Software testing is an essential aspect of software development. Thorough testing and test case management ensures that the software is free of bugs and errors, easy to use, and is functioning as expected.
Testers need to implement good test case management for successful white box and black box testing. A test management tool like Testworthy can help testers execute and run tests smoothly without any problems.
When diving into software testing, you might encounter two main types of testing, namely white box testing and black box testing.
The names “Black Box” and “White Box” are indicative of the type of testing that takes place. If you picture a white or clear box, you can see everything inside. Similarly, white box testing refers to testing in which the inner workings of the software are visible. On the other hand, if you have a black box, you can see what goes in and what comes out but not what takes place inside. Similarly, black box testing tests the input and outputs without regard for internal processes. Test management tools can aid in both types of testing.
To understand this further, we can take the example of a computer. A person who turns on a computer and checks it for various functions (video display, audio quality, storage capacity, internet speed, etc.) is doing black box testing. On the other hand, a computer engineer who opens up the computer and checks its entire hardware and how the various components are connected and placed is doing white box testing.
Now that we have a general idea of both testing types, let’s look at white box and black box testing concepts and test case management in greater detail to see what they are and how they differ.
White Box Testing
In simple terms, white box testing (aka clear box or glass box testing) means that the tester is familiar with how the software works and tests its code to ensure that it is correct. White box testing requires behind-the-scenes knowledge and code visibility. This means that testers know what functions a software should perform and the entire process behind how they are performed. A test management tool can execute test cases but test case management also requires more in-depth knowledge of programming, the internal structure of the software, and the source code and its logic. This is why white box testing is usually performed by developers who have language and programming knowledge and understand how the software works and how it was developed. Developers doing white box testing use test management tools to execute and verify code logic, ensure that the logical flow and implementation align and that there are no logical errors in the program design.
White box testing is majorly done at the beginning stages of development i.e., at the unit test or integration test level. Good test case management and test management tools can check internal coding, infrastructure and overall design and code quality for usability, design, and security.
Some of the major types of white box testing techniques include:
Statement Coverage
This is the percentage of statements that are executed. The statement coverage technique executes every line in the code at least once.
Branch/Decision Coverage
Every branch or route from a decision point is executed so that every possible decision flowing from a node or component is tested. This makes sure that no branch is leading to abnormalities.
Path Coverage
Comprehensive testing is done to test all the paths within an application at least once. This can be done to test complex projects. Test management tools help conduct these tests without any problems.
Black Box Testing
Black box testing (aka behavioral, specification-based, or input-output testing) tests inputs to ensure that expected output is achieved i.e., it is mostly focused on results. Black box testers do not require knowledge of internal processes and code. The tester only cares about the results but does not necessarily know how those results are achieved. They simply check the expected results against actual results to determine the pass/fail of the test. Test management tools can be used for test case management in these types of tests.
Black box testing is done at higher levels such as for system and acceptance tests. It is mostly used to check the functionality from an end-user perspective. Since black box testing does not require knowledge of internal processes, it can be performed by testers even in the absence of any programming expertise. The role of the tester is closer to the capabilities of the end user. Effective test case management ensures successful black box testing to enhance user experience and make sure that the software meets client or user requirements.
Some common black box testing techniques include the following:
Equivalence Partitioning
Testers create partitions/classes (of valid, invalid sets, etc.) in data to test a range of values and inputs.
Boundary Value Analysis
This tests inputs at boundaries/ limits.
Decision Table
Different scenarios are created to test the system for different input combinations. Test management tools like Testworthy can help execute these tests more smoothly.
White Box Testing vs. Black Box Testing
Test case management is important when executing both white box and black box testing. Effective testing and test case management require understanding the advantages and disadvantages associated with both. Here are some pros and cons of both techniques:
White Box Testing: Pros and Cons
Pros
- It can be done by the developers during the development phase, without waiting for Graphical User Interface (GUI) to be complete.
- No separate team is required as developers can do this themselves. This can save costs.
- It is very thorough and covers all code paths.
- It helps to find and identify errors early on before they turn into a big problem.
- It helps to optimize the developer’s code from the very start.
- It helps find problems efficiently.
- It is more exhaustive and helps to find hidden errors and achieve maximum test coverage.
Cons
- It distracts developers from focusing on their actual work, which is writing code.
- It is too time-consuming.
- It is costly and complicated.
- It requires professional programmers who have in-depth knowledge of the field.
- It requires access to source code and the expertise to understand it.
Black Box Testing: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Testers don’t need to have technical or programming knowledge.
- This type of testing helps enhance user experiences.
- It stresses non-developer viewpoints.
- It does not require code access.
Cons
- Coverage is limited as only a small percentage of possible scenarios are performed.
- It is not enough on its own as internal code is untested.
Conclusion
Black box and white box testing are both important testing techniques in their own right and can be executed effectively with the right test management tools. However, it is vital to remember that they cannot take each other’s place. Organizations need to focus on both types of testing and implement test case management practices to perform these frequently and thoroughly. With good test case management and the right test management tools, these tests can be used to ensure high code quality and minimize errors.
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