ISTQB FOUNDATION 4.0 | Tutorial 57 | Tool Support for Testing | Test Tools | ISTQB Tutorials

Summary

This tutorial delves into Chapter 6 of the ISTQB Foundation Level Certification, focusing on test tools and their support for various testing activities. It introduces different types of tools, such as management tools, static testing tools, and test design and implementation tools, that enhance efficiency and facilitate tasks throughout the software development lifecycle. The video also touches on test execution and coverage tools, non-functional testing tools, DevOps tools, and collaboration tools, emphasizing their unique roles in the testing process. The script highlights the importance of selecting the right tools for specific testing needs and concludes by mentioning tools for scalability, deployment, and standardization.

Takeaways

• 📚 The tutorial introduces Chapter 6 of the ISTQB Foundation Level certification, focusing on test tools and their support for testing activities.
• 🛠 A test tool is defined as any application that assists in testing, including automation, management, and even simple spreadsheets for data management.
• 📈 Management tools enhance the efficiency of the testing process by facilitating the management of requirements, tests, defects, and configurations.
• 🔍 Static testing tools support testers and developers in performing reviews and static analysis to find defects in documentation or code before execution.
• 📝 Test design and implementation tools help in generating test cases, test data, and procedures, and can be integrated within test management systems or used with model-based testing.
• 🔧 Test execution and coverage tools automate test execution and measure coverage, including various types of testing like API, functional, performance, and security testing.
• 🚀 Non-functional testing tools are specialized for tasks that are difficult or impossible to perform manually, such as performance, security, and usability testing.
• 🔄 DevOps tools support the delivery pipeline and workflows, including automated build processes and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD).
• 🤝 Collaboration tools, while not specific to testing, are used by testing teams for communication, including instant messaging and email.
• 🌐 Tools supporting scalability and deployment, such as virtual machines, containerization tools, and cloud services, are essential for modern testing environments.
• 🔑 The script emphasizes the importance of understanding different testing activities and the tools available to support them, rather than relying on a single tool for all purposes.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this tutorial?

The main topic of this tutorial is an introduction to test tools and their support for testing activities, as part of the ISTQB Foundation Level certification.

What does the term 'test tool' refer to in the context of this tutorial?

In this tutorial, a 'test tool' refers to an application that assists in testing by any means, including automation testing tools, test management tools, and even simple tools like Excel for managing test data.

What are the types of tools discussed in the tutorial for supporting various testing activities?

The tutorial discusses several types of tools, including management tools, static testing tools, test design and implementation tools, test execution and coverage tools, non-functional testing tools, DevOps tools, and collaboration tools.

How do management tools contribute to the testing process?

Management tools increase the test process efficiency by facilitating the management of SDLC requirements, tests, defects, and configuration.

What is the role of static testing tools in the testing process?

Static testing tools support testers in performing reviews and static analysis to find static defects in documentation like requirements or use cases.

Can you explain the purpose of test design and implementation tools?

Test design and implementation tools assist in the design of test cases and implementation of test environments, facilitating the generation of test cases, test data, and test procedures.

How do test execution and coverage tools help in the testing process?

Test execution and coverage tools facilitate automated test executions and measurement of coverage, helping to identify defects and ensure that the testing covers all necessary aspects of the product.

What is the significance of non-functional testing tools in the context of testing?

Non-functional testing tools are specialized for performing non-functional testing, such as performance, security, and usability, which can be difficult or impossible to perform manually.

What is the role of DevOps tools in the testing process?

DevOps tools support the DevOps delivery pipeline, workflow tracking, and automated build processes, including CI/CD, unit testing, integration testing, build verification, and static analysis.

How do collaboration tools assist in testing activities?

Collaboration tools facilitate communication among team members, which is crucial for effective testing. They include instant messaging, emails, and other communication platforms.

What is the tutorial's stance on naming specific test tools?

