ISO IEC IEEE 29119-1-2022 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1:2022 — Software and systems engineering — Software testing — Part 1: General concepts. This international standard defines the core concepts, vocabulary and foundational ideas used across the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 software testing series to support consistent application of testing processes, documentation and techniques.

Abstract

This part of ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 specifies general concepts in software testing and presents the key terminology and conceptual framework used throughout the 29119 series. It explains testing objectives, the relationships between testing and verification/validation, test items and test bases, static and dynamic testing, test oracles, test independence, and how terminology maps to the other parts of the standard. The document is primarily informative and intended to facilitate consistent interpretation and use of the rest of the 29119 series.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 27 January 2022 (Second edition)
• Publisher: Joint publication (ISO / IEC / IEEE)
• ICS / categories: 35.080 — Software
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2022)
• Number of pages: 47

Scope

Defines the general concepts and vocabulary required to understand and apply the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series. Part 1 establishes consistent definitions and descriptions of software testing concepts (for example: test item, test basis, test oracle, static vs dynamic testing, exhaustive testing vs sampling, and test independence), and provides guidance and examples showing how those concepts are used in the other parts (processes, documentation, techniques, and assessment). It is intended for use across development lifecycles and industry sectors.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized vocabulary and definitions for software testing concepts and terms.
• Descriptions of the purpose of testing and its relationship to verification, validation and quality management.
• Clarification of test item, test basis, test objects, and test oracles.
• Differences and interplay between static and dynamic testing, and guidance on their roles.
• Concepts of exhaustive testing versus sampling and heuristic approaches to test design.
• Principles of test independence and test organization.
• Mapping of concepts to the series’ process, documentation, techniques and assessment parts.
• Normative references and guidance to support consistent application across projects.

Typical use and users

Used by test engineers, QA managers, software development leads, process-improvement teams, auditors and certification bodies, trainers and educators, tool vendors, and consultants. Typical uses include establishing a common testing vocabulary within an organization, training and onboarding of testing staff, aligning test practices to international terminology, and as a reference when adopting or tailoring the other parts of the 29119 series (processes, documentation, techniques, assessment).

Related standards

Part of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series; closely related parts include: 29119-2 (Test processes), 29119-3 (Test documentation), 29119-4 (Test techniques), and 29119-5 (Test process assessment). Other relevant standards and publications commonly referenced with this standard include ISO/IEC/20246 (static testing/reviews), ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207 (software lifecycle processes), ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (system lifecycle processes) and standards for quality management and process assessment.

Keywords

software testing, test concepts, test vocabulary, test item, test basis, test oracle, static testing, dynamic testing, test strategy, test plan, test documentation, test design, verification, validation, test process, 29119

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1:2022 is the second-edition Part 1 of the international ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series that defines the general concepts and standardized vocabulary for software testing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers foundational testing concepts and terminology (test item, test basis, test oracle, static vs dynamic testing, sampling vs exhaustive testing, test independence, etc.), and explains how those concepts are applied across the 29119 series to support consistent testing processes and documentation.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Test and QA engineers, test managers, process-improvement teams, auditors, educators and trainers, tool vendors, and consultants who need a consistent international vocabulary and conceptual framework for software testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — the 2022 second edition (published 27 January 2022) is the active edition. It supersedes the original 2013 edition (the 2013 edition was withdrawn when the 2022 edition was published).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series (the series includes Parts 2 through 5 covering test processes, test documentation, test techniques and test process assessment respectively).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: software testing, test concepts, test vocabulary, test plan, test strategy, test item, test basis, test oracle, static testing, dynamic testing, test documentation, verification and validation.