John Calder’s Post

How many diagrams does it take to create software that is reliable, efficient and maintainable? Process diagram Hierarchy diagram Flowchart Sequence diagram Class diagram ER diagram Six. There should be six diagrams for any given program. There should also be pseudo code, but that isn't a diagram. Why? Because each diagram allows the engineer to think through the process before they ever touch the code and build it out to be implemented based on those diagrams. Because a hierarchy diagram doesn't allow for GO TO or multiple returns within a procedure and it declares variables at the beginning rather than the middle. Because all of these diagrams can be peer reviewed by other engineers and also by business analysts before any code is written. Because the next person who has to touch this functionality could really use a map of it to troubleshoot or augment the functionality. In the end, while it may seem like it will take a lot of time to create these diagrams, in reality, it will take less time to complete the code and it will be right the first time through because you've already gone through the logic so many times while creating the diagrams. Given the detail you've put into the diagrams, your QA department will be able to target the logical decisions when creating their tests rather than reengineering it and possibly missing sections of code. But don't tell them I said anything about this because they may get the impression that changes in your engineering process led to the RIF in their department because of the increased efficiency and lack of defects to report. Your support department may also have some feedback for you as calls about problems are reduced and questions about functionality increase. Reliable? Yes. Fewer defects because the logic has been verified long before any coding happened. Efficient? Yes, because everyone saves time in the long run and you thought about efficiency through the entire process. Maintainable? Absolutely. Documentation is key to understanding, troubleshooting and flexibility when changes come through the process. Take the time to create the diagrams. ANYONE CAN CODE, few can engineer software. "But I don't have time for that!" Here's the good thing, the more you make the time for it the more time you will have. It's amazing what happens when you apply a little process engineering...

Software Requirement Elicitation: Client: I want a software. I want it to make my business easy. I can't really tell you what I want. But if you provide me your software, I can readily tell you whether it is good or not. It's like I am ordering a song to be made as per my taste. But I don't have the exact words to describe my taste. I just have a vague idea. But if I listen to the song, I can certainly distinguish the one which I like from the one which doesn't fit the bill. Can you make it? Engineer: Of course I can. Trust me I an Engineer. 😊

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🔍 Understanding the Distinct Worlds of Technical Documentation: Hardware vs. Software Clear and precise documentation is the bridge that connects innovation with usability. Yet, the approach to crafting technical documentation varies significantly between hardware and software. Here’s a breakdown of what sets them apart: 🛠️ Hardware Documentation: 1. Audience Diversity: From engineers to general consumers, hardware documentation caters to a broad spectrum of users. 2. Detailed Specs: Specification sheets, installation guides, and user manuals are rich with diagrams, dimensions, and safety information. 3. Physical Interaction: Focuses on setup, assembly, and maintenance, often emphasising physical connections and compatibility with other devices. 4. Safety First: Prioritises clear safety guidelines to ensure proper handling and avoid damage. 💻 Software Documentation: 1. User-Centric: Tailored for end users, developers, and business professionals, offering a variety of content types. 2. Functionality Focus: User guides, API documentation, and release notes explain software features, usage, and updates. 3. Interactive Help: Incorporates screenshots, videos, and in-app guidance to enhance user experience. 4. Continuous Evolution: Constantly updated to reflect new features, bug fixes, and software enhancements. 🚀 Why It Matters: - For Hardware: Precise documentation ensures safe and efficient setup and use, minimising the risk of errors and enhancing product longevity. - For Software: Clear, user-friendly documentation boosts adoption, reduces support queries, and helps users unlock the full potential of the software. In both domains, the goal remains the same: empower users through clear, accessible, and comprehensive documentation. As technology continues to evolve, so too must our approaches to ensuring it is understood and utilised to its fullest. #TechnicalWriting #Documentation #Hardware #Software #TechIndustry #UserExperience #TechTips

💡Unlocking System Functionality: Best Practices for Effective Software Testing💡 In the realm of software development, ensuring robust system functionality is paramount to delivering high-quality applications. As a seasoned software tester and content creator, I’ve honed a set of best practices that streamline the process of validating system functionality. Here’s a concise guide to elevate your testing strategy: 1. Comprehensive Requirement Analysis: Begin by thoroughly understanding the system requirements. Engage with stakeholders to clarify any ambiguities. A well-defined requirement serves as the cornerstone for creating effective test cases. 2. Develop Clear Test Cases: Design test cases that are clear, concise, and cover all possible scenarios. Each test case should have defined inputs, expected outcomes, and step-by-step procedures. Prioritize critical functionalities that directly impact user experience. 3. Leverage Automated Testing: Automate repetitive and regression tests to save time and improve accuracy. Tools like Selenium, JUnit, and TestNG can help automate functional tests, ensuring consistent execution and quick feedback. 4. Adopt Exploratory Testing: Encourage testers to explore the application without predefined scripts. This method uncovers unexpected issues and enhances the understanding of the system’s behavior in real-world scenarios. 5. Implement Continuous Integration: Integrate testing into your CI/CD pipeline. Automated tests should run with every build, providing immediate feedback and enabling quick identification of defects. 6. Utilize Performance Testing: Assess the system’s performance under varying loads using tools like JMeter or LoadRunner. Performance testing helps identify bottlenecks and ensures the system can handle peak loads efficiently. 7. Perform Security Testing: Validate the system’s security by conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. Ensure compliance with security standards to safeguard sensitive data. 8. Engage in User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Collaborate with end-users to perform UAT. Their feedback is invaluable in verifying that the system meets their needs and expectations. 9. Maintain Clear Documentation: Document all test cases, test results, and defect reports meticulously. Clear documentation facilitates knowledge sharing and future testing efforts. 10. Foster Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest testing tools, techniques, and industry trends. Continuous learning ensures your testing practices evolve with technological advancements. By integrating these best practices, you can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your system functionality testing. Remember, the goal is not just to find defects, but to ensure the delivery of a seamless and reliable user experience. #softwaretesting #qualityassurance #systemtesting #automationtesting #qa #uat #exploratorytesting #softwarequality Illustrated ByteByteGo👍🏻

