Test Patterns in Software Engineering

Running head: TEST PATTERNS
ESSAY PROJECT 1: TEST PATTERNS
(Name)
(Tutor’s Name)
(Unit Title)
(Date)

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Abstract
Software test patterns is a branch revolution in software engineering which
emphasize the impacts of the software process and the importance of re-use. The field
also puts more weight on software product quality.
This project will have two parts; in part one a discussion of what test patterns are,
when they are used and how test patterns are used will be outlined in detail. In addition,
part one will discuss both benefits and drawbacks of using test patterns. In part two, the
project will select one common test plan and give an example of using the test plan for
testing.
Part one: Test patterns
To start with, object-oriented paradigm has revolutionized the practice of
software engineering. It has made the principle of code re-use possible; this principle
has moved from code re-use to software re-use. This is an important motivation behind
software test pattern.
Patterns in software testing have saved developers, software engineers and
software testers the burden of wasting resources and time over producing redundant
modules. In addition, test pattern is a revelation in software engineering; it is considered
a way to capture experience and knowledge in the software engineering community. It
is also used as a basis of building module and software re-use (Jensen & Tonies,
2015).
Definition of test patterns
A pattern gives a solution to a recurring problem by defining the software
configuration. A test pattern describes the configuration of the objects needed to test

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interactions between the different classes that are integrated according to the system
design. Test patterns are divided into two which are static test patterns and extensible
test patterns. The major goal of a test pattern is to achieve a high-quality software
product. In addition, test patterns are intended for constructing a piece of software
(Falah, 2015).
How and where a test pattern can be used
To start with, a test pattern is a short description of a certain solution. In here the
test pattern is used to describe some of the aspects of system design that are to be
tested. Second, a test pattern is used to describe a problem that is being solved and
how a solution is solved. Test patterns are also used in UML class diagrams so as to
show the relationship between software modules and classes. Also, test patterns are
used to describe the basic implementation of a certain decision which must be made.
Patterns are also used to describe the interactions between test software and the CUT.
It also provides details of how one can integrate into the PACT (Thayer & Dorfman,
2014)
Benefits of using test patterns
One of the benefits of test pattern is to identify the errors and faults in a system.
Second, test patterns are used in defining techniques which are used in fixing errors
and faults. Third, test patterns optimize software testing process. Forth, test patterns
like schema and are used to address unique software testing issues that the existing or
the previous templates never addressed. Also, test patterns are used to efficiently
identify, use and share solutions (Binder, 2013). Test patterns are also used to assure
software scope reliability. They also establish a common descriptive framework for the