Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing

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Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing

In this article, I am going to discuss Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing. Please read our previous article where we discussed Test Cases in Software Testing. At the end of this article, you will understand the following important pointers which are related to Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing.

1. What are Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing?
2. What is the Purpose of Error Guessing?
3. How to Apply the Error Guessing Technique in Software Testing?
4. What is the Application of the Error Guessing Technique?
5. What are the Factors Used in Error Guessing?
6. Example of Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing
7. Some Common Areas of Error Guessing Techniques in Testing
8. What are the Advantages of Error Guessing?
9. What are the Disadvantages of Error Guessing?

What are Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing?

Error guessing is a technique used in software testing where expertise and aptitude are key factors. Here, potential problems and flaws are conjectured in places where formal testing would be ineffective. Because it lacks a formal testing methodology, it is also known as experience-based testing. Even though this kind of testing is not official, it is nonetheless important because it sometimes resolves a great deal of unresolved problems.

The methods, procedures, or techniques for creating test cases that must be used by each test engineer to provide the greatest amount of test coverage. It would become process-oriented rather than person-oriented if we used the test case design technique. The test case design technique makes sure that all potential values, positive and negative, are necessary for testing.

There are three different test case design strategies used in software testing, and they are as follows:

• Error Guessing
• Equivalence Partitioning
• Boundary Value Analysis [BVA]

What is the Purpose of Error Guessing?

Error guessing is a useful technique in software testing for finding potential problems and raising the overall standard of the software system. An outline of each stage is provided below:

Step1: Discover Hidden Defects

A complementary tactic for finding potential flaws that conventional testing techniques can overlook is error guessing. This approach makes use of the tester’s knowledge and intuition. It increases the amount of testing done to determine how reliable the software is.

Step 2: Model Situations from the Real World

To simulate situations that can result in errors in the actual world, testers can utilize error guessing. Testers can study different use patterns, unusual inputs, or edge scenarios to find system vulnerabilities and chances for improvement by thinking like end-users and anticipating how the program can misbehave.

Step3: Enhance Test Coverage

By looking at areas and circumstances that formal test cases might not explicitly cover, error guessing broadens test coverage. It encourages testers to think creatively and take into account unlikely events that can go wrong, resulting in a more reliable and resilient software system.

Step 4: Make Use of Tester Experience

Using testers’ knowledge and experience to determine likely issues is known as “guessing errors.” This human element gives the testing process a crucial new point of view and increases testing effectiveness overall.

Step5: Continuous Improvement

Testing professionals can sharpen their intuition and fault-prediction skills by using the iterative method of error guessing. Analyzing the results of this strategy also aids in enhancing the overall development and maturity of a company’s software testing practice.

By utilizing the tester’s experience, this method seeks to go above and beyond typical testing techniques. This method raises the quality of software systems by simulating real-world situations, increasing test coverage, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. By simulating real-world situations, increasing test coverage, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, it aims to enhance the quality of software systems.

How to Apply the Error Guessing Technique in Software Testing?

Product testers might use a creative process called the error-guessing approach to find and fix potential mistakes that may have been discovered while testing your product. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for using this strategy:

Step 1: Comprehend the System

To guarantee a successful testing process, familiarise yourself with the software system being tested, its features, user interactions, and documentation. This information will serve as the basis for your testing process.

Step 2: Tap Into Your Experience

During the testing process, let your prior testing experience and domain knowledge drive your intuition. Think about similar projects or systems, as well as any errors or flaws you may have encountered. Your intuition will be guided by this experience.

Step 3: Imagine Yourself as the User.

The most crucial concept is to think about the end user’s perspective and pinpoint likely error-causing events. Think about risky situations, unforeseen actions, or peculiar usage circumstances that can cause problems.

Step 4: Think Outside the Box

Thinking outside the box can help find hidden flaws in software, such as if a user does a given operation in precise order or whether any uncommon combinations of inputs could result in problems. Additionally, it can highlight weaknesses that formal test cases might not catch.

Step 5: Report and Discuss Findings

Maintain a record of your theories and judgments. To ensure that the development team, testers, or stakeholders are aware of any potential risks, share your results with them.

Step 6: Carry Out the Testing Approach

Create tests based on hypotheses and perform them to put your error-guessing plan into practice. Run the software program and note any errors or differences from the desired behavior.

Step 7: Review Data and Iterate

Analyze the results of error-guessing tests to improve your approach. Apply new insights and observations to subsequent error-guessing sessions by learning from each testing cycle.

The software can be successfully tested utilizing the error-guessing method, which makes use of experience and intuition to spot potential issues and raise system quality. Let your imagination soar and embark on an investigation to find errors!

What is the Application of the Error-Guessing Technique?

The application of this technique depends on the tester’s or analyst’s prior expertise with applications of the same nature. Only highly skilled testers with quick error-guessing techniques are needed. This method is employed after formal procedures because it can be utilized to identify flaws that formal black box testing techniques may find difficult to detect.

Since there are no set procedures or rules, the mistake-guessing technique’s application is totally dependent on the tester and the nature of their prior engagement in testing. The analyst creates test cases to define circumstances. The conditions are set up by determining the locations where errors are most likely to occur, and then test cases are created for those regions.

This method’s primary goal is to spot frequent mistakes at any testing level by putting the following tasks to the test:

• Specify nothing in the text areas.
• No such object exception.
• Enter false information.
• Subtract zero.
• Utilize the maximum number of uploadable files.
• Without entering values, press the checkboxes.

What are the Factors Used in Error Guessing?

Below are the factors used in Error Guessing:

• Lessons from earlier editions.
• Testers’ experience.
• Historical education.
• Report on test execution.
• Earlier mistakes.
• Theatre tickets.
• Testing standards.
• Application user interface.
• Findings of earlier tests.

Example of Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing

An application function calls for a cellphone number, which must have 10 characters. The methods that can be used to prevent guessing errors in the field for mobile numbers are as follows:

1. What will happen if the character entered something other than a number?
2. What will happen if the characters you type are less than 10 digits?
3. What would happen if the mobile field was left empty?

If the output is consistent with the expected result after adopting these procedures, the function is deemed to be bug-free; nevertheless, if the output deviates from the expected result, it is reported to the development team for correction.

However, mistake guessing is the most important testing strategy because it depends on the tester’s experience but does not guarantee the highest quality standard. It does not give the software complete coverage. If used in conjunction with other testing methods, this methodology can produce better results.

Mention Some Common Areas of Error Guessing Techniques in Testing

Some of the common areas of Error Guessing:

• Dividing by 0
• No such object exception
• Filling in empty spaces in text fields
• Submitting a form without providing any data.
• Uploading files over the allowed file size restrictions.
• improper parameters
• Update buttons

What are the Advantages of Error Guessing?

The benefits of Error Guessing are:

• Dependable when combined with other formal testing methods.
• Reveals those flaws that would be impossible to detect with formal testing otherwise.
• Much time and work is saved.
• Aids in error-guessing in the application’s more difficult and problematic sections.

What are the Disadvantages of Error Guessing?

The drawbacks of Error Guessing are:

• Because it relies on an individual’s way of thinking, the error-guessing technique is more person-oriented than process-oriented.
• This method could result in us falling short of the required test coverage.
• We might not be able to cover all of the input or boundary values with the help of this.
• We are unable to guarantee the caliber of the goods with this.
• People with product knowledge can use the error-guessing strategy, but individuals who are unfamiliar with the product cannot.

In the next article, I am going to discuss Equivalence Partitioning Techniques in Software Testing. Here, in this article, I try to explain Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing. I hope you enjoy this Error Guessing Techniques in Software Testing article.