ISTQB FOUNDATION 4.0 | Tutorial 32 | Decision Table Testing | Test Case Design Techniques | CTFL

Summary

This tutorial delves into decision table testing, a technique for analyzing and designing test cases based on logical conditions and actions. It simplifies the process by reducing the number of test cases needed through a tabular representation of possible outcomes. The instructor explains how to apply this method using examples, emphasizing its ease of use and effectiveness in software testing. The video guides viewers through understanding decision tables, calculating combinations, and applying the technique to given scenarios, preparing them for real-world applications and exam situations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Decision Table Testing is a technique used to analyze and design tests based on conditions and their outcomes.
• 🔍 It is particularly useful for requirements that are condition-driven, such as eligibility for an event based on car ownership.
• 📊 The method is reminiscent of truth tables from basic mathematics, where combinations of conditions are used to determine possible outcomes.
• 📝 The process involves creating a table with conditions and deriving the outcomes for those combinations from the requirements.
• 📚 Detailed requirements are essential for this technique; without them, it may not be applicable.
• 📉 The number of combinations for testing is calculated using the formula 2 raised to the power of 'n', where 'n' is the number of conditions.
• 👉 For example, with two conditions, there are four possible combinations (true-true, true-false, false-true, false-false).
• 📋 In exams, the decision table will be provided, and the task is to apply the given context to the table to find the correct answer.
• 💡 The technique simplifies the process of creating exhaustive test cases by focusing on combinations of conditions.
• 📝 The input conditions and actions in the table are often binary, stated as true/false, yes/no, or similar.
• 🔑 Understanding the decision table involves reading the table and matching the given scenarios to find the expected results.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this tutorial?

The main topic of this tutorial is decision table testing, a blackbox test technique covered in chapter 4.2 of the ISTQB Foundation Level certification.

What is decision table testing?

Decision table testing is a unique testing technique used to analyze and design tests based on conditions and their outcomes. It involves creating a table of combinations of conditions and deriving the possible outcomes from these combinations.

How is decision table testing related to the concept of truth tables in mathematics?

Decision table testing is related to truth tables in that it involves creating combinations of conditions to determine possible outcomes, similar to how truth tables are used to evaluate logical expressions.

What is the significance of 'n' in the context of calculating the number of combinations in a decision table?

In the context of decision table testing, 'n' represents the number of conditions. The number of combinations is calculated as 2 raised to the power of n (2^n), which determines the possible permutations of true/false for each condition.

Why is having detailed requirements important for decision table testing?

Having detailed requirements is important for decision table testing because it allows for the accurate identification of conditions and actions in a tabular form, which is essential for creating an effective decision table.

How are input conditions and actions typically stated in a decision table?

Input conditions and actions in a decision table are typically stated in a way that they must be true or false, which can also be represented as positive or negative, yes or no.

What is the purpose of creating a decision table in software testing?

The purpose of creating a decision table is to minimize the number of test cases needed by systematically covering all possible combinations of conditions and their outcomes, thus ensuring thorough testing with fewer test cases.

How does the tutorial suggest approaching a decision table test in an examination scenario?

In an examination scenario, the tutorial suggests that the decision table will be provided, and the examinee's task is to apply the given context to the table and determine the correct outcomes or answers based on the combinations presented.

What is an example of how decision table testing can be applied in a real-world scenario mentioned in the tutorial?

An example given in the tutorial is a hotel scenario where the decision to offer an upgrade to a guest's room depends on whether they are a City Bank card member and the type of room they are currently holding.

How does the tutorial describe the process of identifying the correct answer from a decision table in an exam question?

The tutorial describes the process as reading the table and understanding the conditions and actions, then applying the given test case scenarios to the table to find the matching rule and corresponding expected outcome.

