
<p>Unit testing, followed by integration testing validates software quality. But when building a robust enterprise application, your integration testing approach needs some more push. For software connected to other sub-projects, quality validation requires <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/back-to-back-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">back-to-back</a>, reverse-forward testing of all layers of your application from the onset. This is where sandwich testing comes in.</p>



<p>This blog will explain the sandwich testing concept, including its features and the steps to execute it.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_Is_Sandwich_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What Is Sandwich Testing?</a><ul><li><a href="#The_Top-Down_Testing_Approach"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.1</span> The Top-Down Testing Approach</a></li><li><a href="#The_Bottom-Up_Approach"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.2</span> The Bottom-Up Approach</a></li><li><a href="#Sandwich_Testing_and_the_N-Tier_Software_Architecture"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.3</span> Sandwich Testing and the N-Tier Software Architecture</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Features_of_Sandwich_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Features of Sandwich Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Why_is_sandwich_testing_necessary_in_software_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Why is sandwich testing necessary in software testing?</a></li><li><a href="#Sandwich_testing_and_test_automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Sandwich testing and test automation</a><ul><li><a href="#Some_Tools_to_Automate_Sandwich_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.1</span> Some Tools to Automate Sandwich Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Example_of_Sandwich_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Example of Sandwich Testing</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_run_a_sandwich_test"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> How to run a sandwich test?</a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_hybrid_or_sandwich_integration_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.1</span> What is hybrid or sandwich integration testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_attributes_of_sandwich_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">8.2</span> What are the attributes of sandwich testing?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-sandwich-testing"><span id="What_Is_Sandwich_Testing">What Is Sandwich Testing?</span></h2>



<p>Sandwich testing is an integration testing method that involves splitting an application into different layers and testing them separately and integrally to ensure each layer works perfectly to meet the software specifications. You can also refer to a sandwich test as hybrid integration testing since it combines the top-down and bottom-up testing approaches. Sandwich testing is an incremental testing process, and it assumes a three-layer testing pattern with the middle layer as the target layer.</p>



<h3 id="h-the-top-down-testing-approach"><span id="The_Top-Down_Testing_Approach">The Top-Down Testing Approach</span></h3>



<p>The top-down approach starts testing from the middle layer (target) to the lower modules. Here, you begin with the independent validation of individual units of the target layer, followed by a gradual integration of the lower modules, usually the database and other external services.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The lower modules are usually stubbed (simulated) to provide dummy data and objects to mimic them. This helps verify if the validated component of the target layer behaves as expected when mounted on lower subsystems.</p>



<h3 id="h-the-bottom-up-approach"><span id="The_Bottom-Up_Approach">The Bottom-Up Approach</span></h3>



<p>On the other hand, the bottom-up approach begins testing from the middle layer to the upper modules. This approach first evaluates the upper part in isolation and gradually tests it when integrated with the validated middle subsystem to catch bugs as the test proceeds. You can think of the upper layer in context as a simulated UI.</p>



<h3 id="h-sandwich-testing-and-the-n-tier-software-architecture"><span id="Sandwich_Testing_and_the_N-Tier_Software_Architecture">Sandwich Testing and the N-Tier Software Architecture</span></h3>



<p>An N-tier software architecture using a three-tier typically features the client side, business logic, and data access. You test each layer independently and further validate how they communicate after integration. That&#8217;s the sandwich testing concept. Ultimately, it helps mitigate bugs and save development time. Additionally, it makes your test suite more scalable since there are different test layers.</p>



<p>For instance, while ensuring that the submit button in the UI works, you also want to ensure that it calls the appropriate function, sends the expected queries to the database, and executes the associated algorithm expectedly on the returned data. Regardless of your application&#8217;s complexity, the sandwich testing method helps your test assess its entire architecture without complicating your test suite.</p>



<h2 id="h-features-of-sandwich-testing"><span id="Features_of_Sandwich_Testing">Features of Sandwich Testing</span></h2>



<p>Here are the key features of sandwich testing.&nbsp;</p>



<ul><li><strong>Sandwich testing is granular</strong>: It’s specific to each component or feature of an application. Thus, it involves independently testing individual components and how they further communicate with the corresponding subsystems. Invariably, it ensures each application component satisfies its expected quality first and checks how it behaves when it works with its associated layers.</li><li><strong>It assumes a three-layer testing pattern</strong>: Sandwich testing takes the bottom-up and top-bottom approach, with the target layer is typically in the middle.</li><li><strong>It is complete</strong>: Sandwich testing has extended coverage, combining integration and unit testing to validate the target layer independently first. It then verifies how it works when integrated with the associated upper and lower layers.</li><li><strong>It modularizes the test suite</strong>: Sandwich testing ensures that the test suit handles each part of an application under test independently, separating component concerns into modules that can run independently.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>Sandwich testing is incremental</strong>: Sandwich testing typically starts with the target module and progresses to other components in a forward and reverse pattern (from middle to top and from middle to bottom).</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-why-is-sandwich-testing-necessary-in-software-testing"><span id="Why_is_sandwich_testing_necessary_in_software_testing">Why is sandwich testing necessary in software testing?</span></h2>



<p>The ultimate goal of sandwich integration testing is to ensure that each subsystem of your application works together to achieve an overall quality. While it might be costly and complex, you want to use this testing method for the following reasons.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Earlier bug detection</strong>: It helps catch potential bugs earlier, saving development time and mitigating financial loss from production bugs.</li><li><strong>Improved test coverage</strong>: It helps you perform both unit and integration testing simultaneously to discover the effect of integrating other subsystems on the target layer. So, it improves the<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-coverage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> test coverage</a> and software quality.</li><li><strong>Test scalability and reusability</strong>: Since each test module handles the application’s components individually, sandwich testing makes it easy to add more tests and reuse existing ones as your application scales. Thus, it’s robust and ideal for testing applications with complex architecture.</li><li><strong>Reduced test suite complexity</strong>: Sandwich testing adopts a descriptive naming convention, making locating the module that handles a specific test easier. It also makes your tests more comprehensive when shared with your team.</li><li><strong>Support for parallel testing</strong>: You can test modules in parallel since many modules are under test. This saves time significantly.</li><li><strong>Support for test automation</strong>: Like conventional end-to-end testing, sandwich testing is also subject to automation testing tools like Testsigma, Selenium, Appium, Playwright, and many more.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-sandwich-testing-and-test-automation"><span id="Sandwich_testing_and_test_automation">Sandwich testing and test automation</span></h2>



<p>Automating your sandwich testing is helpful when:</p>



<ul><li>Considering the complexity of sandwich testing, automation simplifies the process</li><li>Test automation improves the test feedback cycle, allowing the development team to evaluate test results more efficiently.&nbsp;</li><li>Automation testing is saving costs, some avenues where costs can be saved are:<ul><li>It simulates different testing environments, including browsers and operating systems.</li><li>It helps you track the test step that fails during testing. This is handy for quick bug fixing.</li><li>It helps keep track of the test for continuity and scalability.</li><li>Automating your sandwich test provides an avenue for parallel multi-platform and multi-browser testing.</li></ul></li></ul>



