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Black box testing is a popular software testing methodology. It mainly focuses on the input and output of software applications and doesn’t care about the internal code structure of the software.

In this blog, LQA will give you a fundamental guide to black box testing, covering its mechanism, types, techniques, process, and differences from white box testing and gray box testing.

Let’s dive in!

Black Box Testing Fundamentals

What is black box testing?

Black box testing is a software testing methodology in which testers know what the software is supposed to do but don’t know the internal code structure of the software.

Hence, black box test cases are built around specifications and requirements, such as how the application is expected to behave.

Black box testing can be applied to both functional and non-functional testing at every level of software testing: unit, integration, system, and acceptance. Its major objective is to evaluate the software’s functionality, identify errors, and ensure that it meets specified requirements

Example of black box testing

Consider an e-commerce web app. As a black box tester, you check if the app’s login functionality works as expected by entering valid and invalid credentials and verifying the system’s response.

Below is an example of black box test cases to test the login function of the app, in which T = true and F = false.

Black box testing tools

Depending on the specific test types, we have different black box testing tools, such as:

• Functional testing: Selenium, JUnit
• Performance testing: Apache JMeter, LoadRunner
• Security testing: OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite
• Usability testing: UserTesting, Crazy Eg

Pros and cons of black box testing

So, what are the advantages and limitations of black box testing?

Pros of black box testing

The advantages of black box testing include simplicity, realistic evaluation, user focus, early bug detection, and unbiased tests. Here are why:

• Simplicity: Black box testing doesn’t require knowledge of internal code, allowing a quick and easy start compared to white box testing and gray box testing.
• Realistic evaluation: Black box testers focus on the output of the software application and how the software works in reality.
• User focus: Black box testers evaluate software functionality as users, from a user perspective, hence increasing the likelihood of user acceptance.
• Early testing: Black box test cases can be designed right after the completion of specifications and executed in the early stages of software development, allowing for early detection of functional issues.
• Unbiased tests: Black box testers provide an unbiased, fresh perspective as they lack knowledge of the internal workings of the app.

Cons of black box testing

Black box testing also has some drawbacks, such as:

• Dependence on documentation: Black box testing test case design relies heavily on accurate and comprehensive specifications, which may not always be available or up-to-date.
• Limited code coverage: Black box testing may miss certain code paths and internal logic, reducing the depth of testing coverage.
• Inefficiency for complex systems: It may not effectively pinpoint intricate code-related issues in complex software architectures, due to its inability to directly access and analyze the internal code structure.
• Potential for redundancy: Tests can be redundant if already run by the software designer and developers.

Types of Black Box Testing

Black box testing is applied to 3 major test types: functional testing, non-functional testing, and regression testing.

Functional testing

Functional testing ensures that the software functions as intended. It tests features like input validation, user interface, and data manipulation.

Some common types of functional testing include smoke testing, sanity testing, integration testing, system testing, and regression testing.

Black box testing in functional testing involves creating test cases based on external specifications, executing them to validate functionality, and ensuring that the software meets specified requirements without knowing the internal code.

Non-functional testing

Non-functional testing focuses on aspects other than functionality, including performance, security, usability, and reliability.

In other words, while functional testing checks if the software performs a specific action, non-functional testing checks how the software performs that action under different conditions.

In non-functional testing, black box tests can assess whether the software:

• is user-friendly
• performs well under various loads
• is compatible with different browsers, devices, and environments
• remains secure against common threats and vulnerabilities

Regression testing

Testers can use black box testing techniques in regression tests to verify whether new changes affect the existing functioning of the system.

Regression testing is often done when there are modifications to a system, such as developing a new function, fixing a bug, or maintenance. In apps with frequent updates, regression testing is often automated for optimal efficiency.

Also read: Software testing basics, principles, skills, phase

Black Box Testing Techniques

There are many black box testing techniques that apply to different logics within software applications. Here are the 5 major techniques.

