Most teams perform black-box testing without even knowing it. This article covers the black-box testing techniques that you can use to perform testing on your application, how to automate it for continuous delivery, and what tools are available in the community to help you accomplish this.
What is Black Box Testing?
Black Box Testing is a software testing process that tests the functionality and operability of the software. Black Box Testing is used to test all high-level external features of the software. Specific software testing criteria are established before beginning Black Box testing, which includes both positive and negative testing procedures.
For example, the functional requirements of the software can be tested. Operability testing is also used in this process, which tests if the software works according to a user’s manual. Black Box tests the software from a user’s perspective, meaning that it executes externally from an end-user perspective.
What are the basic steps involved in Black Box Testing?
The steps involved in Black Box Testing are listed below:
a) Planning: Establishing the software testing criteria (Test Strategy) by defining the Black Box Test strategy takes into account both positive and negative testing conditions.
b) Designing test cases (Test Design) by determining the methods described earlier of Equivalence Partitioning and Boundary Value Analysis.
c) Executing tests (Test Execution) includes choosing test data and executing tests.
d) Analyzing results (Test Results) in order to identify bugs and document the defect status of the software under testing.
e) Reporting defects (Defect Reporting) including an overall summary of the software testing results.
f) Defect Tracking (Defect Tracking) is done by assigning new defects to the software testing team and monitoring their status.
g) Closing defects after verification by developers (Defect Closure).
h) Test case revision if any discrepancies exist then modify the test case.
What are the methods used during Black Box Testing?
There are three methods used in Black Box Testing :
a) Equivalence Partitioning
b) Boundary Value Analysis
c) Decision Table Testing
What is Equivalence Partitioning?
Equivalence partitioning classifies the input data into equivalence classes.
It divides the test data into class minimum and maximum values, which are then used to design test cases.
Testing is done by choosing test data randomly from the equivalence classes.
It reduces software testing efforts, as each case is tested only once no matter how many times it is executed, and helps in designing test cases by reducing the number of input variables.
What is Boundary Value Analysis?
Boundary Value Analysis is a testing method used in Black Box Testing. It tests the software at boundaries or limits of acceptable values.
Boundary value analysis helps testers to determine the correct behavior of the software at boundaries or limits.
What is a Boundary Value?
A boundary value is an input data value that is a member of an equivalence class.
For example, the following values are boundary values :
– Minimum and Maximum of a given range
– Minimum and Maximum of a given set of values
– Most significant bit in the binary number system
What is Decision Table Testing?
Decision table testing is a Black Box Testing method used to identify and test all possible scenarios.
It defines test conditions and expected outcomes, which are then used for testing the software.
Decision table testing focuses on design, coverage, and complexity.
In decision table testing, an input variable is applied to the software and each one of them is tested with all possible input variables.
What are the different types of Black Box Testing?
There are four types of Black Box Testing :
a) Functional
b) Structural
c) Non-Functional
d) Regression
What is Functional Black Box Testing?
Functional testing is the process of testing whether the individual software elements are working correctly or not.
Functional testing is done to make sure that all functional requirements of the software requirements specification (SRS) are met.
What is Structural Black Box Testing?
Structural testing provides an overall examination of the software under test, such as error detection and recovery strategies, the internal structure of modules etc.
Structural testing is done to make sure that the software meets the design specifications and is of high quality.
What is Non-Functional Black Box Testing?
Non-functional testing is a type of black-box testing that examines a software’s non-functional requirements.
These can include :
– Performance
– Security
– Efficiency (CPU usage, memory usage etc.)
– Reliability (fault tolerance, recoverability)
What is Black-Box Regression Testing?
Regression testing involves retesting an application after modifications to ensure that defects have not been introduced or uncovered in the updated version.
It is the process of executing a subset of functional and non-functional test cases that have already been executed, to ensure that no bugs have been unintentionally introduced into the software.
Black-box regression testing is used to check if any changes have occurred that affect the functionality of previously developed and tested software.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Black Box Testing?
The advantages of Black Box Testing are that it :
– gives an unbiased view of the software without any prior knowledge, thus producing more accurate results
– helps in testing the software thoroughly and ensures completeness of testing.
Some disadvantages present in Black Box Testing are listed below:
– The tester does not have full knowledge of the software’s internal workings, which may lead to less accurate results
– Tester requires a lot of time and effort
– May miss some known bugs, as the tester chooses test data at random.
What is an example of a Black Box Test?
An example of Black Box Testing is inputting an invalid value into a text field and checking if it displays an error message.
If the invalid value has not been caught in the validation process then the Black Box Testing will fail.
What tools are used for Black Box Testing?
The tools used for black-box testing vary depending on the type of testing being performed.
Some of the most common tools used are :
– Microsoft Test Manager (MTM) for managing Test Cases
– Selenium for GUI automation
When should Black Box Testing be executed?
Black Box Testing should be executed at all stages of the software development life cycle.
It is useful for end-to-end testing as it tests software in its final stage.
It is done when the program specifications are available and the stability of the product under test is known.
What is the difference between black-box software testing and white-box software testing?
White-box testing is a method of testing software that tests internal structures or workings of an application. This is in contrast to black-box testing, which tests the functionality of an application without consideration for its implementation (glass box testing).
What are Basic Black Box Testing terminologies?
The following are the basic Black Box Testing terminologies:
a) Test Case: A test case is a set of conditions or variables under which the software is tested to validate the pre-defined requirements. A test case is prepared to execute a particular test on the software.
The objective of a test case is to validate that the individual components of the software are working as expected. It has a set of input data and an expected result. This expected result is compared with the actual result and if there is a difference, then it leads to fail of the test case.
b) Test Data: It is input data or a set of variables given to the software for which the test case is designed.
c) Basis Path: Basis path refers to a set of conditions or variables that are tested by the test case.
d) Test Script: A test script is a set of steps to be followed during testing.
e) Test Harness: A test harness is a program that is used to connect and exercise the software under testing, as well as its required components.
f) Test Result: The test result is an output of testing or the outcome after applying the test data to the software under testing.
g) Test Execution: The process of performing the test cases is called as test execution.
h) Expected Result: The expected result is the desired or correct output, which is to be compared with actual results during testing.
i) Actual Result: It is the result that will be obtained after applying the test data to the software.
j) Regression: It is repeated testing of modified or altered components of the software to ensure that the changes have not affected other features.
Black Box Testing Techniques Conclusion
Black Box Testing is a testing technique for validating the functional requirements of software without prior knowledge about its internal workings.
It provides an overall examination of the software.
The basic steps involved during Black Box testing are planning and requirement gathering, test case design and execution, fault detection and recovery strategies, or the internal structure of modules.
How can The Simple QA enhance your Testing Efforts?
The Simple QA is a software consulting firm that offers Black Box Testing services, and we specialize in:
– Functional Testing
– Application Security and Penetration Testing
– Cloud Migration and Deployments
– Helping Organizations Transition from Waterfall to Agile/Scrum Methodologies
Our experience has helped us develop best practices in:
– Utilizing Automation Tools and Continuous Integration Strategies to Improve the Quality and Efficiency of testing efforts
– Managing the entire SDLC including Development, QA, and Operations
– Software Quality Assurance vs. Testing
– Defining Test Cases
– Sanity testing vs. Smoke testing
– Test Case Management and how to get the most out of your QA team.
Contact The Simple QA today for more information!