White Box Testing Techniques

White box testing techniques, also known as clear box testing techniques, are a set of testing techniques that focus on the internal workings of a software system. In these techniques, the tester has full knowledge of the internal structure and code of the system. White box testing techniques aim to ensure that the software is functioning correctly by testing the internal structure and logic of the software.

What do you verify in White Box Testing?

In white box testing, the tester verifies the following aspects of the software system:

1. Code coverage: White box testing verifies that all the code statements, branches, and paths are executed by the software system.
2. Control flow: White box testing checks that the control flow of the software system is correct, and all the conditional statements and loops are executed correctly.
3. Data flow: White box testing verifies that the data is flowing correctly between different components of the software system.

How do you perform White Box Testing?

To perform white box testing, the tester needs to have knowledge of the software system’s internal workings, including the source code, design, and architecture. The tester then creates test cases based on the internal structure and logic of the software system. The test cases are designed to test all the code statements, branches, and paths in the software system. The tester then executes the test cases and checks the results.

Example

An example of white box testing is testing a function that calculates the area of a rectangle. The tester would create test cases that check if the function is correctly calculating the area of the rectangle based on the input values of length and width. The tester would then execute the test cases and check if the calculated area is correct.

White Box Testing Techniques

There are several white box testing techniques that testers can use to ensure software quality. Some of the commonly used white box testing techniques are:

1. Statement coverage: This technique ensures that all the code statements are executed at least once.
2. Branch coverage: This technique ensures that all the branches in the code are executed at least once.
3. Path coverage: This technique ensures that all the paths in the code are executed at least once.

Types of White Box Testing

There are several types of white box testing, including:

1. Unit testing: Unit testing is the testing of individual code units or modules.
2. Integration testing: Integration testing is the testing of the integrated modules or components of the software system.
3. System testing: System testing is the testing of the complete software system.

Tools

There are several white box testing tools available that help testers perform white box testing more efficiently. Some of the commonly used white box testing tools are:

1. JUnit: JUnit is a testing framework for Java programming language that helps developers perform unit testing.
2. Selenium: Selenium is a testing tool that automates web browser testing.

Advantages of White Box Testing

The advantages of white box testing are:

1. Ensures complete code coverage.
2. Detects defects early in the software development process.
3. Helps in reducing the overall testing time.

Disadvantages of White Box Testing

The disadvantages of white box testing are:

1. Requires knowledge of the internal structure and code of the software system.
2. Can be time-consuming.
3. May not detect all defects.

Summary

White box testing is an essential testing technique that ensures software quality by testing the internal structure and logic of the software system. White box testing verifies code coverage, control flow, and data flow of the software system. There are several types of white box testing, including unit testing, integration testing, and system testing. White box testing tools such as JUnit and Selenium can help testers perform white box testing more efficiently. While white box testing has several advantages, it requires knowledge of the internal structure and code of the software

Get industry-leading software testing courses from eLearningsolutions Testing. Our expert-led courses provide hands-on experience and the latest techniques to help you master software testing. Enroll now and take the first step towards becoming a successful software tester.