Equivalence partitioning in Testing Fundamentals - Test Execution Trace

Test Overview

This test checks if the input field correctly accepts valid age values using equivalence partitioning. It verifies that the system accepts ages within the valid range and rejects invalid ones.

Test Code - PyTest

Testing Fundamentals

def test_age_input_equivalence_partitioning():
    valid_ages = [18, 30, 65]  # valid partition
    invalid_ages = [17, 0, -5, 100]  # invalid partitions

    for age in valid_ages:
        result = validate_age(age)
        assert result == True, f"Age {age} should be valid"

    for age in invalid_ages:
        result = validate_age(age)
        assert result == False, f"Age {age} should be invalid"

def validate_age(age):
    return 18 <= age <= 65

Execution Trace - 9 Steps

Step	Action	System State	Assertion	Result
1	Test starts	Test environment ready, validate_age function loaded	—	PASS
2	Loop through valid ages: 18, 30, 65	Calling validate_age with age=18	Check if validate_age(18) returns True	PASS
3	Calling validate_age with age=30	Inside validate_age function	Check if validate_age(30) returns True	PASS
4	Calling validate_age with age=65	Inside validate_age function	Check if validate_age(65) returns True	PASS
5	Loop through invalid ages: 17, 0, -5, 100	Calling validate_age with age=17	Check if validate_age(17) returns False	PASS
6	Calling validate_age with age=0	Inside validate_age function	Check if validate_age(0) returns False	PASS
7	Calling validate_age with age=-5	Inside validate_age function	Check if validate_age(-5) returns False	PASS
8	Calling validate_age with age=100	Inside validate_age function	Check if validate_age(100) returns False	PASS
9	Test ends	All assertions passed	—	PASS

Failure Scenario

Failing Condition: validate_age returns True for an invalid age or False for a valid age

Execution Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the test verify for the age value 30?

A That age 30 causes an error

B That age 30 is rejected as invalid

C That age 30 is accepted as valid

D That age 30 is ignored

Key Result

Equivalence partitioning helps reduce test cases by grouping inputs that should behave the same, ensuring efficient and effective testing.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of equivalence partitioning in software testing?

easy

A. To test every possible input value individually

B. To write code for automated testing

C. To divide input data into groups where test cases can be reduced

D. To check the user interface design

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand equivalence partitioning concept

   Equivalence partitioning divides input data into groups where all inputs in a group behave similarly.

2. Step 2: Identify the main goal

   The goal is to reduce the number of test cases by testing one value from each group instead of all values.

3. Final Answer:

   To divide input data into groups where test cases can be reduced -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Equivalence partitioning = reduce test cases [OK]

Hint: Group inputs to test fewer cases efficiently [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it tests every input value
• Confusing with UI testing
• Assuming it is about coding tests

2. Which of the following is the correct way to apply equivalence partitioning for an input field that accepts ages from 18 to 60?

easy

A. Test ages 17, 18, 30, 60, 61

B. Test ages 18, 30, 60 only

C. Test ages 0, 18, 60, 100

D. Test ages 18, 19, 20, 21

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify equivalence partitions

   Partitions are: below valid range (<18), valid range (18-60), above valid range (>60).

2. Step 2: Select test values from each partition

   Choose one value from each: 17 (below), 18 and 60 (edges of valid), 30 (inside valid), 61 (above).

3. Final Answer:

   Test ages 17, 18, 30, 60, 61 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Test one from each partition [OK]

Hint: Pick one value from each input group including edges [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Testing only valid values
• Ignoring boundary values
• Testing too many values inside one partition

3. Given the input field accepts numbers 1 to 100, which test inputs represent valid equivalence partitions?

medium

A. [50, 75, 100]

B. [0, 1, 50, 100, 101]

C. [-1, 0, 101]

D. [1, 50, 100]

Solution

1. Step 1: Define partitions

   Partitions are: below valid (<1), valid (1-100), above valid (>100).

2. Step 2: Check which inputs cover all partitions

   [0, 1, 50, 100, 101] includes 0 (below), 1 and 100 (edges valid), 50 (inside valid), 101 (above).

3. Final Answer:

   [0, 1, 50, 100, 101] -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Inputs cover all partitions [OK]

Hint: Include below, inside, and above range values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Missing values outside valid range
• Testing only inside range
• Ignoring boundary values

4. You have a form field that accepts a password length from 8 to 12 characters. Which test set correctly applies equivalence partitioning and fixes the error in this set: [7, 8, 10, 12, 13]?

medium

A. [7, 8, 10, 12, 13]

B. [8, 10, 12]

C. [7, 8, 12, 13]

D. [6, 8, 10, 12, 14]

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify partitions and errors

   Partitions: below valid (<8), valid (8-12), above valid (>12). The original set misses some below and above values.

2. Step 2: Fix test set to cover all partitions

   [6, 8, 10, 12, 14] adds 6 (below), 14 (above), and includes valid 8, 10, 12, covering all partitions correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   [6, 8, 10, 12, 14] -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Test covers below, valid, and above partitions [OK]

Hint: Include clear below and above boundary values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Missing values outside valid range
• Not testing boundary values
• Using only valid inputs

5. A software accepts input scores from 0 to 100. Using equivalence partitioning, which test inputs should you select to cover all partitions if the input is extended to accept decimal values between 0.0 and 100.0?

hard

A. [ -1, 0.0, 50.5, 100.0, 101 ]

B. [ 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 ]

C. [ 0.0, 50.0, 100.0 ]

D. [ -0.1, 0, 50, 100, 100.1 ]

Solution

1. Step 1: Define partitions including decimals

   Partitions: below valid (<0.0), valid (0.0 to 100.0), above valid (>100.0). Decimals allowed inside valid range.

2. Step 2: Choose test inputs covering all partitions

   [ -1, 0.0, 50.5, 100.0, 101 ] includes -1 (below), 0.0 (valid edge), 50.5 (valid decimal), 100.0 (valid edge), 101 (above).

3. Final Answer:

   [ -1, 0.0, 50.5, 100.0, 101 ] -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Test inputs cover all partitions including decimals [OK]

Hint: Include decimals and boundary values in partitions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring decimal values inside valid range
• Missing values outside valid range
• Testing only integers