Equivalence partitioning and boundary value analysis in Software Engineering - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding Equivalence Partitioning

Which of the following best describes the purpose of equivalence partitioning in software testing?

A To test only the smallest and largest values of input data

B To divide input data into groups that are expected to be treated the same by the software

C To check the software's response to invalid inputs only

D To write test cases that cover every possible input value

💡 Hint

Think about grouping inputs that behave similarly to reduce test cases.

Equivalence partitioning divides inputs into groups where all values in a group are expected to be handled the same way, reducing the number of test cases needed.

🔍 Analysis

intermediate

Boundary Value Analysis Output

Consider a function that accepts an integer input between 1 and 10 inclusive. Which test input value is a boundary value?

Software Engineering

def test_input(value):
    if 1 <= value <= 10:
        return "Valid"
    else:
        return "Invalid"

A 1

B 11

C 5

D 0

💡 Hint

Boundary values are at the edges of valid input ranges.

Boundary values are the smallest and largest valid inputs, here 1 and 10. Among options, 1 is a boundary value.

❓ assertion

advanced

Assertion for Boundary Value Test

Which assertion correctly tests that a function calculate_discount returns 0% discount for purchase amounts less than $100?

Software Engineering

def calculate_discount(amount):
    if amount >= 100:
        return 10
    else:
        return 0

A assert calculate_discount(101) == 0

B assert calculate_discount(100) == 0

C assert calculate_discount(99) == 0

D assert calculate_discount(50) == 10

💡 Hint

Check the discount for just below the boundary value.

For amounts less than 100, discount is 0. Testing with 99 checks this boundary condition correctly.

🔍 Analysis

advanced

Debugging Equivalence Partitioning Test Cases

Given the following test cases for a function accepting ages 18 to 60 inclusive, which test case is incorrectly chosen based on equivalence partitioning?

Software Engineering

test_cases = [17, 18, 30, 60, 61]

A 61 - valid partition boundary

B 18 - valid partition boundary

C 30 - valid partition middle

D 17 - invalid partition

💡 Hint

Check if 61 belongs to any valid or invalid partition.

61 is outside the valid range and belongs to the invalid partition, but it is not a boundary value for invalid inputs since 61 is just above 60. The boundary invalid value should be 61, but 61 is not a boundary value for equivalence partitions here.

❓ framework

expert

Designing Test Cases Using Both Techniques

You need to design test cases for a login form that accepts passwords between 8 and 12 characters. Which set of test inputs best combines equivalence partitioning and boundary value analysis?

A [6, 7, 13, 14, 15]

B [1, 5, 8, 12, 20]

C [8, 9, 10, 11, 12]

D [7, 8, 10, 12, 13]

💡 Hint

Include values just outside and inside the valid range.

Option D includes values just below (7), at the lower boundary (8), a middle valid value (10), at the upper boundary (12), and just above (13), covering both equivalence partitions and boundary values.