QuestionQ50

Managing the Test Activities

Your organization currently uses the following tools from the same vendor: a requirements-management tool, a test-management tool, and a bug-tracking tool.

You are the Test Manager.

You are evaluating a test automation tool from that same vendor, to complete the vendor’s tool suite, against an interesting open-source test automation tool under the GNU GPL (General Public License).

There are no initial costs for the open-source tool.

Which of the following statements concerning selection of the open-source tool is correct in this scenario?

  • A The open-source tool can be modified but only if the community of developers of that tool gives you the formal permission to modify it
  • B There are no initial costs for the open-source tool but you should carefully consider the costs associated to the integration with the existing tools and also evaluate the recurring costs
  • C There are no initial costs for the open-source tool because open-source tools are usually low-quality, while vendor tools have always a better quality than the corresponding open-source tools
  • D The open-source tool can be modified but it can’t be distributed further in any way
Explanation

No initial license or acquisition cost does not mean that the tool has no total cost. Integration with the existing tool suite, implementation, customization, support, maintenance, training, and other recurring operational costs must be evaluated. The GNU GPL permits recipients to modify and redistribute covered software under its terms; it does not require separate community permission to modify it or prohibit further distribution.

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