In software testing, White Box techniques are also commonly referred to by which of the following names?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Structural Testing

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
White box testing is a family of testing techniques that require knowledge of the internal structure or logic of the code under test. Instead of treating the system as a black box, the tester designs cases based on control flow, data flow, and internal paths. This question asks for the common alternative name for these techniques, which is essential vocabulary for software testing certification exams and interviews.


Given Data / Assumptions:

    The term under discussion is White Box testing techniques.
    We consider typical textbooks and industry terminology in software testing.
    We need to map White Box testing to one of the names listed in the options.


Concept / Approach:
White box testing is also known as structural testing or glass box testing. The word structural highlights that tests are designed using knowledge of the program structure, such as statements, branches, and paths. Techniques like statement coverage, branch coverage, condition coverage, and path coverage all fall under structural testing. In contrast, design based testing, experience based techniques, and error guessing are more aligned with black box or specification based testing that does not rely on internal code knowledge.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the standard synonyms of White Box testing from your testing theory or certification material.Step 2: Recognize that White Box tests are designed using internal control structures, hence the word structural.Step 3: Compare options and identify the one that specifically refers to structure.Step 4: Select Structural Testing as the correct alternative name for White Box techniques.


Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of typical White Box techniques such as statement coverage and branch coverage. They require the tester to know the structure of the code and to design tests that execute specific structures. This is why many authors use the term structural testing interchangeably with White Box testing. Other options either focus on design documents, tester experience, or intuitive guessing of errors, none of which capture the requirement of internal structural knowledge.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is wrong because design based testing usually refers to tests derived from design specifications or models, often treated as a black box or model based activity, not strictly White Box structural testing.
Option B is wrong because experience based techniques rely on tester intuition and past experience, not on code structure.
Option D is wrong because error guessing is a heuristic technique where testers guess likely problems without necessarily examining code internals.


Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to mix White Box and Black Box terminology and to think that any sophisticated testing is White Box. Another mistake is to assume that design based tests always mean White Box tests, when they may still ignore the code structure. Remember that in White Box or structural testing, the internal logic drives test design, whereas in Black Box testing, external specifications and behavior are the main drivers.


Final Answer:
Structural Testing

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