High-quality software or an application is not a fantasy but an achievable goal. In this topic, we will try to understand how this becomes possible in the field of testing. Join us to see how proper testing and debugging can transform an ordinary application into a high-quality product.
Exploring the concept of application quality
There are many definitions on the Internet but almost all of them consider only one side of the coin. Let's look at the concept of quality from different perspectives.
- Software quality from the user or customer's point of view. In this case, software quality comes down to its suitability for use. Does the product do what I need? Does it make my work easier? Can I use it as I want?
- Software quality from the developer's point of view. Here, software quality includes software’s compliance with specified and compiled requirements. For instance, does the product do everything stated in the requirements or not?
The problem is that the specified and compiled requirements are only a part of all the actual requirements and expectations of the customer. The concept of software quality is rather abstract so each tester has their own understanding of this term. Here is the definition that grasps the essence of the concept.
Software quality model
Let's consider an example of a software quality model with six main characteristics:
- Functionality. Refers to the software's ability to perform tasks according to the user's needs and conditions. It ensures that the software functions correctly, meets industry standards, and is secure from unauthorized access.
- Usability. Relates to how easily the user can understand, learn, and navigate the software, making it appealing and user-friendly.
- Maintainability. Indicates how easily the software can be analyzed, tested, and modified to fix defects, implement new requirements, and adapt to changing environments for smooth maintenance.
- Reliability. Define the software's ability to perform tasks as required under specified conditions over a given period or number of operations. It includes the completeness and integrity of the system, its ability to recover independently after failures, and its fault tolerance.
- Efficiency. Refers to the software's ability to deliver the required performance level based on allocated resources, time, and other specified conditions.
- Portability. Describes software in terms of how easily it can be transferred from one environment to another.
A brief diagram is shown in the picture below:
How to evaluate software quality
Although evaluating the quality of software is a complex process, key criteria that any tester should keep in mind is ease of use together with the performance of the product. In addition, it is necessary to consider the compatibility of the program with various operating systems and devices, as well as its security and protection against potential threats.
From a testing perspective, we can improve the quality of the product by ensuring its full testing. This includes both testing individual functions and testing the entire system as a whole. Testing at an early stage of development helps to detect and correct errors earlier, which leads to a higher quality product.
It is also important to consider user experience. The convenience and simplicity of using the product can significantly affect how it is perceived by the user. Finally, the performance and speed of the program is other important evaluation criteria.
As testers, we play a key role in ensuring the quality of the product by conducting thorough and comprehensive testing, and working closely with developers to ensure the correction of detected errors.
Factors that impact product quality
The quality of a product in the software industry depends on many factors but one of the key aspects is the quality of the source code. Clean, well-structured code helps to reduce the possibility of errors and simplifies the testing process. However, the product quality goes beyond that.
For instance, test cases and test plans play a vital role in ensuring product quality. Test cases are documents that describe the steps required to verify a certain aspect of the program. They help testers systematically check the functionality of the product and make sure it works correctly. Test plans, in turn, define the testing strategy and describe which test cases should be executed.
Overall, do not forget about such important factors as communication and cooperation. Effective interaction between development and testing teams enables faster detection and correction of errors and allows each team member to better understand the goals and requirements of the project. Ultimately, this leads to the creation of a higher-quality product.
Conclusion
In this way, the quality of a software product is the outcome of coordinated efforts from multiple factors, including high-quality source code, thorough testing, and effective teamwork. According to these principles, we can achieve true software development quality.