Testing web application

TESTING WEB APPLICATONS
AGENDA:
 WHAT IS TESTING ?
 TESTING PROCESS
 TYPES OF TESTING
 MVC
 COST ESTIMATION FOR SOFTWARE PROJECTS
 ESTIMATION FOR AGILE AND WEBAPPS
 CONCLUSIONS
Q & A

TESTING WEB APPLICATIONS
Testing:
Testing is the process of exercising software with
the intent of finding of errors.
Web Testing:
Webapp testing is a collection of related activities
with a single goal: to uncover errors in webapp
content, function, usability, navigability, performance,
capacity, and security.

Challenges in Web application testing:
Web based systems and applications reside on
network and interoperate with many different
1. operating systems,
2. browsers,
3. hardware platforms,
4. communications protocols,
the search for errors represents a significant challenge

Dimensions of Quality for Web Applications:
Quality is incorporated into a web application as a
consequence of good design. Reviews and Testing
examine one or more of the following quality
dimensions.
1.Content 2.Function 3.Structure
4.Usability 5.Navigability 6.Performance
7.Compatibility 8.Interoperability 9.Security.

Common Errors in Web
Applications

 You often see a symptom of the error, not the error itself.
 It may be difficult or impossible to reproduce an error
outside the environment in which the error was originally
encountered.
 Many errors can be traced to the webapp configuration.
 Errors can be difficult to trace across three architectural
layers: the client, the server, or the network itself.
 Some errors are due to the static operating and others are
attributable to the dynamic operating Environment.

Testing Approach for web application:

 The content model for the webapp is reviewed to
uncover errors.
 The interface model is reviewed to ensure that all use
cases can be accommodated.
 The design model for the webapp is reviewed to
uncover navigation errors.
 The user interface is tested to uncover errors in
presentation and/or navigation mechanics
 Functional components are unit tested.

Testing Approach for web application:

 Navigation throughout the architecture should be tested.
 The webapp is implemented in a variety of different
environmental configurations and is tested for
compatibility with each configuration.
 Security tests are conducted in an attempt to exploit
vulnerabilities in the webapp or within its environment
 Performance tests should be conducted.
 The webapp is tested by a controlled and monitored
population of end users the results of their interaction with
the system are evaluated for content and navigation
errors, usability concerns, compatibility concerns, and the
webapp security, reliability, and performance.

Testing process
Content
testing Interface testing
Navigation
testing
Interf
ace
Component
Aesthetic testing
design
Content design

Navigation design
Configurati
Architecture design on testing
Component design

Performance Security
testing testing
Technology

Content Testing:

Content testing has three important objectives
 1. To uncover syntactic errors(for eg., typos, grammar
mistakes) in the text-based documents, graphical
representations, and other media
 2. To uncover semantic errors(i.e., focuses on the
information presented within each content object)
 3. To find errors in the organization or structure of the
content that is presented to the end user.

Database testing:

 Tests should be designed to uncover errors made in translating
the user’s request into a form that can be processed by the
DBMS.
 Tests that uncover errors in communication between the webapp
and the remote database must be developed.
 Raw data acquired from the database must be transmitted to the
webapp server and properly formatted for subsequent
transmittal to the client.
 Tests that demonstrate the validity of the transformations
applied to the raw data to create valid content objects must also
be created.
 Content and compatibility testing will be done after the
dynamic content object is transmitted to the client in a form that
can be displayed to end user

User Interface Testing
 Interface features include type fonts, the use of
color, frames, images, borders, tables, and related interface
features that are generated as webapp execution proceeds
should be tested
 Individual interface mechanisms are tested in a manner
that is analogous to unit testing(client-side
scripting, dynamic HTML, scripts, streaming content).
 Each interface mechanism is tested within the context of a use
case for a specific user category which is analogous to
integration testing
 The complete interface is tested against selected use cases and
NSUs to uncover errors in the semantics of the interface
which is analogous to validation testing

Interface mechanisms

When a user interacts with a webapp, the interaction occurs through
one or more interface mechanisms.
Links:
Each navigation link is tested to ensure that the proper content object
or function is reached.
Forms:
 At a macroscopic level, tests are performed to ensure that Labels
correctly identify fields within the form and that mandatory fields are
identified visually for the user
 The server receives all information contained within the form and that
no data are lost in the transmission between client and server
 Appropriate defaults are used when the user does not select from a
pull-down menu or set of buttons
 Browser functions(e.g., back arrow) do not corrupt data entered in a
form


Client-side scripting:
1. Black-box tests are conducted to uncover any errors in processing as
the script is executed.
2. These tests are often coupled with form testing, because script input
is often derived from data provided as part of forums processing.
3. A compatibility test should be conducted to ensure that the scripting
language that has been chosen will work properly in the environmental
configurations that the webapp.

