ISTQB FOUNDATION 4.0 | Tutorial 19 | Test Types | White Box Testing | Black Box Testing | TM SQUARE

Summary

This tutorial delves into the ISTQB Foundation Level certification, focusing on Chapter 2.2.2 about test types, specifically white box and black box testing. It clarifies misconceptions, emphasizing that white box, a structure-based approach from the code level, and black box, a specification-based approach without code knowledge, are independent and can be applied at various testing levels. The video also dispels the myth of other 'colored box' testing methods, asserting that only white and black box testing are standardized, with each having its unique place in the QA community.

Takeaways

• 📚 The tutorial is about ISTQB Foundation Level certification, focusing on Chapter 2 which discusses testing throughout the SDLC, specifically on test levels and types.
• 🔍 The session clarifies the confusion around white box and black box testing, emphasizing that they are two independent approaches and not classifications within unit testing.
• 💡 White box testing is a structure-based approach that derives tests from the system's implementation, such as code, architecture, and workflows, aiming to cover the underlying structure adequately.
• 👨‍💻 White box testing is often used for unit testing and non-functional testing due to its efficiency in identifying and fixing bugs at the code level.
• 🔑 The main objective of white box testing is to ensure the test coverage of the system's internal structure reaches an acceptable level.
• 📦 Black box testing is a specification-based approach that derives tests from external documentation such as requirements, business models, and use cases.
• 🎯 The goal of black box testing is to verify the system's behavior against its specifications without knowledge of the internal code or architecture.
• 👥 Black box testing is typically conducted by testers who interact with the system's user interface, simulating user behavior and checking for expected outcomes.
• 🛠 Both white box and black box testing approaches are important and have their own place in the testing process, with different levels of efficiency and focus.
• 🔄 It is possible to apply both functional and non-functional test types at any test level, with different techniques used to derive test conditions and cases.
• 🚫 The tutorial refutes the existence of other 'colored box' testing methods beyond white and black, stating that these are merely internal naming conventions and not part of the standard testing methodologies.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this tutorial?

The main topic of this tutorial is the explanation of white box and black box testing as part of the ISTQB Foundation Level certification, focusing on their definitions, differences, and applications in different testing levels.

Why are people often confused about white box and black box testing?

People are often confused about white box and black box testing because they mistakenly believe there is a classification that unit testing is a type of white box testing or vice versa, while in reality, these are two independent approaches that can be used at any level of testing.

What is the primary objective of white box testing?

The primary objective of white box testing is to cover the underlying structure of the system by the tests to an acceptable level, which involves understanding the code, architecture, workflows, and data flows.

How does a tester approach system testing using the white box approach?

A tester using the white box approach for system testing would work at the code level, executing the code to see the desired output, which allows for faster identification and fixing of bugs.

What is the difference between white box and black box testing in terms of tester's knowledge?

White box testing requires the tester to have a good understanding of the code and internal structure of the system, while black box testing is conducted without knowledge of the backend code, focusing on the system's behavior against its specifications.

Why is white box testing mainly used for unit testing?

White box testing is mainly used for unit testing because it allows for efficient testing at the code level, where the tester can quickly execute code and identify deviations, making it suitable for testing the smallest pieces of code.

How does non-functional testing relate to white box testing?

Non-functional testing is often conducted using the white box testing approach because it focuses on the system's architecture and interactions rather than the user interface, making it a suitable method for this type of testing.

What is the main objective of black box testing?

The main objective of black box testing is to check the system's behavior against its specifications, which is based on external documentation such as requirements, business models, and use cases.

Can black box testing be applied at any testing level?

Yes, black box testing can be applied at any testing level, including unit testing, integration testing, and system testing, although it is more commonly used for system and acceptance testing.

What is the significance of understanding both white box and black box testing approaches?

Understanding both white box and black box testing approaches is significant because it allows testers to choose the most appropriate method for different testing scenarios, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the system's functionality and behavior.

Are there any other 'colors' of testing besides white and black box testing?

No, according to the standard, there are no other 'colors' of testing besides white and black box testing. Other terms like gray box, red box, blue box, and yellow box are internal naming conventions of different organizations and are not recognized in the standard.