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Queue Overflow Interface Defect

publish date: 2026/06/18 03:56:39.825968 UTC

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An object implements a queue as a fixed-length data structure. A calling object assumes the queue is infinite and never checks for overflow. Under what condition is this defect revealed during testing?

The defect is always visible regardless of how many items are added

The defect is revealed only in production after real users interact with the system

Only when a test case is designed to force the queue to overflow

Only when the queue is accessed from multiple threads simultaneously

Correct Answer

Only when a test case is designed to force the queue to overflow

Explanation

This interface defect - where the caller assumes an infinite queue but the implementation has a fixed length - can only be detected during testing by designing a test case sequence that forces the queue to overflow. Since queue overflow is a rare condition, testers may overlook it when writing test sets, illustrating why explicit interface defect testing guidelines are important.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

Component Testing and Interface Types