Expanding the role of Software Tester

A Software Tester’s job is to find bugs in the software  – This was  my thinking  when I entered in the field of the Software Testing.This thinking changed or I can say modified while working on the no of projects.There is much more a Software Tester can do apart from finding bugs in the application. A software tester can often guide a developer throghout the software Development life cycle.
Finding  bugs about speed of the application is not enough.For example- try to understand what can affect the speed of the application.There are so many processes running out simultaneously.Sometimes there is no need to run all the processes at the same time.This is one of the major reason behind slow down of the application.So discussing with developers on this  helped to sort out this type of issues.Storing large files on the server can also reduce application performance.So tester can suggest to reduce the frequency of storing the files the server to enhance the speed of the application.

FireFox 3.0 released …..test it & report bugs….!

Hello ….! all testers out there….Mozilla Firefox 3.0 is released.Mozilla Firefox is one of the most popular internet browser.It latest version FireFox 3.0 has been released.

Download the Firefox 3.0 version from here.
You can test it manually or by using nay automation tool.For more information click here.

Defect Clusters

Existence of maximum density of bugs in a particular module is called as defect cluster.

An application has four modules to be tested.If the tester finds the percentage of failure in particular module is more ,then a tester reports that a defect clustering has occurred in particular module.
Once the cluster is identified,there is no use of continuing the test process.Instead the build is given back for fixing.

Fatal Error

Fatal error is an error which causes a program to stop processing & abort completly.It returns you to the operating system. During the event the data used by the program is lost. A fatal error occurs typically in any of these cases:

* An illegal instruction has been attempted
* Invalid data or code has been accessed
* The privilege level of an operation is invalid
* A program attempts to divide by zero. (Only for integers; with the IEEE floating point standard, this creates an infinity instead)

In some systems, such as Mac OS X, a fatal error causes the operating system to create a log entry or to save an image (core dump) of the process.

JavaScript Error

This page explains what a JavaScript error is and how to deal with it.

Most internet users have encountered the annoying JavaScript error at some stage. This happens when a script in a web page contains an error or fails to execute correctly. Exactly what happens depends on the browser and type of error, but in most cases some sort of error notification will be displayed.

The Error Message

In Internet Explorer’s default setting, a small warning icon appears in the status bar like the one pictured left. Double-click this icon to display a window with the complete error message. The complete error message looks something like this:

Note: If you see a less detailed version of this window, click the “Show Details” button.You can choose to have this error window appear automatically whenever an error occurs. This could be annoying for general surfing, but it is very useful when writing your own JavaScript. This is because the error message always lets you know when something is wrong with your code, and even better, it usually tells you exactly where in the HTML document the problem lies (in the above example, line 71 character 1).

What to Do When You See an Error

If you are visiting a website which shows an error, you obviously can’t fix it but if you’re feeling generous you might like to contact the webmaster and let them know. You can still view the page (disabling automatic error messages will make it easier), but whatever the script was supposed to do won’t work. This may or may not effect on the functionality of the page.If you are the webmaster, you need to understand what the error message is telling you and fix it. Keep reading….

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How to Fix JavaScript Errors

There are two types of JavaScript error:

·    Syntax Error: Occurs when there is a mistake in the way the code is written; for example, a typo or missing character.

·    Runtime error: Occurs when the script is unable to complete its instructions; for example, if a specified object cannot be found.

Syntax Error

The function below contains an error and will result in the error message as pictured. In this case the message tells you that a closing parenthesis is missing.

function showAlert() {

alert('Hello World!';

}

 

Not all error messages are as clear as this but once you’ve seen a few (and you will see a few!) you’ll start to recognise what they mean.

How to be like Google

 

Google was started in 1996 by Sergey Brim and Larry Page as a project at Stanford University. In September of 1997 the domain name, google.com was registered and in September 1998 the company was incorporated. Google started out in garage but quickly grew into the company we know today. Google’s rapid success is amazing even by dotcom standards. If you are launching an internet venture, Google’s story is where you can look for motivation and inspiration. Even if your aren’t, Google can teach you how to go about your life and succeed beyond your wildest dreams.

Be simple

Google was not the first internet search engine, but while other sites were offering too much on their portals, Google presented a simple page with a simple search bar. You should do the same, simplify yourself and your life. Don’t be a complicated person. The more complicated you are, the less people will understand you. The easier you are to understand, the easier it will be for you to convey ideas and points, and for you to make friends and contacts.

Expand yourself

Though Google has a simplified homepage, they have expanded into various areas of the internet and media. You should do the same. Don’t limit yourself, each of us has multiple talents, some talents we just need to take time to discover.

Feel lucky

“I’m Feeling Lucky” is a button next to the search button but it’s something that you should always feel. Feel lucky about what you do and don’t have. Appreciate your life and those around you. You have great things in your life whether you have money and success or don’t.

Innovate

Google has changed the internet and the business world. You should innovate yourself and the world around you. There is always something that needs to be improved, no matter where you look. If you look around your computer desk right now, I’m sure there’s something that can be improved and can make you successful.

Be bigger than anyone expected

There will always be naysayers and people that will downplay your dreams and aspirations. Push them aside but always keep them in mind, you’ll need them for motivation to keep you going so that you can prove them wrong. It’s easier to be the underdog.

