C2 Testing software solutions The concepts of the testing processes used for software solutions.
Testing of the programs, including:
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test plan
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test data – typical, extreme and erroneous data
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selection and use of appropriate types of testing to test part or all of a program,
e.g. functional testing, stability, compatibility.
C3 Improvement, refinement and optimisation of software applications The methods and processes used to improve and optimise software applications.
Methods of improving, refining and optimising, e.g.:
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annotated code to allow effective repair/debugging of the program and
maintainability
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program compilation for a designated platform or environment
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review – quality of a program in terms of reliability, usability,
efficiency/performance, maintainability, portability
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eliciting feedback from users
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making use of the outcomes of testing and feedback
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documenting changes to the design and solution.
C4 Review of software solutions The concepts and evaluation of software solutions.
Evaluation of software solutions, including:
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suitability for audience and purpose
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ease of use
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quality of the software solution, e.g. reliability, usability, efficiency/performance,
maintainability, portability
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constraints of the programming language
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other constraints, e.g. time, programmer knowledge, rules of languages vary
with implementation
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strengths and weaknesses of the software solutions
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improvements that can be made
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optimising software solutions, e.g. improving robustness, improving efficiency
of the code, adding additional functionality.