← VCE Software Development U4O1

Alpha testing

Testing run by the developer during development to check the solution meets requirements and works correctly, so errors are found and fixed before beta testing with users.

Part of: VCE Software Development - U4O1 - development and evaluation — Module 151, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 70, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 129

Understanding Alpha testing in VCE Software Development U4O1

What it does: In alpha testing the tester is the developer, not outside users, so the code shows the developer as the one running the tests. Alpha testing comes first, while the solution is still being built. Beta testing follows it.

Common mistakes: A function definition must end with a colon. The developer's alpha test cannot run until line 1 is fixed to def is_adult(age):. The function adds 2 instead of multiplying by 2, so double(4) gives 6 and the alpha test assert fails. It should be return n * 2.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 125–171) and word search (Modules 115–171).

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Learning

Duo

Who normally runs alpha testing?

Outside users in their own homesThe developer or development team

Matches

tester = "end user" # alpha testing

↓

Alpha testing is run by the developer during development, not by end users. Users take part in beta testing.

Applying

Meanings

Term

alpha testing

Meaning

Testing run by the developer during development to check the solution meets requirements and works correctly, so errors are found and fixed before beta testing with users.

Practice

def total_cost(price, qty):

Testing

Gaps

calctotal(2, 5) == 10

Check Answer

Spots

1def is_adult(age)

2 return age >= 18

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Quick Questions

1. Who normally runs alpha testing?

A. The developer or development team ✓

B. Outside users in their own homes

Alpha testing is developer-run. Outside users are involved later, in beta testing.

2. When does alpha testing happen?

A. After the solution is released to users

B. During development, before beta testing ✓

Alpha testing comes first, while the solution is still being built. Beta testing follows it.

3. What is the main aim of alpha testing?

A. Collect users' opinions on the final release

B. Find and fix errors, and check the solution meets requirements ✓

Alpha testing checks that the solution works correctly and meets requirements. Gathering user opinions is more typical of beta testing.

4. Which statement is true?

A. Alpha testing happens before beta testing ✓

B. Alpha testing happens after beta testing

The order is alpha testing first, then beta testing.

5. A developer runs the program with test data and finds a calculation error. Which type of testing is this?

A. Alpha testing ✓

B. Beta testing

The developer is testing during development and finding errors to fix, which is alpha testing.

Match the Pairs

alpha testing → Testing run by the developer during development to check the solution meets requirements and works correctly

assert calculate_total(2, 5) == 10 → An alpha test the developer runs to check a function gives the expected output so any error can be found and fixed

Alpha testing is developer-run: the person who wrote the code tests it against the requirements → tester = "developer"

Alpha testing happens before beta testing, so the next stage only starts once errors are fixed → stages = ["alpha", "beta", "release"]

tester = "end user" # alpha testing → Alpha testing is run by the developer during development, not by end users. Users take part in beta testing.

stages = ["beta", "alpha", "release"] → The order is wrong. Alpha testing comes before beta testing, so errors are found and fixed before users test the solution.

Key Term

alpha testing

Testing run by the developer during development to check the solution meets requirements and works correctly, so errors are found and fixed before beta testing with users.

Fill in the Blanks

1. assert calc_total(2, 5) == 10

Hint: Type the keyword a developer uses to check that a condition is true during an alpha test.

2. def test_total(): assert total([2, 3]) == 5

Hint: Type the keyword that starts the definition of a function, here a test function written by the developer.

3. stages = ["alpha", "beta"] print(stages[0])

Hint: Type the index of the testing stage that happens first, before beta testing.

4. expected = 10 if run_test(5) != expected: print("Error found - fix it")

Hint: Type the variable name that stores the correct result the developer wants the test to produce.

5. tests = [(2, 4), (3, 6), (0, 0)] for inp, expected in tests: assert double(inp) == expected

Hint: Type the variable name that holds the developer's test cases to loop through.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A def is_adult(age)

B return age >= 18

C assert is_adult(18) == True

Line A — A function definition must end with a colon. The developer's alpha test cannot run until line 1 is fixed to def is_adult(age):

Question 2

A def double(n):

B return n + 2

C assert double(4) == 8

Line B — The function adds 2 instead of multiplying by 2, so double(4) gives 6 and the alpha test assert fails. It should be return n * 2.

Question 3

A expected = 10

B actual = add(4, 6)

C print(actual = expected)

Line C — A single = assigns a value and is not allowed inside print() like this. Comparing expected and actual output needs ==, so it should be print(actual == expected).

Question 4

A def test_max():

B result = max(3, 9, 5)

C assert result == 3

Line C — The expected value is wrong. max(3, 9, 5) is 9, so the test would fail even though the code is correct. It should be assert result == 9.

Question 5

A def test_discount:

B price = discount(200)

C assert price == 180

Line A — The brackets are missing from the function definition. A test function needs def test_discount():

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