White Box Testing | Software Testing Fundamentals

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DEFINITION

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White Box Testing (also known as Clear Box Testing, Open Box Testing, Glass Box Testing, Transparent
Box Testing, Code-Based Testing or Structural Testing) is a software testing method in which the internal
structure/design/implementation of the item being tested is known to the tester. The tester chooses inputs to
exercise paths through the code and determines the appropriate outputs. Programming know-how and the
implementation knowledge is essential. White box testing is testing beyond the user interface and into the
nitty-gritty of a system.
This method is named so because the software program, in the eyes of the tester, is like a white/transparent
box; inside which one clearly sees.
White Box Testing is contrasted with Black Box Testing. View Differences between Black Box Testing and
White Box Testing.
EXAMPLE
A tester, usually a developer as well, studies the implementation code of a certain field on a webpage,
determines all legal (valid and invalid) AND illegal inputs and verifies the outputs against the expected
outcomes, which is also determined by studying the implementation code.
LEVELS APPLICABLE TO
White Box Testing method is applicable to the following levels of software testing:
Unit Testing: For testing paths within a unit
Integration Testing: For testing paths between units

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System Testing: For testing paths between subsystems

However, it is mainly applied to Unit Testing.
WHITE BOX TESTING ADVANTAGES

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Testing can be commenced at an earlier stage. One need not wait for the GUI to be available.
Testing is more thorough, with the possibility of covering most paths.
WHITE BOX TESTING DISADVANTAGES

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Test script maintenance can be a burden if the implementation changes too frequently.
Since this method of testing it closely tied with the application being testing, tools to cater to every kind
of implementation/platform may not be readily available.
White Box Testing is like the work of a mechanic who examines the engine to see why the car is not
moving.
Definition by ISTQB

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White Box Testing | Software Testing Fundamentals

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http://softwaretestingfundamentals.com/white-box-testing/

white-box testing: Testing based on an analysis of the internal structure of the component or
system.
white-box test design technique: Procedure to derive and/or select test cases based on an
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analysis of the internal structure of a component or system.
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shashank mishra
April 24, 2012 at 8:49 PM

No Copyright. All Rights Not Reserved. Software Testing Fundamentals

Max Magazine Theme was created by

very good represent the all testing.easy to understand.

ramya
April 26, 2012 at 7:46 AM
Thanks

Abi
May 1, 2012 at 2:19 AM
simple to understand,Excellent
Thankyou so much for your informations.

Abi
May 1, 2012 at 2:21 AM
thank you

vani
May 18, 2012 at 6:33 AM
Really very informative, thanks

akila
May 18, 2012 at 6:18 PM
Really easy to understand. nice way of explanations. Please try to provide the access for the black coloured
topics.

Adobeqa
May 24, 2012 at 7:11 AM
This is really nice article and has also helped me in getting in to the concept of White-Box testing

Rashmi
June 7, 2012 at 6:56 PM
thanksit is really helpful

Tanvi
June 9, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Its really useful
Thnx

KarthiRagunathan
June 13, 2012 at 6:36 AM
This is really helps to understand the concept.. Thanks a lot.

JohnTanmoy
June 17, 2012 at 4:42 AM
Its a very nice article Good job

kayjai
June 22, 2012 at 4:40 PM
Good information
pls cover some more notes abt the topic
with an examples, why because it will get very easy to analyse

asif
July 9, 2012 at 2:04 PM
helpfull for me thank you;;;

Himanshu

01/17/2015 08:40 .

White Box Testing | Software Testing Fundamentals

3 of 3

http://softwaretestingfundamentals.com/white-box-testing/

August 4, 2012 at 4:17 AM

Very informative!

md.Shah Alam
August 9, 2012 at 3:57 AM
nice

vaibhav
August 10, 2012 at 3:20 AM
thnx a lot,it was easy to understand!!!

teju
September 2, 2012 at 5:33 PM
very good and thank you!!!

sweta gupta
September 20, 2012 at 1:15 PM
very easy to understand..and its very helpful for me.

chandana
September 25, 2012 at 2:24 PM
good way of representation for easily understand.thanks a lot.

Michael Rabb Newton MA

October 8, 2012 at 7:47 AM
Thanks for sharing the review about White Box Testing. You have shared all its features. All this information is
really very useful for me.

anita
October 8, 2012 at 8:55 AM
it is compleat refrence.

saket8236
November 1, 2012 at 1:55 PM
thanx

01/17/2015 08:40 .