Chapter 7. Testing the Software with X-Ray Glasses

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Dynamic White-Box Testing

• Dynamic White-Box Testing Versus Debugging

• Testing the Pieces

• Data Coverage

• Code Coverage

So far in Part II, "Testing Fundamentals," you've learned about three of the four fundamental testing techniques: static black box (testing the specification), dynamic black box (testing the software), and static white box (examining the code). In this chapter, you'll learn the fourth fundamental techniquedynamic white-box testing. You'll look into the software "box" with your X-ray glasses as you test the software.

In addition to your X-ray specs, you'll also need to wear your programmer's hatif you have one. If you don't own one, don't be scared off. The examples used aren't that complex and if you take your time, you'll be able to follow them. Gaining even a small grasp of this type of testing will make you a much more effective black-box tester.

If you do have some programming experience, consider this chapter an introduction to a very wide-open testing field. Many software companies are hiring testers specifically to perform low-level testing of their software. They're looking for people with both programming and testing skills, which is often a rare mix and highly sought after.

Highlights from this chapter include

• What dynamic white-box testing is

• The difference between debugging and dynamic white-box testing

• What unit and integration testing are

• How to test low-level functions

• The data areas that need to be tested at a low level

• How to force a program to operate a certain way

• What different methods you can use to measure the thoroughness of your testing