<h3 id="h-some-tools-to-automate-sandwich-testing"><span id="Some_Tools_to_Automate_Sandwich_Testing">Some Tools to Automate Sandwich Testing</span></h3>



<ul><li><strong>Testsigma</strong>: Testsigma is an automation testing platform that allows you to automate UI tests locally or in the cloud without coding, in simple English. With support for multi-browser and multi-device testing, you can run tests in parallel using Testsigma’s Test Lab. In addition to browser extensions for recording tests, it features a user-friendly interface for creating test scenarios and writing test steps for each. It supports web, mobile, and API testing with little maintenance overhead, as tests are in plain English script.&nbsp;</li></ul><br>



<p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Automate your tests for web, mobile, desktop and APIs from the same place, 10x faster, with Testsigma</a></button></p>



<br><ul><li><strong>Selenium</strong>: Selenium is an open-source framework for automating user interactions on the web. Selenium provides web drivers for modern browsers, including Chromium-based browsers, Firefox, and Safari, and it&#8217;s the most-used testing framework. As of writing, Selenium has approximately 206,000 users, according to its <a href="https://github.com/SeleniumHQ/selenium" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GitHub stat</a>. The framework also features an IDE for playback test automation and supports the Selenium Grid for orchestrating tests in multiple environments. Selenium test automation requires coding experience in its supported languages, including Python, Kotlin, Ruby, Java, JavaScript, and C#.</li></ul><br>



<ul><li><strong>Playwright</strong>: Playwright is Microsoft&#8217;s end-to-end testing framework for automating web actions. In contrast to Selenium, <a href="https://github.com/microsoft/playwright" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">GitHub</a> puts its users&#8217; stat at 26,000. Compared to Selenium, Playwright is more recent and supports fewer programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, TypeScript, .NET, and Java. It also supports many modern browsers and allows parallel testing. Unlike Selenium, which requires an implicit wait for DOM loading, Playwright features auto-wait and web-first assertions. The framework also has a code generator. In addition to helping set up tests quickly, this can be handy for generating relevant web element selectors during testing to save element inspection time.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-example-of-sandwich-testing"><span id="Example_of_Sandwich_Testing">Example of Sandwich Testing</span></h2>



<p>Every application has different components performing different functions. Each part typically communicates with the lower subsystems. These include the business logic and data layers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In sandwich testing, the application validation is typically incremental. It ensures you verify one module after another when integrated with the top layers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While performing sandwich testing, you typically start by testing the UI using stubs to simulate test data. Here, you might want to use UI testing tools like Testsigma to simulate a UI to validate the target component.</p>



<p>Once you test the UI, you can start testing the lower modules independently using drivers to simulate unavailable modules. Once done, you&#8217;ll integrate each validated lower module with the UI and rerun the test. This is the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/system-integration-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">integration testing</a> phase. It verifies if the application works expectedly after mounting each module.</p>



<p>For example, while testing a complex application using the sandwich approach, you want to validate each lower module in isolation before integrating it with the target (the UI). Next, you&#8217;ll rerun the test after integrating the UI with the previously validated module. This is to validate that each module works as expected when mounted on the UI.&nbsp;</p>



<p>You then repeat the process for each lower module until your test satisfies the required quality. However, modules that are unavailable for testing are usually stubbed.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-to-run-a-sandwich-test"><span id="How_to_run_a_sandwich_test">How to run a sandwich test?</span></h2>



<p>Sandwich testing requires close attention to the detail of your application. The following steps are a guide for executing a sandwich test.</p>



<p><strong>Step 1: Create your test scenarios</strong>: Planning a test scenario helps you imagine a user story. Your test scenario must be complete, comprehensive, and realistic and should include concise test steps.</p>



<p><strong>Step 2</strong>: <strong>Prioritize the essential modules</strong>: Identifying the target components makes your tests more specific and consistent. Ensure you collaborate with the development team to understand underlying functions and modules. This helps you to verify which modules are available for testing and efficiently create test stubs and drivers for them. At this stage, you also want to identify and prioritize the modules in the order of their effect on your application&#8217;s functionalities.</p>



<p><strong>Step 3</strong>: <strong>Choose a testing environment</strong>: This is where you decide whether to run manual or automation testing. While automating your test, you should also determine whether to use a local web driver or spin it up using a cloud grid.</p>



<p><strong>Step 4</strong>: <strong>Run your UI test in isolation</strong>: Start your sandwich testing by running the UI test in isolation with stubs.</p>



<p><strong>Step 5: Test each module independently</strong>: Here, you’ll test each lower subsystem in isolation to ensure they meet the software quality requirements. You might want to run subsystem <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/performing-parallel-testing-in-testsigma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tests in parallel</a> to save time and cost.</p>



<p><strong>Step 6: Perform integration testing on mounted modules</strong>: After testing each module and the UI independently, integrate the UI with each module<strong> </strong>and rerun the test.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Step 7: Evaluate test results</strong>: Use various test coverage and analytic tools to estimate how well your test performed. A critical evaluation of the test coverage helps you identify further test requirements. You can also generate shareable HTML coverage reports to view the missing tests.</p>



<h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary">Summary</span></h2>



<p>Despite the independence of each layer during development, they intertwine and work together when shipped to the end user. Bugs in one of the layers can break the whole. Thus, a layered architecture requires unsullied testing to ensure all parts meet software quality standards and user experience expectations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Unlike integration testing, that only tests the software when systems are mounted, sandwich testing is more comprehensive, as it checks each layer separately before integrating them incrementally with the target layer.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions">Frequently Asked Questions</span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-is-hybrid-or-sandwich-integration-testing"><span id="What_is_hybrid_or_sandwich_integration_testing">What is hybrid or sandwich integration testing?</span></h3>



<p>Hybrid or sandwich integration testing is an incremental software testing method for validating if an independently tested lower module works as it should when integrated with higher systems you&#8217;ve also tested in isolation.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-attributes-of-sandwich-testing"><span id="What_are_the_attributes_of_sandwich_testing">What are the attributes of sandwich testing?</span></h3>



<p>Sandwich testing has many attributes. But for the most part, it’s complete, stepwise, incremental, unassuming, modular, and pays strict attention to the application details. Overall, it makes your test suite reusable and more scalable.</p>


What is Sandwich Testing- Features and Example

Key Difference between Functional and Non-Functional Testing

Functional Testing VS Non Functional Testing – Key Differences

Requirement Based Testing Everything You Need To Know

Requirement Based Testing: Everything You Need To Know


<p>In the dynamic realm of cloud-based solutions, Salesforce has emerged as a pioneer, empowering businesses with its robust and versatile platform. As organizations harness the power of Salesforce to streamline their operations and elevate customer experiences, ensuring the quality and reliability of these implementations becomes paramount. That&#8217;s where Salesforce testing best practices come into play.</p>



