Software Quality Assurance Practice Exam

When performing deductive debugging, which step follows the 'Refine remaining hypothesis'?

1. Collect more data

2. Use elimination process

3. Fix the error

4. Prove remaining hypothesis

The correct answer is: Prove remaining hypothesis

In deductive debugging, the process involves refining hypotheses about potential causes of an error based on evidence collected. After refining the remaining hypothesis, the next logical step is to prove the remaining hypothesis. This step is critical because it involves validating whether the current hypothesis can indeed explain the observed error. Proving the remaining hypothesis typically involves conducting tests or additional analyses to confirm its accuracy. If the hypothesis holds true for all observed data, it could be concluded that the hypothesis is the cause of the error. Confirmation solidifies the understanding of the root cause and informs subsequent actions, such as fixing the underlying issue. Although collecting more data could be important earlier in the debugging process, and using an elimination process could help narrow down the possibilities, the immediate step following 'Refine remaining hypothesis' is to focus on proving the current hypothesis rather than seeking additional information or making changes to the code just yet. Thus, proving the remaining hypothesis is a vital step that establishes confidence in the deduction made during debugging.