How would you create test data that is as close as possible to real data?

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Permalink Reply by ragav on May 27, 2010 at 11:16am

@ madhu, Nice Straight Forward Question ;)

1) How would you create test data that is as close as possible to real data?

Ans: Let me explain you in a context, Consider you are preparing the test data for a below scenario and Ticket reservation system & below are the possible input that it might each attributes take which can be easily got out from the application or from the Requirement documents.

Journey mode: Return trip, One way
Preferred time: Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Late night
Leaving from: Type1_City,Type2_City,Type3_City
Going to: Type1_City,Type2_City,Type3_City
Booking type: Economy, First class
Customer type: Registered, New
Adults: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Children: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

Now your application needs a combination of these inputs to be given inorder to book a ticket. The are of good test case is to find the valid possible combination of the inputs that the system(AUT) can take to give and output which is very critcal for any tester to spot out valid input combination without any Redundancy.

AND For your information there are lot of tool availble in the net which can chuck you out the combination of inputs and from which picking a valida one's would be lot more easier.

I have attached the possible test data for the above scenario kindly do make a note of the attached file.

2.How do you make sure the results are as expected?

Tester Job is to make sure the expected result are equal to actual result, When you can able to find out the possible inputs combination's and its respective outputs you are done with what is your expected behaviour of the application.

Now if you are doing a manual testing you need to verify the results that you got by executing in the application, to the expected result which u have already derived.(Beware of the wierd outputs which may be BUG ;))

If there is an automation testing in place, you can set your expected result and tell the automation tool to check it against the actual result and let you know the results of it. (Remember Automation will be in place only if need justification is there for using a automation)

3.What do you think is the main challenge in testing software?

It actually depends on each individuals perception

Everybody thinks that Testing is a easy job, but it is not the case(even though i agree it is easier than development), according to me Right now i am facing challenges in gaining skills in EXCEL,Scripting Language, AUTOMATION TOOL's & UNDERSTANDING VARIOUS APPLICATION IN VARIOUS DOMAIN in a shorter span of time.

I am sure i will work into the above area and try to challenge the software Testing ;)

Intrested to know about your challenges.

4.Have you used testing calendars? In what phase?

I don know wht u mean by Testing Calender's, But as per my under standing there would be logical dates which will be used during the Test Execution phase which will vary with your Actual calender days.

Hope i answered all your question, expecting ur answers for
'What do you think is the main challenge in testing software?'

Cheers
-Ragav

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Permalink Reply by ragav on May 27, 2010 at 11:16am

Here Goes the Test Data FILE

Attachments:

• Combination Test Data.xls, 18 KB

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Permalink Reply by Siddiq on May 27, 2010 at 1:02pm

Hi Madhu,

1. By replicating the real data.
2. Cross verifying with Actual result
3. Whole testing is challenging.
4. Yes, in Unit, Integration & System test phases

Thanks,
Siddiq

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