Black box testing technique	Description
Boundary value analysis (BVA)	Test the boundaries between partitions.
Equivalence class partitioning	Divide the input domains into equivalent classes and test one input from each class.
Decision table based testing	Used when the output responds to varied combinations of input.
State transition testing	Verify system behavior during state changes.
Error guessing	Use testers’ intuition and experience to “guess” errors.

All the above black box testing methods can be done without knowing the internal workings of the system, hence are called black box testing. Let’s dig into them!

1. Boundary value analysis (BVA)

Boundary value analysis, short for BVA, is a black-box testing technique to test the boundaries between partitions instead of testing multiple values in the equivalence region. In BVA, testers assume that if it is true for boundary values, it is true for the whole equivalence region.

Example of BVA: 

Let’s say you’re testing a system where valid age values are between 20 and 50.

• Test with the minimum boundary value (20). It should be valid.
• Test with the maximum boundary value (50). It should be valid.
• Test just below the lower boundary (19). It should be invalid.
• Test just above the upper boundary (51). It should be invalid.

2. Equivalence class partitioning

In equivalence class partitioning, also known as equivalent partitioning, testers divide all possible inputs into various equivalence data classes (or data groups) and test only one example input from each class, assuming that data in each class behaves the same.

Example of equivalent partitioning:

Imagine you’re testing a system where valid usernames are within 5 – 20 text-only characters. You divide the inputs into 5 groups as below.

Valid input group	Example input	Invalid input group	Example input
Inputs between 5-20 text characters	10 text characters	Inputs below 5 characters	3 text characters
		Inputs above 20 characters	25 text characters
		Empty input	(Leave blank)
		Inputs contain non-text characters	10 characters contain text and numbers

 

Then, you pick one representative input from each group to test. For instance, if you input 10 text characters, it should be valid. But if you input 4 characters, it should be invalid.

3. Decision table based testing

Decision table, also called a cause-effect table, is a software testing technique based on cause-effect relationships. It is used to test system behavior in which the output depends on a combination of inputs, for instance:

• Combination of inputs: all blanks/specific blanks in the log-in section are filled in by a user.
• System behavior: navigate the user to the homepage.

Example of decision table testing: 

An app allows users to log in only when the username, password, and captcha are correct. We have the below table that represents all possible scenarios to test, in which T = true and F = false.

4. State transition testing

In state transition black-box testing, changes in the input make changes to the state of the system and trigger different outputs. In this technique, testers execute valid and invalid cases belonging to a sequence of events to evaluate the system’s behavior.

Example of state transition testing: 

An e-commerce app will lock a user’s account if he/she enters the wrong password 3 times in a row. This means the user will be able to log in if he/she enters the correct password on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd try. Each time the password is entered correctly, the state is transitioned into “Access accepted”. Otherwise, the state turns into “Account locked” after the 3rd time entering the wrong password.

The state transition diagram below represents a sequence of events to test.

5. Error guessing

In error guessing, you rely on testers’ intuition and experience to anticipate and uncover possible errors or error-prone situations in the software, particularly in situations where formal test cases may be insufficient.

In error guessing, the test cases could be based on:

• Previous experience in testing related/similar software products.
• Understanding of the system to be tested.
• Knowledge of common errors in such applications.
• Prioritized functions in the requirement specification documents (to not miss them).

Black Box vs. White Box vs. Gray Box Testing

Black box, white box, and grey box testing make up the three software testing methodologies to test an app as an outsider, an insider, and a partial insider. While black box testing and white box testing are opposite concepts, gray box testing stands in between the two.

Let’s dive into a detailed comparison between black box, white box and gray box testing.

