Software Testing Fundamentals

Software Testing Fundamentals

• The goal of testing is to find errors, and a good test is one that has a high probability of finding an error.
• Therefore, you should design and implement a computer-based system or a product with “testability” in mind.
• Test Characteristics :
• A good test has a high probability of finding an error.
• A good test is not redundant. Testing time and resources are limited. There is no point in conducting a test that has the same purpose as another test. 
• A good test should be “best of breed”: In a group of tests that have a similar intent, time and resource limitations may mitigate (moderate) toward the execution of only a subset of these tests. 
• A good test should be neither too simple nor too complex

Internal & External View of Testing

• External View : (Black box Testing)
• Knowing the specified function that a product has been designed to perform, test to see if that function is fully operational and error-free.
• Includes tests that are conducted at the software interface
• Not concerned with the internal logical structure of the software
• Internal View (White Box testing)
• Knowing the internal workings of a product, test that all internal operations are performed according to specifications and all internal components have been exercised
• Involves tests that concentrate on close examination of procedural detail
• Logical paths through the software are tested
• Test cases exercise specific sets of conditions and loops

White-Box Testing