Dynamic HTML:
1. Tests should be conducted to ensure that dynamic HTML is displayed
correctly.
2. Compatibility test should be conducted to ensure that dynamic
HTML works properly in the environmental configurations that
support the webapp


Pop-up windows:
A series of tests ensure that
 The pop-up is properly sized and positioned
 The pop-up does not cover the original webapp
window
 The aesthetic design of the pop-up is consistent with
aesthetic design of the interface
 Scroll bars and other control mechanisms appended to
the pop-up are properly located and function is
required.

Streaming content:
Tests should demonstrate that streaming data are up-to-date properly
displayed, and can be suspended without error and restarted without
difficulty.

Cookies:
On the server side, tests should ensure that a cookie is properly
constructed and properly transmitted to the client side when specific
content or functionality is requested and to ensure that its expiration
date is correct.
On the client side, tests determine whether the webapp properly
attaches existing cookies to a specific request sent to server

Compatibility tests:
 A series of compatibility validation tests are
derived, often adapted from existing interface
tests, navigation tests, performance tests, and security
tests.
 The intent of the test is to uncovers the errors or
execution problem that can be traced to configuration
differences.

Component level testing
 Component-level testing, also called function testing, focuses on a set
of tests that attempt to uncover errors in webapp functions. Each
webapp function is a software component (implemented in one of a
variety of programming or scripting languages) and can be tested using
black box or sometimes white box techniques

 Black box techniques are equivalence partitioning, boundary value
analysis

 White box techniques : path testing

 Forced error testing:
 It is used to derive test cases that purposely drive the webapp
component into an error condition.
 The purpose is to uncover errors that occur during error handling (eg
incorrect or nonexistent error message, webapp failure as consequence
of the error, erroneous output driven by erroneous input, side effects
that are related to component processing).

Navigation testing

 To ensure that the mechanisms that allow the
webapp user to travel through the webapp are all
functional and to validate the each NSU can be
achieved by the appropriate user category
 Navigation mechanisms are tested to ensure that
each performs its intended function.

Navigation mechanisms
 Navigation
Internal, External links and anchors within a specific web page
should be tested to ensure that proper content or functionality is
reached when the link is chosen.

 Bookmarks
Even it is a browser function, the webapp should be tested to ensure
that a meaningful page title can be extracted as the bookmark is created.

 Redirects
Redirects should be tested by requesting incorrect internal links or
external URLs and assessing how the webapp handles these requests.

Navigation mechanisms
 Frames and framesets
 Each frame contains the content of a specific web page, and a
frameset contains multiple frames and enables the display of
multiple web pages at the same time.
 Test should ensure these functions works properly.
 Internal search engines
Search engine testing validates the accuracy and
completeness of the search, the error-handling properties of the
search engine, and advanced search features(eg., the use of
Boolean operators in the search field)
 Site Maps
1. It provides a complete table of contents for all web pages.
2. Each site map entry should be tested to ensure that the links
take the user to the proper content or functionality

Configuration Testing

To test a set of probable client-side and server-
side configurations to ensure that the user experience
will be the same on all of them and to isolate errors
that may be specific to a particular configuration.
Server-side issues:
 As server side configuration tests are designed, you
should consider each component of the server
configuration.
 Is the webapp fully compatible with the server OS?
 Are system files, directories, and related system data
created correctly when the webapp is operational?

Configuration testing
CONTINUATION…

 Do system security measures (e.g., firewalls or encryption)
allow the webapp to execute and service users without
interference or performance degradation?
 Has the webapp been tested with the distributed server
configuration?
 Is the webapp properly integrated with database software?
 Is the webapp sensitive to different versions of database
software?
 Do server-side webapp scripts execute properly?
 Have system administrator errors been examined for their
effect on webapp operations?

