I chose this blog because I wanted to learn about methods for ensuring thorough test coverage while minimizing effort. During my research, I stumbled upon an intriguing article on TestSigma about decision table testing. I was particularly intrigued because it offers a structured approach to managing complex decision-making scenarios in software applications. Because I am still working on my programming and testing skills, I found this technique particularly useful for systematically identifying various input conditions and their expected outputs.
Decision table testing is a black-box testing technique that allows testers to organize input conditions and associated output values in a structured table format. This method is especially useful in software applications where multiple variables affect the output. By organizing all of the factors into a decision table, testers can ensure that all possible combinations of inputs and expected outcomes are thoroughly covered, with no gaps in test coverage.
For example, consider an online banking system in which a user can only transfer money if his or her account balance is sufficient and the authentication process is successful. In a decision table, this scenario would have four different combinations:
- Sufficient balance and successful authentication.
- Enough balance and failed authentication
- Insufficient balance with successful authentication.
- Insufficient balance and failed authentication.
Each combination would be associated with the corresponding expected outcome, ensuring that all scenarios were tested. This structured approach ensures that no critical test case is overlooked, allowing testers to avoid missing edge cases or rare conditions that could lead to system failures.
I chose the TestSigma article because it explains decision table testing in an understandable, simplified manner. Although most other methods of testing may be involved, this one is broken down in depth and includes real-life examples, making it easier for even beginners to understand. The other articles I found were either too technical or too shallow and disorganized, whereas this one managed to strike a balance between the two.
Decision tables are a simple way to solve complex decision-making scenarios in software. It is structuring the input conditions and expected outcomes in order to provide more comprehensive test coverage while avoiding redundancies. The above article provides the most lucid and applicable example of the technique, making it an extremely useful tool for students like me. I’m still honing my programming and testing skills, learning structured testing methods like the decision table, so I can create very efficient, thoroughly organized, error-free tests, preparing me for a future in software development and testing.
Blog: https://testsigma.com/blog/decision-table-testing/
From the blog CS@Worcester – Matchaman10 by tam nguyen and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.