Testing Programs (OCR GCSE Computer Science)

What is the purpose of testing programs?

• Testing is carried out for many reasons, however, 4 main areas are:
  • To ensure there are no errors or bugs in the code
  • To ensure that the code performs as it was intended
  • To ensure no one can gain unauthorised access to the system
  • To check the program solves the initial problem and meets all requirements

What are the different types of testing?

• There are two types of tests that developers and teams will do to ensure their programs are robust and meet the requirements that have been set out, they are: 
  • Iterative testing
  • Final testing

Iterative Testing

• Each part of a program is tested
• Every pathway through the program is tested
  • This includes each branch/pathway inside of IF statements
• This is done during the development of the program
• Iterative testing means repeatedly testing the program whilst continuing to make changes and make improvements
• This method of testing ensures that the program is fully functional and working as intended

Final Testing

• Testing that all parts (modules) of a program work together
• Checking the program against real data to ensure it meets all of the requirements
  • Testing the program using normal, boundary and erroneous data
• Final testing is done towards the end of the development cycle, once the entire program is complete
• Final testing can include
  • Alpha testing
  • Beta testing