What is Static Testing? How To Perform Static Testing?

In this article, we are going to learn what is static testing, types of static testing, how to perform it, and the following

What is Static Testing with Example?

Static Testing is a software testing method, which is used to check defects in software application without executing the code whereas dynamic testing is used to check defects by executing the code. Read more about Dynamic testing here. 

Static testing refers to a type of test in which no live application is used. This type of testing allows you to identify and correct mistakes earlier in the development process, resulting in fewer problems later on. It also aids in the detection and correction of flaws that may not be discovered by dynamic testing.

It starts early in the Software Development Life Cycle, therefore it is completed during the Verification Process.

In Static Testing, the software application is tested with Review, Walk Through, Inspection, and Analysis.

To ensure that the code is correct, developers must adhere to rigorous testing procedures. This testing aims to find mistakes from the requirement gathering phase of SDLC (software development life cycle) all the way through source code.

Static testing can be used to catch defects in the documentation phases, which helps to prevent errors at later stages and is therefore cost-effective.

Reviews should be used in all significant aspects of software development, including requirements, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance.

Types of defects that are easier to find during static testing are deviations from standards, missing requirements, design flaws, unused variables, non-maintainable code, and inconsistent interface specifications.

Don’t miss: Static Testing vs Dynamic Testing

Static Testing Techniques

Reviews and Static Analysis are the two techniques used to conduct static testing.

#1. Reviews

Reviews are usually performed to identify and correct errors and uncertainties found in supporting documents such as requirement documents, design documents, test cases etc.,

Types of Static Testing Reviews

Static testing reviews are classified into four types:

#1. Informal Reviews

Informal reviews do not use any set method to detect problems. Coworkers review documents and give informal comments.

#2. Walkthrough

The document’s author will explain the document to their team during a walkthrough. Participants would ask questions, and any notes are taken down.

#3. Technical Reviews

Peers examine technical specifications in order to detect any errors.

#4. Inspections

Moderator will do a comprehensive examination as part of the procedure to detect flaws.

Types of Participants in Review Process

Participants in the review process are as follows

#1. Author

Author’s responsibility is to fix the errors found and improves the document’s quality.

#2. Moderator

The Moderator is in charge of checking for entries, following up on reworks, coaching team members and to schedule the meetings.

#3. Scribe

Logs the error during a review.

#4. Reviewer

Examine the material for defects.

#5. Manager

Determine how evaluations will be carried out and make sure that the review process goals are achieved.

#2. Static Analysis

Static analysis is where the code developed by developers is evaluated. It is done to find structural defects that may lead to errors.

Static code analysis can be done both either manually or through automation with the use of various software testing tools.

Some of the tools which can be used for static analysis of code are:

• Checkstyle
• Clang
• Find Bugs
• JArchitect
• JTest
• Sonarqube
• Soot
• Source meter
• Thread Safe

Types of Static Analysis

Static Analysis is classified into three types:

#1. Data Flow

In static analysis, the data flow is related to the stream processing.

#2. Control Flow:

Control flow is used to specify how the statements or instructions are executed.

#3. Cyclomatic Complexity:

It is the measurement of the program’s complexity that is basically related to the number of independent paths in the control flow graph of the program.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Static Testing

We have both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to static testing.

Advantages of Static Testing

Following are the advantages of static testing:

• Increased product quality
• It reduces the cost and effort of fixing bugs because it identifies the bugs in the earlier stages of the SDLC.
• It gives deeper insight into the software for the whole team. 

Disadvantages of Static Testing

Following are the disadvantages of static testing:

• It requires lots of documentation.
• Many meetings and evaluations.
• Some analysis tools are not compatible with all programming languages.