:https://www.diffblue.com/resources/ai-for-unit-testing-revolutionizing-developer-productivity/

From the blog CS@Worcester – KindlCoding by jkindl and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

The “Walking the Long Road” pattern goes into the journey of mastering software development, by tracing a new pathway to a summit rather than just conquering the same peak. This pattern reflects the challenges and rewards of pursuing excellence in software craftsmanship over a lifetime. The pattern begins by talking about the common practice of displaying training and achievement certificates as a sign of expertise. It shares the story of a developer named Dave, who relied on such certificates to validate his skills. However, through interactions with amazing developers, Dave realized the depth of knowledge and continuous learning required to become better in software development. One main idea of this pattern is the recognition of software development as a lifelong learning journey. The idea of mastering it highlights the dedication, discipline, and ongoing commitment needed to reach the highest levels of skill and understanding.

The pattern emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges, staying focused on long-term growth, and valuing learning opportunities over rewards or promotions. The impact of this pattern has me want to keep taking the approach of embracing any challenges and enjoy learning more about software development. It changes the idea that mastering software development is not a destination but a continuous process of improvement and exploration. It encourages so many people including me to prioritize learning, experimentation, and embracing the face of challenges. While the pattern talks about a focus on software development mastery, it also shows that different career paths in the industry are valid and beneficial in the long run. It encourages individuals to find a career path that works with their values, passions, and long-term goals, even if it means navigating tough challenges along the way. This pattern has changed my perspective on career development in software development. It has taught me the value of patience, perseverance, and a growth-oriented mindset. It has also inspired me to keep embracing the journey of mastering software craftsmanship with dedication, knowing that every step along the road contributes to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the craft. The “Walking the Long Road” pattern is a reminder of the nature of software development mastery, the importance of learning, and the rewards of staying committed to a path of continuous growth and improvement in software development.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Kaylene Noel's Blog by Kaylene Noel and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Unit Testing

Unit testing is a process in software testing where the smallest functional unit of code is tested. A common practice for unit tests is to first write the tests as code. Then the test code can be run automatically when changes are made. Doing this allows errors to be found, and isolated quickly if a test fails. Automating tests helps to ensure that efforts are focused on coding, rather than running tests.

As stated previously, a unit test is a block of code that verifies the accuracy of the smaller blocks of the code such as a function. The unit test checks that the block of code runs as expected, determined by the developer’s logic. A block of code may have more than one unit test assigned to it, in order to cover the full behavior of the block of tested code.

A block of code cannot be tested using a unit test because a unit test cannot use external data. Therefore the unit test needs to run in isolation. Because unit tests must run in isolation, this helps to improve the design of the code base to ensure that no function relies too heavily on other parts of the system. Doing this prevents code smells which can lead a rigid system due to insufficient modularization.

Unit testing strategies

There are strategies used when creating unit tests to ensure coverage of all test cases. Some of these strategies include error handling and numerous checks such as logic, boundary, and object oriented. Boundary checks and error handling are similar in the sense that they both check the behavior of the system based on inputs that are invalid/outside the expected input range. Object oriented checks ensure that the state of persisted objects are updated correctly. Lastly, logic checks ensures that the system performs as expected given a valid input.

Benefits of unit testing

A major benefit to unit testing is the increased efficiency when testing code and discovering bugs. Whenever the system code is changed, the same set of unit tests are run. If a test fails, it is easy to identify what caused the failure because tests are small and isolated. Therefore, unit tests help catch any bugs before the system reaches production. Another benefit to unit testing is unit tests act as another form of documentation. Unit tests act as documentation because developers can read the tests to see how to code should behave. Having accurate documentation is an important part of software, so that other developers know exactly what the expected behavior of the code is.

Conclusion

This article was chosen because I enjoyed that it explained when unit testing is less beneficial unlike other resources. This allowed me to understand when unit testing should, and should not be used. I enjoyed learning more about unit testing outside of class as it is such as integral part of software development. Therefore, I plan to implement unit testing in future projects to ensure system accuracy.

Resources:

https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/unit-testing/#:~:text=Unit%20testing%20is%20the%20process,test%20for%20each%20code%20unit.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Zack's CS Blog by ztram1 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Test-driven development is a method that talks about writing tests before writing code. It emphasizes how TDD has changed software development by making testing an iterative, ongoing process rather than an end phase near the project’s end. This blog talks about the TDD process, the roots of agile development, and its cycle of testing, code, and refactoring. As a computer science major understanding modern software development methods like TDD is important. I chose this source to gain more information about TDD’s principles, benefits, and best practices. Test-driven development’s approach to testing aligns with my idea of making sure that my software is high-quality. The source ideas of test-driven development integration with CI/CD pipelines also intrigued me, as it works with the best practices. It shows the idea of TDD, where each cycle starts with a clear testable goal, collaboration, and making sure it’s high quality throughout development. Learning about test-driven development agile principles highlighted the importance of flexibility, customer feedback, and adaptability in modern software development. One key takeaway was TDD’s role in enhancing collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders. By aligning development with user expectations and business objectives through clear, testable goals, test-driven development creates communication gaps and ensures that the software meets defined requirements. This topic means a lot to me as effective collaboration is needed for successful software projects.

The blog’s explanation of TDD’s benefits, such as improved design, and lower long-term costs changed the view of its value. Its emphasis on continuous improvement and code quality connects with my ideas of great software craftsmanship. The topic on best practices, including starting simple, writing expressive tests, and building an understandable test suite helps provide changes for applying test-driven development effectively. I plan on applying TDD’s principles and best practices in my future projects. Making sure I start simple, writing expressive tests, and building an understandable test suite are the steps I want to add to my skills. Additionally, integrating test-driven development into CI/CD pipelines for rapid and reliable deployments connects with software development best practices and emphasizes code reliability. This source not only has opened my understanding of TDD but also inspired me to embrace its principles in my software development skills. Reading and learning more about TDD’s principles, benefits, and integration with CI/CD pipelines is interesting. It has given me a deeper understanding of proactive testing, collaborative development, and efficient code delivery. Using a test-driven development cycle and best practices is not just a method. It’s an idea that fosters excellence and reliability in software development. This source has made me want to approach software development with a proactive testing mindset, ensuring quality and reliability in every line of code.

https://circleci.com/blog/test-driven-development-tdd/

From the blog CS@Worcester – Kaylene Noel's Blog by Kaylene Noel and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.