Testing Techniques in Software Testing

What is Software Testing Technique?
Software Testing Techniques are different techniques with the help of which you can design better test cases.
When we have to test any application, we can have lot of test cases. Exhaustive testing is not possible always, at that time we can use these techniques to reduce our test cases and increase test coverage.
There are many testing techniques and each one of them is helpful to find specific type of defect.
Example: Testing techniques which may find defect in end to end business flow might not be able to find Structural defects..
Based on requirement of Software, a suitable testing techniques can be used. Each testing techniques offers variety of features and benefits.
There are mainly 2 types of testing techniques Black Box testing and White Box Testing.

Black Box testing:

It is a type of testing in which functionality of an application is tested. Coding knowledge is not required for black box testing.

There are different type of black box testing techniques:

Boundary Value Analysis:

Boundary Value Analysis is a technique in which testing is done using Boundary Value.
Example: We need to test for the input condition where Valid values are between 10 to 20
In this case our test data for boundary value would be: 9,10,11 and 19,20,21

Explanation: As we know that only numbers between 10 to 20 are valid. So, there are possibility that application may show error at boundary value. That is why, this is one of the most important technique which every Software tester should check at the time of testing.
Here, it is important to check boundary values for lowest digit (i.e; 10). So it would be 9, 10 and 11
Similarly, we have checked for highest digit ( i.e; 20). So, it is 19, 20, 21.

Equivalence Class Portioning:

This technique is used when we have large set. of test data and there is time and budget constraints.
It is very efficient way to cut down the test data into 2 halves i.e; Valid condition and Invalid condition.
We take individual data from these 2 condition and that's how we use this technique.

Example: We will take similar example as above where valid input condition is between 10 to 20.
In this case our test data can be portioned into 2 classes:
Our test data would be 7,13 and 24.

Explanation: Our valid data is between 10 to 20. So, we will divide our test data into 2 classes. One is valid and second is invalid.
Valid data can be any number between 10 to 20. I have taken 13, so we will test with this input.
If the test case passes, there is no need to check for any other valid number as we have taken a random no. between 10 to 20 and it is working fine.
Now, let's take invalid data. Invalid data is any number below 10 and any number above 20.
So, I have taken 7 (below 10) and 24 (Above 20) for testing.
If our test case gets passed with this data, then there is no need to take any other invalid data as we consider that all valid and invalid data would work fine.

Error Guessing Technique:

This technique is based on guessing the error in the application. This is generally used by Experienced test analyst in which they use their experience and domain knowledge to find out the error prone areas.
Hence, he/she must be skilled and experienced for better error guessing.

Cause-Effect Graph:

In this testing technique, causes are the inputs of a application and effects as the outputs of the application. Here, a graphical representation is used to show the relationship between the input and output and the factors that impact the outcome.

White Box Testing:

It is also known as Open Box testing, Clear box testing, Structural testing and transparent box testing.
Coding knowledge is required while using white box testing. It is a method of software testing that checks internal programming structure of an application.

This testing technique includes:

Statement Coverage:

It is also called as code coverage. As it checks whether all the statement and every line is executed at least once. The goal of statement coverage technique is to cover all the possible executing statements and path lines in the code.

Path Coverage:

It checks whether every condition in the code is executed or not to check 100% code coverage.
All paths including statements and branches are executed using this technique.

Branch Coverage:

In this technique all the branches are executed. It executes all the combination of condition and condition in each decision.

FAQs:

1. Difference between Software Testing tools and techniques?

Software testing technique is a process to ensure that application is working as expected.
However, Software testing tools are the resources to perform this test process.

2. What are test design techniques in Software testing?

Equivalence Class Portioning, Boundary Value analysis, Error Guessing technique, State Transition are the test design techniques in Software Testing.

3. Difference between testing techniques and testing methodologies?

Equivalence Class Portioning, Boundary Value analysis, Error Guessing technique, State Transition are testing techniques.
However, Unit testing, Integration testing, System testing, Acceptance testing are the testing methodologies.

4. What is acceptance testing?

Acceptance testing is the last stage of testing after system testing in which user requirements and functionalities are checked. It determines whether software is confirming specified conditions and user requirements or not.

5. What is Software Testing?

Software Testing is a process to verify the functionality of the application under test.
Read More: https://Introduction-to-Software-Testing.html

Conclusion: