Menu

Pesticide Paradox in Software Testing

Pesticide Paradox in Software Testing

The Pesticide Paradox states that repeating the same tests repeatedly reduces their effectiveness over time, analogous to pests developing pesticide resistance.

  • The system becomes “immune” to repetitive tests
  • Only surface-level defects are caught initially
  • New/deeper defects remain undetected
  • Creates false confidence in software quality

 

Pesticide Paradox

Example

Testing a login feature with fixed credentials (e.g., “user123/password123”) might initially find validation errors.
After fixes, the same tests miss new vulnerabilities like SQL injection or session hijacking.

Overcoming the Paradox

  1. Update test cases regularly
  2. Combine testing techniques (boundary analysis, exploratory testing)
  3. Use automated fuzz testing with randomized inputs
  4. Shift focus between functional and non-functional testing
  5. Prune obsolete tests and prioritize high-risk areas

Significance

Recognized as one of ISTQB’s 7 core testing principles, it emphasizes the need for:
🔄 Continuous test suite evolution
🎯 Risk-aware prioritization
🔍 Adaptive testing strategies

Related Posts

Quality Assurance Audit

A Quality Assurance Audit( QA Audit ) is a systematic and comprehensive examination of an organization’s processes, procedures, and systems to ensure they conform to established

AI and Machine Learning in Testing

AI and Machine Learning in Testing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming software testing by introducing predictive capabilities and smarter test automation tools. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns, helping testers anticipate potential issues before they occur. Predictive Analytics in Testing Predictive analytics uses historical data and […]

Types of Compatibility Testing

Types of Compatibility Testing Compatibility Testing can be broadly classified into: Hardware Software Network Hardware Compatibility Testing Hardware compatibility testing ensures that the software works smoothly with different hardware configurations. This type of testing covers components such as: Processors (Intel, AMD) Graphics Cards (NVIDIA, AMD) Peripherals (Printers, Scanners, USB Devices) Hardware variations can significantly impact […]