Chapter 3

Question 1

What is static testing?

Answer 1

This type of testing relies on manual examination of work products or tool-driven evaluation of the code or other work products.

Question 2

What is dynamic testing?

Answer 2

This type of testing involves the execution of the software being tested.

Question 3

In what type of system is static testing and analysis particularly important?

Answer 3

It is important for safety-critical systems.

It is an important part of security testing and is often incorporated into automated software build and distribution tools.

Question 4

Name some examples of work products for static testing.

Answer 4

Specifications
Epics
Code
Contracts, project plans
Models

Question 5

What are some benefits to static testing?

Answer 5

It results in early detection of defects before dynamic testing commences. Early defects are cheaper to remove than later defects.
Defects not easily found by dynamic testing are found
Inconsistencies, ambiguity and logic errors are uncovered.
Testing and development time are reduced
Improved team communication

Question 6

What are the main differences between static testing and dynamic testing?

Answer 6

Static testing finds defects in work products directly while dynamic testing finds defects during the software run.

Static testing can be used to improve the consistency and internal quality of work products, while dynamic testing typically focuses on externally visible behaviours.

Question 7

Name some typical defects that are easier and cheaper to find through static testing.

Answer 7

Requirement defects
Design defects
Coding defects
Security vulnerabilities
Deviations from standards

Question 8

What is the difference between a formal and informal review?

Answer 8

Informal review involves not following a defined process and not having formal documented output.

Question 9

Describe the steps of the review process.

Answer 9

Planning: The scope of review is defined. The time and effort is estimated.
Initiate review: Distribute work product, Explain scope, goals, process etc., Answer participant questions about review
Individual review: Review all or part of work product, Noting defects, recommendations and questions
Issue communication and analysis
Fixing and reporting

Question 10

List and describe the typical review roles

Answer 10

Author: creator of the work product. Also fixes defects in the work product
Management: responsible for review planning. Assigns staff, budget and time
Facilitator: Mediates and ensures effective running of review meetings
Review leader: Takes responsibility for review. Decides who, when and where in the review.
Reviewers: SMEs, team members, stakeholders. Job titles are diverse. They identify the potential defects.
Scribe: recorder of the meetings.

Question 11

List some review types

Answer 11

Informal review
Walkthrough
Technical review
Inspection

Question 12

List some review techniques.

Answer 12

Ad-hoc
Checklist based
Scenarios and dry runs
Role-based

Question 13

Define entry criteria.

Answer 13

Entry criteria are the criteria or requirements, which must be met before initiating a specific task or a process.

Question 14

Define exit criteria.

Answer 14

Exit criteria are the requirements which must be met to complete a specific task or process

Question 15

Describe a walkthrough.

Answer 15

The author of the document under review explains the document to stakeholders of different backgrounds. The stakeholders may point out defects by way of scenarios or dry runs. The author does most of the preparation and the document is usually high level. A scribe may attend.

Question 16

Describe a technical review.

Answer 16

This is a discussion meeting between peers and experts about the technical content of a document. It is usually led by a moderator or a technical expert. May be formal or very informal. Management does not participate.

Question 17

Describe an inspection.

Answer 17

A formal review type in which the document under inspection is prepared and checked thoroughly by the reviewers before the meeting. In the meeting itself, the defects found are logged and any discussion is postponed until the discussion phase. It is usually led by a trained moderator and uses defined roles during the process. It uses entry and exit criteria.

Question 18

What role usually leads an inspection?

Answer 18

It is usually led by a trained moderator.

Question 19

What role usually leads a walkthrough?

Answer 19

Author

Question 20

What role usually leads a technical review?

Answer 20

moderator or a technical expert.