Lecture 55: White-Box Testing - Examining the Code's Inner Workings
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Introduction to White-Box Testing
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Welcome everyone! Today, we are exploring White-Box Testing. Can someone share what they think it means?
Isn't it about testing the code while knowing its structure?
Exactly! White-Box Testing involves looking inside the software β like being an engineer checking a circuit board. What are some primary goals of this testing approach?
I think itβs about ensuring all code parts work correctly and checking for hidden errors.
Correct! It validates internal logic and ensures critical paths are executed. Let's remember the acronym: 'VEIL' to recall its key goals: Verify Execution, Internal Logic, and Uncover Hidden paths.
Who Performs White-Box Testing?
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Who do you think primarily conducts White-Box Testing?
Probably developers, since they understand the code the best?
Yes! Developers or skilled QA engineers usually perform this testing during unit testing. Why do you think it's crucial during this phase?
Because it's easier to fix bugs when they are found early?
Exactly! Early detection saves time and resources. Remember, the key phase is Unit Testing!
White-Box Testing Techniques
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Now, letβs dive into some key techniques of White-Box Testing. Can anyone name one method?
Iβve heard of statement coverage?
Correct! Statement Coverage ensures every executable line of code is tested. Can anyone think of how we can achieve this?
We would write test cases to execute every line at least once.
Perfect! Similarly, thereβs Branch Coverage and Condition Coverage. Branch Coverage focuses on testing both true and false outcomes of a condition. Can you think why this may be important?
To ensure that all logical paths are tested?
Exactly! So remember: more coverage leads to stronger testing. The technique acronym 'SBC' can help remember: Statement, Branch, Condition.
Tools and Benefits of White-Box Testing
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Let's discuss tools used for White-Box Testing. What are some tools we've learned about?
JaCoCo for Java!
Right! JaCoCo is great for analyzing test coverage. What are some benefits of using White-Box Testing?
It can find logical errors that others might miss.
Yes! And it helps enhance code quality. However, keep in mind it requires developers' skills and can become time-consuming. Letβs summarize: Tools and tests enhance code and uncover hidden issues.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
This section introduces White-Box Testing, highlighting its importance in ensuring code correctness through techniques like code coverage. By utilizing various methods, testers can explore logic paths and reveal hidden errors, making it distinct from traditional Black-Box Testing approaches.
Detailed
White-Box Testing
White-Box Testing, also known as Structural Testing, Glass-Box Testing, or Clear-Box Testing, focuses on the internal structure and workings of an application. Unlike Black-Box Testing, which examines software from the outside without knowledge of the internal logic, White-Box Testing requires a deep understanding of the internal code, design, and architecture.
Key Components:
- Definition: White-Box Testing allows testers to see the source code, enabling them to validate internal logic, analyze paths, and discover hidden issues.
- Primary Goals:
- Ensure that all parts of the code are executed during testing.
- Validate internal logic and calculations.
- Discover unhandled paths that may lead to errors.
- Identify discrepancies between code functionality and requirements.
- When and Who Performs It: It is mainly conducted during unit testing by developers or skilled QA engineers. It can also be integral in integration testing and code reviews.
- Techniques: Key techniques include:
- Statement Coverage: Ensures all executable statements are tested at least once.
- Branch Coverage: Covers all possible branches in decision points.
- Condition Coverage: Tests every condition within a decision.
- Modified Condition/Decision Coverage (MC/DC): Ensures every condition impacts the decision independently.
- Path Coverage: Requires exhausting all unique paths through a module.
- Tools: Code coverage tools such as JaCoCo, Istanbul, and Coverage.py are used to analyze test execution and visualize coverage metrics.
- Benefits: White-Box Testing aids in detecting deep logic errors, verifying rigorous code execution, and improves overall code quality. However, it requires developer proficiency, can be time-consuming, and does not alone ensure requirement validation.
Key Concepts
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White-Box Testing: Active exploration of a systemβs code and logic.
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Statement Coverage: Basic coverage ensuring every line of code is executed.
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Branch Coverage: Focus on decision points for testing both true and false outcomes.
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Condition Coverage: Ensures logical conditions are evaluated correctly.
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Path Coverage: Tests all unique execution paths within software.
Examples & Applications
Example of Statement Coverage: Testing a function with if-else statements where the if path is covered only.
Example of Branch Coverage: Testing all possible outcomes of a user permission check to validate access control.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
In the code's heart, we spy and test, White-Box we choose, to find the rest.
Stories
Imagine a detective opening a box to inspect each item inside for clues to catch the culprit of errors hiding deep within the code.
Memory Tools
Remember 'VEIL': Verify Execution, Internal Logic, uncover Paths, and check Conditions.
Acronyms
SBC for techniques
Statement
Branch
Condition.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- WhiteBox Testing
A testing method where the tester has full knowledge of the internal workings of the software.
- Statement Coverage
A measure ensuring every executable statement in the code is executed at least once.
- Branch Coverage
A technique that ensures every possible path or branch from a decision point is executed.
- Condition Coverage
A testing method ensuring that every individual boolean expression within a decision is evaluated to both true and false.
- Path Coverage
The process of ensuring that every unique path through a codebase is executed during testing.
Reference links
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