TestPhase

ok

Software Development Life Cycle has different phases.

i.e if we take simple SDLC: Waterfall Model 

           1. Requiremnt Gathering
                   |
                   |
                   v
            2.Requiremnt Analysis
                   |
                   |
                   v
               3.Coding
                   |
                   |
                   v
              4.Unit Testing
                   |
                   |
                   v
               5.Integration
                   |
                   |
                   v
          6.Integration Testing
                   |
                   |
                   v
             7.System Testing
                   |
                   |
                   v
             8.Maaintanance

The above eight phases are called SDLC Phases.
Ok,Now Testing is a Phase Of SDLC.
If Tester is Purely Black box tester he can do System 
Integration testing , System Testing and Maintanance 
testing.

Entry Criteria: The basis for stasrting the testing of an 
application or product.

For example:Before starting System testing Development team 
should comple the Unit testing.Then they will depoly the 
build in the test server.
Then the testing people will do the Sanity or Smoke testing 
on the Newly deployed Build of application  or product.
If the Application or Product passes the Sanity or Smoke 
testing we will accept the build for testing.
This is the Entry criteia.I.e We will accept Build when 
only is is stable and have no show stoppers.

Exit Criteria: This is the criteiawhen  we will 
stop/conclude testing .

For example we encounter a show stopper and it is not 
allowing us to test further then we will stop testing.
or If we met the Specified quality standards then we will 
stop testing>

Entry and Exit criteria's are components of Test Plan.

Example:
4.4.1	Entry Criteria

	*.Unit testing has to be conducted and should have
           passed.
	* Test results have to be shared with the QC team.
	* Known issues should be communicated to the QC 
          team.

4.4.2	Exit Criteria 
	*.Execution of system test cases without any issues.
	*.Discussion with PM for acceptance in case
          of issues.
	*.Acceptance and release approval from QC.  

 Ok Friends Byee

Still if u have doubts
feel free to mail me.
rajendra_penumalli@yahoo.com