Software Quality Assurance Practice Exam

When should you consider using bottom-up testing?

1. When major flaws are present late in the program

2. When observation of results is critical during early stages

3. When all components are integrated

4. When high-level design testing is required

The correct answer is: When observation of results is critical during early stages

Bottom-up testing is particularly advantageous during the early stages of software development as it allows for the testing of individual components or modules before they are integrated into the larger system. This testing approach begins with the lowest levels of the hierarchy, verifying that the individual components function as expected before moving on to higher-level integration tests. In this phase, the observation of results is critical because it helps identify issues at an early stage within the specific functionalities of the components. This can prevent the propagation of errors into the integrated system and makes pinpointing where a defect may be occurring much easier. By focusing on smaller, manageable pieces, it facilitates a detailed examination of each part, ensuring that basic operations are correct. The other options relate to different scenarios. While major flaws detected late in the program warrant extensive testing, it is typically too late for a bottom-up approach to be the most effective. Additionally, when all components have already been integrated, bottom-up testing is less beneficial because it focuses on the individual units rather than the interactions between them. Lastly, high-level design testing usually requires an understanding of how various modules work together, making a top-down testing approach more suitable in that context.