Black box testing	Gray box testing	White box testing
Minimal to no knowledge of internal details	Partial knowledge of internal details	Full knowledge of internal details
Low-level granularity	Medium-level granularity	High-level granularity
Focuses on testing the functionality of the software	Uncover defects, vulnerabilities, and ensure proper functioning of the software	Test the internal logic, code structure, and implementation details of the software
Evaluates a product from the user’s perspective	Considers both the user’s perspective and developer’s perspective	Evaluation happens from the developer’s perspective
Is often done by end-users, testers and also developers	Can be done by developers, testers, and end-users	Is generally done by developers and testers
Test cases are designed on the functional specifications	Test cases are created based on both functional specifications and some internal knowledge	Test cases are designed based on the internal code and structure
Tend to consume the least time among the 3 methods	Tend to consume medium time among the 3 methods	Tend to consume the most time among the 3 methods
Technique: Boundary value analysis Equivalence class partitioning Decision table testing State transition testing Error guessing	Technique: Matrix testing Orthogonal array testing Pattern testing Regression testing	Technique: Statement coverage Branch coverage Path coverage Condition coverage Decision/Condition coverage

 

How To Perform Black Box Testing?

A standard black box testing process takes place as below:

• Examine the requirements and specifications of the software
• Define the testing scope, objectives, and create a test plan
• Develop test cases based on specifications and user scenarios, including choosing valid inputs, invalid inputs, and expected output for each input.
• Execute the test cases, entering inputs, observing outputs, and comparing real outputs with expected outputs.
• Document any discrepancies or defects found during testing.
• Re-run tests after fixes or changes to ensure existing functionality remains intact.

Frequently Asked Questions about Black Box Testing

1. What are the types of black box testing?

Black box testing is suitable for three primary types of tests: functional testing, non-functional testing, and regression testing.

2. Is black box testing illegal?

No, black box testing is not illegal. It is a legitimate and widely used software testing method where testers assess the functionality of a system without knowing its internal code.

However, it’s crucial to conduct black box testing on systems you have permission to test, respecting ethical and legal boundaries. Unauthorized testing on systems or networks without proper consent is considered illegal and can result in legal consequences.

3. Why might companies prefer black box testing over white box testing?

Black box testing is user-focused and doesn’t require knowledge of internal code. Hence, it is often simpler to start and more cost-effective to carry out compared to white box testing and gray box testing. That’s why companies may prefer black-box testing over white-box testing.

Black Box Testing with LQA

As the pioneering independent software testing company in Vietnam, Lotus Quality Assurance (LQA) stands out as a prominent software quality assurance firm with a wide range of software testing services, covering black box, gray box, and white box testing.

Are you looking for experts in conducting black box testing services? Don’t hesitate to contact LQA’s software testing team.

Related resources:

• Black Box Penetration Testing 
• White Box Penetration Testing

 

In today’s ever-evolving software development landscape, functional testing is critical to ensuring that software satisfies its intended specifications and functions seamlessly. Beyond only finding bugs, functional testing examines how well each component works together to contribute to the overall success of the application. 

In this article, we will guide you through the comprehensive exploration of functional test, including its benefits, methodology, and how to complete a successful functional test project. Let’s get cracking!

 

What is Functional Testing Definition?

Functional test is a type of software testing that examines the function of a software application or system. Its main goal is to ensure that the system functions in a way that meets the business demands and conforms to the stated functional criteria.

This involves evaluating the software’s user interactions, data manipulation, input and output from the software, and how it reacts to various scenarios and conditions.

 

Functional vs Non-functional Testing: Key Differences

What is functional testing and non functional testing?

Functional and non functional testing are both popular and essential software testing types that help verify if a software’s features work correctly and assess aspects like performance and security for overall reliability.

The differences between functional and non-functional testing lie in their respective focuses. Functional tests focus on verifying if the required functions are met, whereas non-functional tests evaluate non-function aspects of any software such as performance, stability, efficiency, usability, visuals, etc.

Put simply, functional test tries to answer if the software’s important functions are operating, while non-functional tests care more about how the operations occur.