<p>In this article, we will list the Salesforce testing best practices that enable organizations to navigate the challenges and complexities of this cloud ecosystem. Let&#8217;s dive in.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Best_Practices_for_Salesforce_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> Best Practices for Salesforce Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Start_Testing_Early"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.1</span> 1. Start Testing Early</a></li><li><a href="#2_Thorough_Unit_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.2</span> 2. Thorough Unit Testing</a></li><li><a href="#3_Automate_Your_Tests"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.3</span> 3. Automate Your Tests</a></li><li><a href="#4_Appropriate_Test_Tools"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.4</span> 4. Appropriate Test Tools</a></li><li><a href="#5_Use_the_Agile_Approach"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.5</span> 5. Use the Agile Approach</a></li><li><a href="#6_Get_the_Right_Testers"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.6</span> 6. Get the Right Testers</a></li><li><a href="#7_Involve_Stakeholders_in_UAT"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.7</span> 7. Involve Stakeholders in UAT</a></li><li><a href="#8_Proper_Naming_Convention"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">1.8</span> 8. Proper Naming Convention</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Testsigma_for_Salesforce_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Testsigma for Salesforce Testing </a></li><li><a href="#Summary"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Summary</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_are_Salesforce_performance_testing_best_practices"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">4.1</span> What are Salesforce performance testing best practices?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-best-practices-for-salesforce-testing"><span id="Best_Practices_for_Salesforce_Testing">Best Practices for Salesforce Testing</span></h2>



<p>Here is a list of the best practices QAs should follow during Salesforce testing:</p>



<h3 id="h-1-start-testing-early"><span id="1_Start_Testing_Early"><strong>1. Start Testing Early</strong></span></h3>



<p>QAs will have more time to test the Salesforce platform if they are involved earlier in the SDLC. Thus, testers will have more time to perform testing, increasing the test coverage and types of Salesforce tests performed.</p>



<h3 id="h-2-thorough-unit-testing"><span id="2_Thorough_Unit_Testing"><strong>2. Thorough Unit Testing</strong></span></h3>



<p>Unit testing is one of the best practices for developers to perform while customizing and configuring the Salesforce application. It helps developers to identify bugs earlier during the development cycle. As a result, it lowers the testing and retesting time and also the cost of bug fixing. Further, unit testing improves code quality and reusability.</p>



<h3 id="h-3-automate-your-tests"><span id="3_Automate_Your_Tests"><strong>3. Automate Your Tests</strong></span></h3>



<p>Reports state that automation tools help you save 75% of your testing time and 25% of your costs. So, always automate Salesforce tests! Also, you can test all the complex workflows of your Salesforce application easily and effectively.</p>



<h3 id="h-4-appropriate-test-tools"><span id="4_Appropriate_Test_Tools"><strong>4. Appropriate Test Tools</strong></span></h3>



<p>Identify the best automation tool to ensure your testing process is fast and efficient. For example, Salesforce test automation tools like <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a> will add value to your testing process. They will let you automate various Salesforce tests on different browsers, platforms, devices, and versions in one place.</p>



<h3 id="h-5-use-the-agile-approach"><span id="5_Use_the_Agile_Approach"><strong>5. Use the Agile Approach</strong></span></h3>



<p>As you might already be aware, agile methodologies are an iterative approach. In agile methods, the product is developed in small incremental builds. The agile approach is best for Salesforce projects, enabling faster feedback cycles to the changing business requirements.</p>



<h3 id="h-6-get-the-right-testers"><span id="6_Get_the_Right_Testers"><strong>6. Get the Right Testers</strong></span></h3>



<p>You must have a team of highly skilled testers with Salesforce testing expertise to perform testing effectively and comprehensively.</p>



<h3 id="h-7-involve-stakeholders-in-uat"><span id="7_Involve_Stakeholders_in_UAT"><strong>7. Involve Stakeholders in UAT</strong></span></h3>



<p>It is best to involve Stakeholders in UAT (User Acceptance Testing) process to see if the Salesforce customizations and configurations are as per the business requirements, so they can easily provide feedback for future releases. It helps test engineers identify any issues in the business process and understand the requirements.</p>



<h3 id="h-8-proper-naming-convention"><span id="8_Proper_Naming_Convention"><strong>8. Proper Naming Convention</strong></span></h3>



<p>Follow a proper naming convention for your Salesforce test cases. Give easy and descriptive names so you can quickly identify test cases whenever needed. It is beneficial when the number of test cases increases.</p>



<h2 id="h-testsigma-for-salesforce-testing"><span id="Testsigma_for_Salesforce_Testing">Testsigma for Salesforce Testing </span></h2>



<p>Testsigma is a low-code test automation platform that can be used for automating Salesforce testing. It offers several features and benefits, making it a viable option for Salesforce test automation. Let&#8217;s discuss some of it below:</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/image_2d2ec5d4972904b0dfd1369a77a90113_2000.png" alt="Salesforce Testing Best Practices - Testsigma" width="800" height="400" /></figure></div>



<ul><li>Testsigma supports codeless test automation. You can automate your tests in plain English statements using NLPs.</li><li>Built-in support for testing Salesforce-specific capabilities</li><li>Makes your testing 10x faster, thus enabling you to ship products faster</li><li>You can test your Salesforce applications across 3000+ real devices and 1000+ browser/OS combos.</li><li>Easy test data management on the cloud. You can quickly and easily create, edit, or delete your test cases in no time.</li><li>Easily integrates with popular CI/CD tools and other third-party integration.</li><li>Quickly automate tests on the cloud. Avoid installing different tools and frameworks to test Salesforce apps.</li><li>Detailed and comprehensive test report. You can also generate custom test reports.</li><li>It supports Java to test scenarios that require writing code.</li></ul>



<p>Try <a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma Cloud </a>for free using the 21-day free trial, and start automating your Salesforce test now! Also, you can try Testsigma <a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">open-source</a> version for free.</p>



<p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Give your salesforce test automation a headstart with Testsigma</a></button></p>



<h2 id="h-summary"><span id="Summary">Summary</span></h2>



<p>Following the best practices for Salesforce testing will provide a solid foundation for ensuring your Salesforce implementations&#8217; quality, reliability, and success. By following these practices, you can navigate the complexities of Salesforce testing and overcome common challenges.</p>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test automation</a> becomes your best partner in streamlining testing efforts, improving efficiency, and speeding up release cycles. Automate Salesforce testing with Testsigma and embark on a journey towards Salesforce success, where quality and customer satisfaction go hand in hand.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions">Frequently Asked Questions</span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-are-salesforce-performance-testing-best-practices"><span id="What_are_Salesforce_performance_testing_best_practices">What are Salesforce performance testing best practices?</span></h3>



<ul><li>You should test different user types, roles, settings, and features</li><li>Modify your test cases for every Salesforce update</li><li>Use Salesforce performance test to obtain client end page load time</li><li>Track the key KPIs when running performance tests: reliability, stability, and scalability.</li><li>Disable Single Sign-On</li><li>Do not use the absolute path of external files</li><li>Disable IP range restrictions</li></ul>


