Software Testing Verification and Validation

Code:

MESW0004

Acronym:

TVVS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Informatics Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=5157
Responsible unit:	Department of Informatics Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Software Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MESW	51	Syllabus since 2016/17	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

English

Objectives

The objective of this curricular unit is: familiarization with the terminology used in software testing; raising awareness of issues related to software quality; and exploring and practicing different Verification and Validation (V&V) techniques necessary for building quality software systems.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the course, students should be able to design and execute a Verification and Validation (V&V) plan. More specifically, students are expected to be able to:

- Plan a Verification and Validation strategy.

- Select the best software testing techniques and tools for a given context.

- Design and develop tests at different levels (e.g., unit, integration, system and acceptance).

- Test exceptional situations (e.g., boundary value analysis).

- Reflect on the limitations and quality of the tests developed.

- Use metrics to assess test quality (e.g., instruction coverage).

- Write maintainable test code, avoiding known issues (e.g., flakiness, unreadable, dependent, fat testing, etc.).

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction to Software Verification and Software Validation
2. Static Testing
3. Equivalence Class Partitioning / Category Partition
4. Boundary Value Analysis
5. Model-based Testing
6. Structural Testing (Line and Decision coverage)
7. Structural Testing (Path coverage) and Logical Coverage (Condition coverage)
8. Logical Coverage (Modified Condition/Decision Coverage (MC/DC))
9. Mutation Testing
10. TDD, BDD, PBT
11. Automatic Test Case Generation
12. Integration Testing, System Testing, Acceptance Testing, and Regression Testing
13. Test management and documentation

Mandatory literature

Aditya P. Mathur; Foundations of Software Testing, 2013. ISBN: 9789332517660
Maurício Aniche; Effective software testing, 2022. ISBN: 978-1-633-43993-1
Paul Ammann; Introduction to software testing. ISBN: 978-1-107-17201-2
Mark Utting; Practical Model-Based Testing, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-12-372501-1
Paul C. Jorgensen; Software Testing A Craftsman's Approach, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-466-56069-7

Complementary Bibliography

Dorothy Graham, Rex Black, Erik van Veenendaal; Foundations of Software Testing: ISTQB Certification, 2020. ISBN: 978-1-473-76479-8

Teaching methods and learning activities

This curricular unit promotes the continuous involvement of students through the study, discussion and practical application of the topics presented. In order to contribute to continuous and autonomous learning, students carry out small assignments throughout the semester. In addition to these works, students have to carry out a project where they apply the concepts presented, in particular, different V&V strategies and tools.

Theoretical classes are used to formally explain the concepts and fundamental aspects of V&V. Whenever possible, theoretical concepts are accompanied by the presentation and discussion of real practical cases.

Theoretical-practical classes are used to carry out small exercises, apply V&V techniques, use/experiment various testing tools and to support the implementation of the practical project.

keywords

Technological sciences > Technology > Computer technology > Software technology
Technological sciences > Engineering > Computer engineering

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	109,00
Frequência das aulas	39,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	168,00

Eligibility for exams

To successfully complete this curricular unit, students must obtain:

• minimum grade of 47.5% in the project (P)
• minimum grade of 47.5% in the final exam (E)

Calculation formula of final grade

The final ranking is calculated as follows:

• P x 40% + E x 60%

P: project

E: final exam

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with a special status (e.g., part-time, athletic, etc) which are allowed to not attend classes, must complete all components successfully as any other regular student.

Classification improvement

- The grades obtained in practical work / project can be improved in the next edition of the course.
- The classification of the final exam can be improved in the appeal exame.