Fundamentals of Testing.
Chapter 1 introduces why testing is needed, what testing and debugging mean, core testing principles, test activities, testware, traceability, roles, teamwork, and independence.
Chapter overview
This chapter builds the vocabulary and mental model for the rest of ISTQB Foundation Level. It explains that testing is broader than running tests and that test work includes analysis, design, implementation, execution, completion, and supporting activities.
Topics covered
- Testing objectives and the difference between testing and debugging
- Why testing is necessary and how defects, failures, errors, and root causes relate
- Seven testing principles
- Test process activities, testware, and traceability
- Testing roles, the whole team approach, and independence of testing
What beginners should notice
Many later topics depend on the distinction between finding information about quality and fixing the underlying cause of a problem. Testing can reveal failures and provide information, while debugging finds, analyzes, and removes causes in the code or design.