Salesforce Testing Best Practices - A Detailed Overview

Salesforce Testing Best Practices – A Detailed Overview

Automation Testing Life Cycle - A Complete Overview

Automation Testing Life Cycle – A Complete Overview

Best Test Data Generation Tools In Software Testing


<p>In today&#8217;s fast-paced digital world, APIs have become the backbone of modern software development, enabling seamless integration and interaction between various applications. However, before integrating an API into your application, it&#8217;s crucial to thoroughly test and understand its behavior. That&#8217;s where the API sandbox comes into play. </p>



<p>API sandboxes are like virtual playgrounds for developers, offering a safe and controlled environment to experiment, test, and fine-tune their code before deploying it to the real world. In this blog post, we&#8217;ll dive deep into API sandboxes and explore the best practices to ensure smooth testing experiences. According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/googlecloud/2022/01/19/research-shows-api-management-fuels-growth-heres-why/?sh=16659cf61713" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forbes</a>, the market capitalization of organizations that adopted APIs has increased by over 12% compared to those that did not. That is how much APIs play an important role in today&#8217;s world.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_an_API_Sandbox"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is an API Sandbox?</a></li><li><a href="#Features_of_an_API_Sandbox"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Features of an API Sandbox</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Easily_Accessible_to_Any_API_Client"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.1</span> 1. Easily Accessible to Any API Client</a></li><li><a href="#2_High_Versatility"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.2</span> 2. High Versatility</a></li><li><a href="#3_Simulated_Environment"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.3</span> 3. Simulated Environment</a></li><li><a href="#4_Customizable"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.4</span> 4. Customizable</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#7_Best_Practices_for_Sandbox_API"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> 7 Best Practices for Sandbox API</a><ul><li><a href="#1_Isolate_Your_Sandbox"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> 1. Isolate Your Sandbox</a></li><li><a href="#2_Provide_Free_Access"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.2</span> 2. Provide Free Access</a></li><li><a href="#3_Recreate_Production_Behavior"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.3</span> 3. Recreate Production Behavior</a></li><li><a href="#4_Remember_About_Authorization"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.4</span> 4. Remember About Authorization</a></li><li><a href="#5_Account_for_Gateways_or_Proxies"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.5</span> 5. Account for Gateways or Proxies</a></li><li><a href="#6_Review_Sandbox_Usage"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.6</span> 6. Review Sandbox Usage</a></li><li><a href="#7_Consider_A_Chaos_Mock"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.7</span> 7. Consider A Chaos Mock</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_API_Sandboxes"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Benefits of API Sandboxes</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_an_Open_API_Sandbox"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">6.1</span> What is an Open API Sandbox?</a></li><li><a href="#Is_API_Sandbox_free_to_use"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">6.2</span> Is API Sandbox free to use?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_Sandbox_API_vs_Production_API"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">6.3</span> What is Sandbox API vs Production API?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-an-api-sandbox"><span id="What_is_an_API_Sandbox">What is an API Sandbox?</span></h2>



<p>An API sandbox is a service that simulates the behavior of a production API. While the distinction between sandboxes and mock APIs may vary, sandboxes are typically intended for external developers. It provides a valuable platform for developers to test APIs without any risks or expenses, making them a vital part of a DX-oriented API strategy.</p>



<p>The primary purpose of an API (Application Programming Interfaces) sandbox is to enable developers to understand how to interact with an API, test their integration code, and evaluate the API&#8217;s capabilities before deploying it in a live application. It provides a safe space to experiment, troubleshoot, and validate API requests and responses.</p>



<h2 id="h-features-of-an-api-sandbox"><span id="Features_of_an_API_Sandbox">Features of an API Sandbox</span></h2>



<p>An API sandbox typically offers the following features,</p>



<h3 id="h-1-easily-accessible-to-any-api-client"><span id="1_Easily_Accessible_to_Any_API_Client">1. Easily Accessible to Any API Client</span></h3>



<p>The API Sandbox is a testing environment that enables developers to<a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/api-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> test APIs</a> without real-time consequences. It&#8217;s open to all types of API clients, including web, mobile, and desktop applications.</p>



<h3 id="h-2-high-versatility"><span id="2_High_Versatility">2. High Versatility</span></h3>



<p>The API sandbox is versatile and supports various API types, such as RESTful, SOAP-based, and GraphQL. This flexibility makes it an ideal tool for developers working with different types of APIs.</p>



<h3 id="h-3-simulated-environment"><span id="3_Simulated_Environment">3. Simulated Environment</span></h3>



<p>The API sandbox offers developers a simulated environment that imitates a real API. It enables them to safely test their API calls and responses within a controlled setting.</p>



<h3 id="h-4-customizable"><span id="4_Customizable">4. Customizable</span></h3>



<p>The API sandbox is highly customizable, giving developers the flexibility to adjust it according to their requirements. They can modify and test various aspects of the API, such as endpoints, headers, parameters, and more.</p>



<h2 id="h-7-best-practices-for-sandbox-api"><span id="7_Best_Practices_for_Sandbox_API">7 Best Practices for Sandbox API</span></h2>



<p>When working with a sandbox API, it&#8217;s crucial to follow the below best practices to ensure a smooth and effective testing process. Here are seven best practices for working with a sandbox API,</p>



<h3 id="h-1-isolate-your-sandbox"><span id="1_Isolate_Your_Sandbox">1. Isolate Your Sandbox</span></h3>



<p>You should make sure that the sandbox remains isolated from the platform. A sandbox must allow the development team to simulate the API&#8217;s behavior, but it should not allow any direct interaction with the platform in a way a production API will.</p>



<p>That is why it is considered best to build your sandbox in an isolated environment from the ground up. Because when you’re not careful with the sandbox, it could affect the production systems, lead to billing confusion, or even expose real data.</p>



<h3 id="h-2-provide-free-access"><span id="2_Provide_Free_Access">2. Provide Free Access</span></h3>



<p>Developers should have free access to the sandbox. It&#8217;s important to offer this because the main advantage of using a sandbox is that it&#8217;s free. This is especially beneficial for potential developer customers who might otherwise have to go through a lengthy approval process to get permission to try even the most affordable trials.</p>



<p>Although hosting a sandbox does come with costs, it&#8217;s essential for customer acquisition and developer experience. If providing an unlimited sandbox is not feasible, you can provide developers with a limited number of free sandbox credits when they register. This will reduce the amount of usage but still allow them to test.</p>



<h3 id="h-3-recreate-production-behavior"><span id="3_Recreate_Production_Behavior">3. Recreate Production Behavior</span></h3>



<p>When creating a sandbox environment for developers, it is important to ensure that it closely mimics the behavior of the real production system. This similarity allows developers to test their integrations with confidence, knowing that the sandbox will behave the same as the actual production API. Without this assurance, developers would need to repeat their testing using the real API, which undermines the purpose of having a sandbox.</p>



<p>To achieve this, it is vital to align the sandbox with the production API&#8217;s features. For example, if the production API supports POST requests, the sandbox should also support POST requests. Similarly, the sandbox should also implement pagination if the production API includes pagination. It is likely that the sandbox will be based on an API specification, so it is important to identify any gaps or limitations in the specification and address them accordingly.</p>



