Impact of Alpha Testing on Software during Developments - Essay Example

Computer sciences and Information technology White Paper- Software Testing Table of Content ……………….............................………….. 3 Problem Statement ……........................…………….. 3 Testing and expectations ….............................………. 4 Testing Method ………............................…………… 5 How the Testing Method Solves the Problem …........ 6 Conclusion ...................................................................7 References ................................................................... 8 Abstract This paper is intended to show the impact that alpha testing has on software during developments or reviews, it brings forth ac case scenario that further highlights the benefits of utilizing this form of testing. Alpha testing is conducted in the developers’ workstation or their official designated systems to ensure easy monitoring of the test and any bugs o errors that may arise. Therefore, complex code is developed during this stage. Moreover, the lead project manager handling the testing procedure often liaises with the developers to hint the possibilities of integration of the alpha test results into the future platform to avoid suspected future drawbacks. This section recommends the application of alpha testing to solve the issue in question as it allows the developers to see the test software working in real time in a practical setting. The involved number of test clients should be limited when the software is not yet ready for release either commercially or for open source purposes. Problem statement The online application under the alpha test is a web-server application that has been a victim of frequent hacks. As a result, the cost of maintenance has been on the rise and this has lead more time loss which would otherwise have been used developing better versions of the same application. This alpha test utilized prototypes, to test the application in its beta stage, on a weeklong correction meant to regain the faith from the users who feared that their data could be compromised. However, there were no expectations of the software’s full possession in functionality for which it was developed for and specifically for this stage. The reason is because alpha testing is normally conducted to make sure that the application is developed on all core functions and proper acceptance of input to provide output as expected without errors. Before the customers cloud receive the improved version free of security risks, the developers had to ensure that they provided sufficient improvements as pertains to robustness and sustainability. Such a final product in an application was meant to deliver a positive image for the app. This would lay a strong foundation for the beta testing to confirm acceptability. Testing method and expectations Alpha testing was chosen for the sole reason in that it handles the procedure that would meet the expectations of eliminated security risk that was easily conducted by the application developers on a test environment that was controlled to avoid losing code to external competitors who could use it for competition, maliciously. The lead developers also realized that there was importance to include users who fully understood the functionalities and expectations of the test application. Therefore, a few of the customers were invited to the development premises on controlled movement during the entire development cycle to test the application for the specified errors during the alpha stage. While running the result, it was inevitable that testes encountered minor drawbacks errors, and eventual frustrating moments when expectations were not met in time. The developers were entitled to take caution on the most complex or serious problems immediately they were identified. The alpha stage has minimum ability and functionality to accept any inputs to create the expected throughput. There was need, therefore, to confine in the testing users of this fact so that they may develop accurate and unbiased reviews for the application’s challenges amongst other design issues. The software developers had the responsibility to educate al users on the limited abilities of the application at this alpha phase. Additionally, there was also an advisory memo along with the application package mentioning the limiting abilities that customer had to understand before they used it as they cloud probably face to avoid possible frustration if the application was to be run on the alpha stage as a final product. The actual purpose of this test was to devise ways to mitigate DDos, SQL injection and brute force attacks. Necessary feedback could also be given from end users to enable the developers to think on ways to control the situation to ensure that the launched product was secure and that the time spent correcting the error was not wasted (Mustafa, 2007). Testing Method This application being tested is used by clients to share photos of videos in real time where they can be geo mapped and time framed to ensure the exact location and timing is captured. The customers are at a risk of identity theft where hackers can access the data saved from their verified accounts. Therefore, alpha testing was chosen because it provides and improved insight about the application’s vulnerabilities robustness and reliability at the same time in its early stages of review. Here the alpha testing confirms whether the application has the actual potential to undergo strenuous activities to detect serious errors easily whilst on this phase of testing given that integration of other minor structures has not yet been actualized. Therefore, alpha testing is in a position to test the ability and offer prior detection of errors regarding design and prevention measures to potential risks in future (Mustafa, 2007). It is an efficient application testing method conducted to ensure that users get top notch quality of service with complete stability and functionalities, usability, reliability and compatibility among others. More to it, the most essential requirement is that the application delivered to the users executes accordingly for the sole purpose of its creation. Alpha tests are meant to reveal where the application or software has omitted the key features to qualify under the strict EPRI or ISO measures. However, the entire application quality concerns are never absolute as it needs to meet just the specifications expected prior to its commencement (Mustafa, 2007). How the Testing Method Solves the Problem Alpha testing process allows the application developer to realize the actual potentials of the application including the design issues. From here, the application developers can fix the structural and potential code challenges during this testing phase, alpha. However, the developers must understand the critical factors concerning alpha testing prior to delivering it to the users. Among the consideration that makes alpha testing the best for this case is that the test users in this phase may end up with dissatisfaction with the results given that the application is not fully developed. This must be communicated to the test subjects so that they will approach the test from the right perspective. Alpha testing will be our problem solvers because at no one time will the users be satisfied with the final product and this will provide more areas of research to develop an even more solid application. It offers means to provide safety and foolproof security for the users from the wide range of test data that the users present for tests. EPRI controls standards can also be introduced at this point to ensure that this application moves to the nest phase as a strong product that can stand the test of time as far as breach of security is concerned (Mustafa, 2007). Conclusion Despite the limitations similar to other testing methods, alpha testing may have limitations but the described potential benefits outweigh those bottlenecks. It utilizes undeveloped prototypes as an early stage for any application (Mustafa, 2007). Briefly, applications that goes through this phase of testing allows for a competitive final product in the market for its reliability by building an impenetrable brand. Therefore, alpha testing would be the most helpful, beneficial and appropriate step to this application requires undergoing in order to complete functionalities realized and user friendliness. Reference: Mustafa, K., & Khan, R. (2007). Software testing concepts and practices. Oxford: Alpha Science International. Read More