Error Guessing | Techniques And Methods | Softwaretestingfundamentals Tutorial

What is Error Guessing?

Error Guessing is a software testing technique that is used to identify defects in a system by guessing the types of errors that could occur during execution. This technique relies on the tester's experience and intuition about where bugs are likely to arise based on previous projects, knowledge of the application, or common error patterns.

Importance of Error Guessing

Error Guessing is vital in software testing for several reasons:

It allows testers to leverage their experience to identify areas that might be prone to errors.
It can uncover defects that may not be found through other testing methods, such as automated tests or systematic test case design.
It encourages creative thinking and exploration of the application, leading to more thorough testing.

How to Perform Error Guessing

To effectively conduct Error Guessing, follow these steps:

Familiarize with the Application: Understand the functionality, architecture, and design of the application you are testing.
Identify Common Error Patterns: Reflect on previous projects and identify common issues that arose, such as boundary value errors, null pointer exceptions, and incorrect data handling.
Explore Edge Cases: Investigate the boundaries of input values, including maximum and minimum limits, and any unusual inputs.
Simulate Unexpected User Behavior: Consider how users might interact with the application in unpredictable ways, such as entering invalid data or navigating through the application in an unorthodox manner.
Document Your Findings: Keep track of the errors you encounter and the scenarios that led to them, which can help improve future testing efforts.

Examples of Error Guessing

Example 1: Testing a login form

While testing a login form, a tester might guess that entering an incorrect password multiple times could lead to an account lockout. They would then try various invalid passwords to see if the system behaves as expected (e.g., locking the account after a certain number of failed attempts).

Example 2: Testing a data entry form

In a data entry form that expects a numeric input, the tester might input alphabetic characters or special symbols to check how the application handles invalid data. They might also try submitting the form with empty fields or overly long inputs to see if error messages are properly displayed.

Limitations of Error Guessing

While Error Guessing can be beneficial, it also has its limitations:

Subjective Nature: It heavily relies on the tester's experience and intuition, which can vary between individuals.
Time-Consuming: Guessing errors can lead to an exhaustive and time-consuming testing process.
Incompleteness: It may not cover all possible error scenarios, making it less reliable as a standalone testing method.

Conclusion

Error Guessing is a valuable technique in the realm of software testing. By leveraging experience and intuition to predict potential errors, testers can uncover defects that may not be identified through systematic approaches. While it has its limitations, when combined with other testing strategies, Error Guessing can significantly enhance software quality and reliability.