5 Test data management techniques for successful software testing

Test data management is the fruit of extensive filtering and sorting of valuable information from the data gained through different sources. Without precise test data management (TDM) and testing tools, a whole load of data can be difficult to manage. In essence, database management is very important to the success of your business.

Modern-day technology has made it possible for the testing team to fetch data directly from the user’s experience. Yet, somehow the process of getting access to the data remains a critical process.

TDM not only minimises the efforts of collecting the data but also plays a major role in effective software testing. When an application is put to test, there comes a stage where a massive amount of data is generated.

With the view of making an effective report in a short time, integration of TDM and its tools is crucial. However, the powers of test data management do not end here. The techniques that lie within can also mask sensitive data and segment data according to different specifications.

Wondering what more the TDM techniques can bring to the table? So, let’s check out 5 different techniques that add to software testing.

A brief study on TDM

Servers in operation
Data management is crucial. Photo: ColossusCloud, Pixabay

In TDM, you are using software testing processes that are designed to collate data stacks hidden behind different curtains. The most critical place could be the user-generated component. The data here is in a completely different form.

One needs to deal with the test data in all kinds of frameworks and formats. Doing this manually can be a clumsy task, one that is also time-consuming. Instead, test data management tools are used to “drill a hole” and make it easier. It acts as data strainer, separating the usable and non-usable data.

Selfish generation of data

Using the refreshed data for the testing process might sound quick and easy. But what crosses your mind when we say a whole lot of data can be created? Probably a lot of work but effective testing results.

The method is known as selfish data generation. And the method is defined to give accurate results without reporting any fake reports of the software.

While putting this approach in action, keep in mind that selfish data generation can be used only for a short process. In the long run, this method fails to consider the needs and specific interests and dedicates itself only on the output of testing.

Forming reusable data

Reuse your data. Photo: mohamed_hassan, Pixabay

Reusable data can be considered the optimal way of using the test data while putting the software down for testing. The reusable test data here is free from all issues.

Put simply, you don’t have to agonise over complications in the test data. These data stacks are kept safe with the developers, usually labelled as reusable for further validation and assessment.

Keep the sets of reusable data ready, as it is known to save time and energy along with minimising test complications.

Pull the curtain on sensitive data

Why do we wear a helmet while riding the bike? Safety measures, right? In the same line, masking sensitive data is also protecting the vital information from falling into the wrong hands.

Sensitive data, like a customer order system or debugging processes, need to be kept in secured when not in use.

By doing so, your software testing process does not get affected and can get you true and reliable information.

Automation: the master of all techniques

Most IT firms put together their data management processes, usually starting from scripting, securing, generating to duplicating. All these tasks can be put to ease by just taking a step towards automation.

Automation sees through all the requirements of the software testing. It processes the required test data in the expected format and test cases.

The testing process is a crucial part as it defines the future of the software in the market. If automation can handle such critical components, then it can also be used with the data generation process.

Creating automated test data facilitates a faster and more reliable way of getting on the road of testing.

How crucial is test data management?

Test data management is not a simple process. Every step mentioned above comes with its own set of limitations. It is the job of the efficient testing team as to how they discern the best uses of each technique.

Miley Cyrus claims she is ‘redefining’ relationships after marrying Liam Hemsworth

The Hollywood couple have been dating on and off since 2010 after meeting on the set of hit movie ‘The Last Song’. After almost ten years, the A-listers have finally tied the knot.

It was the wedding that many fans were waiting for, but had no idea when it would actually take place. However, at the end of 2018, both Cyrus and Hemsworth confirmed that they had, in fact got married. The couple shared the exciting news of a private and intimate ceremony on Instagram.

The famous couple are clearly smitten with each other and are enjoying the honeymoon phase of their relationship after their recent marriage. However, after being together for so long, why did Cyrus and Hemsworth decide they were ready to get married?

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt4FSQVhzSa/

The singer has previously referred to herself as queer, “A big part of my pride and my identity is being a queer person.”.

Cyrus also claims that her love for new husband Hemsworth has nothing to do with sexuality. In fact, the star has stated that gender has nothing to do with her relationship “Sex is actually a small part, and gender is a very small, almost irrelevant part of relationships.” Cyrus went on to say that “People fall in love with people, not gender, not looks, not whatever”.

