ISTQB FOUNDATION 4.0 | Tutorial 36 | Value of White Box Test Techniques | CTFL Tutorials | TM SQUARE

Summary

This tutorial delves into the value of white box testing techniques at the ISTQB Foundation level. It clarifies misconceptions that white box testing is limited to unit testing, emphasizing its broader application in non-functional testing like performance, security, and API tests. The tutorial highlights the strength of white box testing in detecting defects when software specifications are outdated or incomplete, and its dependency on code understanding. It also discusses the technique's limitations and its role in static testing, advocating for a blend of black box and white box testing for comprehensive code coverage and confidence.

Takeaways

• 📚 White box testing techniques are valuable for overall project testing success, not just limited to unit testing or development.
• 🔍 They are particularly useful when software specifications are outdated or incomplete, allowing for defect detection despite unclear requirements.
• 👨‍💻 White box testing is dependent on code and requires programming knowledge for effective application.
• 🚫 A weakness is that if software lacks implementation of certain requirements, white box testing may fail to detect the resulting defects.
• 🔄 White box testing can be applied to non-functional tests such as performance, security, and API tests, in addition to functional testing.
• 🔄 It is also applicable in areas like interoperability, portability, and recoverability, expanding its scope beyond basic testing.
• 📈 White box coverage measures provide an objective way to assess code coverage, aiding in generating additional tests to increase confidence.
• 🔄 White box testing complements black box testing, offering a blend of behavior and structural coverage for comprehensive testing.
• 📝 It is used in static testing, suitable for reviewing code before execution, pseudo codes, and high-level logic that can be modeled with control flow graphs.
• 🤖 Black box testing is more concept-driven and lacks the precision of white box testing in terms of statement and decision coverage.
• 🌟 The tutorial emphasizes the importance of understanding both white box and black box testing to maximize the value they add to the testing process.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this tutorial?

The main topic of this tutorial is white box test techniques, specifically their value and application in the context of ISTQB Foundation level certification.

Why are white box test techniques important for non-technical tests like performance, security, and API tests?

White box test techniques are important for non-technical tests because they allow for a deeper analysis of the software's internal workings, which is crucial for identifying issues in areas like performance, security, and API functionality.

What is one of the fundamental strengths of white box testing mentioned in the script?

One of the fundamental strengths of white box testing is that it takes the entire software implementation into account during testing, facilitating defect detection even when the software specification is outdated or incomplete.

How can white box testing be beneficial when software requirements are unclear or incomplete?

White box testing can be beneficial in such cases because it allows testers to execute required test cases based on the software's code, rather than relying solely on the possibly unclear or incomplete requirements.

What is a potential weakness of white box testing when the software does not implement one or more requirements?

A potential weakness is that white box testing may not detect the resulting defects of omissions if the software does not implement one or more requirements, as it is dependent on the existing code.

How does white box testing relate to static testing?

White box testing can be used in static testing, where it is applied to review code that is not yet ready for execution, as well as pseudo codes and high-level logic that can be modeled with a control flow graph.

Why is it necessary to combine black box and white box testing for optimal coverage?

Combining black box and white box testing is necessary to achieve optimal coverage because black box testing provides a measure of the software's behavior, while white box testing offers insights into the software's structure, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation.

What does white box coverage measure provide that black box testing does not?

White box coverage measures provide an objective measurement of coverage, allowing for the generation of additional tests to increase coverage and subsequently increase confidence in the code, which is not possible with black box testing alone.

How does white box testing differ from black box testing in terms of precision and accuracy?

White box testing is more precise and accurate in terms of covering statements and decisions within the code, providing a higher level of confidence compared to black box testing, which is more concept-driven and less precise in measuring coverage.

What is the tutorial's stance on the importance of white box testing compared to black box testing?

The tutorial emphasizes that white box testing is not more important than black box testing, but rather that it can equally add significant value when testing a system, suggesting a balanced approach to both testing methodologies.

What is the final message from the tutorial team to the viewers?

The final message from the tutorial team is to encourage viewers to keep learning, exploring, and understanding the context of software testing, and to feel free to comment with any queries for further assistance.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Value and Scope of White Box Testing Techniques

This paragraph introduces the topic of white box testing techniques within the context of ISTQB Foundation level certification, focusing on chapter 4 about test analysis and design. The speaker clarifies that white box testing is not limited to unit testing but also plays a crucial role in non-functional testing areas such as performance, security, and API tests. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of white box testing when software specifications are outdated or incomplete, highlighting its strength in defect detection. It also points out the dependency of white box testing on the code and the potential limitation when functionalities are not yet implemented. The speaker mentions the application of white box testing in static testing, including dry runs of code and reviewing pseudo codes, and the importance of combining white box with black box testing for comprehensive coverage.

05:02

📏 Precision and Limitations of White Box Testing

The second paragraph delves deeper into the precision of white box testing, contrasting it with black box testing. It explains that while black box testing is more concept-driven and may lack precise coverage measurement, white box testing can provide accurate coverage of statements and decisions, thus increasing confidence in the testing process. The speaker also discusses the limitations of black box testing in terms of not providing a measure of actual code coverage and the need to blend both testing approaches for optimal results. The paragraph concludes with an invitation for viewers to engage with the content by asking questions and a motivational note to continue learning and exploring.

Keywords

💡ISTQB Foundation Level Certification

ISTQB Foundation Level Certification is an entry-level qualification for software testers, which provides a basic understanding of software testing principles and practices. In the video, this certification serves as the context for discussing test analysis and design, emphasizing its importance in the field of software testing.

💡Test Analysis and Design

Test Analysis and Design refers to the process of examining and planning tests to ensure software quality. The video focuses on this concept as part of the ISTQB certification curriculum, highlighting its significance in the overall testing process.

💡White Box Testing Techniques

White Box Testing Techniques are methods used by testers to examine the internal workings of a software application. The video discusses the value of these techniques, noting they are not limited to unit testing but also applicable to non-functional tests such as performance and security.

💡Value

In the context of the video, 'value' refers to the benefits or significance of white box testing techniques in contributing to the success of a project. The script explains how these techniques can be beneficial, especially when software specifications are outdated or incomplete.

💡Non-technical Tests

Non-technical tests are assessments that focus on aspects of software other than its functionality, such as performance, security, and usability. The video mentions that white box testing techniques are applicable to these types of tests, expanding their utility beyond traditional unit testing.

💡API Tests

API (Application Programming Interface) tests are a type of non-functional testing that verifies the functionality and reliability of software interfaces. The script indicates that white box testing techniques are used in API testing, showcasing their versatility.

💡Interoperability

Interoperability is the ability of different systems or components to work together. The video script suggests that white box testing techniques can be applied to ensure that software components are interoperable, which is crucial for system integration.

💡Portability

Portability refers to the ease with which software can be transferred and run on different systems or platforms. The script implies that white box testing can help assess and improve the portability of software applications.

💡Recoverability

Recoverability is the ability of a system to return to its normal operation after a failure. The video script briefly mentions that white box testing can be used to test the recoverability of software, ensuring it can handle and recover from errors.

💡Static Testing

Static Testing is the process of examining software without executing it, such as code reviews or analyzing pseudocode. The video explains that white box testing techniques are used in static testing to review code and identify potential issues before execution.

💡Code Coverage

Code Coverage is a measure of how much of the software's code has been tested. The script discusses the importance of white box testing in achieving high code coverage, providing a more objective measure of testing effectiveness compared to black box testing.

💡Black Box Testing

Black Box Testing is a testing approach where the tester focuses on the software's functionality without considering its internal structure. The video contrasts this with white box testing, emphasizing the need for a combination of both approaches for comprehensive testing.

Highlights

Introduction to Chapter 4 on test analysis and design in ISTQB Foundation level certification.

Exploring the value of white box test techniques in contributing to the success of overall project testing.

Dispelling the myth that white box testing is limited to unit testing and development.

White box testing's applicability in non-technical tests such as performance, security, and API tests.

The potential of white box testing in areas like interoperability, portability, and recoverability.

White box testing's fundamental strength in considering the entire software implementation for defect detection.

The advantage of white box testing when software specifications are outdated or incomplete.

Weakness of white box testing when software does not implement one or more requirements.

Dependency of white box testing on code and the tester's programming knowledge.

White box testing techniques' utility in static testing, including dry runs and reviewing pseudocode.

The limitation of black box testing in providing a measure of actual code coverage.

Combining black box and white box testing for comprehensive code coverage.

White box coverage measures providing objective information for generating additional tests.

