Software Engineering (2160701)

BE | Semester-6   Summer-2019 | 10-05-2019

Q5) (C)

Explain White Box Testing with an Example

·       Also known as structural testing

·       White Box Testing is a software testing method in which the internal structure/design/implementation of the module being tested is known to the tester

·       Focus is on ensuring that even abnormal invocations are handled gracefully

·       Using white-box testing methods, you can derive test cases that

o   Guarantee that all independent paths within a module have been exercised at least once

o   Exercise all logical decisions on their true and false sides

o   Execute all loops at their boundaries

o   Exercise internal data structures to ensure their validity

·       It is applicable to the following levels of software testing

o   Unit Testing: For testing paths within a unit

o   Integration Testing: For testing paths between units

o   System Testing: For testing paths between subsystems

Advantages

·       Testing can be commenced at an earlier stage as one need not wait for the GUI to be available.

·       Testing is more thorough, with the possibility of covering most paths

Disadvantages

·       Since tests can be very complex, highly skilled resources are required, with thorough knowledge of programming and implementation

·       Test script maintenance can be a burden, if the implementation changes too frequently

·       Since this method of testing is closely tied with the application being testing, tools to cater to every kind of implementation/platform may not be readily available