Cyrus has previously stated that the reason she decided she wanted a long term relationship was down to none other than her “favourite woman in the world” Hilary Clinton.

Despite this, Cyrus stated that her decision to get married had nothing to do with wanting to be traditional. “The reason that people get married sometimes can be old-fashioned, but I think the reason we got married isn’t old-fashioned—I actually think it’s kind of New Age.”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf_IRyQH3-E/

The singer went on to say that her and new husband Hemsworth are “redefining, to be f–king frank”. The singer has said that she believes that “Relationships and partnerships in a new generation — I don’t think they have so much to do with sexuality or gender.”

As a result of this, the singer stated that it is possible for “someone that’s a queer person like myself to be in a hetero relationship”.

The ultimate engagement ring buying guide

After you have considered the four Cs (color, cut, clarity, and carat) of the diamond you want to purchase for her, there remain several items you must think about before making that final step – the purchase.

Is she a solitaire or a cluster type of gal?

Will she like a pronged setting that catches on her clothes, annoying her to no end?

Or should you pick the smooth bezel setting, which is more of a modern trend?

What shape of stone do you think she’ll like?

Maybe she’s not even that much into diamonds. If that’s the case you could buy her something like a beautiful sapphire engagement ring.

Additionally, another engagement ring style trending at the moment is bluestone rings, which include blue agate, aquamarine, blue fluorite, hawks eye, and blue moonstone.

But if you’re set on purchasing a diamond, then this article is for you.

Whether or not you know a facet from a pavé, we’re here to give you some guidance in choosing her the perfect engagement ring. So, let’s jump straight in, shall we?

Fully understanding the four Cs

diamond ring
Photo: StockSnap, Pixabay

Before we get into other facets of choosing a ring, let’s refresh our knowledge about the four Cs just in case.

Colour

The colour of a diamond is graded on a scale ranging from D (which is colorless) to Z (which is a light yellow), with D being the color most people are looking for.

Some pricy exceptions to the rule do exist, such as those diamonds that possess a scarce greenish or reddish color.

Blues, yellows, and pinks are the most common color options out there.

Clarity

Clarity is defined as how many inclusions or tiny imperfections a stone contains.

These specks are only visible under a magnifying glass and are a feature of almost every naturally occurring diamond.

These inclusions are formed as a result of the diamond’s crystallization process under the earth’s crust. The only diamonds that don’t have inclusions are lab-grown diamonds.

Carat

The carat (ct) represents the weight of the stone in question and is one of the ways jewelers measure a stone’s value.

In most cases, the higher the carat number of a single stone, the more it will cost you.

A shallower cut diamond can give off a larger appearance than a deeper-cut stone that weighs more.

Selecting the shape of her diamond

A girl in a jewelry store tries on her finger a gold ring with diamonds on the background of a shop window. Woman jeweler. Buying and shopping.
Photo: Romsvetnik, BS

After the four Cs, it’s now time to choose what shape her diamond should be.

The shape of her diamond will be a matter of her preference, so it’s a great idea to find out or even take her ring shopping if you want.

Bellow is a short list of some of the most common diamond shapes.

  • This is a classic and timeless shape meant for a girl who likes it retro.
  • This is a square-shaped diamond and is trending at the moment.
  • This shape is graceful, featuring a tapered outline. It bespeaks elegance.
  • This is a diamond with an elongated shape, making it look sophisticated. An excellent choice for a girl who likes something unique.
  • This shape is unabashedly romantic and is a perfect symbol of your love for her.

Choosing the perfect style of engagement ring

sale, consumerism, shopping and people concept - happy couple choosing engagement ring at jewelry store in mall
Photo: Dolgachov, BS

When it comes to choosing the perfect style of an engagement ring for your bride-to-be, artificial intelligence (AI) just made things a lot easier.

Thanks to an LA-based jewelry company called RockHer Jewellery, you can now use their AI-powered “diamond search engine to find the perfect diamond for her.

This high-tech AI-powered diamond expert takes personalizing engagement rings to a whole new level.

RockHer believes couples should find a ring that is specially tailored to the gal’s particular taste and style.

