24 Sep, 2024
Posted on 24 Sep, 2024 by Vatsal, Posted in Blog
In this blog, we’ll deal with one of the most popular methods of testing a system or system component thoroughly – namely, white box testing.
What is White Box Testing?
White box testing refers to a scenario where, the tester deeply understands the inner workings of the system or system component being tested.
Gaining a deep understanding of the system or component is possible when the tester understands these at program- or code-level. So almost all the time, the tester needs to either understand or have access to the source code that makes up the system – usually in the form of specification documents.
This is also known as structural testing as the tester chooses which inputs to test and follows their paths through the software to reach their expected outputs.
White box testing is used in the unit, integration and systems phases of software testing. Since the code is visible it is also called as open box/ glass box/ transparent box testing.
The smallest unit of software is one line of the code since developers are testing that each and every line so it is called as unit testing also.
key principles
The key principles that assist you in executing white box tests successfully are:
White Box Testing Tools
White box testing is a type of testing where the tester can see the code. The main purposes of this type of testing are to test the inner workings of the software, as well as strengthen its security, and improve its usability and design.
Here are some of the top white box testing tools to use:
What Does White Box Testing Focus On?
Types of White Box Testing
White box testing can be done for different purposes. The three main types are:
Unit Testing
Integration Testing
Regression Testing
White Box Testing Techniques
One of the main benefits of white box testing is that it allows for testing every part of an application. To achieve complete code coverage, white box testing uses the following techniques:
1. Statement Coverage
In this technique, the aim is to traverse all statements at least once. Hence, each line of code is tested. In the case of a flowchart, every node must be traversed at least once. Since all lines of code are covered, it helps in pointing out faulty code.
2. Branch Coverage
In this technique, test cases are designed so that each branch from all decision points is traversed at least once. In a flowchart, all edges must be traversed at least once.
3. Condition Coverage
In this technique, all individual conditions must be covered as shown in the following example:
4. Multiple Condition Coverage
In this technique, all the possible combinations of the possible outcomes of conditions are tested at least once. Let’s consider the following example:
5. Basis Path Testing
In this technique, control flow graphs are made from code or flowchart and then Cyclomatic complexity is calculated which defines the number of independent paths so that the minimal number of test cases can be designed for each independent path. Steps:
6. Loop Testing
Loops are widely used and these are fundamental to many algorithms hence, their testing is very important. Errors often occur at the beginnings and ends of loops.
Process of White Box Testing
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