Reliability testing in software
Reliability Testing is about exercising an application so that failures are discovered and removed before the system is deployed. The purpose of reliability testing is to determine product reliability, and to determine whether the software meets the customer’s reliability requirements.
- According to ANSI, Software Reliability is defined as: the probability of failure-free software operation for a specified period of time in a specified environment. Software Reliability is not a direct function of time. Electronic and mechanical parts may become “old” and wear out with time and usage, but software will not rust or wear-out during its life cycle. Software will not change over time unless intentionally changed or upgraded.
- Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure. A test is considered reliable if we get the same result repeatedly. Software Reliability is the probability of failure-free software operation for a specified period of time in a specified environment. Software Reliability is also an important factor affecting system reliability.
- Reliability testing will tend to uncover earlier those failures that are most likely in actual operation, thus directing efforts at fixing the most important faults.
- Reliability testing may be performed at several levels. Complex systems may be tested at component, circuit board, unit, assembly, subsystem and system levels.
Software reliability is a key part in software quality. The study of software reliability can be categorized into three parts:
1. Modeling
2. Measurement
3. Improvement