The company also believes that you should get the ring you want without the hefty price tag most people have grown to expect in the diamond industry.

As for the AI diamond search engine: It’s called ROSI, and it’s powered by RockHer’s secret algorithm which considers a customer’s budget, their taste, and other preferences, including a diamond’s size and quality (the four Cs).

ROSI can evaluate millions of diamonds from around the world to determine which one is perfect for you.

Avoiding low quality and conflict diamonds

Expert help. Female jeweler showing engagement rings to a young loving couple at the store
Photo: Serhii Bobyk, BS

There are millions of diamond floating around the world. Some of those diamonds are very high quality, some are nearly worthless, while others come from dubious origins.

In between those categories exist the “dodgy” diamonds and should be avoided by those who have little knowledge about the diamond industry.

While it’s relatively simple to recognize poor quality diamonds, it’s not as easy to identify dodgy diamonds. These types of diamonds could be considered as “not quite right.”

With the thousands of online shops selling diamonds, it can be quite competitive.

Thus, most diamonds you find offered by these “jewelers” are not in their stock and not screened in any way whatsoever.

In most cases, the owners of these sites are more or less diamond brokers for various diamond suppliers.

This is why most online diamond sellers have little documentation, as well as few details surrounding their products.

Require a GIA certification report and an expert’s opinion

Close-up Of A Male Jeweler's Hand Looking At Diamond Through Magnifying Loupe
Photo: AndreyPopov, BS

To be sure that the diamond you purchase is of good value and not from any known conflict zone, it’s always best that the diamond comes with a GIA certification report.

These reports are also known as “Full Diamond Certification Reports,” and include information such as clarity grades VS2 – S12.

However, even though a Full Diamond Certification Report provides a full plotting diagram, the diamond should still be inspected by a trained diamond specialist.

Buying a diamond is an investment, and like with any investment you need to be sure that you’re getting exactly what you paid for.

Thorny Reds look to see if gamble on youth and culture will pay off

Brad Thorn seems to have selected his Queensland squad based on player’s ability to keep their noses clean (literally), rather than ability on a rugby field, and it is finally time to see if it will work for him. Thorn’s first year in charge was marred by the controversial standing down of Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt and James Slipper, which left his three most experienced players on the sidelines.

The Reds have a tough first up assignment, heading to Dunedin to face the Highlanders. They will then face the Waratahs in Sydney before their first home game takes place against the defending champions, the Crusaders. They need a win in one of these games to lure the faithful back to Ballymore – but it is hard to see where they will get one.

Queensland are a very young side, with an average age of 22. They are a team that is full of potential, at least according to the Ballymore faithful, but very short on achievement – especially with Cooper and Slipper exiled and Scott Higginbotham, the sole survivor from their 2011 triumph, left out of the match day squad. They will need to start picking up results soon to keep the fans coming back.

Queensland’s forward pack is formidable, as are their centres. They also feature capable wingers and a serviceable journeyman in Bryce Hegarty at fullback. Their biggest problem is in the halves, with Moses Sorovi and Hamish Stewart hardly setting the world on fire last year. For a five-eighth Stewart is a hard ball runner and solid defender, with a handy boot. His creativity, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Sorovi seems to be the starting halfback largely because the alternatives are worse, rather than because he is standing out.

In wet and windy conditions the Reds have the forward pack and power runners in the centres to grind out a win. They are unlikely, however, to match any other team in the competition for creative backline play and length of the field tries. If they attack like they did in the trials, with one or two out hit ups forming the basis of their play, they will not score a lot of points. Once they get to the red zone they might be able to muscle their way over – especially since they look like having a strong set piece.

Amazing travel hacks to save money on your next holiday

To many people, travelling on a budget is a myth. However, what many don’t realize is that travelling doesn’t have to eat up months of your salary. As someone who has saved money on her travels, I can assure you that you can too. A 2017 survey concluded that 74% of people struggled with paying off their vacation expenses. What does this mean? Well, it means most people are spending more on travel than they can afford to.

However, all is not bleak. Another study revealed that millennials spend the least on their vacations in comparison to those older than them. This is despite earning fewer bucks. Their budget-friendly approach to travelling is reshaping the industry and also having an impact on others.

