Testing Glossary - Testing Definitions D-E

data
Things known or assumed; facts or figures from which conclusions can be inferred; information.

data analysis
The process of analyzing data.

data dependent
Something that is dependent on the value of a given piece of information. For example, which branch of an if statement will be selected is usually dependent on the information being processed at that specific time.

database
A large collection of data in a computer, organized so that it can be expanded, updated, and retrieved rapidly for various uses.

debug
Given a program that has a bug, to track the problem down in the source code.

decisions
A branching node with multiple edges entering and one edge leaving; decisions can contain processes; in this text, for the purposes of clarity, decisions will be modeled with only one edge entering.

deformation
The changing of form or shape induced by stress.

design
1. To make preliminary sketches of; sketch a pattern or outline for; plan. 2. To plan and carry out, especially by artistic arrangement or in a skillful way. 3. To form (plans, etc.) in the mind; contrive. 4. To plan to do; purpose; intend. (Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second College Edition, Prentice Hall, 1984)

diagnose
To ascertain why a system responds to a set of stimuli the way it does.

diagnostic suite
A highly optimized test suite used to establish the current behavior of a system, used to isolate the site (or source) of a failure.

document inspection
A formal process where the project documentation is inspected for defects.

edges
In logic flow diagrams, these are lines that connect nodes on the logic flow map.

effectiveness
1. Having an effect; producing a result. 2. Producing a definite or desired result; efficient. 3. In effect; operative; active. 4. Actual, not merely potential or theoretical. 5. Making a striking impression; impressive. 6. Equipped and ready for combat. (Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second College Edition, Prentice Hall, 1984)

efficiency
1.Ability to produce a desired effect, product, and so on with a minimum of effort, expense, or waste; quality or fact of being efficient. 2. The ratio of effective work to the energy expended in producing it, as of a machine; output divided by input. (Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second College Edition, Prentice Hall, 1984)

empirically
Determined by trial or experiment.

end-to-end testing
Type of testing where the entire system is tested-that is, from end-to-end.

engineering
1. (a) The science concerned with putting scientific knowledge to practical uses. (b) The planning, designing, construction, or management of machinery, roads, bridges, buildings, and so on. 2. The act of maneuvering or managing. (Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second College Edition, Prentice Hall, 1984)

environment catalog
A catalog or list of the elements of a given environment, usually includes description and specifications.

excellence
The fact or condition of excelling; of superiority; surpassing goodness or merit, and so on.

expected response
A standard against which a test is compared.

experimentation
The act of conducting experiments.

expert testers
Testers who are experts in their areas