 

What are the differences between functional and non-functional testing?

Let’s explore the key differences between functional and non-functional testing in the table below:

Aspect	Functional testing	Non-functional testing
Objective	To evaluate if the software app meets functional requirements and operates as intended	To assess non-functional aspects such as usability, security, performance, and more
Test coverage	Typically concentrates on particular features or functions	Covers a larger range of attributes beyond functionality
Examples	User acceptance testing, unit testing,  functional system testing, integration testing	Security testing, usability testing, compatibility testing, performance testing
Test criteria	Criteria for passing or failing are frequently straightforward and determined by expected results	Successful or unsuccessful criteria may include thresholds or benchmarks (for example, a response time of less than 2 seconds).
Tools and technologies	Some examples of functional testing tools are Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, unified functional testing (UFT), etc	Some examples of non-functional testing tools are JMeter, OWASP ZAP, LoadRunner, etc
Objective Measurement	Frequently has binary results (pass/fail) according to the expected behavior	Frequently uses benchmarks and quantitative measurements for non-functional attributes

 

Why is Functional Testing Important?

Software functional testing is an important phase of the software development life cycle (SDLC) for a variety of reasons:

 

• Verification of requirements: Functional test guarantees that the software meets the requirements. By testing each function or feature, you can ensure that the application acts as expected and meets the functional criteria.
• Bug detection: One of the key goals of functional test is to find and disclose bugs or problems in software. It aids in identifying disparities between predicted and actual results, allowing developers to correct flaws before the software is published.
• Software quality improvement: Functional testing helps to improve the overall quality of software by verifying that every module or component carries out its assigned task correctly.
• User experience optimization: Functional tests improve user experience by identifying and correcting issues early in the SDLC. It helps develop a software product that satisfies users’ expectations and reduces post-release problems.
• Cost-effectiveness: Resolving problems at a later stage of the software development life cycle or after the product has been delivered is more expensive than identifying and repairing errors early in the process. Functional test lowers the overall cost of development and maintenance by assisting in the early detection of issues.
• Risk mitigation: Functional testing assists in reducing the risks related to software development by methodically testing the program’s functioning. It gives teams information about the application’s usability, performance, and dependability so they may proactively solve any possible problems.

Types of Functional Testing

What are the most common functionality testing types? Here are the most common functional testing examples:

Regression testing

Regression testing ensures that new code does not break current functionality. It determines whether or not the application’s quality has deteriorated. These tests focus on the changes made and guarantee that the entire application is stable.

Unit testing

Unit testing involves breaking down the desired result into smaller units, which allows functional testers to check if a limited number of inputs, sometimes even just one, delivers the desired outcomes. By focusing on testing a specific part of the code, such as a function or method, unit testing is quick to write and run.

Integration testing

Integration testing verifies whether each software parts work properly together. This testing makes sure that the modules function properly when they are dependent on one another, even if they pass independent tests.

Smoke testing

Smoke testing is frequently used when a new build is developed. As an early-stage testing type, this method provides an additional layer of verification to determine whether the new build can move one or requires revisions. 

Sanity testing

A sanity test is executed for a new build that includes small bug fixes or new code, frequently after smoke testing. This method is to verify if every major functionality of an application operates properly both on its own and in combination with others.

Usability testing

Usability testing evaluates a software product’s user interface and overall user experience and addresses usability issues. In this testing method, real users will test the product in a production environment. Their feedback will be collected for future improvements.

 

How to Perform Functional Tests

QA functional testing typically includes the following essential steps:

Identify test input

Before the testing phase, quality engineers need to determine the function that needs to be tested, along with its requirements, and how it operates. This essential step allows functional testers to understand the function’s goal and learn the potential user paths.

Create test scenarios

Create a list of every potential test scenario—or at least every crucial one—that may be used for a particular feature. Test scenarios demonstrate how a feature will be used in different contexts. For example, test cases for a payment module might include different currencies, managing expired or invalid card numbers, etc.

