Static and Dynamic Testing

The concept of dynamic software testing

Dynamic testing is a method aimed at checking software functionality during the code execution. Hence, this type of testing means actual software maintenance and indicates the ways its functionality works, as expected or not.

Dynamic testing consists of direct testing of software in a real-time mode, by entering the input information and analyzing the actual result of software behavior.

Software Testing Methods

Let’s explain this by analyzing the functional login.

When you register a new account and set up a password, you should follow certain requirements for developing a reliable code.

For example, a password must consist of not less than 7 values, has uppercase and lowercase letters, must consist of at least one digit, etc. These are the defined parameters or conditions a user should follow while he/she is performing registration.

If he/she enters other data that do not meet these requirements, the software must decline them. While testing this function, you should enter a password that meets the established requirements and then check the result.

Having analyzed the functionality suggested by dynamic testing, we can understand the reasons for its execution during the software testing life cycle.

This method of testing helps a team to test all weak spots of the software. If we pretend that they don’t exist and ignore them, this may in some way influence the software performance, functionality, and reliability.

Benefits of dynamic testing:

• During testing, we thoroughly analyze the software functionality, and therefore receive high-quality testing;
• Dynamic testing is a well-structured process which checks the user side and therefore, greatly increases the quality of software;
• Fixation of the complex defects which may stay invisible at the code review stage;
• Dynamic testing with special tools can be automated.

Drawbacks of dynamic testing:

• Dynamic testing is quite a complex and time-consuming process;
• Dynamic testing is expensive;
• In most cases, this method of testing is performed after coding and the bugs are found during a real development life cycle.

The method of static testing is a type of software testing when the software is tested without code running; it’s a process or a tool aimed at finding the potential bugs in software. Moreover, it finds and fixes the bugs in various additional documents, such as software requirement specification.

There are 2 types of static testing:

1. Review;
2. Static analysis.

A review is testing aimed at finding the defects in documents (requirements, design layout, test cases, etc.)

The reviews can be divided into:

• Software inspection. In most cases, it means checking the documents by supreme bodies, such as analyzing the software requirements;
• Informal. By analyzing this document in an informal way, it’s shown to a public where everyone mentions his/her attitude towards/to it. This helps to find the flaws at the first stages of software development;
• Expert analysis. A team of experts checks the documents to find and fix the errors;
• Walkthrough. It’s performed by an experienced specialist (expert) who checks the bug presence. The main task is to precede bug appearance during development or testing.

The concept of static software testing

Static analysis is code developed by programmers and it can be analyzed for weaknesses in its structure, which can lead to bug appearance.

The structure of static analysis consists of evaluating the quality of the code created by developers. To analyze the code combination and compare it with the compliance standards, we can use various tools.

Static analysis can help to find the following defects:

• Dead code;
• Variables which are not used;
• Incorrect syntax;
• Variables with contain the values that can’t be defined;
• Endless cycles.

The static analysis consists of 3 parts:

1. Information flow (the data related to the flow processing);
2. Flow control (to what extent the requirements are fulfilled);
3. Cyclomatic complexity (evaluating the application complexity which is mostly connected with a number of independent paths in a column of an application control flow).

Static analysis can be performed either manually or with the help of special tools.

The benefits of static testing:

• It finds bugs at primary stages of software development and this reduces the cost spent on fixing the defects found;
• Reviews left during this testing help to improve the functional side of the process and this is also aimed at preventing the appearance of similar bugs;
• It provides enough information about issues with software quality;
• It helps to improve the exchanging of important information between the colleagues;
• Bug fixing needs little effort and this helps to make the development more efficient.

The disadvantages of static testing:

• Since static testing is frequently performed manually, the process is very time-consuming;
• It impedes finding the weak spots which are currently executed.

Static Testing vs Dynamic Testing

Static and Dynamic Methods

So to conclude all we have mentioned we can say that though static testing is a long-lasting process that requires spending time on active discussions and meetings, you should find this time since it’s very important to prevent bug appearance at the final stages of product development. Therefore, static testing is considered as an important stage of bug-free software development.

But we shouldn’t forget about the importance of dynamic testing. While testing the software (its performance, functionality, reliability), a team can check the quality and performance of the developed product.