<h3 id="h-4-remember-about-authorization"><span id="4_Remember_About_Authorization">4. Remember About Authorization</span></h3>



<p>Do not overlook the authentication or authorization methods used by your production API. It is often neglected but crucial for developers. Ensure that you include it in your sandbox environment, whether you utilize API keys or access tokens.</p>



<h3 id="h-5-account-for-gateways-or-proxies"><span id="5_Account_for_Gateways_or_Proxies">5. Account for Gateways or Proxies</span></h3>



<p>While building your sandbox, it is vital to consider the impact of any gateways or proxies. Although they are not part of the API itself, they can still significantly impact developers&#8217; integrations. A key example is rate limiting, often implemented at the gateway level and can greatly affect integration behavior.</p>



<p>You have the flexibility to manage and handle these issues. Some API owners apply the same rate limits to sandboxes as they do to production APIs. However, others, like Salesforce, increase sandbox limits to allow more comprehensive testing.</p>



<p>The most preferred approach is the one by Evernote. In this approach, rate limits for both production and sandbox APIs kick in after a specific number of calls per hour. However, sandbox users are only rate-limited for 15 seconds rather than the entire hour.</p>



<p>This approach allows developers to test and handle rate limit exceptions without waiting for the one-hour interval to end before resuming interactions with the API.</p>



<h3 id="h-6-review-sandbox-usage"><span id="6_Review_Sandbox_Usage">6. Review Sandbox Usage</span></h3>



<p>It&#8217;s a good idea to regularly review how your API sandbox is used. By checking the sandbox&#8217;s logs, you can identify any unexpected usage patterns and provide support for them. It&#8217;s also important to look for frequently occurring errors, particularly during the onboarding process, as fixing these common pain points can improve retention.</p>



<h3 id="h-7-consider-a-chaos-mock"><span id="7_Consider_A_Chaos_Mock">7. Consider A Chaos Mock</span></h3>



<p>In high-stake industries, it is recommended to develop a chaos mock along with the regular sandbox for mature API programs. The chaos mock, introduced by Microsoft architect Gareth Jones, is a form of API virtualization designed to incorporate various unpredictable behaviors.</p>



<p>Its purpose is to allow developers to test their code against a wide range of unpredictable API behaviors, ensuring that their integrations can withstand any situation.</p>



<h2 id="h-benefits-of-api-sandboxes"><span id="Benefits_of_API_Sandboxes">Benefits of API Sandboxes</span></h2>



<p>Some of its key benefits include,</p>



<ul><li>It reduces the costs and potential risks related to testing third-party APIs.</li><li>It allows simultaneous testing and development, which accelerates application development cycles and reduces the time to launch the product in the market.</li><li>Allows risk-free testing and experimentation</li><li>It saves money and time</li><li>It improves security</li><li>Helps mitigate risks and ensures stability</li><li>Cost-effective development and resource utilization</li><li>Faster development cycles</li></ul>



<p>Also, do not confuse between API sandbox and <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/api-testing-basics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">API testing</a>. API sandbox provides a controlled environment for developers to interact with and test APIs, while API testing encompasses the broader process of evaluating the functionality, performance, security, and integration aspects of APIs.Also, you can <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-api-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automate your API tests</a> using test automation platforms like Testsigma. Testsigma offers a <a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">free trial</a> and two paid plans &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/pricing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pro and enterprise</a>.</p>



<p><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Give your API testing a headstart with Testsigma</a></button></p>



<br><h2 id="h-conclusion"><span id="Conclusion">Conclusion</span></h2>



<p>API sandboxes are powerful tools for developers, offering a risk-free environment to experiment, test, and refine their code before going live. By adhering to these best practices, businesses can foster a developer-friendly ecosystem, encourage innovation, and promote successful API integrations. Ultimately, it serves as an invaluable tool for streamlining the development process, reducing risks, and delivering high-quality APIs that meet the needs of developers and end-users alike.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions">Frequently Asked Questions</span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-is-an-open-api-sandbox"><span id="What_is_an_Open_API_Sandbox">What is an Open API Sandbox?</span></h3>



<p>An Open API Sandbox typically refers to a specific type of sandbox environment specifically designed for testing and exploring Restful APIs. Simply put, OpenAPI deals only with RESTful APIs and not with any other types of APIs.</p>



<h3 id="h-is-api-sandbox-free-to-use"><span id="Is_API_Sandbox_free_to_use">Is API Sandbox free to use?</span></h3>



<p>Yes, the API sandbox is a free testing environment that is built to simulate the production environment closely. It allows you to thoroughly test your API integration.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-sandbox-api-vs-production-api"><span id="What_is_Sandbox_API_vs_Production_API">What is Sandbox API vs Production API?</span></h3>



<p>The key difference between sandbox API and production API is the data returned by the APIs. That is, in a sandbox API, test data is returned, whereas in a production API, real data is returned.</p>


API Sandboxes Best Practices To Achieve The Best Results

API Sandboxes: Best Practices To Achieve The Best Results

State Transition Testing Techniques in Software Testing


<p>In the software biz, we must test a product like absurd before putting it out to the world. There are different levels of testing, from functional to acceptance, and each one checks specific things to make sure everything&#8217;s up to par.</p>



<p>Check out this blog to learn more about why each level matters.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_do_you_mean_by8221Levels_of_Testing8221"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What do you mean by&#8221;Levels of Testing&#8221;?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_Different_Levels_of_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> What are the Different Levels of Testing?</a><ul><li><a href="#1_UnitComponent_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.1</span> 1. Unit/Component Testing</a></li><li><a href="#2_Integration_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.2</span> 2. Integration Testing</a></li><li><a href="#3_System_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.3</span> 3. System Testing</a></li><li><a href="#4_Acceptance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">2.4</span> 4. Acceptance Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Software_Testing_Sequence"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Software Testing Sequence</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_are_the_7_principles_of_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.1</span> What are the 7 principles of testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_are_the_stages_of_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.2</span> What are the stages of testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_zero-level_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.3</span> What is zero-level testing?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-do-you-mean-by-levels-of-testing"><span id="What_do_you_mean_by8221Levels_of_Testing8221"><strong>What do you mean by&#8221;Levels of Testing&#8221;?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Testing levels, also known as levels of testing, refer to the different phases or stages of testing software during its development cycle. The main idea behind this concept is that each level of testing targets specific aspects of the software&#8217;s functionality, which allows for better quality assurance and fewer potential defects.</p>



<p>The most common <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/the-different-software-testing-types-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">types of testing</a> levels include &#8211; unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing. Unit tests focus on individual components, such as methods and functions, while integration tests check if these components work together properly. System tests verify that the entire system meets the functional requirements specified by stakeholders, while acceptance tests validate the software against their criteria for acceptable behavior.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Levels-of-testing-1.png" alt="Levels of Testing" class="wp-image-31585" width="362" height="294"/></figure></div>



<h2 id="h-what-are-the-different-levels-of-testing"><span id="What_are_the_Different_Levels_of_Testing"><strong>What are the Different Levels of Testing?</strong></span></h2>



