2. Software Development, Computing Higher, FAQ, Revision

FAQ – Acceptance Testing (Beta Testing)

Explanation of the importance of each stage of the development process

  • testing

Testing is very important for all software. The program needs to be thoroughly tested to make sure that error are found and corrected. There are many aspects to testing and the final one is Acceptance or Beta testing.

  • acceptance testing, ensures system is ready for operational use.
  • Beta testing or acceptance testing as it is sometimes known will take place in the customer’s own environment for testing under actual working conditions.
  • Involves both the developer and user of the system.  The user is given full access to the system and must report any bugs, errors or misbehaviour of the software.

From Scholar Notes

Otherwise known as acceptance testing it takes place after alpha testing. The idea is to subject a completed program to testing under actual working conditions.
If a program has been developed for use by particular clients, it is installed on their site.The clients use the program for a given period and then report back to the development team. The process might be iterative, with the development team making adjustmentsto the software. When the clients regard the program’s operation as acceptable, thetesting stage is complete.
If a program is being developed by a software house for sale to a market rather than anindividual client, the developers will provide an alpha-tested version to a select groupof expert users such as computer journalists and authors, and also makers of related computing products such as printers.
This is of benefit to both parties: the software house gets its product tested by peoplewho are good at noticing faults, and the writers get to know about products in advance;which further benefits both parties when the final production software is released, thesoftware house getting publicity and the writers receive credit for being up to date.
People involved in beta testing will send back error reports to the development team.An error report is about a malfunction of the program and should contain details of thecircumstances which lead to in the malfunction. These error reports are used by thedevelopment team to find and correct the problem.