Four Levels of Testing for Software Development

Four Levels of Testing for Software Development

There are four levels of testing in software testing; unit testing, integration, acceptance, and system testing. These tests are very imperative because they help in identifying all possible test cases on every level. With these levels, the testing is very systematic. These testing helps understand the performance of a system and analyzing its behavior. These levels of testing can be able to see missing areas and help a programmer make the necessary adjustments. All these levels are significant since they have very vital importance. They add essential value to any software development cycle.

In the unit testing, it explains that a unit is the smallest portion that can be tested in a system. When compiling an application, each unit is tested separately. Leenders & Dolfsma (2016) explains that unit testing makes a software programmer to be able to test each module independently. It’s very critical to test each unit alone. Each part is tested alone in that separation of testing. Each component can be evaluated if it’s working well and fulfilling its functionalities. Developers mainly do this testing. It helps in removing units that are not working well or not performing their features well before joining the groups together. Integration testing involves compiling and combining modules. In this level of testing, various testing modules are combined and tested as one system. These software modules make up an integrated system that can be tested as a whole. Testers make this kind of testing in an attempt to check the data flow of one module to the other (Leenders & Dolfsma, 2016).

The system testing is mainly conducted at the final stages to see if the developed system meets all the required specifications. An order can be easily checked if it’s complying or if it’s running in compliance with the requirements. Here all the components are tested on how they are interacting with one another. System testing is done on a complete compiled system whereby its loading, performance, reliability, and security testing are checked thoroughly. In this level, all the functional and non-functional modules are tested. Acceptance testing is that the level of testing where tests are conducted to see if customers order specification and requirements were met. The customer and other stakeholders mainly do this testing. This level is fundamental because a customer gets to see if all the conditions were met.

According to Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick (2016), there are many importances of these levels of testing. Unit testing, for instance, helps tests if each unit can run as a program. When the code is changed, the group can recognize these and run again.  In integration, it’s easier to find defects between functions and modules. In this stage, the modules have to be integrated appropriately for them to work well. No matter how the units have been entirely created, if the integration system doesn’t perform its job well, then the entire function will fail. System testing also ensures that one can tests if the system meets quality standards. System testing is done by a group of people who were not involved in developing the program. System testing also helps in evaluating if the application meets the business, functional, and technical requirements set by the client. Acceptance testing helps in determining if the system is ready to be released to the market. When an application passes this final test, the program is delivered for production.

All these levels are connected because, for the next level to function and run smoothly, the predecessor should have run smoothly as well (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick 2016, p.50). The extensiveness of testing is imperative because it’s a big reason to bring testers to any challenge. Programs that have been thoroughly tested ensure that all bugs have been detected and dealt with. All the levels of testing are necessary because they ensure that at the end of the day, there is a higher quality software.

‘First, to market at all costs’ can be very challenging to a programmer, especially if the manager is trying to push for uncompleted products to be released to the market. Very experienced developers can understand that this is a huge mistake. The levels of testing have to be adhered to without compromising. Testing is not easy because it entails writing proper test cases, ensuring all the right features have been covered, addressing user experience issues, testing manually, and even deciding what to automate. It’s essential to explain to the manager that there is a culture of testing that should be developed in the company. If a product is released to the market and then it fails, the implications will be much higher. The reputation of the company will be at stake. I would take my time to advise the manager that selling too quickly can be dangerous. There can be drawbacks that could have been avoided.

The enthusiasm that is brought forth with the possibilities of trying to beat the deadline and outrun competition is not natural. Most managers are always focused on how much higher or money they can make out of a deal. Being the leader of the project, it would be my duty to take the manager through every step. Research has shown that most software projects have to be rewritten and redeveloped again and again because mistakes were made in the first development project (Umar, 2019, p.33). In the software business, being the first to the market is imperative, but at what costs. The most important thing is ensuring the software is bug-free and keeping customer’s satisfaction high. Rushing increases stress, destroys productivity and makes the team distracted. There is a need for creativity, effectiveness, and focus.

Umar (2019) asserts that the rush to meet deadlines brings a lot of ethical complications. It can make people overlook security, integration, and even the performance of the software. There can be a problem with the software, hence, being released to market with bugs. This can make lousy software to go more rogue in the hands of the customers. The code of ethics, especially in delivery, is very imperative. Ethics might differ in tech companies, but its still ethics and should be adhered to. Systems have to follow all the levels of testing before being released to the market. Ethical foundations in technology prevent a programmer from releasing a product in the market that has not gone through all levels of development. The organization must have a culture among the developers which regards highly code of ethics in production.

Ethics does not only run in the project members but also n all stakeholders involved. There must be, at most transparency. The progress and challenges encountered should be communicated in a particular channel; hence no one will feel the need to rush work. When there is a proper channel of communication, the manager can avoid rushing the leader of a project into delivering a product that can have a negative impact on the market. To avoid being in this situation, I can create an internal code of ethics among my team members. If there are codes involved with commitment, courage, respect, and openness, then it’s easier to adhere to them.

The manager must understand the codes of work at all times since this helps in making the right decisions. As a senior programmer, I can’t rush a product to the market for the sake of making more money. I can first persuade the manager to give me more time by maturely explaining the implications of rushing a product just to be the first in the market. I would stand for what I believe in and ensure that the manager doesn’t push me. I can speak up and call out the unethical behavior of the company as it is. With high power comes responsibility, and I would make sure that I carry out my responsibilities well. This saying cannot be applied to companies that are creating and releasing products without thoroughly testing them. I believe that at the end of the day, abiding by the code of ethics is more imperative. It puts the team in a better position of developing quality applications and software that the market can trust and purchase at any time.

References

Leenders, R. T., & Dolfsma, W. A. (2016). Social networks for innovation and new product development. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 33(2), 123-131.

Kirkpatrick, J. D., & Kirkpatrick, W. K. (2016). Kirkpatrick’s four levels of training evaluation. Association for Talent Development.

Umar, M. A. (2019). A comprehensive study of software testing: Categories, levels, techniques, and types. International Journal of Advanced Research, Ideas, and Innovations in Technology, 5(6), 32-40.