SOFTWARE TESTING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE: TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS FOR BUILDING ROBUST SYSTEMS

Dr. Imran Siddiqi; Dr. Maria Garcia

Dr. Imran Siddiqi Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)
Dr. Maria Garcia Department of Computer Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Keywords: Software testing, quality assurance, testing methodologies, testing tools, defect management, test automation, Agile methodologies, DevOps

Abstract

In today's software-driven world, the quality and reliability of software systems are paramount. Software testing and quality assurance (QA) play a crucial role in ensuring that software meets its intended functionality, performance, and security requirements. This article delves into the theoretical and practical aspects of software testing and QA, exploring various techniques and tools available to developers and testers. It begins by defining key concepts, then examines the different testing methodologies, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Subsequently, the article investigates various testing tools and techniques, including code coverage analysis, static code analysis, unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing. It emphasizes the importance of defect management and test automation, while also discussing emerging trends in software testing such as Agile methodologies and DevOps practices. Finally, the article concludes by outlining best practices for building robust software systems through effective testing and QA processes.