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.