<p>Software must go through different testing stages before it can be considered bug-free and ready for deployment. There are generally four levels of software testing, as mentioned below:</p>



<ol><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/unit-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unit Testing</a></li><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/integration-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integration Testing</a></li><li>System Testing</li><li>Acceptance Testing</li></ol>



<p>Let&#8217;s have a look at these in detail.</p>



<h3 id="h-1-unit-component-testing"><span id="1_UnitComponent_Testing"><strong>1. Unit/Component Testing</strong></span></h3>



<p>Unit testing is done at the code level, where each component is tested individually to ensure their impartiality and analyze their functionality. Automating <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unit tests</a> is possible and highly recommended in today&#8217;s fast-paced development environment. To make a unit test, you should outline what you expect the code to do and write the code, which will check if it is doing what you expect. You should then run the unit test to verify that everything works as expected. For example, let&#8217;s say you have a calculator program that adds two numbers together. You can create a unit test that verifies the numerical values that the calculator program returns are correct. You could also create tests that verify edge cases and errors are handled correctly.</p>



<p>In this simple example, you could use unit testing to verify that the calculator program adds two numbers correctly.</p>



<p>First, outline and document the expectations of the program, such as:</p>



<ul><li>The program should accept two numerical values</li><li>It should return the sum of these two values</li><li>It should also handle negative numbers correctly</li></ul>



<p>You can then write unit tests that feed these values into the program and verify the correct output. For example, you could have a test that checks the program returns 2 when 1 and 1 are entered. You could have another test that checks the program returns -3 when 1 and -4 are entered. Once all the tests have been written and executed, you can confidently say that the calculator program has been successfully tested and works as expected.</p>



<h3 id="h-2-integration-testing"><span id="2_Integration_Testing"><strong>2. Integration Testing</strong></span></h3>



<p><a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/integration-testing/">Integration testing</a> enables software testers to test group units integrated into a system or subsystems; it helps identify any bugs or issues arising from coding errors or integrations between modules. It is possible to automate integration testing.</p>



<h3 id="h-3-system-testing"><span id="3_System_Testing"><strong>3. System Testing</strong></span></h3>



<p>System testing is performed on an integrated environment comprising the whole application, where all components are assessed against specific business requirements. You can use automation tools for System Testing.</p>



<p>For example, Testsigma, a no-code test automation platform, can complete end-to-end flows for web, mobile, and desktop applications and APIs.</p>



<h3 id="h-4-acceptance-testing"><span id="4_Acceptance_Testing"><strong>4. Acceptance Testing</strong></span></h3>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:30px">Acceptance testing involves testing the system&#8217;s <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/functional-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Functional </a>and Non-functional aspects, such as performance, security, usability, accessibility, compatibility, and reliability. Depending on the system&#8217;s complexity, it can be done manually or through automation tools. In this example, we will demonstrate the process of using Testsigma to automate the acceptance testing of a login page. First, we must create a test scenario that simulates users entering their login credentials and logging in successfully. Testsigma will automatically detect any issues with the page and report them back to us. Using Testsigma for acceptance testing, we can ensure that our login page is working as expected and ready for deployment.</p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Acceptance-testing.webm"></video></figure>



<p></p>



<p style="padding-top:30px"><button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://testsigma.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Start using Testsigma to automate your system, integration and acceptance tests</a></button></p>



<h2 id="h-software-testing-sequence"><span id="Software_Testing_Sequence"><strong>Software Testing Sequence</strong></span></h2>



<p>Let&#8217;s talk about test sequences. It&#8217;s a fancy way of saying we need to test our software step by step. We must go through four main testing stages before we can say our software is ready.</p>



<ol><li>First up, we&#8217;ve got unit testing. This is where we test each unit or component of the software to ensure it&#8217;s doing what it&#8217;s supposed to.</li><li>Then we move on to integration testing, where we test how all the different units work together.</li><li>Next, we&#8217;ve got system testing, where we test the whole system as a complete package.</li><li>Finally, we&#8217;ve got acceptance testing, where we let the end users have a go at the software to ensure it&#8217;s meeting their needs.</li></ol>



<p>And that&#8217;s it! Four simple steps to make sure our software is top-notch.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://images.storychief.com/account_36412/image_1ad6e37595b398e3c6f6d7101df742be_2000.png" alt="software testing steps" width="431" height="326"/></figure>



<p>Check here &#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/software-testing-methodologies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Software Testing Methodologies</a></p>



<h2 id="h-conclusion"><span id="Conclusion"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span></h2>



<p>Software Testing is a necessary process. It guarantees the software does what it should and meets all the requirements. Skipping testing can lead to severe issues that can mess up the software&#8217;s usefulness and how it works. So, don&#8217;t forget to give enough time and resources to test your software if you want it to be a hit when you launch it.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Questions"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></span></h2>



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-7-principles-of-testing"><span id="What_are_the_7_principles_of_testing">What are the 7 <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/principles-of-software-testing-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">principles of testing</a>?</span></h3>



<p>The 7 principles of testing a<strong>ccording to the ISTQB </strong>are:</p>



<ol><li>Testing shows the presence of defects</li><li>Exhaustive testing is impossible</li><li>Early testing saves time and money</li><li>Defects cluster together</li><li>Testing is context-dependent</li><li>Absence-of-errors fallacy</li><li>The Pesticide Paradox</li></ol>



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-stages-of-testing"><span id="What_are_the_stages_of_testing">What are the stages of testing?</span></h3>



<p>The stages are</p>



<ul><li><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Plan</a></li><li>Analysis</li><li>Design</li><li>Development</li><li>Execution</li><li>Bug fixing</li><li>Final test execution and delivery</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-what-is-zero-level-testing"><span id="What_is_zero-level_testing">What is zero-level testing?</span></h3>



<p>Initial testing, also known as zero-level testing, is the primary stage of the testing process to identify defects and weaknesses in the software system at the earliest possible stage.</p>



<customlinks>
<ts-link-item>
<ts-linktext-value>Lean Testing</ts-linktext-value>
<ts-linkurl-value>https://testsigma.com/blog/lean-testing/</ts-linkurl-value>
</ts-link-item>
<ts-link-item>
<ts-linktext-value>Autonomous Testing</ts-linktext-value>
<ts-linkurl-value>https://testsigma.com/blog/autonomous-testing/</ts-linkurl-value>
</ts-link-item>
<ts-link-item>
<ts-linktext-value>Fuzz Testing</ts-linktext-value>
<ts-linkurl-value>https://testsigma.com/blog/fuzz-testing/</ts-linkurl-value>
</ts-link-item>
</customlinks>


Levels of Testing A Complete Approach to Quality Assurance

Levels of Testing: A Complete Approach to Quality Assurance


<p>Software testing is an essential aspect of software development that ensures that software products are functional, reliable, and meet the required specifications. Testing is crucial to identify software errors and bugs that can lead to system failures, data loss, and other negative impacts. Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) and Equivalence Class Partitioning (ECP) are two widely used testing techniques that help in Software Testing. In this article, we will discuss BVA and ECP, their benefits, real-life examples, and some common pitfalls to avoid.</p>



