Software Testing Approach for X-Man Component Model

Abstract

Software component is a manageable program units responsible for specific functionality. Complex systems are created by divide and conquer strategy. Component based software development (CBSD) is a software development technique in which reusable software components are assembled into a complete working software system. Component based development holds the capacity to grow in the industry because it supports reusability, scalability and short time to market. Components can be developed by different teams and stored in a repository to be used and integrated into a system later. Testing of a system is as important as development, as quality of a project leads to success in the market. Testing framework is an environment in which sequence of processes are carried out to test software system. X-MAN model lacks testing framework. In this thesis we are going to look into the testing challenges of components developed under X-MAN model and possible solution to cater them. In this thesis, a verification and validation framework for X-MAN approach inspired by V-model has been presented. V 2 model is the adaption of V-model for X-MAN component development life cycle model. Key characteristic of X-MAN model is the composition and encapsulation of components in design and deployment phases. X-MAN has two development life cycles in it which are component life cycle and system life cycle. Our proposed V 2 model covers both development life cycles of X-MAN in both phases. Testing criteria includes the milestones to achieve quality of software. Detailed analysis of testing criteria for X-MAN model w.r.t V 2 model is presented. V 2 model is efficient because instead of applying any model separately for both development life cycles of X-MAN component model, this can be done by V 2 model. And V 2 meets the analyzed testing criteria. Software development life cycle comprises of software development phases starting from software requirement elicitation to complete deployment and maintenance of system. Ideal component development life cycle in which components can be composed during design and also during deployment of components and developed components can be stored in repository for later use. X-MAN is one of the CBSD models and stands out other models because it is closest to the ideal component development life cycle. X-MAN model promotes re usability. In this model components can be composed in two phases (i) Design phase and (ii) Deployment phase. During design phase components code is written whereas during deployment phase already developed components are glued together.Being a new technology it has some challenges for example testing the component in both design and deployment phases.