The precision of white box testing in covering statements and decisions for increased confidence.

The importance of not discriminating between white box and black box testing, as both add value.

Encouragement to keep learning, exploring, and understanding the context of testing techniques.

Transcripts

Hello friends and greetings for the day

welcome back to another tutorial on

istqb Foundation level certification we

are in chapter 4 talking about test

analysis and design and continuing ahead

with our same segment that is 4.3 white

box test techniques and as a part of

this tutorial today which is a pretty

short tutorial we'll be talking about

what is the value of white box test

techniques

as a part of this particular tutorial

we'll be trying to understand how white

box testing techniques can contribute to

the major success of the overall project

testing however most of us get under

that impression and illusion that white

box test techniques are only limited to

unit testing or to the development part

which is of course unit testing

altogether but when it comes to the

non-technical tests or nonfunctional

testing we certainly have a lot of level

like performance security and and many

other API tests which are being

conducted we certainly look forward to

have a lot of white block testing being

conducted indeed not only that if we

jump on to M multiple other things like

interoperability the portability

recoverability and so on we will have a

lot of scope of white box test

techniques to be applied indeed there

are many other techniques but at this

point we just want to keep it as a

context because uh this is more at the

blackbox level of testing certification

so we will just give you quick outset of

what exactly white box testing value can

be which can be added further to the

overall industry practices so to talk

about this of course we are talking

about the value of white box testing and

the very first point to talk here is to

talk about it is one of the fundamental

strength of the white box test technique

is that the entire software

implementation is taken into account

during testing which facilitates the

defect detection even when the software

specification is Wake outdated or

incomplete the most important benefit of

having white box testing techniques in

place is that when your requirements are

not clear or incomplete or not so

detailed that the blackbox test

techniques can be applied then white box

testing can really help us to do the

required test cases execution at the

same time these are generally applicable

when the requirements are not up to the

mark however on the at the same time we

cannot ignore the weaknesses of this

particular category and we say that a

corresponding weakness is that if the

software does not Implement one or more

requirements white box testing may not

detect the resulting defects of

omissions so it's more of like if the

functional functionalities are not yet

implemented then it might be very

difficult to find a particular defect

related to that so in a nutshell all it

means that white box test techniques are

dependent on code so given that you have

a PR programming knowledge you have some

fundamental understanding of what is

code you can go ahead and apply these

techniques and this will be very useful

when the requirements are not detailed

but at the same time if requirements are

not detailed and the implementation has

not yet taken place or some of the

functionalities are yet to be

implemented then white box testing

techniques can be a limitation further

to add here of course white box test

techniques can be used in static testing

which we have covered in entire chapter

3 and here which is a approach uh it is

used as a part of the approaches like

dry runs of the code and they they are

well suited to reviewing the code that

is not yet ready for execution as well

as pseudo codes and other high level are

top down logic which can be modeled with

a control flow graph so however we got

an Insight already with help of our

techniques that it does need a pictorial

representation of what we have been

doing in order to derive the number of

test cases so it will certainly make use

of this and static testing is more about

statically reviewing the work products

so the work product can be a code can be

a algorithm can be a flowchart so it

would be very useful to derive minimum

number of test cases to do these

executions or perform the static testing

of the code itself also to add here

performing only blackbox testing does

not provide a measure of actual code

coverage which means the blackbox

testing would be just limited from the

behavior point of view but not the

structural point of view so however we

need to do a top up of or blend off the

black box and white box together so that

we can have the best coverage possible

on a given functionality from the

behavior as well as from the technical

side of it also to add white box

coverage measures provide an objective

measurement of coverage and provide the

necessary information to allow

additional test to be generated to

increase this coverage and subsequently

increase confidence in the code so

blackbox sing is More Concept driven so

if you see there are conditions and we

limit in such a way that we cannot be

very very precise that what percentage

of coverage we have achieved however for

example equivalence partition we can

take one test per partition but we do

understand at an outset that something

is still not giving us that level of

confidence but when it comes to white

box it's very precise very accurate in

terms of covering the statements and

decisions so we can be very much

confident compared to that of the

blackbox however this is not to

discriminate that white box testing is

more important than black boox testing

it is just to let people know that white

box can equally add a lot of value when

it comes to testing a system so keeping

it short and to the point 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 understand the context

thanks for watching the video team and

happy

learning

[Music]