Outlines

00:00

📘 Introduction to Decision Table Testing

The first paragraph introduces the concept of decision table testing as part of the ISTQB Foundation Level certification. It is a technique used for analyzing requirements where the output is driven by certain conditions, similar to truth tables in mathematics. The speaker uses the example of a car ownership condition for event registration to illustrate how conditions can determine outcomes. The technique involves creating a table with combinations of conditions and deriving possible outcomes, which helps in minimizing test cases. The importance of detailed requirements for this technique is highlighted, and it's noted that at the foundation level, the table will be provided, and the task is to apply the context to arrive at the correct answer.

05:02

📌 Understanding Decision Table Testing with Examples

The second paragraph delves deeper into decision table testing with real exam question examples. It explains how to interpret the decision table provided in an exam scenario, using a hotel's room upgrade policy as an example. The paragraph demonstrates how to match test cases to the conditions and actions outlined in the table to determine expected outcomes. It also covers how to identify missing test cases by recognizing the combinations of conditions that have not been covered. The speaker emphasizes the simplicity of this technique for exam purposes, as the table will be provided, and the task is to apply the given statements to find the correct answer. The paragraph concludes by encouraging viewers to keep learning and exploring the subject matter.

Keywords

💡ISTQB

ISTQB stands for the International Software Testing Qualifications Board, which is a non-profit organization that certifies software testers. In the context of the video, it is the organization that provides certifications at various levels, and the tutorial is focused on the Foundation level certifications, indicating the beginner's level in software testing.

💡Test Analysis and Design

Test Analysis and Design is a fundamental phase in the software testing process where testers analyze the requirements and design test cases. In the video, it is the chapter being discussed, emphasizing the importance of understanding requirements to create effective test strategies.

💡Blackbox Testing

Blackbox testing is a method of software testing where the tester focuses on the functionality of the software without considering the internal structure or code. The video mentions this as a segment, indicating that the tutorial covers various testing techniques that do not require knowledge of the internal workings of the software.

💡Decision Table Testing

Decision Table Testing is a specific testing technique used to test conditions and their outcomes systematically. The video tutorial delves into this technique, explaining how it helps in minimizing test cases by creating combinations of conditions and their corresponding outcomes.

💡Conditions

In the context of decision table testing, conditions are the criteria or requirements that need to be met for a particular outcome to occur. The video script uses the example of having a car as a condition for qualification, illustrating how conditions can drive the output or further processing in testing scenarios.

💡Truth Table

A truth table is a basic mathematical concept used to determine all possible outcomes of logical conditions. The video script refers to the truth table as a way to recall the combinations of conditions, which is essential in decision table testing to understand all possible outcomes.

💡Combinations

Combinations in decision table testing refer to the various possible scenarios that can occur based on different conditions. The video explains that instead of creating numerous test cases, a decision table can be used to cover all combinations efficiently.

💡Tabular Form

Tabular form is the way in which decision table testing organizes conditions and actions into a table. The video script mentions that the system's requirements are captured in this form, making it easier to analyze and understand the relationships between conditions and outcomes.

💡Logical Conditions

Logical conditions are statements that can be evaluated as true or false. In the context of the video, these conditions are used in decision tables to determine the system's behavior. The script gives examples of conditions like having a bank card or a certain age to illustrate this.

💡Examination

The term examination in the video refers to the ISTQB certification test. The script explains that during the exam, the decision table will be provided, and the examinee's task is to apply the given context to the table to determine the correct outcomes or answers.

💡Characteristics of Decision Table

Characteristics of decision table refer to the properties and features that define this testing technique. The video mentions that the number of combinations is calculated using 2 raised to the power of n, where n is the number of conditions, which is a key characteristic in understanding how to construct a decision table.

Highlights

Introduction to decision table testing as a unique blackbox technique.

Explanation of decision table testing in the context of condition-driven output requirements.

The importance of detailed requirements for the applicability of decision table testing.

Connection between decision table testing and the mathematical concept of truth tables.

Minimization of test cases through the creation of decision tables.

Characteristics of decision table testing, capturing logical conditions and actions in a tabular form.

The method of stating input conditions and actions as true or false in decision tables.

