What is State or Graph based Testing?

State-based and Graph-based Testing: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Hey there! 👋 Today, we're talking about State-based testing and Graph-based testing, two techniques that help make sure software behaves just the way it's supposed to. And don’t worry—we’ll keep things simple with real-life examples to make it all crystal clear! Ready? Let’s get started!

🚦 What is State-based Testing?

State-based testing is a technique where the software is tested by considering the various states of the system and how it transitions from one state to another based on different inputs or events. This technique is particularly useful when the software’s behavior depends on its current state.

Imagine you’re driving a car. Your car’s state changes based on what you're doing, right? It could be in "Park," "Drive," "Reverse," or "Neutral." The gear you’re in depends on your actions, like pressing the brake or shifting the gear lever.

Real-life Example: Your Favorite Streaming App 🎥

Let’s take an example of a streaming app like Netflix. Here’s how it works:

• State 1: You’re Logged Out (you haven’t signed in yet).
• Event: You enter your username and password and click Login.
• Transition: If the details are correct, you move to a new state called Logged In.
• State 2: You’re now in the Logged In state, where you can browse your shows and movies!

🕸️ What is Graph-based Testing?

Graph-based testing is like creating a map of all the possible ways to use the software. We make a diagram that shows the different paths a user can take, where:

• Nodes (Circles) are like stops or steps (e.g., "Login Page," "Home Page").
• Edges (Arrows) show how you can move from one stop to another (e.g., clicking a button to go to the next page).

Real-life Example: Online Shopping Cart 🛒

Let’s look at how you might use an online shopping cart:

• Start: You visit the Home Page.
• You click on a product, and now you’re at the Product Page.
• You add the item to your cart and reach the Cart Page.
• Finally, you click Checkout, leading you to the Payment Page.

Let’s Make it Interactive! 🎯

Challenge: Think of a simple app you use every day—maybe your favorite food delivery app. Try to list out the states the app goes through when you order food (e.g., "Browsing Menu," "Added to Cart," "Checkout," "Order Confirmed"). Then, imagine what happens if you press the wrong button or forget to enter some info—what state does the app move to?

Share your answer, and let’s see if we can map it out together! 📲

Benefits of State and Graph-based Testing

• Coverage: Ensures that all possible states and transitions are tested, reducing the chance of missing critical scenarios.
• Clarity: Provides a visual representation of the system's behavior, making it easier to understand complex interactions.
• Defect Detection: Effective at identifying defects related to incorrect state transitions or unexpected behaviors.

When to Use These Techniques

• Systems with complex workflows or multiple states (e.g., banking systems, user authentication processes).
• Applications with a finite set of defined states where user actions or system events trigger state changes.
• Testing scenarios that involve multiple decision paths or conditional logic.

Key Takeaways

• State-based Testing focuses on testing different states of the software and how it transitions between them.
• Graph-based Testing visualizes the paths a user can take in the software to ensure each path leads to the right place.
• Both methods are like creating a map that guides your testing journey, helping you spot any roadblocks along the way.

Thank you for reading!!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic! Leave a comment below. And what topics would you like me to cover in future posts? Drop your suggestions!