Error diagnosis technique in software testing

Tram Ho

Error Guessing is a software testing technique that is basically an experience-based testing technique to make an informed conjecture about possible software failures. This technique necessarily requires a gifted and experienced tester.

Error guessing technique

The test cases used to find errors are created based on previous testing experience with similar applications, with relevant knowledge, based on intuition to identify situations that often cause errors in software.

Therefore, the error diagnosis technique does not follow any specific rules, test cases can be designed depending on the characteristics, the flow of software according to the functional description documents or when an error fails. wish that was not described in the document found earlier, or working with a dev has let certain errors occur many times, …

For example:

  • After uploading the image and submitting it successfully, the image displays correctly, but try to reload the page to see if the image displays correctly again?
  • On the search screen, there is often an error searching for deleted records (delete_flg = 1) so it is recommended to add a test case assigning delete_flg = 1 to some records and then performing a search, if these records are displayed on the screen. it’s an error.
  • Divide by 0.
  • Enter a space in the text field.
  • Press the submit button without entering values.
  • Enter the number of characters too long.
  • Enter special data into textboxes such as html characters, scripts, … and submit.

Factors used to guess the error

This technique is mainly based on intuition and experience. The following factors can be used to predict errors:

  • Lessons learned from previous software tests, common errors, …
  • Test intuition
  • Have relevant knowledge, understand the system
  • Focusing on testing each part, each function will help the tester focus and explain what problems occur in any region.
  • Production tickets
  • Review checklist
  • User interface
  • Based on the risk report of the software
  • Many types of data are used for testing
  • General testing rules
  • Knowledge of Application under Test – AUT (changing input conditions in State Transition techniques)

When to make an error guess

This technique can be used at any level of testing, applied when designing test cases, during the testing process when most formal testing techniques have been applied.

Principles in the process of guessing errors

  • Keep in mind the troublesome errors of the past: whenever you encounter an interesting error, make a note for future reference. There are generally some common errors that occur in a particular type of application. Refer to the list of reported errors.
  • Improve your understanding. See how to write code and how concepts like null pointers, arrays, indexes, boundaries, loops, etc. are implemented in code lines.
  • Acquire knowledge of the technical environment (servers, operating systems, databases) in which applications are hosted
  • Point out unreasonable points in requirements, design documentation, testing and use.
  • Understand the system that you are testing.
  • Evaluate historical data and test results.
  • Stay aware of typical errors.

Advantages of error diagnosis technique

  • Error Guessing has proven to be effective when used in conjunction with other official software testing techniques.
  • This technique helps detect errors not described in the spec document, or official testing techniques will not be visible. Therefore, experienced tester saves a lot of time and effort.
  • Very useful to guess software problem areas.

Limitations of error diagnosis techniques

  • Experienced new testers can implement this testing technique. You can do that by refreshing.
  • Sometimes too rambling in guessing errors leads to a lot of time to testcase design and test execution but not find efficiency.

Reference: https://www.devpro.edu.vn/ky-thuat-error-guessing-trong-kiem-thu-phan-mem

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