V-model (software development)
The V-model is a software development model which can be presumed to be the extension of the waterfall model. Instead of moving down in a linear way, the process steps are bent upwards after the coding phase, to form the typical V shape. The V-Model demonstrates the relationships between each phase of the development life cycle and its associated phase of testing.
Evolution
The V-model can be said to have developed as a result of the evolution of software testing. Various testing techniques were defined and various kinds of testing were clearly separated from each other which led to waterfall model evolving into the V-model. The tests in the ascending (Validation)hand are derived directly from their design or requirements counterparts in the descending (Verification) hand. The ‘V’ can also stand for the terms Verification and Validation.
Verification Phases
Requirements analysis
Main article Requirement See also Functional requirements See also Non-functional requirements
In this phase, the requirements of the proposed system are collected by analyzing the needs of the user(s). This phase is concerned about establishing what the ideal system has to perform. However, it does not determine how the software will be designed or built. Usually, the users are interviewed and a document called the user requirements document is generated. The user requirements document will typically describe the system’s functional, physical, interface, performance, data, security requirements etc as expected by the user. It is one which the business analysts use to communicate their understanding of the system back to the users. The users carefully review this document as this document would serve as the guideline for the system designers in the system design phase. The user acceptance tests are designed in this phase.
System Design
Main article Systems design
System engineers analyze and understand the business of the proposed system by studying the user requirements document. They figure out possibilities and techniques by which the user requirements can be implemented. If any of the requirements is not feasible, the user is informed of the issue. A resolution is found and the user requirement document is edited accordingly.
The software specification document which serves as a blueprint for the development phase is generated. This document contains the general system organization, menu structures, data structures etc. It may also hold examples business scenarios, sample windows, reports for the better understanding. Other technical documentation like entity diagrams, data dictionary will also be produced in this phase. The documents for system testing is prepared in this phase.
Architecture Design
See also Computer architecture, Software architecture
This phase can also be called as high-level design. The baseline in selecting the architecture is that it should realize all the requirements within the given time, cost and resources. Software architecture is commonly represented as two-tier, three-tier or multi-tier models which typically comprises of the database layer, user-interface layer and the application layer. The modules and components representing each layer, their inter-relationships, subsystems, operating environment and interfaces are laid out in detail.
The output of this phase is the high-level design document which typically consists of the list of modules, brief functionality of each module, their interface relationships, dependencies, database tables, architecture diagrams, technology details etc. The integration testing design is carried out in this phase.
Module Design
See also Modularity (programming)
This phase can also be called as low-level design. The designed system is broken up in to smaller units or modules and each of them is explained so that the programmer can start coding directly. The low level design document or program specifications will contain a detailed functional logic of the module, in pseudocode - database tables, with all elements, including their type and size - all interface details with complete API references- all dependency issues- error message listings- complete input and outputs for a module. The unit test design is developed in this stage.
Coding
Refer software programming
Validation Phases
Unit Testing
Main article Unit Testing
In the V-model of software development, unit testing implies the first stage of dynamic testing process. According to software development expert Barry Boehm, a fault discovered and corrected in the unit testing phase is more than a hundred times cheaper than if it is done after delivery to the customer.
It involves analysis of the written code with the intention of eliminating errors. It also verifies that the codes are efficient and adheres to the adopted coding standards. Testing is usually white box. It is done using the Unit test design prepared during the module design phase. This may be carried out by software testers of software developers or both.
Integration Testing
Main article Integration testing
In integration testing the separate modules will be tested together expose faults in the interfaces and in the interaction between integrated components. Testing is usually black box as the code is not directly checked for errors. It is done using the integration test design prepared during the architecture design phase. Integration testing is generally conducted by software testers.
System Testing
Main article System testing
System testing will compare the system specifications against the actual system. The system test design derived from the system design documents and is used in this phase. Sometimes system testing is automated using testing tools.
User Acceptance Testing
Main article Acceptance testing
Acceptance Testing checks the system against the requirements of the user. It uses black box testing using real data, real people and real documents to ensure ease of use and functionality of systems. Users who understand the business functions run the tests as given in the acceptance [[Test plan |test plans]], including installation and Online help. Hardcopies of user documentation is also be reviewed for usability and accuracy. The testers formally document the results of each test, and provide error reports, correction requests to the developers.
Benefits
The V-model deploys a well-structured method in which each phase can be implemented by the detailed documentation of the previous phase. Testing activities like test designing start at the beginning of the project well before coding and therefore saves a huge amount of the project time.
References
- Roger S. Pressman:Software Engineering: A Practitioner's Approach, The McGraw-Hill Companies, ISBN: 007301933X
- Mark Hoffman & Ted Beaumont: Application Development: Managing the Project Life Cycle, Mc Press, ISBN-10: 1883884454
- Boris Beizer: Software Testing Techniques. Second Edition, International Thomson Computer Press, 1990, ISBN 1-85032-880-3