Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) :
The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a systematic approach to testing a
software application to ensure that it meets the requirements and is free of
defects. It is a process that follows a series of steps or phases, and each
phase has specific objectives and deliverables.
### 1. **Requirement Analysis**
- Understand what needs to be tested in the software.
- Identify what types of testing are needed (like checking how the software
works or if it’s safe).
- Ask questions if anything is unclear about the requirements.
- Find possible risks or problems that might come up.
- Make sure every part of the software can be tested.
- Create a plan to track all the requirements during testing.
### 2. **Test Planning**
- Create a plan for how the testing will be done.
- Decide what tools and people are needed for testing.
- Set a schedule for when testing will happen.
- Identify any risks and how to handle them.
- Set the budget and cost for testing.
- List all the things that will be delivered, like test results and defect
reports.
### 3. **Test Case Development**
- Write step-by-step test cases based on the requirements.
- Make sure both good and bad situations are tested.
- Prepare the data needed to run these tests.
- Make sure every test is linked to a requirement.
- Have someone review the test cases for accuracy.
- Create automated scripts if needed.
### 4. **Test Environment Setup**
- Set up the environment needed to run the tests.
- Make sure the test environment is similar to the real-world environment.
- Install the tools and software needed for testing.
- Set up any databases and other systems required.
- Check if the test environment is ready by running simple tests.
- Fix any issues with the environment before starting tests.
### 5. **Test Execution**
- Run the test cases and record the results.
- Report any bugs or defects you find.
- Once the defects are fixed, test again to ensure they’re resolved.
- Check if the software behaves as expected.
- Perform extra testing to find any hidden issues.
- Update the team on how the testing is going.
### 6. **Test Closure**
- Make sure all tests are done, and critical defects are fixed.
- Write a summary report on the testing process.
- Have a meeting to discuss what went well and what can be improved.
- Save all test materials for future use.
- Give the final approval for the software to move forward.
- Review the success of testing using key performance indicators (KPIs).
Each step helps make sure the software works correctly and any issues are
found and fixed early.