Create test data

Based on the test scenarios that you selected, create test data that replicates typical use situations. Input the test data manually with tools like MS Excel, or automatically with a script or testing tool that retrieves data from sources such as a database, flat file, XML, or spreadsheet. Make sure that each input data has relevant information specifying the expected outcome it should produce.

Execute test cases

In this stage, the created test cases are run and the results are recorded. After that, compare the expected and real output. The actual output produced after running the test cases is compared to the predicted output to determine the level of variance in the results. This stage indicates whether or not the system is operating as intended.

Why Automate Functional Testing?

There are various advantages of functional testing automation during the SDLC. The following are some reasons why organizations decide to automate functional testing:

 

• Efficiency and speed: Automated functional test can be completed faster than manual tests. This leads to more rapid feedback on the software’s quality, which allows more frequent updates and faster release cycles.
• Reusability: Automated functional tests can be repeated without extra work and reusable at various phases of the development process. This allows consistent testing across different builds and releases, cutting down on redundancy.
• Improved test coverage:  Automated functional test offers wider coverage of test scenarios and data variances. This leads to higher test coverage, ensuring that all of the application’s components are carefully tested.

In summary, automated functional test improves the software development process’s effectiveness, consistency, and dependability, which leads to better products and quicker release cycles.

 

Improve Your Functional Testing with LQA

Enhancing functional testing involves engaging a specialized software QA & testing firm to ensure a comprehensive evaluation and optimal testing performance.

With over 7 years of experience as the pioneering independent software QA in Vietnam, LQA stands out as a leading IT quality and security assurance organization, providing a comprehensive variety of software QA & testing services to fulfill our clients’ diversified needs.

At LQA, we stay up-to-date on the latest functional testing methodologies and employ industry-leading tools.

 

In addition to functional tests, LQA offers full software testing services such as white box, black box, web application, mobile application, API, manual, and automation testing.

Key features of LQA’s functional test solution:

• Comprehensive software QA solutions include consultation, strategy, execution, and ongoing support.
• Ensured bug rate of less than 3% for devices, mobile, and web applications.
• Quick delivery enabled by a wide range of experienced testers.
• Optimal price-to-quality ratio, leveraging cost savings and the knowledge of Vietnamese IT professionals.
• Tailored solutions based on industry expertise.
• Maximum security assured via a Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA) and optimal security procedures during database access.

Connect with LQA’s professionals to improve your functional test experience, ensuring outstanding software quality, bug-free applications, quick project delivery, cost-effective solutions, industry-specific precision, and maximum security.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Testing

1. What is functional testing in software engineering?

Functional testing is a type of software testing that aims to ensure that a software application performs as planned. It entails testing the system’s functionality by providing input and inspecting the output to ensure that the software satisfies the defined requirements and works as intended.

 

2. What is non-functional testing?

In contrast to functional testing, non-functional testing assesses factors including scalability, performance, usability, and dependability. Rather than focusing on particular features or functionalities, it evaluates the system’s non-functional characteristics, such as reaction time, load management, and security.

 

3. What is the difference between unit testing vs functional testing?

Unit testing is a type of functional testing in which the validity of individual modules or components is verified by testing them separately. More broadly, functional testing evaluates the system’s functionality as a whole.

 

4. What is the difference between functional vs regression testing?

Regression testing makes sure that new features don’t negatively affect already-existing functionalities, while functional test confirms that the program operates as intended. Although being one of the functional test types, regression testing focuses on potential problems with new changes, whereas functional test validates features.

 

5. What is the difference between functional vs integration testing?

While integration testing evaluates the connections between various systems or components, the functional test looks at specific functions on their own. Both are a component of functional testing; integration testing makes sure these features work together seamlessly, whereas functional testing concentrates on features.

