Forefront Software Testing and Front-loading Technologies in Japan

Abstract

Recently the more large-scale and complicated software are, the more large-scale and complicated test cases are also. Traditional software testing techniques are not so powerful for large-scale and complicated test cases. This paper shows forefront software testing and front-loading technologies and in Japan. First we categorize purposes of software testing as pinpoint testing and exhaustive testing. Pinpoint testing aims at detecting bugs while exhaustive testing aims at making evidences of quality. Second we introduce pinpoint testing technology based on patterns of bugs as well as exploratory testing as application of bug patterns. Third we discuss exhaustive testing technologies focusing on test viewpoints. The concept of test viewpoint makes it possible to establish test architecture model for grasping big picture of large-scale and complicated test cases. Next we mention combinatorial testing and critical combination analysis (CCA). CCA can reduce complication of software and number of combinatorial test cases by encourage refining "hot spots" of software design. Moreover, risk-based testing, automation and process are other approaches mentioned for large-scale and complicated test cases. Finally we describe front-loading technology of testing named W model for obtain extremely excellent software quality.