Configuration testing
Client-side issues:
 On the client side, configuration test focus more heavily on
webapp compatibility with configurations that contain one or
more permutations of the following components.
 Hardware – CPU, memory, storage, and printing devices
 Operating systems - Linux, Macintosh OS, Microsoft
Windows, a mobile- based OS
 Browser software - Firefox, Safari, IE, Opera, Chrome, and
others
 User interface components- Active X, Java applets, and others
 Plug-ins- QuickTime, RealPlayer, and many others
 Connectivity – cable, DSL, regular modem, T1,WiFi

Security Testing
Security tests are designed to probe vulnerabilities of the
client-side environment, the network communications that
occur as data are passed from client to server and back
again, and the server-side environment.

Client side vulnerabilities:
 On the client side, vulnerabilities can often be traced to
preexisting bugs in browsers, e-mail programs, or
communication software.
 For eg : one of the commonly mentioned bugs is Buffer
Overflow

Security Testing
Network vulnerabilities:
 Data communicated between the client and server are
vulnerable to spoofing. Spoofing occurs when one end
of the communication pathway is subverted by and
entity with malicious intent.
 For e.g., A user can be spoofed by a malicious website
that acts as if it is the legitimate webapp server. The
intent is to steal passwords, proprietary
information, or credit data.

Security Testing
Server side vulnerabilities:
Vulnerabilities include denial- of-service attacks and
malicious scripts that can be passed along to the client
side or used to disable server operation
For eg: server –side databases can be accessed without
authorization(data theft).

Security Testing
To protect against these vulnerabilities, one or more of the following security
elements is implemented

 Firewall – a filtering mechanism that is a combination of hardware and
software that examines each incoming packet of information to ensure that it is
coming from a legitimate source, blocking any data that are suspect.
 Authentication - a verification mechanism that validates the identity of all
clients and servers, allowing communication to occur only when both sides are
verified.
 Encryption – an encoding mechanism that protects sensitive data by modifying
it in a way that makes it impossible to read by those with malicious intent.
Encryption is strengthened by using digital certificates that allow the client to
verify the destination to which th data are transmitted.
 Authorization - a filtering mechanism that allows access to the client or server
environment only by those individuals with appropriate authorization
codes(e.g., user ID and password)

Performance testing
It is used to uncover performance problems that can result from:
 Lack of server-side resources
 Inappropriate network bandwidth
 Inadequate database capabilities, faulty or weak operating
system capabilities
 Poorly designed webapp functionality

The intent is twofold
 To understand how the system responds as loading (i.e.
., number of users, number of transactions, or overall data
volume) increases
 To collect metrics that will lead to design modifications to
improve performance

Load testing
 The intent of load testing is to determine how the webapp and its server-sie
environment will respond to various loading conditions. As testing
proceeds, permutations to the following variables define a set of test
conditions:
 N, number of concurrent users
 T, number of online transactions per unit of time
 D, data load processed by the server per transaction.
 Load testing can also be used to assess recommended connection speeds for
user of the webapp. Overall throughput, P, is computed in the following
manner:
 P= N* T*D
 As an example, consider a popular sports news site. At a given moment, 20,000
concurrent users submit a request(a transaction, T) once every 2 minutes on
average. Each transaction requires the webapp to download a new article that
averages 3 bytes in length. Therefore, throughput can be calculated as

P=[20,000*0.5*3kb]/60=500kbytes/sec=4 megabits per second

Stress testing
 Stress testing is a continuation of load testing, but in this instance the
variables, N, T and D are forced to meet and then exceed operational limits.
The intent of test is to check:
 Does the system degrade ”gently”, or does the server shut down as capacity is
exceeded?
 Does server software generate “server not available” message? More
generally, are users aware that they cannot reach the server?
 Does the server queue resource requests and empty the queue once capacity
demands diminish?
 Are transactions lost as capacity is exceeded?
 If the system does fail, how long will it take to come back online?
 What values of N, T, and D force the server environment to fail? How does
failure manifest itself? Are automated notifications sent to technical support
staff at the server site?
 Are certain webapp functions discontinued as capacity reaches the 80 or 90
percent level?

