The last release of a hotel booking website resulted in poor system performance when hotel searches reached peak volumes. To address these problems in the forthcoming release, changes to the system architecture are to be implemented as follows:
Change 1 - Provision of a single Internet service using multiple servers, rather than a single server, to maximize throughput and minimize response time during peak volumes
Change 2 - Prevention of unnecessary database calls for objects that were not immediately needed by the calling applications. Achieved by not automatically creating database connections at the start of processing, instead only just before the data is required.
The system architecture document has been drafted and as Technical Test Analyst you have been invited to participate in its review. Which of the following review checklist items is MOST likely to identify any defects in the proposed system architecture for Change 2?
Answer : C
Analysis:
For Change 2, the goal is to prevent unnecessary database calls by delaying the creation of database connections until they are actually needed. This approach is known as lazy instantiation.
C . Lazy instantiation:
Lazy instantiation is a design pattern that defers the creation of an object until the point at which it is needed. This can help improve performance by reducing unnecessary resource consumption. In the context of database connections, it ensures that connections are only established when required, thus avoiding unnecessary overhead.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
A . Connection pooling:
Connection pooling involves reusing database connections from a pool rather than creating new ones each time. While this improves efficiency, it does not specifically address the issue of deferring database connections until needed.
B . Data replication:
Data replication refers to copying data across multiple databases to ensure consistency and availability. It is not directly related to managing when database connections are established.
D . Caching:
Caching involves storing frequently accessed data in memory to improve retrieval times. While beneficial for performance, it does not address the specific issue of delaying database connections.
The ISTQB CTAL-TTA syllabus and standard software architecture practices highlight the importance of design patterns such as lazy instantiation for optimizing resource usage and performance.
Sources:
ISTQB-CTAL-TTA Syllabus
General knowledge on software architecture design patterns.
The last release of a hotel booking website resulted in poor system performance when hotel searches reached peak volumes. To address these problems in the forthcoming release, changes to the system architecture are to be implemented as follows:
Change 1 - Provision of a single Internet service using multiple servers, rather than a single server, to maximize throughput and minimize response time during peak volumes
Change 2 - Prevention of unnecessary database calls for objects that were not immediately needed by the calling applications. Achieved by not automatically creating database connections at the start of processing, instead only just before the data is required.
The system architecture document has been drafted and as Technical Test Analyst you have been invited to participate in its review. Which of the following review checklist items is MOST likely to identify any defects in the proposed system architecture for Change 1?
Answer : B
Analysis:
For Change 1, which involves using multiple servers to maximize throughput and minimize response time, the key concern is how the load is distributed across these servers.
B . Load balancing:
Load balancing is the process of distributing network or application traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server becomes overwhelmed. It is crucial for maximizing throughput and minimizing response times, particularly during peak volumes.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
A . Connection pooling:
This is related to managing database connections efficiently but is not directly relevant to distributing web server traffic.
C . Distributed processing:
This refers to dividing processing tasks across multiple processors or machines but is not specific to managing web server load.
D . Caching:
Caching helps improve performance by storing frequently accessed data in memory, reducing the need to retrieve it from the database, but it does not address load distribution across servers.
The ISTQB CTAL-TTA syllabus and standard practices in reviewing system architecture emphasize the importance of load balancing for managing server traffic and ensuring optimal performance during peak loads.
Sources:
ISTQB-CTAL-TTA Syllabus
General knowledge on system architecture and load balancing.
You are a Technical Test Analyst preparing load test scripts. You have been invited to a technical review of the system's operational profile document produced by the business. The meeting is next week, during your preparation you notice that volumetric data covering projected transaction volumes will be held in a separate document that will not be available before the meeting. What would be the BEST course of action?
Answer : B
Analysis:
When faced with incomplete documentation during test preparation, it is important to balance the need for thoroughness with the need to maintain project schedules.
B . To avoid delay to the project, attend the review as scheduled and raise the issue at the meeting:
This option ensures that the review proceeds as planned, preventing project delays. By raising the issue during the meeting, you can highlight the importance of the missing volumetric data and ensure it is addressed promptly.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
A . Request that the meeting be delayed until the volumetric document has been drafted and examined by the reviewers:
Delaying the meeting might cause project delays and may not be necessary if the issue can be addressed in the meeting.
C . State that you are not a mandatory reviewer but request that both documents be sent to you once agreed:
This might cause you to miss important discussions in the review meeting.
D . Delay the review but limit schedule impact by presenting the volumetric document to the reviewers during the meeting:
This could still result in delays and does not ensure that all necessary information is reviewed in a timely manner.
The ISTQB CTAL-TTA syllabus emphasizes the importance of timely reviews and addressing issues promptly to avoid delays.
Sources:
ISTQB-CTAL-TTA Syllabus
General knowledge on review processes and handling incomplete documentation.
A new application for planning journeys on public transport is being developed that will work on mobile devices. Why would you MOST likely include Compatibility testing in the test plan?
Answer : C
Analysis:
Compatibility testing is essential for applications that are designed to work across various hardware and software environments, particularly for mobile devices which can have diverse specifications and operating systems.