If you’re someone who wants to travel but doesn’t want it to cost a bomb, you’re in the right spot. As someone who has mastered the art of saving money on her trips, I have compiled a few tips that can be of great help. Read on to learn how you can travel without exceeding your budgetary limits.

Be secretive about your trip

When I emphasise you being secretive, I don’t mean that you should hide your plans from your loved ones. I mean that you should be smart with your smart devices. It’s no secret that via cookies search engines study your next move and preferences and put forward alluring ads accordingly. If you are planning a trip, avoid purchasing items online.

Be strategic about travelling

There are times of the year when your travel plan will cost you more or less. This depends on the season. Book your travels when most people don’t. This also depends on your destination. Search when it would be the best time to plan a vacation to a country; when the season is low.

Travelling during the off-season doesn’t only mean lower airfares but also less pricey tickets of tourist attractions and not having to deal with obnoxiously huge crowds.

Save on big expenditures: booking, hotels, and car rental

Car rentals could be a real money saver. Photo: flok85, Pixabay

Look for deals that can go in your favour. Most people procrastinate the research part when they are planning a trip. Also, do your math. So many companies claim that they are offering budget-friendly airfare options. However, in truth, they are making you pay for what you save on other factors such as extra luggage. They also take away the privileges of refunds, cancellations, the choice to change your seat or enrol in the loyalty program.

I go for deals that are actually worthwhile when choosing my flight, hotel, etc. Here are some ways you can save on the big expenditures when planning a holiday:

  • Choose the longer and more economical route when looking at route combinations
  • Pack your bags smartly with fewer items and avoid the need for having extra luggage
  • If you travel often, join loyalty programs
  • Use coupons for travel when booking hotels and purchasing items to find better deals
  • You can use apps for discounts on hotel rooms. Cash in on unbooked rooms at discounted prices
  • Don’t spend too much on cruises. Avoid eating too much onboard and spending on extra activities such as spas and massages
  • Save money on car rentals, raking in some discounts

Save on smaller expenditures: shopping, eating, etc.

Woman shopping
Don’t overspend when shopping abroad. Photo: gonghuimin468, Pixabay

For me, the purpose of travelling is to mingle with the locals and learn their culture. This, I believe, is what makes a trip fruitful and memorable. When chatting with my friends about travelling, I am always surprised to know how many of them think that travelling has to be a more luxurious experience. In other words, they have expensive preferences even when their wallets groan at the idea of spending too much.

You can save a lot on travelling when you try local cuisines rather than dining at 5-star restaurants. Research on which beaches, libraries, museums, and other such free of cost spots you can visit. Some other tips that can be helpful for budget travelling:

  • Go to a hotel room that has a small kitchen area, or one that at least has a small refrigerator or a small oven. You’ll be able to reheat leftovers and not have to pay for every single meal.
  • It would be better if a washer or dryer is also in the room. So, you can clean your clothes easily and pack light.
  • Avoid shopping at glamorous shopping malls. Instead go for shopping from stalls, stands, and bazaars.
  • Make use of coupons while shopping for apparels, shoes, and accessories
  • Pack some eatables and drinks with you. Take your essentials such as toiletries along with you
  • Tour the city on foot as much as you can. Make use of local transport

Don’t stop working

The best way to travel more often is to earn even when you are on a vacation. If you are under 26 years of age, you might be able to easily find a job in the area you are staying in. Search online – there are programs that allow you to work legally abroad while you travel. A better option? Earn remotely via your laptop. You can start a blog if you travel a lot. Other than that, you can score a position that can be handled remotely. Such positions include:

  • Content or copywriting
  • Graphic designing
  • Virtual assistant
  • Online tutoring
  • Working for an online business that offers another less conventional remote opening

Verdict

Travelling on a budget is possible. You don’t have to flash out all your bucks when planning a trip. Be smart with your expenditure and lifestyle. Not only would you be able to enjoy a great experience, but you’ll also be able to save while at it.

China bans coal imports from Australia, denies hacking claims

China has insisted that its ban of Australian coal imports is designed to protect the environment and Chinese importers, while denying claims of orchestrating a recent cyber-attack against Federal Parliament.

