White Box Testing
White Box Testing
In this tutorial, we will learn about Whitebox testing. White box testing is a software testing method that examines an application or system’s internal structure, source code, program logic, and internal workings.
Definition
Whitebox testing is a software testing method that involves examining the internal structure, logic, and implementation of an application. In this approach, testers have access to the source code and other implementation details.
The method is named white box because it involves examining the internal structure and workings of the software. It symbolizes the visibility of the internal components, allowing testers to understand how the code operates, how data flows, and how different parts interact.
Intension
The main intention of white box testing is to assess the internal logic, structure, and functioning of a software application. It identifies internal code logical errors of the application.
Objectives
The main objectives of are as follows:
- Code Coverage: Ensuring that all code paths are tested, including branches, loops, and conditions.
- Logic Verification: Confirm that the logic within the code operates as intended.
- Error Detection: Identifying logical errors or bugs that may not be evident through black box testing.
- Security Testing: Examining the code for vulnerabilities and potential security flaws.
- Performance Optimization: Analyzing code to improve efficiency and performance.
Other names
The other names are as follows:
- Glass box testing
- Clear box testing
- Open box testing
- Path driven testing
- Logic driven testing
- Structural testing
White Box testing is based on an application’s inner workings. In most organizations, developers or testers with programming knowledge usually perform this type of testing. The tester can access the software application’s source code and knows its internal workings.
The tester uses this knowledge to design white box test cases that will exercise specific paths or conditions within the code to ensure it functions as intended.
- JUnit
- Google test
- EclEmma
White Box Testing Techniques
- Statement Coverage
- Branch Coverage
- Path Coverage
- Condition Coverage
- Multiple Condition Coverage
- Decision Coverage
- Control Flow Testing
- Data Flow Testing
Advantages of White Box Testing:
Some advantages of white box testing are as follows:
- As the knowledge of internal coding structure is prerequisite, it becomes very easy to find out which type of input/data can help in testing the application effectively.
- White box testing helps in optimizing the code.
- Reveal errors in “hidden” code.
- It helps in removing the extra lines of code, which can bring in hidden defects.
- Spots the dead code or other code issues.
Disadvantages of White Box Testing
Some disadvantages of White box testing are as follows:
- White box testing is expensive as one must spend time and money to perform it. As knowledge of code and internal structure is a prerequisite, a skilled tester is needed to carry out this type of testing which increases the cost.
- It is nearly impossible to look into every bit of code to find hidden errors, which may create problems, failing the application. The testing team should have in-depth knowledge of the programming language necessary for white box testing.
White box testing helps detect defects such as coding errors, logical errors, and security vulnerabilities that other testing techniques may miss.
Video Tutorial
Software Testing Tutorials:
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