SOFTWARE TESTING TECHNIQUES AND PRINCIPLES

This paper describes Software testing, need for software testing, Software testing goals and principles. Further it describe about different Software testing techniques and different software testing strategies. Finally it describes the difference between software testing and debugging.To perform testing effectively and efficiently, everyone involved with testing should be familiar with basic software testing goals, principles, limitations and concepts.We further explains different Software testing techniques such as Correctness testing, Performance testing, Reliability testing, Security testing. Further we have discussed the basic principles of black box testing, white box testing and gray box testing. We have surveyed some of the strategies supporting these paradigms, and have discussed their pros and cons. We also describes about different software testing strategies such as unit testing, Integration testing, acceptance testing and system testing.Finally there is comparison between debugging and testing. Testing is more than just debugging .Testing is not only used to locate defects and correct them it is also used in validation, verification process and measurement. A strategy for software Testing integrates software test case design methods into a well planned Series of steps that result in successful Construction of software that result in successful construction of software. Software testing Strategies gives the road map for testing. A software testing Strategy should be flexible enough to promote a customized testing approach at same time it must be right enough. Strategy is generally developed by project managers, software engineer and testing specialist. Software testing is an extremely creative and intellectually challenging task. When testing follows the principles given below, the creative element of test design and execution rivals any of the preceding software development steps, because testing requires high creativity and responsibility only the best personnel must be assigned to design, implement, and analyze test cases, test data and test results.