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🚩Writing effective test cases is crucial for ensuring software quality. Here are some key tips: 1. Understand Requirements: Clearly understand the functional and non-functional requirements of the software. This helps in creating relevant test cases. 2. Define Test Case Structure: Use a consistent format that includes test case ID, title, description, preconditions, steps, expected results, and actual results. 3. Keep It Clear and Concise: Write test cases in simple language. Avoid ambiguity to ensure that anyone can understand and execute them. 4. Prioritize Test Cases: Identify critical functionality and prioritize test cases based on risk and importance. Focus on high-impact areas first. 5. Include Positive and Negative Scenarios: Test cases should cover both valid inputs (positive) and invalid inputs (negative) to ensure robustness. 6. Consider Edge Cases: Think of boundary conditions and edge cases that might not be immediately obvious but could lead to defects. 7. Use Traceability: Map test cases to requirements to ensure all functionalities are covered. This helps in identifying gaps. 8. Review and Revise: Regularly review test cases for relevance and completeness, especially as requirements change. 9. Automate Where Possible: For repetitive and stable test cases, consider automation to save time and increase efficiency. 10. Involve Stakeholders: Collaborate with developers, product owners, and other stakeholders to gather insights and improve test coverage. By following these guidelines, you can create comprehensive and effective test cases that enhance the quality of your software.

Best ways to test system functionality. Testing system functionality is a crucial step in software development and engineering processes. It ensures that a system or software application performs as expected, meets user requirements, and operates reliably. Here we delve into the best ways: 1. Unit Testing: Ensures individual code components work correctly in isolation. 2. Integration Testing: Verifies that different system parts function seamlessly together. 3. System Testing: Assesses the entire system's compliance with user requirements and performance. 4. Load Testing: Tests a system's ability to handle high workloads and identifies performance issues. 5. Error Testing: Evaluates how the software handles invalid inputs and error conditions. 6. Test Automation: Automates test case execution for efficiency, repeatability, and error reduction. Over to you: How do you approach testing system functionality in your software development or engineering projects? Over to you: what's your company's release process look like? – Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get a Free System Design PDF (158 pages): https://bit.ly/3KCnWXq hashtag #systemdesign hashtag #coding hashtag #interviewtips

Best ways to test system functionality. Testing system functionality is a crucial step in software development and engineering processes. It ensures that a system or software application performs as expected, meets user requirements, and operates reliably. Here we delve into the best ways: 1. Unit Testing: Ensures individual code components work correctly in isolation. 2. Integration Testing: Verifies that different system parts function seamlessly together. 3. System Testing: Assesses the entire system's compliance with user requirements and performance. 4. Load Testing: Tests a system's ability to handle high workloads and identifies performance issues. 5. Error Testing: Evaluates how the software handles invalid inputs and error conditions. 6. Test Automation: Automates test case execution for efficiency, repeatability, and error reduction. Over to you: How do you approach testing system functionality in your software development or engineering projects? Over to you: what's your company's release process look like? –  Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get a Free System Design PDF (158 pages): https://bit.ly/3KCnWXq    #systemdesign #coding #interviewtips  .

Detailed software development stages incorporating 6 Sigma principles: *Define (D)* - Identify project goals, objectives, and deliverables - Define the problem statement and project scope - Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and critical-to-quality (CTQ) characteristics - Develop a project charter and obtain stakeholder approval *Measure (M)* - Gather data on current processes and identify areas for improvement - Establish baseline metrics and benchmarks (e.g., cycle time, defect density) - Identify key process inputs, outputs, and variables - Develop a measurement plan and collect data *Analyze (A)* - Examine data to identify root causes of defects and variations - Determine key factors affecting the project (using tools like fishbone diagrams, Pareto charts) - Identify opportunities for process improvement - Develop hypotheses for testing and validation *Design (D)* - Create a detailed design and develop solutions to address identified issues - Implement 6 Sigma principles, such as DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify) - Develop prototypes or proof-of-concepts - Conduct design reviews and obtain feedback *Verify (V)* - Test and validate the design, ensuring it meets requirements and expectations - Conduct unit testing, integration testing, and system testing - Validate performance, security, and usability - Identify and address defects or issues *Implement (I)* - Deploy the solution, ensuring a smooth transition - Develop implementation plans, including training and support - Conduct pilot testing or phased rollouts - Monitor progress and address issues *Control (C)* - Monitor and control the new process, making adjustments as needed - Ensure quality and prevent defects through continuous monitoring - Develop control plans, including metrics and benchmarks - Identify opportunities for further improvement *Validate (V)* - Continuously evaluate and improve the process, ensuring alignment with project goals - Conduct regular reviews and assessments - Identify areas for further improvement - Develop plans for ongoing improvement and optimization By incorporating 6 Sigma principles, these stages ensure a data-driven approach, focusing on quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout the software development lifecycle.