Black Box Testing

Definition - What does Black Box Testing mean?

Black box testing is a software testing technique that focuses on the analysis of software functionality, versus internal system mechanisms. Black box testing was developed as a method of analyzing client requirements, specifications and high-level design strategies.

A black box software tester selects a set of valid and invalid input and code execution conditions and checks for valid output responses.

Black box testing is also known as functional testing.

Techopedia explains Black Box Testing

A search engine is a simple example of an application subject to routine black box testing. A search engine user enters text in a Web browser's search bar. The search engine then locates and retrieves related user data results (output).

Black box testing advantages include:

Simplicity: Facilitates testing of high-level designs and complex applications
Conserves resources: Testers focus on software functionality.
Test cases: Focusing on software functionality to facilitate quick test case development.
Provides flexibility: Specific programming knowledge is not required.

Black box testing also has certain disadvantages, as follows:

Test case/script design and maintenance may be problematic because black box testing tools depend on known inputs.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) interaction may damage test scripts.
Testing only covers application functions.