Positive Testing: Meaning and Merits Explained with Real Test Scenarios

Diving Into the World of Positive Testing:

This tutorial offers a concise insight into a widely recognized testing method called ‘Positive Testing’.

The domain of Software Testing comprises the act of verifying and validating software to ensure it operates as presumed. One of the prime objectives of a software tester is to spotlight defects and verify whether the application performs correctly. Diverse testing models and approaches are utilized in this pursuit.

In this guide, we provide easy-to-digest explanations, advantages, and approaches to execute Positive Testing, with straightforward illustrations.

Different categories of testing include:

#1) Positive testing

#2) Negative Testing

Both of these checks are integral to verify that the software works as desired.

Understanding Positive Testing:

Positive Testing is a type of check that certifies if the application under test works accurately with a group of valid inputs.

In simpler terms, positive testing is carried out within predefined boundaries and verifies whether the software or application behaves according to the specifications document when given a valid set of test data.

Example 1: A web application contains a form that requires completion.

For illustration, take a sign-in page where the user is asked to enter their username, password, and press the submit button. If the user inputs the correct username and password, they should be directed to the following page.

Positive Testing Case:

Input the Correct Username and Password (For Instance, Username, and Password), press the submit button, and ensure that the user is suitably directed to the ensuing page as foreseen.

Example 2: Consider a Textbox that only takes numbers.

Positive Testing Case:

Input numbers and verify that the software accepts the entry.

When to Execute Positive Testing?

Positive testing is conducted when the software is good to go for the test. Once positive testing has been successfully carried out, a tester can move on to perform other preplanned cases for that functionality, like negative testing, Database testing, etc.

Smoke testing, build verification testing, sanity testing, quality gate, or any other similar terms refer to initiating positive testing as soon as the build is set. However, positive testing is the first stage in the test execution course.

How to Implement Positive Testing?

Positive testing incorporates the subsequent test techniques:

• Boundary Value Analysis
• Equivalence Partitioning

These strategies come in handy notably when evaluating numeric fields. During positive testing, the tester should pay attention to the input data, actions executed, and the expected result.

In positive testing, it is essential for the tester to guarantee that the test input is within the range of the test data.

#1) Boundary Value Analysis:

Boundary value analysis is a testing approach used to assess numeric fields. The tester creates test data in a manner that ensures it remains within the boundaries or data range.

Example: A system/field accepting numbers from 1 to 100. Any additional numbers are deemed invalid.

Boundary values for this method would include 0, 1, 2, 99, and 100 (values within the range from 1 to 100).

#2) Equivalence Partitioning:

Equivalence Partitioning is another testing method where the tester splits the test input into equivalent sections and selects values from each partition for the test data.

The tester must make sure that the test data comprises values from all partitions.

Example: A system/field accepting numbers from 1 to 100. Any additional numbers are deemed invalid.

In Positive Testing using Equivalence Partitioning technique, all test data should lie within the 1 to 100 range.

Benefits/Applications of Positive Testing

Positive Testing acts as the starting point in testing and sets the stage for further stages of testing.

This variant of testing is deployed to assess the predicted behavior of a software. Failure of positive testing implies that the primary functionality of the application isn’t operating and instant action is necessary before proceeding with more testing.

Positive testing aids in the tester’s endeavor by spotting flawed builds at an early stage.

Positive testing affirms that the application is functionally robust within the denoted input scope, but it doesn’t warrant the complete quality of the application since testers can’t validate the application’s behavior in unforeseen situations, such as when a user inputs incorrect data.

Example:

A web application features a form that necessitates completion.

For instance: consider a sign-in page where the user needs to input their username, password, and tap on the submit button. If the user keys in the correct username and password, they should be directed to the next page.

Probable test cases for the functionality mentioned above include:

Scenario 1: Enter the right username and password and press submit.
Outcomes: User should be directed to the ensuing page.

Scenario 2: Enter an incorrect username and password and press submit.
Outcomes: User should receive the corresponding error message saying ‘Username and password do not match’.

Scenario 3: Leave the fields blank and press submit.
Outcomes: User should receive the proper error message stating ‘Enter a valid username’.

Scenario 4: Enter ‘123’ as the username and press submit.
Outcomes: User should receive the error message stating ‘Username cannot be numeric’.

And so forth…

Amongst all these cases, “Scenario 1” falls into the category of positive testing, while the remaining fall into the category of negative testing.

Wrapping up

Software testing hands a pivotal role in deploying defect-free software. Positive testing is a variety of test that corroborates that the application functions correctly with all potential inputs.

Other test variations are also vital to ensure that the application stature against bugs remains stable.

We are hopeful that this read renders you will a crisp grasp of the Positive Testing concept!!

Have you ever performed Positive Testing? Do you have any unique examples that you can share with us? Feel comfortable to pour out your views in the comments section below!