Question

White box testing provides better test _________ than black box testing.

(a) Result

(b) Coverage

(c) Mechanism

(d) Acceptance

I have been asked this question in examination.

Query is from Mocking an HTTP Connection in chapter Testing with Mock Objects of JUnit

Answer 1

The correct answer is (b) Coverage.

Explanation:

White box testing (also known as structural testing or glass box testing) focuses on testing the internal structures or workings of an application. In white box testing, testers have knowledge of the internal code and logic of the software being tested, which allows them to design test cases based on the code structure itself. This results in more thorough test coverage since the tester can verify that each path, branch, and statement in the code has been executed and tested.

On the other hand, black box testing focuses on testing the software from the user's perspective, without knowledge of the internal workings. It tests the system's functionality against the requirements and specifications but doesn't ensure complete coverage of the code itself.

White box testing typically provides better coverage because it allows testers to explore all parts of the code, including edge cases and internal conditions, which black box testing cannot guarantee. Black box testing might overlook some paths or conditions because it is focused on outputs for specific inputs, rather than the internal code structure.

Thus, coverage is the better fit for white box testing compared to black box testing.