Have you ever wondered how software developers make sure the app you’re using is secure and functional? Also, why do certain apps just ‘get it right’ while others are filled with problems? Software testing is frequently the solution.
White Box vs. Black Box Testing are two testing techniques that stand out in software development for their efficiency and methodology.
We’ll go through the specifics of these two crucial testing techniques in this guide, weigh their advantages and disadvantages, and assist you in selecting which one to use for your next project.
Let’s get started!
Here’s a quick 1 minute video on White Box vs Black Box Testing –
What is Black Box Testing?
Black Box Testing examines software performance and functionality without investigating its internal code. While using this method, testers imitate themselves as users, evaluating the software response to various inputs and scenarios.
Key Characteristics of Black Box Testing
- Testers only assess software externally.
- It functions according to predefined criteria to ensure that software is aligned with predefined criteria.
- Various test scenarios are performed to check the software’s performance, behavior, and compatibility.
- This approach is independent of any bias testing and allows software developers from multiple backgrounds to perform tests.
- It does not allow the latest updates to make any changes in the functionality of the software.
When and why we need Black Box Testing;
- At early stages of software development, it is employed to ensure that software is designed in accordance with intended use and specifications.
For Example, It is used to verify an e-commerce application performs the checkout process completely and displays total order cost accurately based on prices and quantities. - Before launching a user-facing mobile application this approach is utilized to examine the application’s user-friendliness.
For Example: Evaluating a mobile banking application to verify whether the user can see menus, and perform transactions or software is showing an accurate account balance.
What is White Box Testing?
White Box Testing is also named Clear Box Testing or Structural Testing. It is an approach for software testing that involves the evaluation of software’s internal structure, code, and logic. Testers must possess in-depth programming knowledge of the software’s source code.
Essential Features of White Box Testing
- It involves the examination of the application’s source code, internal structure, and data flows.
- It scrutinizes software core structure, coding, and algorithms.
- Tests are performed on certain segments of codes instead of testing them altogether.
- Statement coverage, branch coverage, and path coverage are the techniques used to ensure extensive code evaluation.
- It is highly effective in identifying problems associated with the quality of code, its structure, and performance.
White Box Testing is a code-centric technique for software testing, applied at various stages of software development.
Practical Use Cases for White Box Testing
- At the initial phase of software development, White Box Testing is effective in detecting errors in source coding and the internal structure of software.
For Example: While reviewing a mobile banking application, White Box Testing will examine the initial requirements of applications like the authentication of the user, balance inquiry, and funds transfer. - For releasing software in a market with tough security regulations, White Box Testing is used to ensure that code is in accordance with industry-specific coding specifications.
For Example: Assessing the source code of a healthcare software system that complies with a concerned regulatory body and protects patient’s data.
While we’re focusing on White Box and Black Box Testing in this guide, it’s worth noting that these methods can be applied in various testing scenarios like functional and regression testing. To learn more about how functional testing differs from regression testing, check out our in-depth blog post.
Diving Deeper: Techniques and Approaches
Techniques in Black Box Testing
Certainly, there are various testing methods used in Black Box Testing. Each has its own purpose and utility. Here are some commonly used Black Box Testing techniques;
- Equivalence Partitioning
- Boundary Value Analysis
- State Transition Testing
- Decision Table Testing
- Pairwise Testing (Combinatorial Testing)
- Random Testing
- Exploratory Testing
- Ad Hoc Testing
Let’s get a bit deeper knowledge of the most commonly used techniques;
Equivalence Partitioning
In this method we divide input data into segments or categories, considering that values in each segment are equally significant.
Using this technique the tester could accomplish testing effectively and efficiently.
Benefits of Equivalence Partitioning
- It divides input data into partitions which helps to achieve maximum test coverage.
- It helps testers to simplify the entire testing process by providing a structured approach.
- It results in a reduced number of tests instead of lethal testing.
- It helps testers to identify defects at early stages instead of resolving them at later phases.
Challenges of Equivalence Partitioning
- Categorizing inputs into classes and marking their limits is a challenging task.
- It may not cover all the inputs required for thorough testing.
- When inputs are multiple and complex in nature, this technique isn’t that effective.
Boundary Value Analysis
Boundary Value Analysis focuses on the “boundaries” of inputs when inputs are made in the form of numbers. Instead of testing each number, the tester focuses on only special numbers i.e. the smallest number, a number just before it, the largest number, and the number just after it.
In this manner, the tester could detect and resolve any issue occurring during testing and ensure that the software performs well for other numbers too.
Benefits of Boundary Value Analysis
- It emphasizes on boundary values of each input where the most likely error occurs.
- It requires a small number of tests that are close to the boundaries of an input.
- It is a very effective method for checking defects in the software by testing boundary values.
Challenges of Boundary Value Analysis
- This technique is not very useful when the test has complex inputs with multiple dimensions.
- Where inputs are co-related or dependent on each other, using this method does not highlight defects.
- It does not work for non-numeric input commands.
Techniques in White Box Testing
White Box Testing has a distinct perspective for code evaluation. It is code-based testing that enables testers to discover errors and verify code quality from various dimensions. There are various software testing techniques used in White Box Testing, some of them are as follows;
- Statement Coverage
- Branch Coverage
- Path Coverage
- Condition Coverage
- Loop Testing
- Data Flow Testing
- Cyclomatic Complexity Testing
Let’s learn about some commonly used White Box Testing techniques;
Statement Coverage
Statement Coverage is also known as Line Coverage. This software testing technique guarantees that each line of code has been examined thoroughly at least once. It examines the internal structure of the software and provides test results in the form of percentages.
