5.6 - Summary of Techniques

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Understanding Test Scenarios vs Test Cases

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's start with understanding test scenarios and test cases. A test scenario is a high-level idea of what to test, while a test case is a detailed set of instructions for executing a particular test path. Can anyone give me an example of a test scenario?

Student 1
Student 1

An example could be 'Verify login functionality'.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! And what about a test case to support that scenario?

Student 2
Student 2

It would be something like 'Input valid credentials and check if the login succeeds.'

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Remember, scenarios are broad and may involve multiple conditions, while test cases are detailed and specific.

Boundary Value Analysis (BVA)

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Teacher
Teacher

Moving on to Boundary Value Analysis, can anyone tell me what this technique focuses on?

Student 3
Student 3

It tests the edge values of input ranges, where defects often occur.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! For example, if we test the age field with limits between 18 and 60, we need to check 17, 18, 59, 60, and 61. Why is this sampling important?

Student 4
Student 4

Because issues often arise right at the boundary!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Remember: test min, max, just below and just above the boundaries, plus some values in between.

Equivalence Partitioning (EP)

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let’s move to Equivalence Partitioning. Who can explain what it does?

Student 1
Student 1

It divides input into valid and invalid classes to test!

Teacher
Teacher

Right! For example, testing an age input where valid values are between 18 and 60, what classes do we have?

Student 2
Student 2

We have valid classes like 25 and invalid classes like 10 and 70.

Teacher
Teacher

Great, by testing just one value from each class, we save time and still achieve adequate coverage!

Decision Table Testing

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, we have Decision Table Testing. What can anyone tell me about decision tables?

Student 3
Student 3

They are used for testing complex rules involving different conditions and actions!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! For instance, in a loan approval scenario, we have conditions like income and credit score. How would we represent this in a decision table?

Student 4
Student 4

We list possible combinations of 'yes/no' for conditions and outline corresponding actions like 'approve', 'review', or 'reject'!

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! It helps ensure we cover all combinations systematically.

State Transition Testing

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Teacher
Teacher

Lastly, let’s discuss State Transition Testing. Can someone explain what we focus on here?

Student 1
Student 1

It tests the system's behavior across different states based on user actions or inputs.

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent! Can someone give me an example of a system where state transitions are critical?

Student 2
Student 2

An ATM system with states like 'card inserted', 'access menu', or 'logout'.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Testing how the system responds to these states helps ensure the workflow is handled correctly.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section summarizes essential test case design techniques to enhance testing efficiency.

Standard

In this section, we explore various test case design techniques including Boundary Value Analysis, Equivalence Partitioning, Decision Table Testing, and State Transition Testing. Each technique aims to maximize the effectiveness of test cases while minimizing testing effort.

Detailed

Summary of Techniques

This section covers several fundamental test case design techniques that help ensure comprehensive testing with optimal resource utilization. Each technique addresses a unique aspect of test case design, suitable for different testing scenarios.

Key Techniques:

  1. Boundary Value Analysis (BVA): Targets edge conditions of numeric ranges to identify potential defects at the limits of acceptable input values.
  2. Equivalence Partitioning (EP): Segments input data into distinct classes to minimize the number of test cases while ensuring adequate coverage.
  3. Decision Table Testing: A structured approach for complex business rules, allowing clear visualization of combinations of conditions and corresponding outcomes.
  4. State Transition Testing: Evaluates system behavior across various states, ensuring that all transitions between states operate correctly.

These techniques support a strategy where test designers can effectively achieve maximum coverage through focused tests, aligning with the principle that effective test design is not just about broad coverage but also finding the right tests with minimal effort.

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Boundary Value Analysis

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Boundary Value Analysis

  • Best For: Edge conditions and numeric ranges
  • Example Scenario: Age limits, input ranges

Detailed Explanation

Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) focuses on testing the extreme boundaries of input ranges. This is because a significant number of errors occur at the edges rather than in the middle of the input range. For example, if a field accepts ages from 18 to 60, BVA would also test the values at 17 (just below the minimum), 18 (minimum), 59 (just below the maximum), and 60 (maximum), alongside 61 (just above the maximum). Such testing helps ensure that these boundary conditions are properly handled by the software.

Examples & Analogies

Think of BVA like testing the height requirement at an amusement park ride. If the ride requires you to be between 42 and 60 inches tall, you'd want to measure just below 42 inches (41), right at 42 (the minimum), just below 60 inches (59), and right at 60 (the maximum) to make sure everyone within those bounds is handled correctly.