The tutorial does not name specific test tools because ISTQB, being an international body, does not recommend any particular names to avoid creating a global recommendation.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Introduction to Test Tools and Their Support in Testing

This paragraph introduces the topic of test tools and their significance in the software testing process. It emphasizes the variety of tools available and the importance of selecting the appropriate tool for specific testing activities. The tutorial explains that not a single tool can fulfill all purposes, hence the need for awareness about the different tools. It also provides a simple definition of a test tool as any application that assists in testing. The paragraph outlines various types of tools, including management tools, static testing tools, test design and implementation tools, and test execution and coverage tools. It highlights the role of each tool in enhancing the efficiency of the testing process, from managing test cases to performing automated test executions and measuring coverage.

05:00

🔍 Exploring Specialized Test Tools and Their Applications

The second paragraph delves into specialized test tools designed for non-functional testing, which can be difficult or impossible to perform manually. It mentions that there are specific tools for each non-functional aspect such as performance, security, and usability. The paragraph also discusses the role of DevOps tools in supporting the delivery pipeline, automated build processes, and continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD). Collaboration tools are highlighted for facilitating communication within the testing team, and the paragraph touches on tools that support scalability, deployment, and standardization, such as virtual machines and containerization tools. The tutorial concludes by reiterating that any tool that assists in testing, even a simple spreadsheet, can be considered a test tool, emphasizing the broad scope of what constitutes a testing tool in the context of ISTQB certification.

Keywords

💡ISTQB Foundation Level Certification

The ISTQB Foundation Level Certification is an internationally recognized qualification for software testers. It signifies that the individual has a foundational understanding of software testing principles and practices. In the video, this certification is the overarching theme, as the tutorial is aimed at individuals preparing for this certification, specifically discussing chapter six on test tools.

💡Test Tools

Test tools refer to any application or software that assists in the testing process by facilitating or automating various testing activities. The video's main focus is on explaining the different types of test tools available and how they support the testing process. Examples from the script include management tools, static testing tools, and automation testing tools.

💡Test Management Tools

Test management tools are designed to increase the efficiency of the testing process by managing various aspects of software development life cycle (SDLC) such as requirements, tests, defects, and configurations. The script mentions these tools as a category that helps in managing the lifecycle where test cases and executions are overseen.

💡Static Testing Tools

Static testing tools support testers and developers in performing code reviews and static analysis to find defects without executing the code. The script clarifies that while developers primarily perform static testing, testers can also participate, and tools in this category help track review findings.

💡Test Design and Implementation Tools

These tools assist in the design of test cases and the implementation of test environments, facilitating the generation of test cases, test data, and test procedures. The video explains how such tools can derive test cases directly from requirements or convert model-based diagrams into automation scripts.

💡Model-Based Testing

Model-based testing is a technique where testers use models, such as UML diagrams, to design and generate test cases and scripts. The script mentions this as a method widely used in agile methodologies where requirements frequently change, allowing for quick conversion of diagrams into test scripts.

💡Test Execution and Coverage Tools

These tools automate the execution of tests and measure the coverage of tests to ensure that a comprehensive range of scenarios is tested. The script describes how these tools are involved in performing test executions and may include built-in coverage measurement or may be separate tools for code coverage analysis.

💡Non-Functional Testing Tools

Non-functional testing tools are specialized for testing aspects of software that are not related to the functionality, such as performance, security, usability, and more. The script emphasizes that these tools can perform complex tests that may be difficult or impossible to do manually, like performance testing with a large number of virtual users.

💡DevOps Tools

DevOps tools support the delivery pipeline and workflow, automating processes like continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). The script discusses how these tools can trigger automated executions for various testing stages, helping to identify and rectify failures in the development process.

💡Collaboration Tools

Collaboration tools facilitate communication within the testing team and are not specific to testing but are used by the testing team for instant messaging, emails, etc. The script mentions these tools in the context of their use in the testing process, although it does not recommend specific names due to ISTQB's international scope.

