Activity 1: Introduction

Welcome to Activity 1: An introduction to software testing

As you embark on this learning journey, it’s important to understand what software testing is and why it is a critical component of the software development process.

Software testing involves checking that a system functions as expected and finding any problems between the current behaviour of the programme and its intended behaviour. It’s a comprehensive process that involves planning, preparing and conducting tests and then evaluating the results.

In this activity, we will dig into the basics of software testing, introducing you to essential concepts such as bugs, errors and failures. We will discuss the goals of software testing and how it fits into the broader context of the software development life cycle (SDLC).

The idea of this first activity is to lay a solid foundation for the rest of the course. It’s a springboard, preparing you for the more detailed and specialised topics we’ll be delving into as the course progresses. By grasping these basics, you’ll be better equipped to understand and apply the more complex testing techniques and methods that we’ll uncover in subsequent activities.

Throughout the activity, we’ll explore the real-world implications of software failures and the important role software testing plays in preventing these costly errors. We’ll look at how software testing is deeply woven into the fabric of the software development life cycle, looking at its role in every phase, from the early stages of requirements and design to the later stages of implementation and deployment.

This first activity marks the beginning of your software testing journey. It’s the first step in understanding how crucial rigorous software testing is, not just in ensuring the successful functioning of a software product, but also in safeguarding the reputation and financial health of businesses worldwide. So, let’s get started on this exciting learning adventure.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this activity, you will be able to:

• Describe the different types of software testing, and where they may be applied in the software development process.