System Test

A System Test is a test activity conducted to evaluate how well a complete physical system.

• Context:
  • It can be part of a larger Quality Assurance process.
  • It can assess both functional and non-functional requirements of the system.
  • It can employ Black-Box Testing methods to evaluate the system from the user's perspective without knowledge of the internal workings.
  • It can be essential in ensuring that all integrated components of the system work together as expected.
  • It can range from testing simple systems like home appliances to complex systems like aircraft.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • A Software System Test that verifies the interaction between different software modules within an enterprise resource planning system.
  • A flight test for a new aircraft model to ensure all systems operate correctly under various conditions.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • A Unit Test, which focuses on individual components rather than the whole system.
  • A Component Test, which tests parts of a system in isolation.
  • ...
• See: Quality Assurance, System Integration Testing, Intrinsic Test, Extrinsic Test.

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References

2024

• Perplexity
  • A system test evaluates the overall functionality, performance, and compliance of a complete physical system against its specified requirements. This could include testing integrated hardware and software components, as well as any other elements that make up the full system.

The key aspects of a system test are:

- It tests the entire integrated system as a whole, not just individual units or components.[2] - It validates that the system meets all functional, non-functional, and business requirements.[1][3] - It checks the system's end-to-end capabilities from the user's perspective using black-box testing techniques.[1][4] - It aims to identify defects or gaps in the integrated system before release or deployment.[2][3]

System testing is not limited to just software systems, but can apply to any physical system comprised of integrated components, such as mechanical systems, electrical systems, aerospace systems, etc. The specific tests performed will depend on the nature of the system under test and its requirements.

The key difference from my previous response is that a system test evaluates the overall integrated physical system, not just the software components. It tests the system holistically against its specifications.[2]

Citations: [1] https://www.guru99.com/system-testing.html [2] https://testsigma.com/guides/system-testing/ [3] https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/system-testing [4] https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/system-testing/ [5] https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/system-testing/