MODEL-VIEW-CONTROLLER
Webapp architecture
 WebApp architecture describes an infrastructure the enables a
web-based system or application to achieve its business
objectives
 Applications should be built using layers in which different
concerns are taken into account.
 In particular, application data should be separated from the
page’s contents(navigation nodes) and these contents, in turn
, should be clearly separated from the interface look-and–
feel(pages)
 The Model-View-Controller(MVC) architecture is one of a
number of suggested webapp infrastructure models that
decouple the user interface from the webapp functionality and
informational content.

 The model (sometimes referred to as the “model object”)
contains all application-specific content and processing
logic, including all content objects, access to external
data/information sources, and all processing functionality that is
application specific.
 The View contains all interface specific functions and enables
the presentation of content and processing logic, including all
content objects, access to external data/information sources, and
all processing functionality required by the end user.
 The controller manages access to the model and the view and
coordinates the flow of data between them.
 In webapp, “ the view is updated by the controller with data from
the model based on user input”

The MVC Architecture
Controller:
Manages user requests Behavior request (state
Selects model behavior change)
User request or data Selects view response

View selection

Model:
Encapsulates functionality
Encapsulates content objects
Incorporates all webapp
states
Browser
Data
from
model

H View Update
Client T Prepares data from model External Data
M Request updates from request
L model
Presents view selected by
d controller
a
t
a
Server

 Referring to the figure, user requests or data are handled by
the controller. The controller also selects the view object
that is applicable based on the user request. Once the type
of request is determine, a behavior request is transmitted
to the model which implements the functionality or
retrieves the content required to accommodate the request.
 The model object can access data stored in a corporate
database, as part of a local data store, or as a collection of
independent files.
 The data developed by the model must be formatted and
organized by the appropriate view object and then
transmitted from the application server back to the client-
based browser for display on the customer’s machine

ESTIMATION FOR SOFTWARE PROJECTS

Software cost and effort estimation will never be an exact science.
To achieve reliable cost and effort estimates, a number of options arise:

1. Delay estimation until late in the project
Unfortunately, it is not practical.

2. Base estimates on similar projects that have already been completed.
The second option can reasonably well, if the current project is
quite similar to past efforts and other project influences(e.g., The
customer, business conditions, the software engineering
environment, deadlines) are roughly equivalent. Unfortunately, past
experience has not always been a good indicator of future results.


Decomposition Techniques:
 Decomposition techniques take a divide-and-conquer approach to
software project estimation.
 By decomposing a project into major functions and related software
engineering activities, cost and effort estimation can be performed in a
stepwise fashion.

Empirical estimation models
It can be used to complement decomposition techniques and offer a
potentially valuable estimation approach in their own right. A model is based
on experience and takes the form
d= f(vi)
Where d is one of a number of estimated values(e.g., effort, cost, project
duration) and vi are selected independent parameters(e.g., estimated LOC or
FP).


Decomposition Approach can be of two different point
of view
1.Decomposition of the problem.
2.Decomposition of the process.
Estimation uses one or both forms of partitioning


Software sizing:
 The accuracy of a software project estimate is predicated
on a number of things:
 The degree to which you have properly estimated the size
of the product to be built
 The ability to translate the size estimate into human
effort, calendar time, and dollars
 The degree to which the project plan reflects the abilities of
the software team
 The stability of product requirements and the environment
that supports the software engineering effort


Putnam and Myers suggest four different approaches
to the sizing problem:
 “Fuzzy logic” sizing : This approach uses the
approximate reasoning techniques that are the
cornerstone of fuzzy logic. To apply this approach, the
planner must identify the type of application, establish
its magnitude on a qualitative scale, and then refine
the magnitude within the original range.


Continuation…
 Function point sizing : The planner develops estimates
of the information domain characteristics.
 Standard component sizing : Software is composed of
a number of different “standard components” that are
generic to a particular application area.
 Change sizing : This approach is used when a project
encompasses the use of existing software that must be
modified in some way


Problem-Based estimation:
 LOC and FP data are used in two ways during software
project estimation:
 As estimation variables to “size” each element of the
software
 As baseline metrics collected from past projects and used
in conjunction with estimation variables to develop cost
and effort projections
 Baseline productivity metrics(e.g., LOC/pm or FP/pm^6)
are then applied to the appropriate estimation variable, and
cost or effort for the function is derived.
 Function estimates are combined to produce an overall
estimate for the entire project.


