Static Testing | Definition ,Techniques and Types
- Static testing is defined as “Verification of software code or other project documentation without executing the code.”
- Verification can be done manual or with the help of tool.
- This technique help in identifying defects earlier in the development cycle.
- Static Technique checks the code, requirement and design documents and puts review comments on these documents.
- This Technique helps in finding the errors, code flaws and malicious code in the software application.
- Static testing starts in the earlier phase of development cycle so it is also called verification testing.
What can be verified using Static Testing Techniques?
- Test Plans
- Test Designs
- Code
- Test Data
- Test Cases
- Reports, etc.
Types of Static testing techniques:
Reviews:
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- A process or meeting during which a work product or a set of work products, is presented to project personnel, managers, users, customers or other interested parties for comment or approval.
- Documents are reviewed formally or informally and comments are provided.
- Design documents, Code, Test plan, Test Specification, Test Cases etc. can be reviewed.
- A review characterised by documented procedures is called Formal Review
- A review not based documented procedure called Informal review
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Inspection:
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- Inspection is the most Formal review type so checklist is prepared to review the work documents.
- Main objective is to find defect
- Trained moderator conducts Walkthroughs
- During inspection the documents are prepared and checked thoroughly by the reviewers before the meeting
- It involves peers to examine the product
- Inspection meeting has proper entry and exit criteria.
- Defects found in the meeting are documented in the issue log or logging list.
- Reports created during the meeting are shared with the Author to take appropriate actions on that.
- A formal follow-up is carried out by the moderator applying exit criteria
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Walkthrough:
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- Author leads the review process to fulfil the common understanding and other team members ask the possible questions and submit their feedback collected
- Meeting is lead by author to explain the product. Participants can ask questions and a scribe is assigned to make notes.
- To explain and evaluate the contents of the document
- Main objective is to establish a common understanding of the document
- The Scribe notes minutes of Meeting and the defects or any findings reported down in order to track them later.
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Desk checking:
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- Informal review process where that author or Programmer can use to verify coding and algorithm logic before a launching the code.
- Author/Programmer runs through lines of code to identify errors and to check logic.
- Author/Programmer will print out the code and go through it in a pencil and paper exercise
- Desk checking is quick and inexpensive.
- We can call it as one-person inspection or walkthrough:
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