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{{Short description|Software testing approach}}
'''Exploratory testing''' is an approach to [[software testing]] that is concisely described as simultaneous learning, [[test design]] and test execution. [[Cem Kaner]], who coined the term in 1984,<ref>
While the software is being tested, the tester learns things that together with experience and [[creativity]] generates new good tests to run. Exploratory testing is often thought of as a [[black box testing]] technique. Instead, those who have studied it consider it a test ''approach'' that can be applied to any test technique, at any stage in the development process. The key is not the test technique nor the item being tested or reviewed; the key is the cognitive engagement of the tester, and the tester's responsibility for managing his or her time.<ref>Cem Kaner, ''[http://www.kaner.com/pdfs/QAIExploring.pdf A Tutorial in Exploratory Testing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612043734/http://www.kaner.com/pdfs/QAIExploring.pdf |date=2013-06-12 }}'', p. 37-39, 40- .</ref>
== History ==
Exploratory testing has always been performed by skilled testers. In the early 1990s, [[ad hoc]] was too often synonymous with sloppy and careless work. As a result, a group of test methodologists (now calling themselves the [[Software testing controversies|Context-Driven School]]) began using the term "exploratory" seeking to emphasize the dominant thought process involved in unscripted testing, and to begin to develop the practice into a teachable discipline. This new terminology was first published by [[Cem Kaner]] in his book ''Testing Computer Software'' <ref name=Kaner7-11>Cem Kaner
{{cite book
|last = Kaner
|first = Cem
|
|title = Lessons Learned in Software Testing
|publisher = [[John Wiley & Sons]]
|year = 2001
|isbn = 978-0-471-08112-
</ref><!--The entire book discusses techniques used in Exploratory testing. They can also be used in other types of testing.--> Exploratory testing can be as disciplined as any other intellectual activity.
== Description ==
Exploratory testing seeks to find out how the software actually works, and to ask questions about how it will handle difficult and easy cases. The quality of the testing is dependent on the tester's skill of inventing [[Test case (software)|test case]]s and finding [[software bug|defects]]. The more the tester knows about the product and different [[test method]]s, the better the testing will be.
To further explain, comparison can be made of freestyle exploratory testing to its antithesis [[test script|scripted testing]]. In the latter activity test cases are designed in advance. This includes both the individual steps and the expected results. These tests are later performed by a tester who compares the actual result with the expected. When performing exploratory testing, expectations are open. Some results may be predicted and expected; others may not. The tester configures, operates, observes, and evaluates the product and its behaviour, critically investigating the result, and reporting information that seems likely to be a bug (which threatens the value of the product to some person) or an issue (which threatens the quality of the testing effort).
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In reality, testing almost always is a combination of exploratory and scripted testing, but with a tendency towards either one, depending on context.
According to
The documentation of exploratory testing ranges from documenting all tests performed to just documenting the [[software bug|bugs]]. During [[pair testing]], two persons create test cases together; one performs them, and the other documents.
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Another major benefit is that testers can use [[deductive reasoning]] based on the results of previous results to guide their future testing on the fly. They do not have to complete a current series of scripted tests before focusing in on or moving on to exploring a more target rich environment. This also accelerates bug detection when used intelligently.
Another benefit is that, after initial testing, most bugs are discovered by some sort of exploratory testing. This can be demonstrated logically by stating, "Programs that pass certain tests tend to continue to pass the same tests and are more likely to fail other tests or scenarios that are yet to be explored."
Disadvantages are that tests invented and performed on the fly can't be reviewed in advance (and by that prevent errors in code and test cases), and that it can be difficult to show exactly which tests have been run.
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Freestyle exploratory test ideas, when revisited, are unlikely to be performed in exactly the same manner, which can be an advantage if it is important to find new errors; or a disadvantage if it is more important to repeat specific details of the earlier tests. This can be controlled with specific instruction to the tester, or by preparing automated tests where feasible, appropriate, and necessary, and ideally as close to the unit level as possible.
==
Replicated experiment has shown that while scripted and exploratory testing result in similar defect detection effectiveness (the total number of defects found) exploratory results in higher efficiency (the number of defects per time unit) as no effort is spent on pre-designing the test cases.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Itkonen|first1=Juha|last2=Mäntylä|first2=Mika V.|date=2013-07-11|title=Are test cases needed? Replicated comparison between exploratory and test-case-based software testing|journal=Empirical Software Engineering|language=en|volume=19|issue=2|pages=303–342|doi=10.1007/s10664-013-9266-8|issn=1382-3256|citeseerx=10.1.1.363.6524|s2cid=254472881 }}</ref> Observational study on exploratory testers proposed that the use of knowledge about the ___domain, the system under test, and customers is an important factor explaining the effectiveness of exploratory testing.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Itkonen|first1=J.|last2=Mäntylä|first2=M. V.|last3=Lassenius|first3=C.|date=2013-05-01|title=The Role of the Tester's Knowledge in Exploratory Software Testing|journal=IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering|volume=39|issue=5|pages=707–724|doi=10.1109/TSE.2012.55|s2cid=1763558 |issn=0098-5589}}</ref> A case-study of three companies found that ability to provide rapid feedback was a benefit of Exploratory Testing while managing test coverage was pointed as a short-coming.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Itkonen|first1=J.|last2=Rautiainen|first2=K.|title=2005 International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering, 2005 |chapter=Exploratory testing: A multiple case study |date=2005-11-01|pages=10 pp.–|doi=10.1109/ISESE.2005.1541817|isbn=978-0-7803-9507-7|s2cid=7974121 }}</ref> A survey found that Exploratory Testing is also used in critical domains and that Exploratory Testing approach places high demands on the person performing the testing.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Pfahl|first1=Dietmar|last2=Yin|first2=Huishi|last3=Mäntylä|first3=Mika V.|last4=Münch|first4=Jürgen|title=Proceedings of the 8th ACM/IEEE International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement |chapter=How is exploratory testing used? A state-of-the-practice survey |date=2014-01-01|series=ESEM '14|___location=New York, NY, USA|publisher=ACM|pages=5:1–5:10|doi=10.1145/2652524.2652531|isbn=9781450327749|hdl=10138/153363|s2cid=17924562 }}</ref>
== See also ==
{{portal|Software Testing}}▼
* [[Ad hoc testing]]
* [[Spike (software development)|Spike testing]]
== References ==
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== External links ==
* James Bach, ''[http://www.satisfice.com/articles/et-article.pdf Exploratory Testing Explained]''
* Cem Kaner, James Bach, ''[http://www.testingeducation.org/a/nature.pdf The Nature of Exploratory Testing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511190045/http://testingeducation.org/a/nature.pdf |date=2008-05-11 }}'', 2004
* Cem Kaner, James Bach, ''[http://www.context-driven-testing.com The Seven Basic Principles of the Context-Driven School]''
* Jonathan Kohl, ''[http://www.methodsandtools.com/archive/archive.php?id=65 Exploratory Testing: Finding the Music of Software Investigation]'', Kohl Concepts Inc., 2007
{{DEFAULTSORT:Exploratory Testing}}
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