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Adaptable Process Model
Checklists:
Conducting Unit Tests



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Conducting Unit Tests

    In his text on software testing (The Art of Software Testing, Wiley, 1979), Myers proposes a checklist for interface tests:

    • Is the number of input parameters equal to number of arguments?
    • Do parameter and argument attributes match?
    • Do parameter and argument units system match?
    • Is the number of arguments transmitted to called modules equal to number of parameters?
    • Are the attributes of arguments transmitted to called modules equal to attributes of parameters?
    • Is the units system of arguments transmitted to called modules equal to units system of parameters?
    • Are the number of attributes and the order of arguments to built-in functions correct?
    • Are any references to parameters not associated with current point of entry?
    • Have input only arguments altered?
    • Are global variable definitions consistent across modules?
    • Are constraints passed as arguments?
    • When a module performs external I/O, additional interface tests must be conducted.

      Again, from Myers:

    • File attributes correct?
    • OPEN/CLOSE statements correct?
    • Format specification matches I/O statement?
    • Buffer size matches record size?
    • Files opened before use?
    • End-of-file conditions handled?
    • I/O errors handled?
    • Any textual errors in output information?

    The local data structure for a module is a common source of errors. Test cases should be designed to uncover errors in the following categories:

    • improper or inconsistent typing
    • erroneous initialization or default values
    • incorrect (misspelled or truncated) variable names
    • inconsistent data types
    • underflow, overflow and addressing exceptions

    From a strategic point of view, the following questions should be addressed:

    • Has the component interface been fully tested?
    • Have local data structured been exercised at their boundaries?
    • Has the cyclomatic complexity of the module been determined?
    • Have all independent basis paths been tested?
    • Have all loops been tested appropriately?
    • Have data flow paths been tested?
    • Have all error handling paths been tested?


      Return to Checklist Table of Contents


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