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Tag Archive for quality

Why some consider static analysis a testing and some do not?

Preparing myself also to ISTQB certification, I found they call static analysis actually as a static testing, while some engineering book distinct between static analysis and testing, which is the dynamic activity. I tent to think that static analysis is not a testing in the true sense as it does not test, it checks/verifies. But sure I would love to hear opinion of the true experts here.
Thank you

Inspection, code review – is it really testing?

ISTQB, Wikipedia or other sources classify verification acitivities (reviews etc.) as a static testing, yet other do not. If we can say that peer reviews and inspections are actually a kind of a testing, then a lot of standards do not make sense (consider e.g. ISO which say that validation is done by testing, while verification by checking of work products) – it should at least say dynamic testing for validation, shouldn’t it?
I am completing master thesis dealing with QA and I must admit that I have never seen worse and more ambiguous and contradicting literature than in this field :/
Do you think (and if so, why) that static testing is a good and justifiable term or should we stick to testing and static checks/analysis?

How can QA prevent defects?

Also according to Software Testing By Srinisvasan Desikan, Gopalaswamy Ramesh or ISTQB text books. Quality assurance is e.g. reviewing products, inspections, walkthroughs to see if all standards are being followed. This is preventive activity. I cannot see how this can be preventive?

Quality Assurance tools discrepancies

It is a bit ironic, yesterday I answered a question related to this topic that was marked to be good and today I’m the one who asks. These are my thoughts and a question:
Also let’s agree on the terms: QA is a set of activities that defines and implements processes during SW development. The common tool is the process audit. However, my colleague at work agrees with the opinion that reviews and inspections are also quality assurance tools, although most sources classify them as quality control.
I would say both sides are partially right: during inspections, we evaluate a physical product (clearly QC) but we see it as a white box so we can check its compliance with set processes (QA). Do you think it is the reason of the dichotomy among the authors? I know it is more like an academic question but it deserves the answer 🙂

Branch vs decision coverage question

ISTQB does not distinct between these (it reads “Branch/decision coverage”) but some sources do say it is different.
I would have two question. The essential one is about the difference. And the other one – does this whole concept belongs under the unit testing? Or white box testing?
Thanks

How can I update a large legacy codebase to meet specific quality standards?

There is a lot of information about tools and techniques for improving legacy codebases, but I haven’t come across any successful real world case studies. Most advice is on the micro level, and while helpful, doesn’t convince many people because of a lack of evidence it can help at the macro level.