The Australian dollar fell significantly following news that Chinese customs officers were stopping coal shipments from Australia.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that customs officials assessed the “safety and quality of imported coal” so that it could “better safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese importers and protect the environment.”

He added that “I believe this is normal practise,”

Only Australian coal has been prevented from being imported, with similar shipments from Indonesia and Russia not being affected. This has led many to assume the move is entirely political.

Mr Geng was questioned as to whether the ban was related to a cyber-attack on Australian Parliament earlier this month. He responded by saying that such attacks were “difficult to trace” and that “One should present abundant evidence when investigating and determining the nature of cyberspace activity” rather than make “baseless speculations” about who to blame.

This comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that it was clear a sophisticated foreign actor had been responsible for the attacks. This led many to speculate that China was responsible.

Mr Geng also said that “a sound and stable China-Australia relationship serves the interests of both countries and peoples” and that China wanted to work with Australia to “advance bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect,”

Investigation into Alen Stajcic sacking ruled out by FFA

The actual cause of Alen Stajcic’s surprise sacking remains a mystery to many in the world of football. Stajcic has arguably led the Matildas through their most successful period.  It will also remain a mystery for the foreseeable future, with CEO, David Gallop, insisting that his focus will be on the upcoming World Cup. With Ante Milicic announced as the new coach, it has clearly been a turbulent few weeks for the women’s game in Australia.

Gallop has also confirmed that the Football Federation Australia will not be reviewing Stajcic’s sacking, despite ongoing calls for Stajcic’s termination to be looked into. The CEO insisted that the decision regarding Stajcic was governed by “clear legal and professional reasons”, despite their being an obvious lack of clarity.

Stajcic calls out FFA

Stajcic himself has been highly vocal regarding his confusion at his shock termination as the Matilda’s head coach. He argued that no one from the FFA had approached him to suggest that there were any issues regarding his coaching style. However, two key reports were conducted by the FFA, which included player surveys. The surveys collated information from the players, revealing that a culture of fear and stress had begun to plague the playing group.

Because of these findings, Stajcic’s position as head coach seemingly became untenable and he was subsequently sacked as head coach in January of this year. The fallout from his unceremonious exit continues, with many suggesting he was terminated too quickly without giving him a chance to rectify the problems.

Milicic looking towards World Cup

While the turmoil regarding his predecessor continues, Milicic has spoken publicly for the first time as the new head coach of the Matildas. Milicic’s first act as coach was to name the squad for the upcoming tournament: the Cup of Nations. Unsurprisingly, he has named a relatively unchanged team, retaining many of the core players that characterised the Stajcic era.

It is a sad and confusing end to Stajcic’s tenure as coach, a position he held from 2014-2019.

Eric Bana stars in new Netflix true crime drama ‘Dirty John’

Netflix is known for offering binge worthy shows in all genres. The latest of which to be released is ‘Dirty John’. The newly released show is a true crime drama that has captivated audiences all over the world.

Fans of the series ‘You’ in which Penn Badgley stars, are going to love this stalker based thriller just as much.

The story of Dirty John first gained interest when Los Angeles Times reporter Christopher Goffard launched his podcast of the same name in 2017. Millions of people download this and the following grew.

For those that are yet to watch the series, here is everything we currently know about it.

Plot

The story-line is based around the relationship between John Meehan and Debra Newell after meeting on an online dating service.

Meehan, who claims to be a doctor, seduces wealthy business woman Newell and they begin a whirlwind romance. In reality Meehan is a con-man who is trying to get as much as he can out of the relationship. Although Newell is smitten, her daughters are not convinced.

The series is closely based on the original reporting by Christopher Goffard, with him on board as one of the writers.

The show is a thrilling watch and can be best labelled as seductive and unsettling. Netflix described the show as being “sexy, provocative and harrowing real-life thriller”

Whilst you are watching the series, it can be quite hard to remember that these shocking events actually took place.

Episodes

The series is split into eight forty-five minute long episodes.

Netflix decided to release all eight episodes at once. Meaning, they are all currently available for your binge watching pleasure.

Cast

There is no doubt that the cast is star studded.

