Software Testing Techniques with Examples and Principles

Achieving optimal test results is important when we use software testing techniques without straying from the target. But how do you assure yourself that you are following the right testing strategy? To do so, you need to follow some basic testing principles.  Here are 7 common testing principles that are widely applied in the software industry. 

In this blog, we will discuss software testing tools, software testing material, software testing basics, and many more. To understand this, consider a scenario in which you are moving a file from folder A to folder B. Think about ways you can test this.

In addition to the common scenarios, you must also test the following conditions:

1. Try moving the file while it’s open
2. You do not have the security rights to paste the file into the B folder
3. Folder B is on a shared drive and its storage capacity is full
4. Directory B already has a file of the same name this list can be endless
5. Or suppose you have 15 input fields to test, each field has 5 possible values, the number of combinations that will be tested would be 5 ^ 15

Why modernizing software testing is critical for SAP S/4HANA?

If you want to check the overall project, the implementation time & cost will increase exponentially. We need certain principles and strategies to optimize testing.

7 Principles in Software Testing Techniques

Here are the 7 Principles of Software Testing Techniques:

1. Complete Testing is Impossible

Comprehensive testing is not possible. Instead, we need to optimize the number of tests based on the application’s risk assessment.

And the million-dollar question is, how do you determine this risk?

In your opinion, what action is likely to cause your operating system to fail?

I am sure most of you will guess, Open 10 different applications at once. So if you’re testing this OS, you’ll realize that errors can be found in multi-tasking operations. And need to test thoroughly, which takes us to the next rule.

2. Defect Clustering

Defect Clustering claims that a small number of modules contain most of the detected errors. This is the application of the Pareto principle for software testing: about 80% of the problems are found in 20% of modules. 

By experience, you can identify such risky modules. However, this method has its problems. If the same test is repeated several times, eventually the same test case will no longer find new errors. Effective software testing services are crucial for identifying and addressing these issues, ensuring comprehensive testing coverage, and discovery hidden defects.

3. The Pesticide Paradox

Repeated use of the same insecticide to kill insects during planting over time leads to insects developing insecticide resistance. Therefore, insecticides on insects will no longer be effective. The same thing applies to software testing. If the same set of repeated tests is performed, the method is useless to detect new defects. 

To overcome this, test cases need to be reviewed & revised regularly, adding new & different test cases to help find more defects. Testers cannot simply depend on existing testing techniques. They must look out constantly to improve existing methods to make testing more effective. But no matter how hard you try, you can never confirm your product is not at fault.

4. Test to Prove the Presence of the Error

This testing principle says – Testing is about the presence of defects and not about the absence of defects. That is, software testing tools reduce the probability of errors that have not been detected in the software but even if no errors are found, it is not proof of accuracy. But if you work harder, take all precautions and make your software product 99% error-free and the software does not meet the needs and requirements of customers. This leads us to the next principle.

5. Misconceptions About “error-free”

Maybe the software without the 99% error is still unusable. This may be the case if the system is thoroughly tested for incorrect requirements. Software testing techniques are not just about finding defects, but also to check if the software meets the business needs. 

The absence of an error is a mistake, ie, finding and fixing bugs will not help if the system construction is unusable and does not meet the needs & requirements of the user. To solve this problem, the next test principle was specified.

6. Test as Soon As Possible

Testing should start as soon as possible in the software development life cycle. Therefore, any defect in the requirements or design phase is captured in the early stages. It is much less expensive to fix a defect in the early stages of testing. But how soon should we start testing? You should start looking for errors as soon as the request is determined.

7. Testing Depends on the Context

Testing depends on the context, it means that the way you test e-commerce websites will be different from the way you test COTS. All software is not developed the same. You can use a different approach, method, technique, and type of test depending on the type of application. 

As an example of testing, any retail POS system will be different from ATM testing. Hence, these are the 7 basic software testing techniques principles that you should absolutely know as a software tester. Feel there is something missing? Add it to the comments below and we will get back to you ASAP!

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