Testing Technology Glossary-B

Back-to-back testing. For software subject to parallel implementation, back-to-back testing is the execution of a test on the similar implementations and comparing the results.

• Basis paths. The set of non-iterative paths.
• Black-Box testing. A test method where the tester views the program as a black box, that is the test is completely unconcerned about the internal behavior and structure of the program. Rather the tester is only interested in finding circumstances in which the program does not behave according to its specifications. Test data are derived solely from the specifications without taking advantage of knowledge of the internal structure of the program. Black-box testing is performed with the STW/Regression suite of tools.
• Bottom-up testing. Testing starts with lower level units. Driver units must be created for units not yet completed, each time a new higher level unit is added to those already tested. Again a set of units may be added to the software system at the time, and for enhancements the software system may be complete before the bottom up tests starts. The test plan must reflect the approach, though. The STW/Coverage suite of tools supports this type of testing.
• Built-in testing. Any hardware or software device which is part of an equipment, subsystem of system and which is used for the purpose of testing that equipment, subsystem or system.
• Byte mask. A differencing mask used by EXDIFF that specifies to disregard differences based on byte counts.