| Concepts:
 Types of TestThere is much more to testing computer software than simply evaluating the 
  functions, interface, and response time characteristics of a target-of-test. 
  Additional tests must focus on characteristics / attributes such as the target-of-test's: 
 
  integrity (resistance to failure)ability to be installed / executed on different platformsability to handle many requests simultaneously... In order to achieve this, many different types of tests are implemented and 
  executed, each test type having a specific objective and support technique. 
  Each technique focuses on testing one or more characteristics or attributes 
  of the target-of-test. The following test types are listed based on the most obvious quality dimension 
  (see Concepts: Quality Dimension) they address: 
  
        | Quality 
          Dimension | Type 
          of Test |  
    | Functionality  | 
            Function test: Tests focused on validating the target-of-test 
              functions as intended, providing the required service(s), method(s), 
              or use case(s). This test is implemented and executed against different 
              target-of-tests, including units, integrated units, application(s), 
              and systems.
 
Security test: Tests focused on ensuring the target-of-test, 
              data, (or systems) is accessible to only those actors intended. 
              This test is implemented and executed various targets-of-test.
 
Volume test: Testing focused on verifying the target-of-test 
              ability to handle large amounts of data, either as input and output 
              or resident within the database. Volume testing includes test strategies 
              such as creating queries that [would] return the entire contents 
              of the database, or have so many restrictions that no data is returned, 
              or data entry of the maximum amount of data in each field.  |  
    | Usability   See Concepts: Usability Testing for
    additional information | 
      Usability test: Tests which focus on: 
        
          human factors,
          aesthetics,
          consistency in the user interface, 
          online and context-sensitive help,
          wizards and agents,
          user documentation, and 
          training materials. |  
    | Reliability  | 
      Integrity test: Tests which focus on assessing the
        target-of-test's robustness (resistance to failure) and technical
        compliance to language, syntax, and resource usage. This test is
        implemented and executed against different target-of-tests, including
        units and integrated units.
 
Structure test: Tests that focus on assessing the
        target-of-test's adherence to its design and formation. Typically, this
        test is done for web-enabled applications ensuring that all links are
        connected, appropriate content is displayed, and there is no orphaned
        content. See Concepts: Structure Testing for
        additional information.
 
Stress test: A type of reliability test that focuses 
              on evaluating how the system responds under abnormal conditions. 
              Stresses on the system may include extreme workloads, insufficient 
              memory, unavailable services and hardware, or limited shared resources. 
              These tests are often performed to gain a better understanding of 
              how and in what areas the system will break, so that contingency 
              plans and upgrade maintenance can be planned and budgeted for well 
              in advance. |  
    | Performance   See Concepts: Performance Testing for
    additional information | 
            Benchmark test: A type of performance test that 
              compares the performance of a [new or unknown] target-of-test to 
              a known, reference-workload and system.
 
Contention test: Tests focused on validating the 
              target-of-test's can acceptably handle multiple actor demands on 
              the same resource (data records, memory, etc.).
 
Load test: A type of performance test used to validate 
              and assess acceptability of the operational limits of a system under 
              varying workloads while the system-under-test remains constant. 
              In some variants, the workload remains constant and the configuration 
              of the the system-under-test is varied. Measurements are usually 
              taken based on the workload throughput and in-line transaction response 
              time. The variations in workload will usually include emulation 
              of average and peak workloads that will occur within normal operational 
              tolerances. 
 
Performance profile: A test in which the target-of-test's 
              timing profile is monitored, including execution flow, data access, 
              function and system calls to identify and address performance bottlenecks 
              and inefficient processes. |  
    | Supportability  | 
      Configuration test: Tests focused on ensuring the
        target-of-test functions as intended on different hardware and / or
        software configurations. This test may also be implemented as a system
        performance test.
 
Installation test: Tests focused on ensuring the
        target-of-test installs as intended on different hardware and / or
        software configurations and under different conditions (such as
        insufficient disk space or power interrupt). This test is implemented
        and executed against application(s) and systems. |    
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