Calculation of combinations in decision tables using 2 raised to the power of n.

Example of creating test cases using decision tables with conditions like card type and age.

Clarification that during exams, the decision table will be provided, and candidates need to apply context.

Guidance on how to approach questions in exams using provided decision tables.

Explanation of how to identify the correct answer using the decision table in exam scenarios.

The process of checking all possible combinations in decision tables to ensure test case coverage.

Importance of keeping the approach simple when applying decision table testing in exams.

Demonstration of how to use a decision table to answer a sample exam question.

Strategy for identifying the valid test case and expected result from a decision table.

Final thoughts on the simplicity and effectiveness of decision table testing for exam preparation.

Encouragement to keep learning and exploring the context of decision table testing.

Transcripts

Hello friends and greetings for the day

welcome back to another tutorial on istb

Foundation level certifications we are

in chapter 4 talking about test analysis

and design and continuing ahead with our

same segment that is 4.2 the blackbox

test techniques and as a part of today's

tutorial we'll be getting into the next

technique which is called as decision

table

testing

now decision table testing is a unique

testing in itself of course uh there are

different types of requirement when we

work on any type of product and one of

among them could be about a condition

driven output of course there are

requirements where we say like hey if

you have a car you are qualified you

don't have a car you're not qualified so

maybe I can ask you a question very

first thing uh while filling up a form

or probably registration for event that

do you have or do you own a car and if

you say yes I'll give you the form

further if you say no hey you're not

qualified to participate because

probably this is a racing event or it's

more about the car kind of like you know

exhibition or maybe some kind of event

related to automobiles so in that

context the output or further processing

is dependent on the Fulfillment of the

conditions and the output which is

action in our case will be driven by the

set of conditions so now conditions can

be in any number sometime it can can be

just one single condition it could be

two conditions three conditions four

conditions and that reminds us about a

basic mathematic concept which you

probably learned during your school days

of truth table concept where we create

create the combination of conditions to

get to know what are the possible

outcomes and that's how we minimize our

test cases now that's very simple and

easy and should quickly recall you about

the basics of maths and help you to

easily remember about this technique but

most important thing that the technique

works works on creation of the table

okay you need to generally create the

table which is combinations and then

derive the you know possible outcomes of

those combinations from the set of

requirements what you have with you so

it certainly depends on the detailed

requirements as well and if you don't

have the detail requirements then this

technique may not be applicable so let's

quickly look at some of the quick

characteristics from here and try to

understand what this technique is all

about so when it comes to decision table

testing it captures the system re

requirement that contains logical

conditions the specifications are

analyzed and conditions and actions of

the system are identified in a tabular

form right below what you see so the

input conditions and actions are most

often stated in a way that they must be

true or false that means positive or

negative or should yes or no or true or

false any of these WIS now here the

number of combinations will also always

be calculated by measuring 2 raised to

the power of n okay 2 raised to the

power of n now here n is basically the

number of conditions so taking a quick

example in the table below assume that

you have two conditions to be fulfilled

so instead of thinking of n number of

combinations or a number of

possibilities of each of them for

example if condition number one is a

card bank card then you have debit card

credit card in that credit card you have

so many providers like you have Visa

Master m X diners and whatnot so instead

of thinking of n number of test cases

which is exhaustive I use decision table

and I just put combinations of that

along with probably say condition number

two is more about your age so age can be

again any number of Ages are possible so

instead of thinking of so many numbers

to compile together and come with a

number of permutation and combinations I

use decision table where I just create

four test cases if you notice here I

have true true where the card and age

are true both are true what should

happen then we have true and false where

means card is true but the age is false

again I'm not talking about any scenario

right now I'm just giving an example

that how do we create the combinations

so true true true false then we have

false true and then we have false false

so there are just four combinations all

I'll do is sit down with the

requirements and pick up the right

actions of these combinations and just

the four test cases are enough so will

they ask you to create the table in the

examination answer is no at this point