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_are_Boundary_Value_Analysis_and_Equivalence_Class_Partitioning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What are Boundary Value Analysis and Equivalence Class Partitioning? </a></li><li><a href="#Boundary_Value_Analysis_BVA_and_Equivalence_Class_Partitioning_ECPnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) and Equivalence Class Partitioning (ECP):&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_Using_BVA_ECP_in_Software_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Benefits of Using BVA &amp; ECP in Software Testing</a></li><li><a href="#Applications_of_BVA_ECP_in_Software_Testingnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Applications of BVA &amp; ECP in Software Testing&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Should_you_automate_your_tests_for_BVA_and_ECP_Techniques"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Should you automate your tests for BVA and ECP Techniques?</a></li><li><a href="#Common_Pitfalls_to_Avoid_When_Using_BVA_ECPnbsp"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Using BVA &amp; ECP&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="#Boundary_Value_Analysis_vs_Equivalence_Class_Partitioning"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Boundary Value Analysis vs Equivalence Class Partitioning</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">8</span> Conclusion:</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-are-boundary-value-analysis-and-equivalence-class-partitioning"><span id="What_are_Boundary_Value_Analysis_and_Equivalence_Class_Partitioning"><strong>What are Boundary Value Analysis and Equivalence Class Partitioning? </strong></span></h2>



<p><strong>Boundary Value Analysis (BVA):&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>BVA is a testing technique that focuses on testing the boundary conditions of a system. The objective of BVA is to identify and test the values at the boundaries, which are often the most vulnerable points in a software application. These boundaries can include input limits, output limits, or any other type of boundary that is relevant to the system being tested.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The concept of BVA is based on the assumption that errors are more likely to occur at the boundaries of input values, rather than within the range of acceptable values. This is because the boundary values are usually handled differently by the software application, and any discrepancies in the handling of these values can result in errors.</p>



<p>For example, let&#8217;s consider a software application that accepts input values in the range of 1 to 100. The boundary values, in this case, would be 1, 100, and values close to them, such as 2, 99, etc. Testing the boundary values would involve checking how the software application behaves when it receives input values at the edge of the acceptable range. This includes testing values such as 0, 101, -1, 102, and so on.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Contrary to the name it’s less of an analysis but more of a heuristic that can be applied while testing, which means that it can fail too. It is important to note that BVA should not be used as the sole testing technique, but rather as a heuristic that can be applied in conjunction with other testing techniques.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Equivalence Class Partitioning (ECP):</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>ECP is an important technique used in software testing. At its core, ECP is about grouping similar items that have a common property into a set, where each set represents an equivalence class. Doing so, helps testers identify and target specific areas of the software that may have a higher likelihood of containing bugs or errors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When you&#8217;re driving a car, do you consciously calculate the exact amount of pressure needed to apply on the gas pedal to accelerate to a specific speed? No, you don&#8217;t.&nbsp;</p>



<p>You know that pressing the pedal with a certain amount of force will generally get you to the desired speed. This is because the car&#8217;s engine and transmission are designed to work together to achieve a range of speeds, so there is a range of acceptable inputs for achieving a given output. That&#8217;s ECP! We apply it to anything we use regularly, like appliances, tools, and technology.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the context of software testing, ECP is used to group tests based on various criteria such as input/output values, user groups, product risks, test environments, etc.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For instance, if you are testing a login page, you could group tests based on different input values such as valid usernames and passwords, invalid usernames, invalid passwords, and so on. Each group would represent an equivalence class that exposes different kinds of bugs or issues that may arise when users attempt to log in.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While ECP is an effective testing technique, it is not foolproof, and it can sometimes fail too. It is a thought process that relies heavily on the tester&#8217;s knowledge and experience.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="boundary-value-analysis-bva-and-equivalence-class-partitioning-ecp"><span id="Boundary_Value_Analysis_BVA_and_Equivalence_Class_Partitioning_ECPnbsp"><strong>Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) and Equivalence Class Partitioning (ECP):</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<p>Now that we know about BVA and ECP, it is worth pointing out that they both are usually used together. Let&#8217;s try to understand this with an example. Let’s say you are trying to test a form that accepts age as a number:<br>&#8211; You cannot go on and create 100 test cases for it to test for all 100 inputs from the age of 1 to 100.<br>&#8211; You will also need to test the numbers below 1 and above 100. These are the boundary values.<br>&#8211; To make our testing more effective, let&#8217;s employ ECP. Let’s partition the 1 to 100 into groups of 10, so they would be [1-10];[11-20];[21-30];[31-40];[41-50];[51-60];[61-70];[71-80];[81-90];[91-100];</p>



<p>&#8211; For the created groups, the testing can be done for values on boundaries like: -1;0;1;9;10;11;19;20;21… and so forth</p>



<h2 id="benefits-of-using-bva-ecp-in-software-testing"><span id="Benefits_of_Using_BVA_ECP_in_Software_Testing"><strong>Benefits of Using BVA &amp; ECP in Software Testing</strong></span></h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-115.png" alt="Benefits of Using BVA &amp; ECP in Software Testing" class="wp-image-29919" width="200" height="200" /></figure></div>



<p>While BVA and ECP are widely used, let&#8217;s understand some of the key benefits of applying BVA and ECP</p>



<p>in software testing:&nbsp;</p>



<p>1. <strong>Improved Understanding of the System Under Test: </strong>When we apply BVA and ECP techniques, we try to identify the boundaries of the system and group the input parameters into classes. This helps us to gain a better understanding of the system and its behavior.&nbsp;</p>



<p>2. <strong>Simplified Test Design: </strong>By grouping the tests based on input/output values, user groups, product risks, test environments, etc., testers can better plan their tests. This ensures that each class is tested comprehensively and exposes different kinds of bugs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>3. <strong>Better <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-coverage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Coverage</a>: </strong>BVA and ECP techniques help to identify critical tests by dividing the input domain into smaller regions, leading to effective test coverage. BVA focuses on testing boundary conditions, which are the most error-prone areas, while ECP divides the input domain into equivalence classes that can be tested as a group. </p>



<p>4. <strong>Better Prioritization: </strong>By using these techniques, we can prioritize the test cases based on their criticality. BVA helps in identifying the values at the boundaries, which are more likely to cause errors, while ECP helps in grouping the tests based on the common properties, which makes it easier to prioritize the tests.&nbsp;</p>



<p>5. <strong>Better Risk Management: </strong>BVA and ECP help to identify and manage risks associated with software testing. By identifying the most critical scenarios, testers can focus on the areas of the software that are most likely to cause problems.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="applications-of-bva-ecp-in-software-testing"><span id="Applications_of_BVA_ECP_in_Software_Testingnbsp"><strong>Applications of BVA &amp; ECP in Software Testing</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-116.png" alt="Applications of BVA &amp; ECP in Software Testing" class="wp-image-29921" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



