Strategies to prepare test cases for software testing

Introduction:

A test strategy is a plan or guidelines for testing an application or system. It outlines the overall approach to testing, including the types of testing that will be performed (e.g. unit testing, integration testing, acceptance testing), the resources that will be used (e.g. tools, test data, test environments), and the responsibilities of the testing team. The goal of a test strategy is to ensure that the application or system is thoroughly tested and meets the required quality standards before it is released.

The test strategy should be developed in the planning phase of the software development life cycle and should be aligned with the overall project goals and objectives. It should also consider the risks and challenges associated with the project, as well as the available resources and time constraints.

A well-defined test strategy can help to ensure that the testing process is efficient and effective, and that the end product meets the expectations of the stakeholders. It can also help to identify potential issues and defects early in the development process, which can save time and resources in the long run.

Type of Test case preparation/Identification Strategies :

Boundary value analysis:

Boundary value analysis is a technique for testing the input values that are at the edges of the input domain. It involves testing the minimum and maximum values that a field is expected to accept, as well as values just above and below these boundaries.

For example, if a field is expected to accept values between 0 and 100, you would test the minimum and maximum values (0 and 100) as well as values just above and below these boundaries (e.g. -1, 101). By testing these "boundary" values, you can identify any issues or defects that may occur when the input values are at the edges of the acceptable range.

Boundary value analysis is useful for identifying defects that may not be detected by other testing methods, as it targets the values that are most likely to cause problems. It is particularly effective for testing fields that have a limited range of acceptable values, such as numerical fields with upper and lower bounds.

Equivalence partitioning:

Equivalence partitioning is a technique for dividing the input domain of a system into "equivalence classes," or groups of input values that are expected to behave in the same way. The goal is to test a representative sample of input values rather than every possible input value.

For example, if a field is expected to accept only positive integers, you would create an equivalence class for positive integers and another for negative and non-integer values. You would then select a representative sample of input values from each equivalence class and test them to ensure that the system is handling the values correctly.

Equivalence partitioning can help to reduce the number of test cases that need to be developed, as it allows you to test a smaller subset of input values rather than every possible input value. It is particularly effective for testing fields that have a large range of acceptable values or that can accept multiple types of input.

Decision table testing:

Decision table testing is a technique for testing systems that have multiple inputs and multiple possible outputs. It involves creating a table that lists all possible combinations of input values and the expected output for each combination.

For example, consider a system that has two inputs: A and B. Input A can be either "Yes" or "No," and input B can be either "True" or "False." The system has four possible output values: "X," "Y," "Z," and "W." A decision table might look like this:

A B Output

Yes True X

Yes False Y

No True Z

No False W

To test the system using this decision table, you would input each combination of values for A and B and verify that the correct output is produced. Decision table testing is useful for thoroughly testing systems with complex logic or multiple conditions, as it allows you to test all possible combinations of input values.

Exploratory testing:

Exploratory testing is a technique for trying out different input values and observing the system's behaviour in an unstructured way. It involves testing the system in an exploratory manner, rather than following a predetermined plan or script.

Exploratory testing can be useful for discovering unexpected behaviours or edge cases that may not have been anticipated in the planning phase. It can also be a useful way to familiarise yourself with a new system or application, as it allows you to learn about its features and capabilities in an interactive way.

Exploratory testing is typically less formal and structured than other types of testing, and it may not follow a predetermined set of test cases. However, it is still important to document the testing process and record any issues or defects that are discovered.

Exploratory testing can be an effective complement to more structured testing methods, as it allows you to test the system in a flexible and adaptable way. It is particularly useful for testing systems that are still in development and may not yet have a well-defined set of requirements.

It's also a good idea to test for error handling, security, and performance.