Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) Practice Test

Portability in software testing is best defined as:

1. Modification ease of software

2. Effort required to test intended functionality

3. Ability to transfer software from one system to another

4. Extent to which software can be reused

The correct answer is: Ability to transfer software from one system to another

Portability in software testing refers to the ability of software to be transferred and run on different systems or environments without significant modification. This characteristic is crucial in today's diverse computing landscape, where applications may need to operate on various platforms, such as different operating systems, hardware configurations, or devices. When software is portable, it means that it can be easily adapted to run in different contexts, which is vital for maximizing usability and reach. For example, web applications often need to work across various browsers and operating systems, making portability a key consideration during development and testing phases to ensure consistent performance and user experience. The other definitions do not accurately capture the essence of portability. Modification ease refers to how easily software can be adjusted or updated, which is a different aspect of software quality. The effort required to test intended functionality pertains more to the testing process itself rather than the software's ability to operate across different platforms. Similarly, the extent to which software can be reused focuses on reusability rather than portability. Thus, the outlined definition captures the specific aspect of how software can move across different environments effectively.