Australian actor Eric Baner plays the role of con-man John Meehan. Baner claimed that the show is “most definitely a cautionary tale and I think there’s plenty of warnings and lessons in it.”

The actor went on to explain how it is challenging to play a character that is based on a real person. However, Baner said that in order for the character to work in a show, it is important to still have some creative control. “When you’re playing a real person, at a certain stage you need to claim a certain ownership and you want to make decisions for that character creatively”

Connie Britton plays the role of Debra Newell who falls in love with John and gets swept up in his lies and deceit. Baner claimed that “This is Debra’s story — John happens to her, she’s our moral compass”.

Banner suggests that “she’s where the sympathy sits, she’s where the understanding and empathy sits”.

Other major cast members include Juno Temple and Julia Garner who portray Newell’s daughters.

Christian Porter warns of loophole in medivac legislation

Attorney-General Christian Porter has claimed that there is a legal loophole in the recent medivac legislation that could prevent the Government from returning asylum seekers to offshore detention after they receive medical treatment in Australia.

This comes after Defence Minister and Speaker of the House Christopher Pyne warned that the then bill would jeopardise Australia’s border security. The passing of the bill was a historic loss for the Coalition Government as they were defeated by the combined votes of Labor, the Greens and crossbench MPs.

Mr Porter has said that new legal advice has shown that the legislation was poorly drafted and contains loopholes. He has said that one amendment in the legislation had failed to be linked to the appropriate section the Migration Act governing the ability to send treated asylum seekers back to offshore detention facilities.

Mr Porter said that legislation was “terrible” and that “this legal loophole is significant,”

He said that the loophole robbed the Government of “lawful authority to send them (asylum seekers) back.”

Mr Porter expressed regret that the Government did not have the political capital on the floor of Parliament to change the legislation “in the best interests of the Australian people,”

However, Mr Porter said that the legal advice he had cited would not be fully released, claiming that it could potentially be used against the Government in litigation. He said that the Government would use “ever power under our auspices” to make sure asylum seekers are returned to offshore detention.

Labor denies that there are any loopholes in the legislation and has called on the Government to publish the legal advice they obtained.

Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said that Labor believed “there is no difference between Labor and Liberal border protection” and that the warning of a loophole was “desperation”.

Why your organisation needs to use Objectives and Key Results software

When it comes to goal setting for your enterprise, there are a lot of competing methodologies out there. While each approach has a shared aim of helping your business plan, prioritise and accomplish goals, not all said approaches are created equal.

In today’s fast-moving business and work environments, there are few goal management frameworks that can compete with Objectives and Key Results (OKR). This structure has been adopted and used successfully by a countless number of organisations in recent years.

Let’s look a little closer at what OKR is and why your organisation really needs to start using it.

What is OKR?

OKR is a leadership framework that works to connect organisational, team and personal goals in a streamlined hierarchical manner to measurable results. When implemented effectively, with the help of advanced software, OKR helps unify all members of an organisation in a single direction.

How you can benefit from OKR software implementation

According to Bastin Gerald, taking full advantage of the OKR methodology via an advanced software solution positions your organisation to be as efficient and effective as possible. There are a few OKR software products that you can choose from and demo in your organisation.

The Profit OKR software offers a comprehensive system that allows organisations to easily set goals, track targets and monitor delivery frequencies. It helps to ensure your entire team is focused on shared company objectives and ensures associated tasks are completed correctly.

It is all based around the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle.

Plan: Identifying objectives, key results and metrics.

Do: Organising tasks by priority and necessary supervision.

Check: Evaluating completed work against established OKRs.

Act: Executing on tasks.

Using OKR software, you can make more impactful decisions as you will have a full picture of how each team’s project is going to impact on your overarching organisational objectives. It will also allow your employees to easily see how their individual work is impacting on the greater goal, making them feel more important in the big picture and motivating them to excel at the part they play.

All of this ensures complete harmony between all elements of your organisation. Everyone will know their impact on the bigger picture and be able to fully apply themselves to achieving the company’s shared vision for success.

Is OKR software right for my business?

In short – yes!

OKR software is scalable so that it can make a major impact for a wide variety of businesses across several industry sectors. Businesses that have implemented OKR software are reaping the benefits of this deceptively simple yet effective methodology.