Software Quality and Its Importance in Software Testing

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Software quality is how well or how poorly a software product meets the needs and expectations of its users and stakeholders. You should know that software quality has two main aspects: functional quality and non-functional quality. Functional quality means the software does what it is supposed to do, according to the requirements, specifications, standards and regulations. Non-functional quality means the software has other desirable attributes, such as usability, reliability, performance, security, etc.

Determining software quality is important in software testing because it helps to figure out if the software is fit for its purpose and satisfies the users and other stakeholders. Software testing is the process of testing that the software meets the quality standards and criteria. Software testing helps find defects and gauge software quality.

Software quality examples

• Banking software that allows customers to perform online transactions, such as checking balance, transferring money, paying bills, etc.: the functional quality of this software includes accuracy, security, and compliance with regulations. The non-functional quality includes usability, performance, availability, and scalability.
• Video game that simulates a realistic racing experience: the functional quality of this software includes the quality of user interface, graphics, sound, physics, and game play. The non-functional quality includes responsiveness (performance), compatibility, and accessibility.
• Medical software that helps doctors diagnose and treat patients: the functional quality of this software includes accuracy, reliability, and safety. The non-functional quality includes usability, performance, security, and maintainability.
• Social media software that allows users to create and share content, such as Facebook: the functional quality of this software includes functionality, privacy, and personalization. The non-functional quality includes usability, performance, security, and scalability.
• E-commerce software that allows users to buy and sell products online, such as Amazon: The functional quality of this software includes functionality, security, and customer service. The non-functional quality includes usability, performance, reliability, and compatibility.

Tips for software quality

• You should define clear and measurable quality goals and criteria for your software product or service.
• Follow established standards and best practices for software development and software testing.
• Use appropriate tools and software testing levels (such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, etc.).
• Have regular reviews and audits of the software and the software development lifecycle to identify and resolve issues.
• Involve users and stakeholders in the software development and software testing process to get feedback.
• Implement continuous improvement and learning activities to enhance software quality.

FAQ (interview questions and answers)

1. What are examples of functional quality attributes of a software product?
   Examples are functionality, accuracy, security, compliance, etc.
2. What are examples of non-functional quality attributes of a software product?
   Examples are usability, performance, reliability, scalability, etc.
3. What is the difference between verification and validation in software testing?
   Verification is the process of checking whether the software conforms to the specifications or requirements. Validation is the process of checking whether the software meets the needs and expectations of the users, customers and other stakeholders.
   

Remember to just comment if you have any doubts or queries.