💡Scalability and Deployment Tools

Tools that support scalability and deployment, such as virtual machines, containerization tools like Docker, and cloud services, help in creating flexible and scalable testing environments. The script includes these tools as part of the discussion on how they can assist in testing by virtualizing services and providing cloud computation.

💡Spreadsheet as a Test Tool

The script mentions that even a simple spreadsheet, like an Excel sheet, can be considered a test tool when used to manage test data or cases. This illustrates the broad definition of test tools, emphasizing that any application assisting in the testing process qualifies, regardless of its complexity or specificity to testing.

Highlights

Introduction to Chapter 6 on ISTQB Foundation Level Certification focusing on test tools.

Discussion on tool support for testing and the variety of tools available.

Explanation of the necessity to choose the right tool for different testing activities.

Definition of a test tool as any application assisting in testing.

Differentiation between various types of test tools like management, static testing, and design tools.

Role of management tools in facilitating the management of SDLC requirements, tests, defects, and configuration.

Static testing tools' support for code reviews and static analysis by developers and testers.

Introduction to test design and implementation tools for generating test cases and test data.

Discussion on model-based testing tools and their use in agile methodologies.

Explanation of test execution and coverage tools for automated test execution and coverage measurement.

Importance of non-functional testing tools for specialized testing needs.

DevOps tools' role in supporting the delivery pipeline and automated build processes.

Collaboration tools' use in facilitating communication within the testing team.

Mention of tools supporting scalability and deployment such as virtual machines and containerization.

Highlighting that even a simple spreadsheet can be considered a test tool in the context of testing.

Encouragement for viewers to keep learning, exploring, and understanding the context of testing tools.

Transcripts

Hello friends and greetings for the day

welcome back to another tutorial on

istqb Foundation level certification we

are getting started with chapter six

called as test tools and as a part of

this particular tutorial we'll be

discussing on 6.1 tool support for

testing and here you will get to know

what are the different tools we have

which we can make use of as a part of

our test process

[Music]

