By

Naresh kummari
CSU ID # 900682741

Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer data and
instructions
Software can be difficult to describe because it is "virtual," or not physical
like computer hardware . Instead, software consists of lines of code
written by computer programmers that have been compiled into a
computer program

In any manufacturing , a measure of excellence or a state of being free
from defects, deficiencies and significant variations.

Quality is sometimes defined as "meeting the requirements of the
customer."

In software development, quality of design encompasses the degree to
which the design meets the functions and features specified in the
requirements model

Robert Glass argues that a more intuitive relationship is in order:

user satisfaction = compliant product + good quality +delivery within
budget and schedule

DeMarco [DeM98] reinforces this view when he states: A products
quality is a function of how much it changes the world for the better.
An effective software process applied in a manner that creates a useful
product that provides measurable value for those who produce it and
those who use it.


An effective software process establishes the infrastructure that
supports any effort at building a high-quality software product.

A useful product delivers the content, functions, and features that
the end user desires, in a reliable, error-free way.

By adding value for both the producer and user of a software
product, the quality software product provides benefits for the
software organization and end user community



Correctness
Reliability
Efficiency
Integrity
Usability
Software quality factors ( Mc Calls )

These are attributes of the software that are required and if they are not
present, pose a risk to the success of the software.

Flexibility.
Maintainability
Testability
Portability
Reusability

McCall identified three main perspectives for characterizing the
quality attributes of a software product.
Product revision (ability to change).
Product transition (adaptability to new environments).
Product operations (basic operational characteristics).

McCalls quality of triangle is as shown in the figure.


McCalls quality factors
Product revision :The product revision perspective identifies quality factors that
influence the ability to change the software product. These factors are:
Maintainability, Flexibility and Testability

Product transition : The product transition perspective identifies quality factors
that influence the ability to adapt the software. to new environments:- Portability,
Reusability, and Interoperability.

Product operations : The product operations perspective identifies quality
factors that influence the extent to which the software fulfills its specification:-
Correctness, Efficiency, Integrity, Usability.

Garvin has defined eight dimensions in a product or service that
can be used at a strategic level to analyze quality characteristics.

These eight dimensions are shown in the picture.
Garvins Quality Dimensions
Performance :It refers to products primary operating characteristics; in other words it
refers to the efficiency with a product achieves its intended purpose.

Features : Secondary aspects of performance , additional benefits will be added to the
product.

Reliability : Is the product consistent. Will it perform well over its lifetime and perform
consistently.

Conformance : the finished product or service supplied must be the closest possible to the
original design, there is to say, with pre- established specifications or standards

Durability : It is defined as the amount of use obtained from a product before it
deteriorates to the point that replacement is preferred over repair.

Serviceability :Serviceability covers this full dimension by recognizing the loss and
inconvenience due to downtime of equipment, the nature of dealings with service
personnel, and the frequency with which repairs fail to correct the outstanding
problems.

Appearance :How a product looks, feels, sounds, tastes, or smells (appearance and
impression):quality is view as the combination of these attributes that best match the
consumer preferences.

Perceived Quality :Consumers do not always have complete information about a
product's or service's attributes; indirect measures or perceived quality may be their only
basis for comparing brands.

The ISO 9126 standard was developed in an attempt to identify the key quality
attributes for computer software

It identifies 6 main quality factors that could be used to assess software quality.
Functionality :Degree to which software complies with requirements specifications
.Includes sub attributes accuracy ,security, interoperability.
Reliability :Amount of time the software is available and functioning as expected
.Includes sub attributes fault tolerance ,recoverability.
Usability :Indicates how easy to learn and use the software Includes sub attributes
Learnability and Operability

Efficiency: Extent to which software efficiently uses available system resources.
Includes sub attributes memory and CPU

Maintainability :Indicates how easy to fix defects or enhance or add new functionality
to the software .Includes Sub attributes analyzability ,changeability, testability.

Portability : Indicates how easy is it to port or migrate the software to a different
hardware or operating system. Includes sub attributes installability and replaceability
The cost of quality includes all costs incurred in the pursuit of quality and the
downstream costs of lack of quality. These costs are
Prevention costs-Includes cost of management activities and the cost for its
training.

Appraisal costs Includes activities to gain insight into the product condition.

External failure costs: These are the costs associated with defects found after
the has been shipped to customer

In order to build a secure system ,we must focus on quality and it must
begin with design.

-By eliminating architectural flaws, we can improve the software quality and
making it more difficult to hack the computer software.

Software quality is the concern of every software process stakeholder. If a
software team stresses quality in all software engineering activities, it reduces
the amount of rework that must be done.
This results in lower costs and improved time-to-market.
To achieve high quality software, four elements must be present: proven
software engineering process and practice, solid project management,
comprehensive quality control, and the presence of a quality assurance
infrastructure.
Software that meets its customers needs, performs accurately and reliably, and
provides value to all who use it
In order to achieve high software quality four broad activities are used

1) Software Engineering methods
2) Project management techniques
3) Quality control actions and
4) Software quality assurance


A Software Engineering Method is a set of activities, notations, methods or
mathematical tools designed to measure, monitor and control a specific set of
system properties.

-By applying these concepts and design methods, we can create a high quality
software
Project management techniques like conducting risk planning will not
breed chaos, software quality will be effected in a positive way.

The project plan should include the explicit techniques for quality and
change management
It encompasses a set of software engineering actions that help to ensure that
each work product meets its quality goals

It aims to identify defects in the finished product and quality control, therefore,
is a reactive process.

The goal of quality control is to identify defects after a product is developed
and before it's released.
The Quality assurance establishes the infrastructure that supports solid
engineering methods, rational project management and quality control actions
all are pivotal in building a high quality software.

It aims to prevent defects with a focus on the process used to make the product
and it is a proactive quality process.

The goal of QA is to improve development and test processes so that defects do
not arise when the product is being developed.