Software Installation – Incorporating an entity in envisioned environs

 “First impression is the best”, rightly said. As we all know, X persons would have spent Y efforts to develop product/software, claiming to solve intended customer requirements. But to fit in, that artifact in anticipated environment we need a provision, yes I could hear your inner voices it is an “Installer”. Hence a tester must qualify the installer on par with rocket launch, so that none of the stakeholder is unsatisfied.

Having cited the importance of installation testing, let’s dig deep into it. Here, I have confined my scope to Software installation on computers. 

Installation Modes: An installer can be invoked in either one of the foll state

New	Modify
Application is installed for the first time. No traces of previous installation are observed.            Note: Some installers usually maintain log files to count the history of installations	To update existing setup. For Instance: Change the folder of application          Add new features. Ex: Upgrade to another version with customer key Should not tamper underlying database or application settings
Repair	Uninstallation
Something went wrong in current setup. Repair mode either sets the system to its default values or restores the existing configurations, depending upon the design.	Web pages to log the issues with software. Need not be complete uninstallation.

Any installer should adhere to the these principles

Basic caveats

•          Should not leave the system/environment unusable. It should adhere to “ACID” properties
•          Intimate user to close applications using similar Dlls
•          Update default programs in windows
•          Associate file formats, if any
•          Only one instance of installer at a time should access the system 

I have quoted typical installer functionality in a mind map. [Note: This is my first mind map, so if there are any errors please let me know]. Still there are many more contributors whom we can account for listed a few below

•          Time Zone :Format of dates & Time
•          Desktop: Screen Resolution, Themes
•          Files System : FAT16 or FAT32 in NTFS
•          Standby and hibernation : Resumes without loss of functionality

This list goes on based upon domain, user, project context etc..

Installer- Mind Map

 Few questions popped up when I was drafting this feed, why Accessibility testing is not given more preferences for Installers?? Is there any other type of testing that can be accounted to Installation? I will be obliged if some share few insights about it.

Have comments, then please share!!.

Bug Report – What contributes to an “eXceptional Bug Report”?

Ever goggled for “sample bug report”?? I did, N number of search results are shown pointing to an equivalent bug anatomy.  I agree that bug report template depends upon your application’s domain and scope. And also any “VALID” bug is raised with an aim to be fixed. But as a tester what else you can cite, to create an exceptional bug report.  

Customer Impact: It’s in turn an implication of bug “Severity”. But still we can list the following

•          How the observed deviation or exception may disturb your customer.
•          What are the customer bases that are likely to be affected by this defect?

Behavior of the feature in previous run: This field talks about the history. Guess this will be part of regression defects or in any upgrade project.

Time of occurrence: Testers ensure to enclose logs, stack trace, screenshot and video. Yet provide time of incidence. This aids dev team to quickly spot the issue.

Bench-marking with competitor products:  Always analyze how component in hand behaves in par with competitor product. This improves tester’s business skills.

Suggested Fix: Most of the testers avoid this, remember every tester simulate a customer. Feel free to share your insight about the way you want the product to be sculptured.

The fields quoted above might be in your bug tracking tool as well, if so please waive them. I have cited the provisions that are part of “eXceptional Bug Report” from my end. Now it’s your turn.