in this brief and very short tutorial

we'll be introducing you to different

type of test tools which can help us in

different activities throughout our life

cycle indeed there are different

varieties of tools so someone going to

use a tool should be aware of what kind

of tool I must make use of when it comes

to testing of course not a single tool

can cater you all the purposes and at

the same time not all the purposes can

be fulfilled by a single tool so someone

should be really aware of what are the

different activities we perform and how

are the different tools available to

support us for all those activities at

the same time we would also like to give

you a quick introduction and a

definition to what is a test tool in

simple words an application which can

assist you in testing by any means is

called as a test tool so in that term an

automation testing tool is also a test

tool and a test management tool is also

a test tool or even if you're talking

about a simple workbook which is an

Excel sheet managing your test data then

that can also be referred to as a test

tool so any such tool any such

application which assists you in

minimizing your efforts by any means by

performing your activity sometime

directly is called as a test tool so

let's quickly have a look on what are

the different tools do we have with us

and what do they assist us when it comes

to the test process with so number one

we talking about the test tools that

support and facilitate many activities

and here are some of the examples which

include but are not limited to as we do

have many others for specialized needs

so number one is management tools this

type of tool increase the test process

efficiency by just facilitating

management of sdlc requirements tests

defects and configuration so these tools

are mainly from the test management

point of view and can only perform the

test management of the life cycle where

we manage the test cases the test

effects the test execution Etc on the

same line the other tool we have is

called a static testing tools which

supports the tester in performing

reviews and static analysis again not to

just confuse yourself uh static testing

is not limited to tester alone of course

developers mainly perform it however

static analysis is being considered as a

code review activity which is mainly

performed by developers but given that

testers can also participate so it's

just not limited to them and being a

tool which only reviews to find static

defects thus it is more of like a

testing tool and uh there are tools

available in the market which do help

you to track the review findings when

you statically review any sort of

documentation like requirement or use

cases Etc further to add we have test

design and implementation tools as the

name suggest it is more from the design

of the test cases and implementation of

the environments testability Etc and

here this facilitates generation of test

cases test data and test procedures so

in simple words again these all are

capabilities of such tools and we do

have uh different tools available to

perform these activities indeed if I

come talk about test design a little

more detail uh there are tools available

as a part of inbuilt within the test

management where you can derive test

cases directly from the uh the

requirement itself and at the same time

if you are using model based testing

tools you know that model based diagrams

which is US uml diagrams allows you to

quickly convert that diagram into

automation scripts in fact modelbased

testing is quite widely used when it

comes to frequently changing

requirements that is aile methodology

also to add uh if we talk about the test

execution and coverage tools these tools

facilitate automated test executions and

measurement of coverages so again very

straightforward uh when we talk about

the test execution these are those tools

which are directly involved in

performing the test execution so all the

automation testing tools Beed about API

testing functional testing performance

testing security testing these are all

mainly directly ex executable on the

product and helps you find defects at

the same time we do have inbuilt

coverages in such tools or if you want

you can use separately some different

tools which are usually uh referred when

we need to measure the coverage on the

code like code coverage uh condition

coverage decision coverage statement

coverage and many more such things so we

do get tools and uh also to add here we

have non-functional testing tools which

are for the specialized needs like allow

the tester to perform non-functional

testing that is sometime difficult or

impossible to perform manually now it's

very simple to understand there are many

specific non-functional testing tools

which are especially designed for each

non-functional level like performance

security usability interoperability

portability and whatnot and all these

tools are independent of each other and

at the same time these tools are capable

of Performing such comple comp compated

tests which manually sometime is not

even possible like performance now

performance testing is something we know

that it is more about adding a load of

users and then testing a particular

scenario but you cannot imagine 5,000

people being hired just to do

performance testing and just imagine the

cost involved in having the

infrastructure for them and then trying

to make a click together so we make use

of tools uh in such scenarios again and

that's where we say it is impossible or

difficult to perform such levels further

to add of course we do have devops tools

as we discussed some of the concepts on

the devops in our previous tutorials uh

devops support the devops delivery

pipeline workflow tracking automated

build process of cicd Etc so you do have

many other tools uh which do suggest you

support you with devops activities

indeed builds the pipeline required to

perform automated executions of

different things including unit testing

integration testing or build

verification test static analysis and

few others so this is what put together

is called as a pipeline and as as in

when a code is checked in it just just

quickly you know kicks kicks off each of

these triggers and performs and lets you

know that where exactly the failure

happened and based on that we can

Rectify it update it and move on to the

next one further to add uh we do have

collaboration tools which are mainly for

facilitating Communications and uh these

tools are not mainly to test in

particular but of course testing team

makes use of communication tools which

are instant messaging vys or emails and

whatnot however I'm not taking any

particular names of the tool because

sometime it becomes very difficult to uh

bring that back because istqb officially

does not recommend any names because

given that istqb is an international

body if they recommend any name in their

syllabus that sometime can become a

global recommendation so that's where we

even I am not referring to any

particular name

however you understand better that what

these tools are all about even if not

you don't have to worry that's not a

part of our syllabus also uh

additionally we talk about tools

supporting scalability and deployment uh

standardizations which includes virtual

machines containerization tools so you

know what we talking about things like

Dockers or things which virtualizes the

service like virtual machines ET seor

creations and Cloud hosting or Cloud

computation all those sort of tools

would fall under this particular

category and they are really helpful in

all the terms also one other thing to

say any other tool that can assist in

testing in that case a spreadsheet is a

test tool in context of testing so I

think I told you right in the beginning

that even if you are just using Excel

sheet to manage your data or test cases

or anything else in that context then

the Excel is also called as a testing

tool so put together that's all what we

had from this particular tutorial team

we have one more tutorial to go from

this particular entire discussion and

that's where we'll be done with the

syllabus so that's all from this

particular tutorial team should you have

anything else feel free to comment below

I'm always there to address your queries

and answer them well till then keep

learning keep exploring keep

understanding the context thanks for

watching the video team and happy

learning

[Music]