Benefits of Using Statement Coverage
- It provides basic insight into the software’s internal code, ensuring that each line of code has been examined.
- This technique is comparatively easy to apply.
- It provides quick results helping testers to detect areas in internal structure that need further improvements.
Challenges of Using Statement Coverage
- Only code lines are tested without checking the quality and accuracy of the test.
- Test results are not based on the logical correctness of codes.
- Testers can’t make critical decisions depending on the results.
Branch Coverage
In Branch Coverage, every decision point is tested to ensure that the software performs correctly irrespective of which branch has chosen first to test the program.
Benefits of Using Branch Coverage
- The code is examined at a granular level. Ensuring that every branch or decision point has been assessed.
- It provides clear results which are helpful in interpreting software matrices.
- It helps in reducing the risk of errors or defects in the software that are associated with improper testing.
Challenges of Using Branch Coverage
- This testing method is time-consuming.
- In system testing, achieving high branch coverage could be challenging.
- Creating test procedures exclusively for high branch coverage is mostly prone to test failure.
Additional Testing Methods to Consider
While White Box vs. Black Box Testing is fundamental, they are often used in conjunction with other testing methods for a more comprehensive approach. For example, API testing is another crucial aspect that ensures your software’s different modules interact seamlessly. If you’re interested in learning more about the importance of API testing and how it fits into the software testing landscape, check out our API Testing Journey blog.
Comparing White Box vs. Black Box Testing: Which is Right for You?
Difference:
| Aspect | Black Box Testing | White Box Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Testing Focus | Focus on testing software’s performance from an external point of view without knowing its internal code. | Focus on evaluating software’s internal logic, code, and implementation along with its functionality. |
| Approach | Testers focus on inputs, their forecasted outputs, and software’s performance according to intended use. | Testers examine software’s code execution and its control and data flows to achieve specific code coverage. |
| Test Case Independence | Test scenarios are independent of knowledge of internal code. | Test procedures are code-dependent and the test must possess knowledge of internal code. |
| Example Tools | Selenium, Cypress, and Postman | Code review tools, static analysis tools, and unit testing frameworks. |
| Techniques Used | Equivalence Partitioning Boundary Value Analysis State Transition Testing Decision Table Testing Pairwise Testing | Statement Coverage Branch Coverage Path Coverage Condition Coverage Loop Testing |
Similarities:
- Black Box and White Box Testing is meant to identify defects and ensure software quality.
- Both testing methodologies provide a comprehensive quality assurance strategy.
- Both black-box testing and white-box testing involve designing test scenarios, although
the criteria for the test are different. - Both black and white box tests could be performed at various phases of the software
development life cycle, depending on the intention of testing. - Both black-box testing and white-box testing assist in identifying security weaknesses but
from different perspectives; Black Box Testing focuses on external threats, while White Box
Testing examines internal code.
Pros and cons of Black Box Testing and White Box Testing
| Black Box Testing | White Box Testing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
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| Cones |
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Real-Life Scenarios
Real-Life Example for Black Box Testing: E-commerce Website Checkout Process
In a real-life setting, assume that you are a tester assigned to examine the checkout process of a popular e-commerce website e.g. Amazon. Your task is to perform Black Box Testing and you don’t have access or knowledge to its internal code and structure. Your aim is to ensure a seamless checkout experience for customers.
Your test procedure involves functional testing for items in the cart with accurate quantities and calculation of total order cost. You are also required to assess the user interface, payment options, and completion of order along with the specified order number.
Through Black Box Testing you’ll identify errors in the complete process and ensure that the website achieves customer’s intention and satisfaction.
Real-Life Example for White Box Testing: Code Review for a Banking Application
In a real-life setting, assume that you are a tester assigned to examine the checkout process of a popular e-commerce website e.g. Amazon. Your task is to perform Black Box Testing and you don’t have access or knowledge to its internal code and structure. Your aim is to ensure a seamless checkout experience for customers.
Your test procedure involves functional testing for items in the cart with accurate quantities and calculation of total order cost. You are also required to assess the user interface, payment options, and completion of order along with the specified order number.
Through Black Box Testing you’ll identify errors in the complete process and ensure that the website achieves customer’s intention and satisfaction.
Conclusion
Deciding between Black Box Testing and White Box Testing isn’t a matter of which is superior. It’s about choosing the method that aligns with your specific project goals. Each approach offers valuable insights that can help improve your software in different ways.
If you’re looking to enhance your software, these testing methods can help you in several key areas:
- Improving the overall quality of your software
- Identifying issues early on
- Ensuring a good user experience
- Maintaining a secure environment
- Meeting industry standards
So, consider incorporating these testing techniques into your development process. It can help in building a more reliable and secure software product.
Interested in diving deeper? Consider taking one of our test automation courses to further enhance your skills in software testing and automation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Black Box Testing does not require knowledge of software’s internal code and structure, whereas, White Box Testing requires.
An example for Black Box Testing is testing the performance of a search engine like Google. The user doesn’t need to know how its algorithm works.
For White Box Testing, a team of testers is examining a banking application. They test its internal code, structure and logic.
White Box Testing and Clear Box Testing are different terms for the same type of testing.
The selection between Black Box or White Box Testing depends on the sim of testing. Black Box Testing is effective for evaluating user functionality, while, White Box Testing is suitable for assessing quality, structure and logic of code.
An example of Black Box Testing is a user testing a mobile application and an example of White Box Testing is reviewing code to identify logical defects in a software.
White Box Testing is typically performed before Black Box Testing. Each of them has their own purpose and utility.
