Un proven tester, anche noto come critical path wrangler, effettuando dei test di stabilità, verifica e riporta commenti sugli aggiornamenti riguardanti i
critical path packages (pacchetti che rientrano nel critical path). Dopo essersi procurato gli aggiornamenti dal repository updates-testing, invia i propri risultati sotto forma di karma, usando Bodhi.
Per un pacchetto che sia nel critical-path, perchè che esso possa essere inviato al repository stabile, occorre che un proven-tester dia karma positivo.
Un proven-tester è un membro del gruppo proventesters e per poterne far parte occore dapprima farsi approvare da un esperto del gruppo (mentor).
Per unirsi ai proven testers...
- Dopo aver ottenuto un account in FAS (Fedora Account System), iscriversi al gruppo proventesters.
- Inviare una richiesta in Fedora QA Trac, con il tipo proventester request ed il componente Proventester Mentor Request, chiedendo di voler diventare un proven-tester e di cercare un esperto.
- Attendere la risposta (un paio di giorni) e poi seguire le istruzioni che verranno fornite dall'esperto.
Per accelerare il processo, puoi iniziare a prendere confidenza con le attività svolte da un proven-tester, seguendo le istruzioni che trovi in questa pagina ed iniziando anche ad inviare commenti sui test effettuati. Sarebbe ideale segnalare al proprio mentor che si sono apprese le istruzioni quì indicate, che si sa come installare e testare gli aggiornamenti sottoposti a test, e come inviare i relativi feedback. Se si è già inviato qualche feedback, se ne indichi un link in modo che il mentor possa verificare la correttezza del feedback!
Il processo di Test
Proven testers verify a basic level of stability before releasing an update to the public. They do not need to test for total correctness or ensure complete test coverage. Some tests will vary depending on the type of the package, while others must pass for all updates. Generally speaking, an update should successfully execute all applicable critical path actions. The Fedora release criteria is another useful guide for minimum testing criteria.
Proven testers verify updates by installing them from the updates-testing repository. For instructions on using this repository, see this page. To ensure rapid detection of regressions, you should perform a full system update from this repository at least once a day. You can update individual packages more quickly if the need for verification is urgent. We recommend that you have SELinux enabled and set to Enforcing mode (this is the default configuration, but many people disable SELinux after installing Fedora) for the purpose of testing.
Test generali
- The system must be able to shut down and reboot.
- The user must be able to log in to the desktop.
- The user must be able to access the network.
Testare le applicazioni
If the package is an application, run the application and check that basic operations work.
Testare librerie e componenti condivisi
If it is a library or other shared component, run an application which uses the component and ensure that that works.
Procedure di Feedback
Since a proven tester's karma determines whether an update is allowed to be promoted, they follow special procedures based on the severity of regressions they encounter. Use Fedora Easy Karma - see the page for instructions on installing and using this tool - to list all installed packages from the updates-testing repository and allow to file feedback on each one at a time. Note that you can use the parameter --critpath-only, which will cause f-e-k to list only unapproved critical path updates, if you are short on time for testing. If you do not use this parameter, pay particular attention to updates whose description notes that they are critical path updates.
Feedback positivo
Usually, you will be able to post positive feedback on an update. If you do not encounter any of the situations below, and find that the update passes the tests mentioned above and does not cause you any other problems, you should leave positive feedback and note that you were able to use the package successfully and did not notice any significant problems.
Bug maggiori
If you identified any serious problems in earlier testing and were able to identify the package responsible, post negative feedback for that package. If possible, please file a bug report on the problem and link to the bug report in your feedback message. A good feedback message quickly and clearly identifies the behavior change and the cause, if you were able to determine it.
Bug minori
If you identify a problem which is minor in nature and does not impede the actual critical path functionality, please do not post negative feedback. Post neutral or positive feedback with a note of the issue encountered (and a link to a bug report if appropriate).
Bug già riportati
If your testing uncovers no problems but you see that another tester has identified a serious problem with the package, please try to replicate their problem, and post negative feedback if you are now able to confirm it. If you are not able to confirm the problem but you suspect this may be because you cannot recreate the necessary conditions, please post neutral feedback noting that you were unable to duplicate the problem. Only post positive feedback if you are sure your testing indicates the other reporter's negative feedback is a mistake.
Pacchetti non familiari
If you are not sure what the component does or how to test it, do not post positive or negative feedback. For critical path updates, if the above general tests of booting, network functionality and update functionality identified no problems, it is fine to leave a neutral feedback message noting that you were able to boot the system and perform critical path tasks with the update installed. This is generally not useful for non-critical path updates, however: please only comment on them if you are familiar with the package and able to test it directly.
Proven tester mentoring
Proven tester mentors accept requests from prospective proven tester members, and check that the applicants have read and understood the proven tester instructions before approving their membership. This process is not intended to be onerous, and we should expect to accept all applications unless they have obviously been made in error, seem malicious in intent or the applicant fails to affirm that they have read the instructions for the process.
Diventare un mentor
Any proven tester can become a mentor. Simply let any existing mentor or group administrator - those listed as administrator or sponsor in the group member list - know you would like to become a mentor, and they will upgrade you to sponsor level, which will allow you to accept applications to the group.
Il processo di mentoring
You can find membership applications in Trac - they will appear under Proventester Mentor Request Release in that list. To accept an application, assign it to yourself. Now ensure that the applicant has applied to the FAS group, read the instructions on this page, and knows how to use the updates-testing repository and fedora-easy-karma. If the applicant provides links to some feedback they have already posted, read these to check that they are in line with the process. If all of this is in order, sponsor the applicant into the proventesters FAS group, and close the application ticket. You can see an example completed application ticket here.