Scribd
Upload
11 views18 pages

equivalence-partitioning

Equivalence partitioning is a software testing technique that divides input and output data into partitions to derive test cases, focusing on uncovering classes of errors rather than individual inputs. It is often used alongside boundary value analysis to enhance test coverage by including edge values of partitions. While it is primarily a black-box testing method, grey-box techniques can also be applied depending on the software's internal processing paths.

Uploaded by

aarthi gopinath
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views18 pages

equivalence-partitioning

Equivalence partitioning is a software testing technique that divides input and output data into partitions to derive test cases, focusing on uncovering classes of errors rather than individual inputs. It is often used alongside boundary value analysis to enhance test coverage by including edge values of partitions. While it is primarily a black-box testing method, grey-box techniques can also be applied depending on the software's internal processing paths.

Uploaded by

aarthi gopinath
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 18

Aidas Kasperavičius

IFM-0/2
 Equivalence partitioning is a software
testing technique that divides the input
and/or output data of a software unit into
partitions of data from which test cases
can be derived.
 The equivalence partitions are usually
derived from the requirements
specification for input attributes that
influence the processing of the test object.
 Testcases are designed to cover each
partition at least once.
 Equivalencepartitioning technique
uncovers classes of errors.

 Testinguncovers sets of inputs that


causes errors or failures, not just
individual inputs.
 Usually it is the input data that is
partitioned.
 However, depending on the software unit
to be tested, output data can be
partitioned as well.
 Each partition shall contain a set or range
of values, chosen such that all the values
can reasonably be expected to be treated
by the component in the same way (i.e.
they may be considered ‘equivalent’).
A number of items must be considered:
Allvalid input data for a given condition are likely
to go through the same process.
Invaliddata can go through various processes and
need to be evaluated more carefully. For example:
 a blank entry may be treated differently than an
incorrect entry,
 a value that is less than a range of values may be
treated differently than a value that is greater,
 if there is more than one error condition within a
particular function, one error may override the other,
which means the subordinate error does not get
tested unless the other value is valid.
 Example of a function which takes a
parameter “month”.
 The valid range for the month is 1 to
12, representing January to
December. This valid range is called
a partition.
 In this example there are two further
partitions of invalid
1 ≤ x ranges.
≤
x<1 12 < x
12
 Testcases are chosen so that each
partition would be tested.

-2 5 17

1≤x≤
x<1 12 < x
12
 Thetendency is to relate
equivalence partitioning to so called
black box testing.

 However grey box technique might


be applied as well.
 Depending upon the input the software
internally will run through different
paths to perform slightly different
actions according to the part of the
year.
 Therefore middle partition is divided
into two subpartitions.
-2 5 8 17

1≤x≤ 7≤x≤
x<1 12 < x
6 12
 Equivalence partitioning is not a stand
alone method to determine test cases.
It is usually supplemented by
boundary value analysis.

 Boundary value analysis focuses on


values on the edge of an equivalence
partition or at the smallest value on
either side of an edge.
 We use the same example as before.
 Test cases are supplemented with
boundary values.
1
-2 1 5 2 17
1 1
0 2
1 3
x<1 1 ≤ x ≤ 12 12 < x
Pros:
optimum test case size, therefore time-
saving;
uncovers a class of error, not just an
error with specific data input.

Cons:
possible mistakes when defining
partitions;
does not test all inputs.
Is equivalence partitioning
testing a black-box
method?
Equivalence partitioning
testing is usually
considered as black-box
method, however grey-box
technique can be applied
too.
How does boundary value
analysis supplement
equivalence partitioning?
Boundary value analysis
supplements equivalence
partitioning by adding
boundary value test cases.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivalence_partit
ioning
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Boundary_value_analysis
 http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/enterprise-
solutions/testing-via-equivalence-partitioning-
17116
 http://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/what-is-
boundary-value-analysis-and-equivalence-
partitioning/
 http://www.scribd.com/doc/49845951/6/
Equivalence-Partitioning

You might also like