ISTQB FOUNDATION 4.0 | Tutorial 31 | Boundary Value Analysis | Test Techniques | ISTQB Tutorials

Summary

This tutorial delves into the ISTQB Foundation Level certification, focusing on Chapter 4.2: Blackbox Test Techniques, specifically Boundary Value Analysis (BVA). It explains BVA as a technique that tests software inputs at boundary limits, where errors are more likely to occur. The tutorial covers the fundamentals of BVA, including two-point and three-point analysis, and provides formulas for identifying boundary values. It also discusses the importance of understanding requirements for effective BVA application and offers insights into how to approach sample exam questions related to BVA.

Takeaways

• 📘 The tutorial is focused on the ISTQB Foundation level certification, specifically Chapter 4 about Test Analysis and Design.
• 📝 The segment 4.2 discusses Blackbox Test Techniques, with a focus on Boundary Value Analysis (BVA).
• 🔍 BVA is similar to Equivalence Partitioning but emphasizes testing at the boundaries of defined ranges, where errors are more likely to occur.
• 📈 The technique is requirement-driven and necessitates detailed information about how classifications and partitions are created.
• 🌐 BVA tests strictly on the boundaries, assuming that developers might make mistakes in the boundary conditions of data validation.
• 🔢 An example illustrates testing the boundaries of a range, such as 18 to 30, by testing values just inside and outside this range (17, 18, 30, 31).
• 📉 BVA identifies valid boundary values (inside the valid range) and invalid boundary values (outside the valid range).
• 🔑 There are two types of BVA: two-point analysis, which tests two values on each boundary, and three-point analysis, which tests three values including the boundary itself.
• 📚 The tutorial provides formulas for quickly identifying boundary values without drawing tables: for two-point analysis (lb, lb-1, rb, rb+1) and for three-point analysis (lb, lb-1, lb+1, rb, rb-1, rb+1).
• 📝 The importance of understanding the difference between 'valid collection of boundary values' and 'valid boundary values' is highlighted, with the former including both valid and invalid values and the latter only valid ones.
• 📑 The script includes sample questions to demonstrate how BVA is applied in exam scenarios, emphasizing the need for careful reading and application of the technique.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this tutorial?

The main topic of this tutorial is the ISTQB Foundation Level certification, specifically focusing on Chapter 4, which discusses test analysis and design, and in particular, the boundary value analysis technique.

What is boundary value analysis in the context of software testing?

Boundary value analysis is a black-box testing technique that focuses on testing the boundaries of input ranges. It is based on the assumption that errors are more likely to occur at the boundaries of the input values.

How does boundary value analysis differ from equivalence partitioning?

While equivalence partitioning divides the input data into groups (partitions) and tests one value from each group, boundary value analysis tests values at the boundaries of these partitions. It focuses on the edges of the ranges rather than the ranges themselves.

What are the two types of boundary values mentioned in the script?

The two types of boundary values are valid boundary values, which are within the valid range, and invalid boundary values, which are outside the valid range.

What are the two types of boundary value analysis discussed in the script?

The two types of boundary value analysis discussed are two-point analysis and three-point analysis. Two-point analysis tests two values on each boundary, while three-point analysis tests three values on each boundary.

What is the purpose of using three-point analysis over two-point analysis?

Three-point analysis is used over two-point analysis when dealing with more critical scenarios or requirements to achieve better test coverage and confidence that the system correctly handles boundary conditions.

What are the shortcut formulas for identifying boundary values in two-point analysis?

In two-point analysis, the shortcut formulas for identifying boundary values are lb (lower boundary), lb - 1, rb (upper boundary), and rb + 1.

What are the shortcut formulas for identifying boundary values in three-point analysis?

In three-point analysis, the shortcut formulas for identifying boundary values are lb, lb - 1, lb + 1, rb, rb - 1, and rb + 1.

How many test cases are required for maximum coverage when applying three-point boundary value analysis to a field that accepts ages between 18 and 30 years inclusive?

When applying three-point boundary value analysis to a field with an age range of 18 to 30 years inclusive, a minimum of six test cases is required for maximum coverage.

What is the minimum number of test cases required if a shopping cart requires a minimum order quantity of five and offers a 10% discount for orders of 100 or more?

When applying two-point boundary value analysis to the given scenario, the minimum number of test cases required would be four, focusing on the boundaries of the order quantities (below 5, at 5, at 99, and at 100).

How can you combine equivalence partitioning (EP) with boundary value analysis (BVA) to create a set of valid test cases?

You can combine EP and BVA by first applying each technique independently to identify boundary and equivalence class values. Then, select only the valid values from both techniques to create a comprehensive set of test cases.