White Box Testing in Software Testing: Types & Techniques

Every tester and developer builds an app that meets all predefined needs. Besides, they design apps that are easy and secure for the users. Therefore, they must run tests on the app for its high performance in the real world. So, in this blog, we will explain one of the testing processes- white box testing to help you get more insights.

Keep reading for more.

There are multiple testing methods in the market. Each type has a different purpose, and testing needs to be met. Therefore, the testers choose the best-suited testing types to match the testing requirements. White box testing in software testing helps the testers to get an in-depth knowledge of the software.

In other words, they get access to the app's source code to designs under white box testing. Moreover, it helps the app development team find and fix issues that other testing types failed to test. Besides, the team can evaluate the internal structure and execution details of the software.

They can test the app for its performance, security, and so on before it reaches the market. As a result, the team can build a secure and responsive app for the end users. In this article, we will explore more about white box testing through the following list of topics:

• What is white box testing?
• Features of white box testing
• Types of white box testing
• Advantages of white box testing
• Techniques of white box testing
• How to perform white box testing?

What is White Box Testing in Software Testing?

White box testing is a testing process in software testing that involves checking the internal structure and design of the code. The primary goal of this testing is to improve the software's usability, design, and security. Besides, the testers use the software's source code as a base to build different test cases.

Thus, they test the data structure, working details, and program design to enhance their software's overall performance. Since the testers build test cases for this test, they must know the software source and architecture. As a result, with this knowledge, they can create test cases and execute them to check the app's quality. Besides, the team verifies if the code performs as intended and meets all the needs.

Moreover, white box testing in software testing also ensures the software complies with the standards and regulations. Furthermore, this test also identifies and fixes bugs in the app. The developers, along with testers, run the white box testing since this test requires knowledge of the app's source code and internal working.

However, in some cases, QA specialists and testers conduct the test. Besides, the team performs white box testing along with black box testing. So, in short, white box testing in software testing allows the testing team to look deep into the internal design and implementation of the software.

Now, we will get more into white box testing through its features, types, and benefits. Let us start.

What are the Features of White Box Testing?

When running white box testing, the team can analyze the metrics. It allows the team to know how successful the output can be. Given below are the features of white box testing:

Source Code Accessibility:

With the help of white box testing in software engineering, you can access the software's source code. As a result, you can test and validate each module in the software.

Code Coverage Analysis:

It is a metric that analyzes the total execution of code during the testing process. As a result, white box testing in software testing assesses the code coverage and areas that missed testing.

Error Detection:

White box testing detects logical errors. Here, the logical mistakes involve loopholes in the code or incorrect statements.

Optimize Codes:

Developers and testers identify issues in the code and fix them to optimize the source code.

Security Testing:

White box test cases help spot security issues in the app and improve its performance.

You can access highly skilled developers and testers for white box testing. Appsierra is one of the leading QA companies with an experienced and talented development team. You can share your concerns and get the finest services for your app.

With that said, now we will learn more about the white box testing types in software testing.

What are the Types of White Box Testing?

Given below are the kinds of white box testing:

Unit Testing:

Unit testing involves testing a unit of the code separately. It ensures each component in the software works as intended. Besides, it helps the testers to meet the predefined design requirements.

Integration Testing:

This type of white box testing in software testing involves testing components as a group. In other words, the testers ensure each module, when interacted with, performs well in a group as much as it works independently.

Security Testing:

Application security testing ensures no vulnerabilities or weaknesses are present in the program code.

Path Testing:

Path testing is control flow testing that creates a graph based on the program's control structure. As a result, the graph offers different pathways that the testers test to check for any issues. Besides, this type of testing helps the testers to get an in-depth knowledge of the program's structures.

Loop Testing:

Loop testing is a type of white box testing in software testing. It checks the validity of loops in algorithms. Besides, this testing allows the testers to test for issues or vulnerabilities in the loop.

Conditional Testing:

Conditional testing is a white box testing that checks the logical statements of every value. The testers can verify the if and else conditions and see if they are true or false.

Mutation Testing:

Mutation Testing conduct tests by making modifications to the source code. As a result, it helps the testers to know if the test cases can find errors in the code. So, if the test case finds errors in the code, it means the mutant has survived. On the other hand, if it fails, it indicates the mutant got eliminated.

Penetration Testing:

Penetration Testing is a type of white box testing in software testing that allows the testers to have complete access to the app's source code, network, server, passwords, and maps. Besides, it enables the team to find security issues.

Testing for Memory Leaks:

As the name suggests, this test identifies memory leaks in the software. As a result, you can avoid the possibility of slow-running apps.

Data flow testing:

This type of testing involves tracking variables throughout the program. Here testers look for properly manipulated, used, and declared variables.

What are the Benefits of White Box Testing?

Given below are the advantages of white box testing:

Better Understanding of the System:

With the help of white box testing in software testing, the testers get access to the source code, internal design, and data structure of the app.

Increase Efficiency:

White box testing helps to spot hidden issues in the app that other testing processes in software testing went unnoticed. As a result, it helps increase the app's efficiency as it reaches the market.

Early Error Detection:

The testers and developers can identify and fix bugs in the software apps early.

Enhance Code Quality:

With early bug detection and a better understanding of the app, the developers and testers can enhance the code quality of the app.

Ensure Complete Coverage:

White box testing ensures testing the app from its source code to its design structure. As a result, it leaves no area left uncovered.

What are the Techniques of White Box Testing?

Here are the critical white box testing techniques:

Statement Coverage:

It is a technique that ensures that all statements in the app undergo testing at least once. As a result, the developers can identify dead code and fix incorrect conditional statements.

Decision Coverage:

This technique ensures testing each branch of each decision point at least once. Besides, it is a methodology of white box testing in software testing that reports true or false results of statements present in the source code.

Condition Coverage:

Condition coverage is a technique that involves assessing variables in the statement. As a result, the testers can ensure the accuracy of the output of each statement.

Path Coverage:

Path coverage ensures test coverage over the execution path throughout the program. As a result, each execution path will be functional and efficient.

Branch Coverage:

Branch coverage ensures each branch in the system undergoes testing at least once.

How to Perform White Box Testing?

We will simplify the white box testing in software testing into two phases:

Understand Test Code:

Understand and analyze the source code of the app. The testers and developers must have a detailed knowledge of the software's internal structure and working details before performing the white box testing. As a result, they can create appropriate test cases and ensure maximum test coverage.

Create and Implement Test Case:

Here, the testers carry out small test cases. With the best-suited white box testing tools, the testers ensure the code has proper flow and structure.

Conclusion

White box testing in software testing plays a crucial role in delivering high-quality software to end users. It enables the testers and developers to build multiple test cases to enhance the software quality. With Appsierra, you will get a highly skilled and experienced development team for your software product. So, connect with the team and get the finest services now.

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