Process-Based Estimation
 The most common technique for estimating a project
is to base the estimate on the process that will be used.
That is, the process is decomposed into a relatively
small set of tasks and the effort required to
accomplish each task is estimated.
 Like the problem-based techniques, process-based
estimation begins with a delineation of software
functions obtained from the project scope. A series of
framework activities must be performed for each
function.


Estimation with use cases:
 Use cases are described using many different formats
and styles- there is no standard form
 Use cases represent an external view(the user’s view)
of the software and can therefore be written at many
different levels of abstraction.
 Use cases do not address the complexity of the
functions and features that are described
 Use cases can describe complex
behavior(e.g., interactions) that involve many
functions and features.


Empirical estimation models:
 An estimation model for computer software uses
empirically derived formulas to predict effort as a function
of LOC or FP. Values for LOC or FP are estimated , the
resultant values for LOC or FP are plugged into the
estimation model.
 The empirical data that support most estimation models
are derived from a limited sample of projects. For this
reason, no estimation model is appropriate for all classes of
software and in all development environments.
Therefore, you should use the results obtained from such
models judiciously.


 An estimation model should be calibrated to reflect
local conditions. The model should be tested by
applying data collected from completed
projects, plugging the data into the model, and then
comparing actual to predicated results. If agreement is
poor, the model must be tuned and retested before it
can be used.


THE COCOMO II MODEL
 In his classic book on “software engineering
economics”, Barry Boehm introduced a hierarchy of
software estimation models bearing the name
COCOMO, for constructive cost model.
 The original COCOMO model became one of the most
widely used and discussed software cost estimation models
in the industry.
 It has evolved into a more comprehensive estimation
model, called COCOMO II, COCOMO II is actually a
hierarchy of estimation models that address the following
areas:


The Application Composition Model
 Suitable for projects built with modern GUI-builder tools. Based
on new Object Points.

The Early Design Model
 You can use this model to get rough estimates of a project's cost
and duration before you've determined it's entire architecture. It
uses a small set of new Cost Drivers, and new estimating
equations. Based on Unadjusted Function Points or KLOC.

The Post-Architecture Model
 This is the most detailed COCOMO II model. You'll use it after
you've developed your project's overall architecture. It has new
cost drivers, new line counting rules, and new equations.


Estimation for agile development:
 Estimation for agile projects uses a decomposition
approach that encompasses the following steps:
 Each user scenario(the equivalent of a mini use case
created at the very start of a project by end users or
other stakeholders) is considered separately for
estimation purposes.
 The scenario is decomposed into the set of software
engineering tasks that will be required to develop it


Continuation…
 3a. The effort required for each task is estimated separately.
Note: Estimation can be based on historical data, an empirical
model, or “experienced”
 3b. alternatively, the “volume” of the scenario can be estimated in
LOC, FP, or some other volume-oriented measure
 4a. Estimates for each task are summed to create an estimate for
the scenario.
 4b. alternatively, the volume estimate for the scenario is
translated into effort using historical data.
 The effort estimates for all scenarios that are to be implemented
for a given software increment are summed to develop the effort
estimate for the increment


Estimation for webapp projects
 Webapp projects often adopt the agile process model.
A modified function point measure, coupled with the
steps outlined, can be used to develop an estimate for
the webapp. The following approach when adapting
function points for webapp estimation.
 Inputs are each input screen or form (for example, CGI
or java), each maintenance screen


Continuation…
 Outputs are each static web page, each dynamic web page
script(for e.g., ASP, ISAPI, or other DHTML script), and each
report(whether web based or administrative in nature).
 Tables are each logical table in the database plus, if you are using
XML to store data in a file, each XML object( or collection of
XML attributes)
 Interfaces retain their definition as logical files(for e.g., unique
record formats) into our out-of-the-system boundaries
 Queries are each externally published or use a message-oriented
interface. A typical example is DCOM or COM external
references.
 For more information: software estimation techniques

Conclusion:
 Changes in software engineering technology are indeed
“rapid and unforgiving” but at the same time progress is
often quite slow.
 By the time a decision is made to adopt a new
process, method, or tool
 Conduct the training necessary to understand its application
 Introduce the technology into the software development
culture
 Something newer has come along, and the process begins
anew

Testing web application

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