C . To evaluate the degree to which it can effectively and efficiently be adapted for different or evolving hardware environments:
This option addresses the core purpose of compatibility testing for a mobile application. It ensures that the application works as intended across different mobile devices and operating systems, which is crucial for public transport applications that must function reliably on various devices used by the public.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
A . To evaluate the degree to which it is operational and accessible when required for use:
This is more related to availability and reliability rather than compatibility.
B . To evaluate the degree to which its functions facilitate the accomplishment of specified tasks and objectives:
This pertains to functionality testing, not compatibility.
D . To evaluate the degree to which the system is operational and accessible when required for use:
This duplicates option A and is not directly related to compatibility.
The ISTQB CTAL-TTA syllabus covers compatibility testing and its relevance in ensuring applications function correctly across different environments and hardware configurations.
Sources:
ISTQB-CTAL-TTA Syllabus
General knowledge on compatibility testing practices.
A new application for planning journeys on public transport is being developed that will work on mobile devices. Why would you MOST likely include Portability testing in the test plan?
Answer : C
Analysis:
Portability testing evaluates the ease with which software can be transferred from one environment to another. For a mobile application, portability testing ensures that the application functions correctly across different devices and operating systems.
Key Aspect:
C . To evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency in which it can be successfully uninstalled in a specified environment:
This is an aspect of portability testing that checks whether the application can be correctly and completely removed from a device, ensuring no residual data or configuration is left behind. This is critical for mobile applications that need to be installed and uninstalled on various devices.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
A . To evaluate the degree to which it is easy to operate and control:
This pertains to usability rather than portability.
B . To evaluate the degree to which its components can be used in other systems:
This is related to reusability, not portability.
D . To evaluate the degree to which the system is operational and accessible when required for use:
This relates more to reliability and availability, not specifically portability.
The ISTQB CTAL-TTA syllabus and standard practices in portability testing emphasize the importance of installation and uninstallation processes for ensuring software can be effectively managed across different environments.
Sources:
ISTQB-CTAL-TTA Syllabus
General knowledge on portability testing practices.
A project to develop a new system has performance efficiency listed as a critical requirement. Which of the following describes how and when the Technical Test Analyst should FIRST be involved in performance test activities for the new system?
Answer : A
Analysis:
When performance efficiency is a critical requirement, the involvement of the Technical Test Analyst (TTA) is crucial from the early stages of the project to ensure performance goals are met.
Key Activity:
A . Designing an operational profile that does not exceed hardware, software, and network bandwidth test environment budgets:
This activity involves creating a realistic operational profile that reflects how the system will be used in production. It ensures that performance testing is aligned with actual usage patterns and resource constraints. By doing this early, TTAs can identify potential performance issues and make necessary adjustments before development progresses too far.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
B . Participating in code reviews that focus on database and component interactions as well as error handling:
While useful, this is more relevant to ensuring code quality and correctness rather than the first step in addressing performance efficiency.
C . Assisting the developers in determining CPU utilization for critical components during component testing:
This is a more detailed activity that follows the establishment of the operational profile and overall performance requirements.
D . Implementing the performance tool's load test scripts for execution in a production-like environment during system test:
This occurs later in the testing process, after the operational profile has been designed and the initial performance considerations have been addressed.
The ISTQB CTAL-TTA syllabus highlights the importance of designing operational profiles and understanding resource constraints as initial steps in performance testing.
Sources:
ISTQB-CTAL-TTA Syllabus
General knowledge on performance testing practices.
The stakeholders in a new system want its mean time between failure to be three months or longer, with a mean time to repair the system of ten minutes or less when it does fail. When planning and specifying reliability tests to be performed before release, which ONE of the following is a factor that must be considered?
Answer : B
Analysis:
For a system to meet its reliability requirements, it must maintain a mean time between failure (MTBF) of three months or longer and a mean time to repair (MTTR) of ten minutes or less. When planning and specifying reliability tests, several factors must be considered to ensure these requirements are met.
Key Factor:
B . Determining the target availability for the system:
Availability is a critical factor that encompasses both the MTBF and MTTR. Availability is calculated based on the uptime and downtime of the system, which directly correlates with MTBF and MTTR. Determining the target availability helps ensure that the system can meet the required reliability standards by specifying acceptable levels of uptime and downtime.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
A . Defining the replaceability requirements:
Replaceability pertains to the ease with which components can be replaced or updated. While important for maintainability, it is not the primary focus for reliability testing in this context.
C . Monitoring reliability in production:
Monitoring in production is important for ongoing reliability assessment but is not a primary consideration when planning and specifying tests before release.
D . Configuring a production-like test environment:
This is essential for accurate testing but is a logistical consideration rather than a direct factor in the reliability requirements.
The ISTQB CTAL-TTA syllabus and standard practices in reliability testing emphasize the importance of availability metrics in planning reliability tests.
Sources:
ISTQB-CTAL-TTA Syllabus
General knowledge on reliability testing and availability.