Pass the ISTQB Advance Level CTAL-TTA Questions and answers with CertsForce

Poorly written code often lacks clarity, consistency, and may not follow best practices, making it harder to understand and maintain. When code is not well-structured or logically organized, identifying the source of bugs or understanding how changes might affect system behavior becomes more difficult. This issue is compounded when developers other than the original author need to work on the code, as they may struggle to interpret the intended functionality and interdependencies without clear, readable code.

Common issues with traditional capture/playback test automation include difficulty in maintaining the scripts when software changes (option A), the challenge for non-technical persons to maintain recorded scripts (option B), and the issue that data and actions are often intertwined within the recorded script (option C), which can make them hard to understand and modify. However, the timing of the execution of the recorded script (option D), such as the difficulty of running scripts outside office hours, is not typically a problem inherent to capture/playback test automation itself but rather an environmental or scheduling issue.

The key context here is the challenge of managing limited resources, particularly ROM and RAM, due to severe restrictions on code size in consumer electronics. Lazy instantiation is a design pattern that defers the creation of an object until the first time it is needed. This approach can significantly reduce the application's memory footprint by avoiding unnecessary pre-allocation of memory, which is particularly valuable in systems where memory resources are constrained. In reviewing the architecture for such a system, it's crucial to ensure that objects are only created when necessary and that memory is optimally managed. Hence, the focus on lazy instantiation would be most important to ensure that the system uses resources efficiently and remains within the restricted code size.

The mnemonic FIRST is used to describe qualities of good unit tests in software development. Here, each letter stands for a critical attribute:

Fast: Tests should be quick to run.

Isolated: Tests should not depend on each other.

Reliable: Tests should consistently return the same results.

Self-Verifying: Tests should fully check their own results.

Timely: Tests should be written in a timely manner relative to the writing of the tested code. This mnemonic helps ensure that unit tests are effective and contribute positively to the development process .

In Agile projects, test cases may need to be refactored to make them simpler and less costly to modify. This is crucial because Agile methodologies prioritize adaptability and frequent changes to the codebase and documentation. Refactoring test cases in this context ensures that they remain aligned with the continuously evolving project requirements, are easier for teams to manage, and can be quickly adjusted to accommodate new or changed functionality without significant rework costs .

100% statement coverage means that every line of code is executed at least once during testing. Based on the provided pseudo-code and the test cases given:

Test 1 executes the MIN = B statement when A and B are equal.

Test 2 executes the MIN = A statement and skips the inner IF since B is not equal to 2*A.

All statements within the code have been executed by these two tests, hence no additional test cases are needed to achieve 100% statement coverage.

To address the product risk of requiring an availability of almost 100%, the quality characteristic of reliability should be part of the test approach. Reliability testing focuses on the ability of the system to perform under expected conditions for a specified period of time. It is essential for systems that need to be operational continuously or near-continuously. This characteristic encompasses the system's uptime, fault tolerance, recoverability, and the ability to perform under anticipated conditions, all of which are relevant to maintaining high availability.

A Technical Test Analyst is primarily involved in the technical aspects of test preparation and execution. One of their typical activities includes the execution of test cases, particularly those that are automated, and the subsequent analysis of any test failures to identify defects and issues. This activity is more technical than defining business processes or training other analysts, and while making decisions based on a business case may be part of their role, it is not an activity directly related to test automation.

The question asks for generic product risk factors that should be considered by a Technical Test Analyst. Here are the detailed reasons for each of the options:

a) A high number of performance efficiency defects in the software: This is indeed a significant product risk. Performance efficiency defects can severely affect the user experience and the overall performance of the system, making it a crucial factor for technical test analysts to consider.

b) Inaccurate arithmetic calculations in key business areas: While this is critical, it is more of a functional risk specific to the business domain rather than a generic product risk. It concerns the accuracy of the system's operations rather than its overall quality attributes.

c) Particularly complex code: Complex code is a generic product risk factor because it can lead to increased chances of defects, difficulties in maintenance, and challenges in achieving good test coverage. Complex code often requires more rigorous testing to ensure reliability.

d) Communication issues with geographically distributed teams: This is a project risk rather than a product risk. While it can affect the testing process and coordination, it does not directly relate to the inherent risks in the product itself.

e) Usability issues with the design of the user interface: Usability issues are indeed significant but are more specific to the user experience aspect rather than being a broad product risk factor.

From the analysis, the generic product risk factors that stand out are "a high number of performance efficiency defects" and "particularly complex code," making the correct answer B. a and c.

This answer is validated by referring to the ISTQB CTAL-TTA syllabus and sample exam answers, which emphasize the importance of performance efficiency defects and code complexity as key product risk factors​​​​​​.

API testing involves testing the application programming interfaces directly and is often a critical part of integration testing. Here are the clarifications for each option:

A. API testing cannot be applied to distributed systems: This is incorrect. API testing is commonly used in distributed systems to ensure that different components interact correctly.

B. Combinatorial testing cannot be applied to API testing: This is incorrect. Combinatorial testing techniques can be very effective in API testing to cover various parameter combinations.

C. API testing may require the use of specialized tools: This is true. API testing often involves tools like Postman, SoapUI, and others to facilitate sending requests and validating responses, which may not be feasible manually.

D. APIs are loosely coupled, so timing glitches will not happen: This is incorrect. Even though APIs are designed to be loosely coupled, timing issues can still occur, especially in asynchronous operations and in systems where timing is critical.

Therefore, the correct answer is C. API testing may require the use of specialized tools.