 

Final Thoughts About Functional Testing

In conclusion, functional test is the key to ensuring software reliability and user satisfaction. Its comprehensive examination of each function not only addresses and fixes possible issues but also guarantees a seamless alignment with user expectations.

Adopting a strong functional test approach is essential since it will protect against bugs and errors in advance, and increase software dependability, and user confidence.

We hope that with our comprehensive guidelines above, you can approach functional tests with confidence, creating software that not only meets but even surpasses user expectations in functionality and performance.

If you are looking for experts in conducting function testing for your software projects, contact LQA’s expert team today for top-notch functional testing services and consultancy. Let’s ensure your software stands out for all the right reasons.

Gray box testing, also spelled grey box testing, is a common method in software testing. The purpose of gray box testing is to search for defects due to improper structure or improper usage of applications.

In this blog, LQA will give you a comprehensive guide to gray box testing and the differences between black box, gray box, and white box testing.

What is Gray Box Testing?

Gray box testing is a software testing method in which testers have partial knowledge of the internal workings of an application.

The major objective of gray box testing is to combine the advantages of black box testing and white box testing to test the product from a user perspective and improve overall user acceptance of the product.

When doing gray box testing, the testing process is guided by the specifications or requirements set for the software. Testers create test cases based on what the software is supposed to do, hence they are called requirement test cases.

Example of gray box testing: Consider testing a mobile banking app. As a gray box tester, you may have some knowledge about the backend server communication. You design test cases to simulate various network conditions, like low connectivity, to observe how the app handles these situations.

Black-box vs. Gray-box vs. White-box Testing

We all know about the three common software testing methods: black box testing, gray box testing, and white box testing.

In black-box testing, testers have no idea about the system’s internal workings, while in white-box testing, testers have full knowledge of the application’s internal workings. Gray box testing is like a mix of black box and white box testing.

Let’s dive into a detailed comparison between black box, white box and gray box testing.

Black box testing	Gray box testing	White box testing
Minimal to no knowledge of internal details	Partial knowledge of internal details	Full knowledge of internal details
Low-level granularity	Medium-level granularity	High-level granularity
Evaluates a product from the user’s perspective	Considers both the user’s perspective and developer’s perspective	Evaluation happens from the developer’s perspective
Is often done by end-users, testers and also developers	Can be done by developers, testers, and end-users	Is generally done by developers and testers
Test cases are designed on the functional specifications	Test cases are created based on both functional specifications and some internal knowledge	Test cases are designed based on the internal code and structure
Tend to consume the least time among the 3 methods	Tend to consume medium time among the 3 methods	Tend to consume the most time among the 3 methods

 

Also read: Software testing basics, principles, skills, phase

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Gray Box Testing

So, what are the advantages and limitations of gray box testing?

Advantages of gray box testing

In short, gray box testing in software engineering combines the benefits of black box testing and white box testing.

• Testing accounts for user perspective to improve overall user acceptance of the product.
• Testers do not need to have programming expertise or extensive internal knowledge of the target system to start.
• Less chance of introducing bias compared to white-box testing, as testers don’t know the internal details fully.
• More comprehensive test scenario design than black-box testing thanks to partial knowledge of the internal mechanisms.
• Is non-intrusive because it doesn’t require full access to the internal code.

Disadvantages of gray box testing

Due to its partial access to the internal code of the system, gray box testing imposes certain limitations.

• Less test comprehensiveness compared to white-box testing. Due to limited access to complete code path coverage, testers might overlook critical vulnerabilities in the system.
• Difficult to associate defects with root causes in distributed systems. Distributed systems involve various components and interactions, but testers don’t have full visibility into them.
• Algorithm testing is impossible as the lack of access to the complete logic of the algorithms.

Gray Box Testing Techniques

When performing gray box testing, there are various techniques you can choose from.

Matrix testing

Matrix testing is a testing approach that examines all variables in an application, evaluating all business and technical risks associated with them and ensuring their correct and efficient utilization.

