Test and Run Solutions Flashcards
What is a syntax error?
An error in a program due to code that does not conform to order or keywords expected by the programming language. The code will not be translatable and therefore won’t run.
What is a logic error?
An logical error in the code that is essentially a mistake, it can be translated and run but the outcome will not be as expected. (eg * instead of +)
What is a run-time error?
An error that will stop running (crash) and a run-time error will be displayed. It can still be translated and run until it crashes. (eg /0 or RAM running out)
What is white-box testing?
The test plan is based upon the structure and design of the actual code. The person who writes the test plan can actually see the code.
What is black-box testing?
The tester has no knowledge of the code. This kind of test plan should be written before the program is written (Requirements specification)
What is alpha testing?
The code is passed to a restricted audience within the company that produced the software, who will test and give feedback to the programmers. They will report any faults they find, making comments about the ease of use of the software and suggest improvements.
What is beta testing?
The program is released to a limited audience in return for their feedback, which will influence any further improvements. The audience might include reviewers, special customers and people who write textbooks about software.
What is unit testing?
This is where each module or function within a program is individually tested.
What is integration testing?
This is where multiple modules are put together and checked to see that there are no unintentional problems, as two can working well individually but cause problems when put together.
What is acceptance testing?
The customer and the software company sit down together and run through a series of tests based on the Requirements Specification.
What is a breakpoint?
An intentional stopping or pausing place in a program, put in place for debugging purposes. It allows the programmer to then examine the contents of the variables they have told the computer to ‘watch’ (translator diagnostics)
What is a translator diagnostic?
A translator checks each line in turn against the rules of the language, if there is any deviation from the rules in the way an instruction is constructed then an error will be reported. This allows the programmer to then trace the program to find the error.
What is a cross referencing tool?
It identifies every place that a particular variable occurs which allows the programmer to check that each variable has been named correctly and that one variable name hasn’t been used for two different things.
What is bottom up testing?
When a program is being tested, the smaller modules are each tested individually first. They are then combined with other modules and they are tested together. These are then combined with even more modules, and tested, until the whole program has effectively been rebuilt and completely tested.
What is an installation routine?
An installation routine for a piece of software is a program that installs the software onto the hard drive and sets up any settings to allow the software to work with the computer and operating system.
