LWS - How Can I test / break this system???

[Chris100682]

I'm completing some testing on a new system that we will shortly be introducing in our work area. Does anyone know any standard actions i can perform to basically try and break / cause the system problems! just hoping to pick these up now instead of later. It's an LWS system, anyone know any shortcuts to cause problems!! If you could help that would be great!

[OBonio]

Depends on the architecture of the system. Pulling network cables out while the system is running is a good one!

[vehelpfulguy]

I test computer software, but have no idea what an LWS system is.

Tell us what it is and I will try to help.

[Chris100682]

It is similar to Microsoft Access, as in it's kind of a tracking database, Not too sure what it stands for! I managed to break it today by pasting a 50000 word document into a comments box, it couldn't handle it and basically died!

[Chris100682]

It stands for 'Local Work Station' if that helps?

[vehelpfulguy]

When I am testing software I do the following:

Act like a totally dumb user and do all the "wrong" things, press enter at the wrong moment, select with the mouse all over the screen and so on.

Enter the "wrong" data in fields - put numbers in a alpha only field, alpha in number only fields, invalid date formats, "silly" words or numbers in fields (for example if it says put a number between 1 and 99 put 99999999999 or AAAAAAAA and so on).

Leave fields blank or delete text from fields and see what that does.

If you have a "go back" button use that to go back and forward entering all sorts of data in the windows to see if that casues problems.

As you have found, put large amounts of data, or sometime NO data, in the application and see what it does.

If you have menu options select them all, change any user settings and try to put "strange" information in the user setings.

Overall the best thing to do is try to act like the dumbest user you can and make every mistake any user is ever likely to make.