Equivalence Partitioning

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Equivalence Partitioning

  • Best For: Grouping valid/invalid inputs
  • Example Scenario: Form fields, password strength

Detailed Explanation

Equivalence Partitioning (EP) is a technique used to minimize the number of test cases by grouping similar inputs into equivalence classes. Each class is treated as if it’s the same as any other member of that class. For instance, if a form validates age between 18 and 60, you perform tests only with one valid age (e.g., 25) and one invalid age from each class (e.g., 10 for below range and 70 for above range). This way, you efficiently check if the system correctly handles valid and invalid inputs without testing every single value.

Examples & Analogies

Consider testing a customer service response system. Instead of sending individual emails to test how long it takes to respond for every client inquiry, you could group inquiries into simple classes like 'general questions,' 'billing issues,' and 'technical support.' By sending one example from each group, you can swiftly evaluate the system without needing to test every single possible inquiry.

Decision Table Testing

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Decision Table Testing

  • Best For: Complex rule-based logic
  • Example Scenario: Loan approval, discount rules

Detailed Explanation

Decision Table Testing involves creating a table that maps different combinations of inputs to expected outputs. This is particularly useful for scenarios involving multiple conditions or rules. For example, in a loan approval process, combinations of income and credit score can lead to different outcomes: approve, review, or reject. By laying these combinations out in a table, it becomes easier to visualize and test all possible scenarios to ensure that the system responds correctly in each case.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are at a restaurant that has various conditions for discounts based on the total bill and time of day. By using a decision table, you could outline different scenarios like 'total $50 during lunch,' 'total $80 during dinner,' etc. Each combination might trigger a different discount. By organizing these combinations in a table, you can simplify the way you check if the proper discounts are applied.

State Transition Testing

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State Transition Testing

  • Best For: Systems with different states
  • Example Scenario: ATM, login/logout, cart flow

Detailed Explanation

State Transition Testing is a method used to analyze the behavior of systems based on changes in state caused by user actions or inputs. This is particularly relevant for systems that have distinct states and transitions between them, such as logging in and out of an account. For example, if a user is logged into an ATM system, various scenarios can occur based on their actions, like inserting a card, entering a PIN, or withdrawing cash. Testing the transitions ensures that all valid and erroneous paths through the system are handled appropriately.

Examples & Analogies

Think of State Transition Testing like a video game where your character can switch between different modes, such as 'running,' 'jumping,' and 'crouching.' Each mode can trigger different actions and outcomes. If you tested only one mode without checking how transitions between running and jumping affect gameplay, you might miss crucial bugs that only appear at the boundaries of those modes.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Test Scenarios: High-level descriptions of what needs to be tested.

  • Test Cases: Step-by-step instructions to test a specific functionality.

  • Boundary Value Analysis: Focuses on edge values of input ranges.

  • Equivalence Partitioning: Divides input into valid and invalid classes.

  • Decision Table Testing: Structured approach for handling complex rules.

  • State Transition Testing: Evaluates system behavior across states based on inputs.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • For Boundary Value Analysis, testing an age input range of 18-60 requires checking values like 17, 18, 59, 60, and 61.

  • In Equivalence Partitioning for age validation, valid input could be 25, and invalid inputs could be 10 and 70.

  • A Decision Table for Loan Approval lists different combinations of income and credit score to determine outcomes like 'Approve', 'Review', or 'Reject'.

  • In State Transition Testing, an ATM's flow from 'Card Inserted' to 'Access Menu' to 'Logout' is tested to ensure proper handling of each step.

Memory Aids

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🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When you need to test the edge, don't forget the range's pledge: check just below and just above, you'll find bugs you will love!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once upon a time, a tester named Sam crossed a bridge of conditions to reach the land of test cases. Each step he took checked a boundary, ensuring nothing slipped past him, until he arrived safely on the other side with a clean application.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember the acronym BEDS for Boundary Value Analysis: 'Below, Edge, Down (another), Surface' to remember key values to test.

🎯 Super Acronyms

Use the acronym EPIC for Equivalence Partitioning

  • 'Every Part Is Covered' to recall that each class needs to be tested once.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Boundary Value Analysis

    Definition:

    A testing technique that focuses on values at the edge of input range to identify potential defects.

  • Term: Equivalence Partitioning

    Definition:

    A technique that divides input data into valid and invalid classes to minimize the number of test cases.

  • Term: Decision Table Testing

    Definition:

    A tabular method for testing complex business rules involving multiple conditions and corresponding actions.

  • Term: State Transition Testing

    Definition:

    Testing a system's behavior in different states and during transitions based on inputs or actions.

  • Term: Test Case

    Definition:

    A detailed set of instructions for testing a particular aspect of the software.

  • Term: Test Scenario

    Definition:

    A high-level description of a situation to be tested.