<p>The most common use/application of BVA and ECP in Software testing is found to be on the input values for the system under test. Apart from input values, the following are some of the other scenarios where these techniques can be applied:&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Boundary Value Analysis (BVA):</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>1. <strong><a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/database-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Database Testing</a>: </strong>In a database system, BVA can be used to test the boundary conditions of various parameters such as the number of records, data types, field sizes, the minimum and maximum length of character fields, the range of numeric fields, and the maximum number of records that can be stored, etc. </p>



<p>2. <strong>Network Testing: </strong>BVA can be used to analyze the traffic on the network and identify any abnormal conditions or boundary conditions that may cause the network to fail. In network communication protocols, BVA can be applied to test the boundary conditions of data packets,</p>



<p>such as the minimum and maximum packet size, packet header length, and packet content. This technique can help ensure that the protocol will work correctly under a wide range of data transfer scenarios.&nbsp;</p>



<p>3. <strong>Hardware Testing: </strong>BVA can also be applied to hardware components, such as sensors, where boundary conditions like temperature, humidity, and pressure can impact the functionality of the component. By testing these limits, testers can ensure that the hardware component will function correctly under extreme conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>4. <strong>Testing of time-based functionality: </strong>BVA can be applied to test the time-based functionality of a system, such as a booking system, to check if it handles the boundaries of time zones, daylight saving time changes, and other related constraints.&nbsp;</p>



<p>5. <strong><a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/ui-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UI Testing</a>: </strong>BVA can be used to test the boundaries of the screen size, font size, color, alignment, and various user interface elements such as text boxes, buttons, drop-down menus, etc. By testing these limits, testers can ensure that the user interface will function correctly when users interact with it in unexpected ways. </p>



<p><strong>Equivalence Class Partitioning (ECP):</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>



<ol><li><strong>Output values: </strong>Equivalence Class Partitioning can also be used to test output values. For example, if a software application is supposed to return a specific set of outputs for certain input values, you can use ECP to partition the expected output values into equivalent classes and test only one value from each class.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>User roles: </strong>In software testing, ECP can be applied to different user roles. Different user roles may have access to different sets of features or functionality in an application. By applying ECP to user roles, you can identify and test the most critical combinations of user roles and features.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Time and date: </strong>ECP can also be used to test software applications that rely on time and date data. For example, if an application requires specific actions to be taken at specific times, ECP can be used to partition the relevant time periods into equivalent classes and test only one time from each class.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Environment: </strong>ECP can also be used to test software applications in different environments. For example, an application may behave differently on different operating systems or with different hardware configurations. By applying ECP to different environments, you can identify and test the most critical combinations of environment and software configurations.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Error Handling: </strong>ECP can also be used to test error messages. By partitioning error messages into equivalent classes, you can test only one message from each class, ensuring that all possible error messages are tested without the need to test every possible input value that might trigger an error.&nbsp;</li></ol>



<h2 id="should-you-automate-your-tests-for-bva-and-ecp-techniques"><span id="Should_you_automate_your_tests_for_BVA_and_ECP_Techniques"><strong>Should you automate your tests for BVA and ECP Techniques?</strong></span></h2>



<p>You may be wondering whether or not to automate the tests for Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) and Equivalence Partitioning (ECP) techniques. In my opinion, both of these techniques involve testing a range of input values systematically, making them ideal candidates for automation.</p>



<p>Automating your tests for BVA and ECP can be a great way to save time and ensure accuracy in your testing. And with tools like Testsigma available, it&#8217;s easier than ever to automate your tests without the need for extensive coding or technical knowledge.</p>



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<p>Automating your BVA and ECP tests with Testsigma can help you catch bugs and issues early on, before they cause major problems down the line. It can also help you achieve better test coverage by allowing you to run tests more frequently and consistently. Plus, Testsigma&#8217;s cloud-based nature means that you can access and run your tests from anywhere, making it easy to collaborate with remote team members or testers.<br>



<p>Automating tests for BVA and ECP can be highly beneficial for improving testing efficiency, consistency, and accuracy. However, it&#8217;s important to recognize that not all tests can be automated and that the decision to automate tests should be made after carefully considering the cost and benefit of automation.</p>



<h2 id="common-pitfalls-to-avoid-when-using-bva-ecp"><span id="Common_Pitfalls_to_Avoid_When_Using_BVA_ECPnbsp"><strong>Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Using BVA &amp; ECP</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></h2>



<p>When using Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) and Equivalence Partitioning (ECP) in software testing, it&#8217;s important to avoid certain pitfalls. Some common pitfalls to avoid include:&nbsp;</p>



<p>1. <strong>Restricting to only input values: </strong>BVA and ECP are not limited to input values alone. Testers must consider all possible factors that could affect the software, such as different user groups, product risks, <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test environments</a>, invisible boundaries, transitions, conversions, time, and more.&nbsp;</p>



<p>2. <strong>Assuming limits and classes: </strong>It&#8217;s important not to make assumptions about the limits and classes that should be used in testing. The actual limits and classes may differ from what was originally assumed, and testing based on incorrect assumptions can result in missing critical bugs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>3. <strong>Ignoring user behavior: </strong>Testers must take into account the different ways in which users interact with the software. Factors such as user expectations, use cases, and workflows can all have an impact on the software&#8217;s behavior.&nbsp;</p>



<p>4. <strong>Over-reliance on BVA and ECP: </strong>While BVA and ECP are useful techniques, they shouldn&#8217;t be the only testing methods used. Other testing methods, such as <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/exploratory-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exploratory testing</a> and usability testing, can provide valuable insights that may be missed using BVA and ECP alone.&nbsp;</p>



<p>5. <strong>Not considering edge cases: </strong>Finally, it is important to test edge cases that may not be within the expected range of values. These edge cases may include unexpected inputs or user behavior and can help uncover critical bugs that may otherwise go unnoticed.&nbsp;</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://testsigma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image-118.png" alt="Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Using BVA &amp; ECP" class="wp-image-29925" width="600" height="400" /></figure></div>



<h2 id="boundary-value-analysis-vs-equivalence-class-partitioning"><span id="Boundary_Value_Analysis_vs_Equivalence_Class_Partitioning"><strong>Boundary Value Analysis vs Equivalence Class Partitioning</strong></span></h2>



<p>Now that we have understood the various aspects of BVA and ECP; and how they can compliment each other. Let’s also throw some light on their differences:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>BVA</td><td>ECP</td></tr><tr><td>Here, testing is always done on the boundaries of input values.</td><td>Here, the testing will be done according to the classes created. The input values can be taken from the boundary or from the middle region of the class.</td></tr><tr><td>It involves testing for valid inputs as well as invalid inputs.<br><br>For eg. For testing boundaries for an age input form:&nbsp; 0 &amp; 1 will be valid inputs and -1 will be an invalid input<br><br></td><td>The validity and invalidity of the input values depends on the partition. Either all values in the partition will be a valid input or an invalid input.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



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<h2 id="conclusion"><span id="Conclusion"><strong>Conclusion:</strong></span></h2>



<p>In summary, BVA and ECP are not just testing techniques but are thought processes and approaches that can help testers to understand the system under test better and prioritize the tests based on the system risks and criticality, thus improving the overall test coverage, test plan, and strategy.</p>


Boundary Value Analysis and Equivalence Class Partitioning