Surround yourself with smart people

Google has thousands of employees but they continue to hire smart people. You will need to do this too. Surround yourself with smart people, they’ll bring you great ideas, fill in the voids you can’t, and some of their knowledge may rub off on you.

Don’t be evil

This is Google’s own slogan. The motto was established by GMail creator Paul Buchheit. It’s just a few words and a simple idea but it can make or break your chance at success. No one is going to want to work with you if you’re an evil person. Be friendly and be welcoming to people and customers.

Take care of people

Google’s employees enjoy amazing perks for working there. Including a beautiful environment and relaxing atmosphere to work in, among other things. Most employees would never think of leaving Google because of this. You should take of people as well, whether you know them or not. They will repay you by working harder, by helping you out when you need a hand, or just by increasing your good karma.
By following these rules, Google has become a $150 billion company in a short amount of time. These rules work in the business world but can also work in the rest of the world.

Latest Mac OS Leopard

 

Leopard, the latest release of Mac OS X, is loaded with features that let you do more with less effort.The new look of Leopard showcases your favorite desktop image and puts new file stacks at your fingertips for a stunning, clutter-free workspace.

Desktop

The most useful new features in Leopard: Stacks. A stack is a Dock item that gives you fast access to a folder of files. When you click a stack, the files within spring from the Dock in a fan or a grid, depending on the number of items (or the preference you set). Leopard starts you off with two premade stacks: one for downloads and the other for documents. The Downloads stack automatically captures files downloaded from Safari, Mail, and iChat, and the Documents stack is a great place to keep things like presentations, spreadsheets, and word processing files. You can create as many stacks as you wish simply by dragging folders to the right side of your Dock.

Realistic Desktop items

The new desktop has a semitransparent menu bar and a reflective 3D Dock that perfectly frame your desktop picture — whether you use one of the beautiful included images or customize it with a favorite from your iPhoto library. The Dock has a bright active-application signal, and the look of Leopard extends to all applications. Every window has a consistent design theme, and active applications are even more distinct, casting deeper shadows.

Finder 

Now browsing the files on your Mac is as easy as browsing music in iTunes. That’s the idea behind the new Finder in Leopard. You can access everything on your system by flipping through your files using Cover Flow or by clicking items in an iTunes-style sidebar Now you can actually see your files in the Finder — not just as icons, but as they really look. Using Cover Flow, you can flip through your documents as easily as you flip through album art in iTunes. Cover Flow displays each file as a large preview of its first page, and you can click through multipage documents or play movies. 

Sidebar

Leopard brings new power to your old friend, the sidebar. Items are grouped into categories: places, devices, shared computers, and searches — just like the Source list in iTunes. So with a single click, you’re on your way to finding what you need.

Connections

With shared computers automatically displayed in the sidebar, you can find files on any Mac or PC on your network. You can even use Spotlight and Cover Flow when you search another Mac. But here’s where things get really interesting. When you click a connected Mac, you can use screen sharing (if authorized, of course) — which lets you do anything you could do if you were sitting in front of that computer. Change a system preference, publish an iPhoto album, or add a new play list to iTunes.

 Search

Combine Cover Flow with Spotlight and you’ve got one amazingly powerful search tool. Just type your keywords in Spotlight or specify search criteria, then browse through the search results using Cover Flow. You can easily save your searches for future use. Or use the prebuilt searches in the sidebar, such as Yesterday or All Images. You’ll soon be doing less searching and more finding.

Choosing Software Testing as your Career

If you are willing to choose software testing as your career then this is a must read!
Nowadays I get many mails asking me about software testing jobs. Should I select software testing as my career? How to switch to software testing from other job experience? Which institute should I join for testing course? And many more …
I will give a common answer to all these questions whether you should choose software testing as your career or not? Let me first explain in brief about software testing. Software testing and quality control are the processes by means of which application quality is improved. Software testing is done in each phase of product life cycle i.e from requirement specifications, design, coding, to the user acceptance.
Many complex software structures require in depth analytical and technical skill to test the applications. Knowledge of programming languages is required for unit testing, scripting skill essential for Automation testing.
Now we will speak about your career in software testing. No one can guide you choosing your career more than you! Its right and you are the only person to decide your career.
Do self-assessment to figure out where you can fit well. Do study of your skills, interests, strengths, weaknesses.

Ask some questions to your self like:

What is your goal in life?
What will increase your satisfaction and skill?
What is your interest?
Which skills you have developed in your life till now?
Which training you did that can be applied to future job?

By answering these questions you will automatically come to decision.
To switch to software testing career What skills you will require? Is the most important question I think.
In my previous post what makes a good test engineer, I mentioned some of the software testing required skills.

1. Communication: Customer communication as well as team communication most important for this job. Written communication as well!
2. Technical skill: As I mentioned earlier for testing technical domain skill in languages is important.

Some of the Testing skills are:

Project life cycle,
Testing concepts,
Knowledge of testing types,
Programming languages familiarity,
Database concepts,
Test plan idea,
Ability to analyze requirements,
Documentation skill,
Testing tools
3. Leadership quality
4. Analytical and judging skill

Don’t worry if you don’t have some of the skills mentioned above. You can always learn the things if you have interest. Non-IT personas can also grow fast by gaining necessary skills. So finally selecting testing as your career ask one question to yourself:
Are you looking for career in software testing or just a Job?

Best of luck!