Test flow

Information flow for testing follows the pattern shown in the figure below. Two types of input are given to the test process: (1) a software configuration; (2) a test configuration. Tests are performed and all outcomes considered, test results are compared with expected results. When erroneous data is identified error is implied and debugging begins. The debugging procedure is the most unpredictable element of the testing procedure. An “error” that indicates a discrepancy of 0.01 percent between the expected and the actual results can take hours, days or months to identify and correct. It is the uncertainty in debugging that causes testing to be difficult to schedule reliability