Software Quality Assurance Practice Exam

Which test case methodology should be used for a specification that contains combinations of input conditions?

1. Boundary value analysis

2. Condition coverage

3. Cause-effect graphing

4. Error guessing

The correct answer is: Cause-effect graphing

The choice of cause-effect graphing as the appropriate test case methodology for a specification that contains combinations of input conditions is well-founded. Cause-effect graphing is specifically designed to handle complex input scenarios by visually representing the relationships between different input conditions (causes) and their possible outcomes (effects). This methodology enables testers to identify the various combinations of conditions that need to be evaluated, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the specification. By using cause-effect graphing, testers can effectively derive test cases that reflect the various interactions among multiple conditions. This method aids in simplifying the complexity associated with combinations of inputs, ensuring that critical scenarios are not overlooked during testing. It also mandates a structured approach, which can lead to efficiently generated test cases that maximize the likelihood of revealing defects related to those interactions. Boundary value analysis, while valuable for identifying issues at the edges of input ranges, does not specifically address combinations of conditions and may miss critical interactions. Condition coverage focuses on ensuring that each condition in a program is tested but does not inherently account for the interactions between multiple conditions. Error guessing relies on the tester's intuition and experience to identify potential errors, which may not be systematic or comprehensive for combinations of inputs. Overall, cause-effect graphing stands out as the most suitable methodology to