The dashboard that passed every test
A survey dashboard passes every test the team wrote. On the first morning, 600 pupils open it at once and it freezes. The head of year cannot find the filter button.
Different problems need different tests. This lesson covers the other six methods.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Acceptance testing | the customer checks the solution does what they asked for, before they accept it |
| Usability testing | real users try tasks to see how easy the solution is to use |
| Regression testing | running old tests again after a change |
| Load testing | checking it copes with the busiest day you expect |
| Stress testing | pushing it past its limit to see how it breaks |
| Closed box testing | testing with no view of the inside, only inputs and outputs |
| Open box testing | testing with a view of the inside, so every path can be tried |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can define six more testing methods, give a benefit and a drawback of each, say when to use them, and use one.
Starter
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Starter
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Acceptance, usability and regression testing
| Method | What it is | Why use it | Benefit | Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance | The customer tries it against what they asked for | Get agreement that it is finished | Shows it meets the customer's need | Very late: changes are costly |
| Usability | Real users do real tasks while you watch | Find confusing design | Finds problems code tests cannot | Needs real people, partly opinion |
| Regression | Re-run old tests after a change | Check the change broke nothing else | Stops new faults breaking old things | The test set grows large |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Load, stress, closed box and open box testing
| Method | What it is | Why use it | Benefit | Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Load | Add the number of users you expect on the busiest day | Check it still works then | Shows if it copes with real demand | Needs tools and a test copy |
| Stress | Go past the limit on purpose | Find where and how it breaks | Shows the breaking point | Can disrupt a live system |
| Closed box | Give inputs and check outputs, no view inside | Test as a user sees it | Needs no knowledge of the code | Can miss paths hidden inside |
| Open box | See the code and test every path | Be thorough | Finds hidden faults | Needs skill and the design |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Check
Have a go
Check
4 questionsHave a go: your answers are marked here and then forgotten. Sign in if you would like your score kept, and to pick up where you left off.Sign in to keep your score
Your answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.