outsourced testing

Testing performed by people who are not co-located with the project team and are not fellow employees.

output value

An instance of an output. See also output.

output domain

The set from which valid output values can be selected. See also domain.

output

A variable (whether stored within a component or outside) that is written by a component.

outcome

See result.

orthogonal array testing

A systematic way of testing all-pair combinations of variables using orthogonal arrays. It significantly reduces the number of all combinations of variables to test all pair combinations. See also pairwise testing.

orthogonal array

A 2-dimensional array constructed with special mathematical properties, such that choosing any two columns in the array provides every pair combination of each number in the array.

oracle

See test oracle.

operational testing

Testing conducted to evaluate a component or system in its operational environment. [IEEE 610]

operational profiling

The process of developing and implementing an operational profile. See also operational profile.

operational profile testing

Statistical testing using a model of system operations (short duration tasks) and their probability of typical use. [Musa]

operational profile

The representation of a distinct set of tasks performed by the component or system, possibly based on user behavior when interacting with the component or system, and their probabilities of occurrence. A task is logical rather that physical and can be executed over several machines or be executed in non-contiguous time segments.

operational environment

Hardware and software products installed at users’ or customers’ sites where the component or system under test will be used. The software may include operating systems, d base management systems, and other applications.

operational acceptance testing

Operational testing in the acceptance test phase, typically performed in a (simulated) operational environment by operations and/or systems administration staff focusing on operational aspects, e.g. recoverability, resource-behavior, installability and technical compliance. See also operational testing.

operability

The capability of the software product to enable the user to operate and control it. [ISO 9126] See also usability.

open source tool

A software tool that is available to all potential users in source code form, usually via the internet; its users are permitted, usually under licence, to study, change, improve and, at times, to distribute the software.

off-the-shelf software

A software product that is developed for the general market, i.e. for a large number of customers, and that is delivered to many customers in identical format.

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