at the foundation level the table will

be provided to you all you will have to

do is apply the given context to the

table and get to the right answer a very

easy way to solve this okay but again

the table can be anything it can be

about any such thing which happens

around the world so you don't have to

again get influenced sometime it can be

hypothetical too which do not exist in

this world at all so you will just have

to uh read the data and get to the

answer answer so to get more clarity

let's quickly look at one of the sample

questions to understand what does that

even mean so taking an example right

here uh here if you read this is a real

exam question so don't overexp anything

from uh the screen so this is how the

examination question will look like so

what is the expected result for each of

the following test cases based on the

table of course so there are two uh test

case given to you that is user X and

user Y and they have given you some

criteria or combination and on the right

hand side they have given you the table

to understand so the first and foremost

thing would be to read the table and

understand it so right here if I read

the table I understand this is about a

hotel where uh they are talking about

one condition is City Bank card member

so if the person or the guest is holding

a City bank card membership and second

the type of room so of course they may

have a different grade of room so if

they say that they have combined two

conditions of core four combination 2

rais to n so 2 to two is four so we got

four combinations here and their

combinations are if you are a City bank

card member holding a silver room then

what should happen offer upgrade to Gold

luxury then yes and platinum what should

happen no and silver nothing no and

platinum nothing so they have given you

a scenario that user X that is guest X

is holding City bank card membership and

a silver room so if I have to just pick

up the scenario put it into the table

and I come to room rule one which meets

that particularly right so it's City

bank card member yes holding a silver

room rule one right what should happen

in rule one what is the output the gold

luxury upgrade should happen so I go to

the options AB BC D and check where a is

offer upgrade to go luxury right and

that's D which is very straightforward

but however we just want to make sure

with the second statement also the

second statement reads as user y non

City Bank member which which is Rule

three and rule four and holding a

platinum room which comes to rule four

and for rule four it says no and no for

both the actions which means do not

offer any upgrade so that makes it

pretty much clear the right answer here

is D and that's what you have to do in

the examination so table will be given

to you you will be asked about apply

these statements get to the right answer

or some sometimes they can even ask you

a question about the characteristics of

decision table that there are four

combination you know when you have two

conditions so they will say we already

got two test cases we need two more

which are the two more so you should

just quickly check that out of two true

true false false true and false false

which two they have already got and pick

up the other two keep it simple okay

let's take quickly another question from

here to just get better Clarity and be

more confident about answering it right

so the next question here is taking

another way it says given the following

decision table which is of course on the

right which of the following test cases

and expected result is valid that means

in the given options there are some

statements which are wrong and there's

only one statement which is right so in

this case even if you read the table or

don't read the table it doesn't make a

difference you have to pick the option

and put it in the table and find out

which one is right so let's start

picking up the option the option A says

23y old so let's go to the table 23

comes into rule two right Insurance

class is a yes because it says A or B

and premium is 90 that's true and the

axess is 2,500 makes sense that's

totally correct as for the table rule

two fits into that let's go to option b

51y old that comes to rule four

Insurance class is C yes that's true

premium is 100 no 70 that's it this is

what we have to do at this point of time

so 70 and the option is saying 100 which

is wrong so cut it let's go to C 31 year

old that is Rule three Insurance class

is B yes premium is 70 yes access is 25

00 no that's 500 so that's where again

it goes wrong so C is also wrong D 42y

old that is Rule three again premium

class is C yes uh sorry Insurance class

is C premium is 100 no that's 70 so

that's also wrong so I think that's the

most easiest technique what you would

even learn in order to apply however

when it comes to real time you create

the table yourself but when it comes to

the examination the table will be

provided to you the information will be

there with you you will just have to

apply the technique and get to the right

answer okay I hope that makes sense and

that's all from this particular tutorial

team should you have anything else feel

free to comment below I'm always there

to address your queries and answer them

well till then keep learning keep

exploring keep understanding the context

thanks for watching the video deam and

happy

[Music]

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