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Black Box Testing
Last Updated: July 2, 2020
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 or closed-box 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.
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