← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

The testing stage

The final PDLC stage: run the finished program with test data, compare results with expected results, check every requirement is met, and send any errors back to coding.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7a Program Development Life Cycle — Module 17, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Pseudocode and Algorithm Design — Module 79

Understanding The testing stage in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: Testing comes last in the PDLC order, after the program has been written in the coding stage. Each test case has an expected output. If the actual output is different from the expected output, there is an error. Testing must check each requirement. A program that runs but misses a requirement has not passed testing. The test shows a requirement is not met. The program goes back to coding to fix the calculation.

Common mistakes: The actual result equals the expected result, so the test has passed. The line should be OUTPUT "Test passed". An IF statement must have THEN at the end of the condition. It should be IF Errors > 0 THEN.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 17–26) and word search (Modules 1–26).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

Which statement describes the testing stage of the program development life cycle?

The programmer writes the first lines of code for the programThe finished program is run with test data to check it works and meets the requirements

Matches

The program is tested only on one line of code, so it must work

↓

Testing means running the whole finished program, not just one part. Other parts could still contain errors.

Applying

Meanings

Term

Testing stage

Meaning

The final PDLC stage: run the finished program with test data, compare results with expected results, check every requirement is met, and send any errors back to coding.

Practice

// Testing stage: compare results

Testing

Gaps

// The final stage of the PDLC is

Check Answer

Spots

3IF Actual = Expected THEN

4 OUTPUT "Test failed"

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement describes the testing stage of the program development life cycle?

A. The programmer writes the first lines of code for the program

B. The finished program is run with test data to check it works and meets the requirements ✓

Testing is the final stage. The program is run with test data, and the results show whether it works correctly and meets the requirements.

2. During the testing stage, what is the actual output of the program compared with?

A. The expected output ✓

B. The programmer's comments

Each test case has an expected output. If the actual output is different from the expected output, there is an error.

3. A tester runs the program and the actual output does not match the expected output. What happens next?

A. The program is accepted because it ran without crashing

B. The error goes back to the coding stage to be fixed ✓

Errors found in testing are sent back to the coding stage. The programmer fixes them and the program is tested again.

4. Which is the best description of what the tester checks against?

A. Every requirement from the analysis stage is met ✓

B. Only the requirements that are easy to test

Testing must check each requirement. A program that runs but misses a requirement has not passed testing.

5. True or false: in the testing stage, the whole finished program is run.

A. True: the complete program is run with test data ✓

B. False: only single lines of code are ever run

Small parts are tested while coding. In the testing stage the finished program is run as a whole.

Match the Pairs

Expected result: 45, Actual result: 54 → The results do not match, so an error has been found and must be fixed

Requirement: Accept marks from 0 to 100. Test: enter 101 and check it is rejected → Checking that a requirement is met by running the program with test data

Testing is the final stage of the PDLC, where the finished program is run to see if it works correctly → Analysis -> Design -> Coding -> Testing

When testing finds an error, the program goes back to the coding stage to be fixed and then tested again → Testing -> error found -> Coding -> Testing

The program is tested only on one line of code, so it must work → Testing means running the whole finished program, not just one part. Other parts could still contain errors.

Test result is different from expected, so skip it and move on to the next stage → Errors found in testing must go back to coding to be fixed. There is no stage after testing to hide them in.

Key Term

Testing stage

The final PDLC stage: run the finished program with test data, compare results with expected results, check every requirement is met, and send any errors back to coding.

Fill in the Blanks

1. // The final stage of the PDLC is testing

Hint: Type the name of the last PDLC stage, where the finished program is run with test data.

2. IF Actual = Expected THEN OUTPUT "Pass" ENDIF

Hint: Type the relational operator that checks the actual result is equal to the expected result.

3. IF Actual <> Expected THEN OUTPUT "Fail" ENDIF

Hint: Type the relational operator that means the two results are not equal, so an error has been found.

4. IF RequirementsMet = TRUE THEN OUTPUT "Testing complete" ENDIF

Hint: Type the BOOLEAN value that shows every requirement has been met.

5. OUTPUT "Errors found: return to coding"

Hint: Type the name of the stage that errors found in testing are sent back to.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Expected ← 10

B Actual ← 5 * 2

C IF Actual = Expected THEN

D OUTPUT "Test failed"

E ENDIF

Line D — The actual result equals the expected result, so the test has passed. The line should be OUTPUT "Test passed".

Question 2

A PassedAll ← TRUE

B Errors ← 1

C IF Errors > 0

D PassedAll ← FALSE

E ENDIF

Line C — An IF statement must have THEN at the end of the condition. It should be IF Errors > 0 THEN.

Question 3

A Expected ← 7

B Actual = 3 + 4

C OUTPUT "Expected: ", Expected

D OUTPUT "Actual: ", Actual

Line B — Cambridge pseudocode stores a value in a variable with the assignment arrow ←, not =. It should be Actual ← 3 + 4.

Question 4

A DECLARE Expected : STRING

B Expected ← 12

C Actual ← 3 * 4

Line A — Expected stores the whole number 12, so it must be declared as INTEGER, not STRING.

Question 5

A Errors ← 2

B IF Errors > 0 THEN

C OUTPUT "Go to design"

D ELSE

E OUTPUT "Testing complete"

F ENDIF

Line C — When testing finds errors, the program goes back to the coding stage to be fixed. The line should be OUTPUT "Return to coding".

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