In matrix testing, test cases are systematically designed and executed based on a testing matrix structure. The matrix typically represents different combinations of inputs, conditions, or variables that need to be tested.

Orthogonal array testing (OAT)

Orthogonal array testing, or OAT, is basically a systematic and statistically-driven black-box testing technique. It systematically selects specific combinations of inputs to test the system instead of testing every possible combination of inputs.

Imagine you are dealing with a large number of inputs. Now, testing every possible combination of inputs would take a long time. So, you pick a subset of combinations to test from an orthogonal array, which is a structured grid ensuring coverage of various combinations of factor levels.

This method helps achieve a balance between thorough testing and minimizing the number of test cases required.

Pattern testing

Pattern testing in gray box testing involves analyzing historical defects to recognize recurring patterns associated with defects. Then, you can apply those insights to detect anomalies or deviations in coding practices that may lead to errors or vulnerabilities in apps with similar structures.

Example of pattern testing: Checking for consistent coding practices in naming conventions throughout the application.

Regression testing

Regression testing is a technique that verifies whether new changes affect the existing functioning of the system. Common regression test strategies are retest all, retest risky use cases, and regression test selection.

Regression testing is often done when there are modifications to a system, such as developing a new function or fixing a bug. In apps with frequent updates, regression testing is often automated for optimal efficiency.

The Gray Box Testing Process

A standard gray-box testing process comprises 10 steps as below:

#Step 1: Identify and select inputs

Choose inputs for testing from both white and black box testing methods, considering both external user interactions (black box) and partial knowledge of internal workings (white box).

#Step 2: Identify probable outputs

Determine expected outcomes corresponding to the selected inputs to establish criteria for successful testing.

#Step 3: Identify key paths for the testing phase

Recognize critical paths within the system that need to be tested to ensure comprehensive coverage.

#Step 4: Identify sub-functions

Break down the system into sub-functions for more focused and in-depth testing.

#Step 5:  Identify inputs for subfunctions

Determine inputs specific to each sub-function, tailoring tests to assess individual components.

#Step 6: Identify probable outputs for subfunctions

Anticipate expected outputs corresponding to inputs for each identified sub-function.

#Step 7: Execute sub-function test cases

Perform tests on isolated sub-functions to observe how they respond to various inputs.

#Step 8: Assess and verify outcomes.

Evaluate test results to verify whether the system behaves as expected and meets specified criteria.

#Step 9: Repeat steps 4 & 8 for other subfunctions

#Step 10: Repeat steps 7 & 8 for other subfunctions

Frequently Asked Questions about Gray Box Testing

1. What is gray box penetration testing?

Gray box penetration testing is a cybersecurity assessment approach where the tester is provided with some information, such as system architecture or design details, to simulate the perspective of an attacker with limited insider knowledge.

Gray box penetration testing alongside black box penetration testing and white box penetration testing make up the 3 common penetration testing methods in security testing.

2. What is the difference between gray-box and black-box testing?

The fundamental difference between gray box testing and black box testing is how much testers know about the internal workings of a system, which can be a web app, a mobile app, or a desktop app.

Gray box testers have partial knowledge of the internal details of the system, hence testing the system from both a user perspective and developer perspective.

Black box testers have no idea about the internal details of the system, hence testing the system from a user perspective completely.

3. What is gray box testing also known as?

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), gray box testing is also known as focused testing.

Gray Box Testing by LQA

Gray-box testing is beneficial because it merges the benefits of black box testing and white box testing, combining the simplicity of the black-box approach with the code-specific approach of the white-box approach.

As the pioneering independent software testing company in Vietnam, LQA stands out as a prominent software quality assurance firm with a wide range of software testing services, covering gray box, white box, and black box testing.

Are you looking for experts in conducting gray box testing services? Don’t hesitate to contact LQA’s software testing team.

Contact LQA at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://lotus-qa.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lqa