What is maintainability testing?

Maintainability testing tests the software’s ability to maintain itself. Maintenance includes changing, modifying, updating, and bug fixing, among other things.

Important points for the tester

The tester should verify:

• Development, database, and interface standards.
• Implementation of input, processing, and output of features.
• The re-usability feature of the program through testing parameters and appropriate conditions.
• If the systems are distributed.
• If the algorithms are optimal.

Maintainability requirements

Here are four elements that can be used to measure maintainability:

• Corrective maintenance: The time taken to identify the problem source and fix it.
• Perfective maintenance: The work and time required to bring about updates and enhancements.
• Adaptive maintenance: The work and time required to make changes to the system and for the system to adapt to its changing environment.
• Preventive maintenance: The work and time required to reduce future maintenance costs.

Attributes of maintainability testing

• Analyzability: Identifies defects and system components that need changing.
• Changeability: Approximates the system’s ability to undertake changes.
• Stability: Approximates the system’s ability to remain stable after undergoing changes.
• Testability: Facilitates the creation of testing criteria.