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 class="overview-wrapper">
  <div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets"><p class="toc_title">Table Of Contents</p><ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Overview"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> 
  Overview
  </a></li><li><a href="#What_do_you_mean_by8221Levels_of_Testing8221"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</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">3</span> What are the Different Levels of Testing?</a><ul><li><a href="#1_UnitComponent_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> 1. Unit/Component Testing</a></li><li><a href="#2_Integration_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.2</span> 2. Integration Testing</a></li><li><a href="#3_System_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.3</span> 3. System Testing</a></li><li><a href="#4_Acceptance_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.4</span> 4. Acceptance Testing</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Software_Testing_Sequence"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Software Testing Sequence</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_are_the_7_principles_of_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">6.1</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">6.2</span> What are the stages of testing?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_zero-level_testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">6.3</span> What is zero-level testing?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 class="overview-head"><span id="Overview">
  Overview
  </span></h2>
  <div class="overview-para-wrapper">
<p class="overview-para"><strong>What Are the Different Levels of Testing?</strong></p>
<ul class="ov-list-wrapper">
  <li class="ov-list"><strong>There are four main levels of software testing:</strong></li>
  <li class="ov-list"><strong>Unit Testing:</strong> Tests individual code components.</li>
  <li class="ov-list"><strong>Integration Testing:</strong> Verifies interactions between modules.</li>
  <li class="ov-list"><strong>System Testing:</strong> Validates the full system against requirements.</li>
  <li class="ov-list"><strong>Acceptance Testing:</strong> Checks if the system is ready for release.</li>
</ul>
  </div>
</div>



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<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://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/image_1ad6e37595b398e3c6f6d7101df742be_2000.png_1748948422.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

Boundary Value Analysis vs Equivalence Class Partitioning


<p>Engineered with a focus on testing efficiency, our product team has introduced some really cool features this month. Let’s dive right in!</p>



<ol><li>Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for Advanced Text Extraction: The HTML canvas element is used to draw graphics, on the fly, via scripting. But during test automation of such DOM elements, users can neither rely on coordinates-based action nor on visual testing since it varies over screen sizes and does not assert any element inside the canvas image. With Testsigma&#8217;s <a href="https://testsigma.com/docs/addons/ocr-extraction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OCR-based text extraction </a>via add-ons, you can now extract content from inside the canvas tag. This powerful feature allows you to interact with any text/components inside the canvas image. <em>Read here </em>&#8211; <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/ocr-test/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OCR Test</a>.</li></ol>



<ol start="2"><li>Disable Test Cases in a Test Plan: To address the challenges faced when running known-to-fail test cases, Testsigma now allows users to <a href="https://testsigma.com/docs/test-plans/disable-test-cases-in-test-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">selectively disable test cases </a>within a test plan. By disabling these cases, you save valuable execution time and achieve a result decoupled from the known failures, ensuring efficient and accurate testing.</li></ol>



<ol start="3"><li>Support for Flutter Apps: Flutter is a crowd favorite for cross-platform app development, and Testsigma now supports recording and execution for apps built using the <a href="https://testsigma.com/tutorials/test-cases/mobile-apps/build-tests-using-recorder/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flutter framework</a>. Seamlessly record and execute tests on your Flutter mobile apps, enabling comprehensive testing for both iOS and Android platforms.</li></ol>



<ol start="4"><li>Support for Shadow DOM Element Capturing and Execution: With <a href="https://testsigma.com/docs/elements/web-apps/shadow-dom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shadow DOM</a>, hidden DOM trees can be attached to elements in the regular DOM tree, which allows for isolated testing of specific HTML document sections. Testsigma&#8217;s latest release introduces support for capturing and executing test cases on Shadow DOM elements.</li></ol>



<ol start="5"><li>Mailbox Functions for URL Extraction and Verification: This new mailbox function lets you extract and verify URLs from emails. Whether you need to extract and click on specific URLs or validate email URLs, Testsigma provides flexible options such as text matching, partial URL matching, and regular expressions.</li></ol>



<p>With these new feature updates, we’re continuing to make test automation a breeze.</p>



<p>If you’re not already a Testsigma user,</p>



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<p>If you’d like to see the difference that hassle-free automation can make to your release cycles, <a href="https://testsigma.com/request-demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">let us know</a>.</p>


May ’23 feature spotlight The latest on Testsigma

May ’23 feature spotlight: The latest on Testsigma

Test Case Template For Enhanced Software Quality

Difference Between Agile and Waterfall Methodologies

Agile VS Waterfall: Difference Between Methodologies

Alpha Testing 101 Everything You Need to Know

Alpha Testing : What it is, Why ,Process & When to Automate?

What is Pilot testing in Software Testing

Pilot Testing in Software Testing


<p>Welcome, Fellow Software buffs! Have you ever wondered how to convert those vexing user stories into valuable and efficient test cases? Look no further! since we&#8217;ll dive into the fascinating field of user stories in testing today! When following agile methodology for software development, user stories will be the basis for your work.</p>



<p>That&#8217;s where we come in; with our helpful guide, you&#8217;ll learn how to wrangle those user stories into test cases, making your testing process easier and less stressful. We&#8217;ll go through everything from the fundamentals of user stories to the finer points of writing test cases to guarantee your program functions smoothly.</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s get started!</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_a_User_Story"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is a User Story?</a></li><li><a href="#Characteristics_of_a_user_story"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> Characteristics of a user story</a></li><li><a href="#Examples_of_User_Stories_in_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> Examples of User Stories in Testing</a><ul><li><a href="#User_Story_1"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.1</span> User Story 1:</a></li><li><a href="#User_Story_2"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.2</span> User Story 2:</a></li><li><a href="#User_Story_3"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">3.3</span> User Story 3:</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Benefits_of_User_Stories_in_Testing"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> Benefits of User Stories in Testing</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Convert_User_Stories_Into_Test_Cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> How to Convert User Stories Into Test Cases?</a><ul><li><a href="#Identify_the_scenarios"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.1</span> Identify the scenarios:</a></li><li><a href="#Define_the_test_cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.2</span> Define the test cases:</a></li><li><a href="#Write_the_test_steps"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.3</span> Write the test steps:</a></li><li><a href="#Add_relevant_screenshots"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.4</span> Add relevant screenshots:</a></li><li><a href="#Prioritize_the_test_cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.5</span> Prioritize the test cases:</a></li><li><a href="#Update_the_test_cases"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.6</span> Update the test cases:</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Make_This_Activity_Helpful_for_Test_Automation"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.7</span> How to Make This Activity Helpful for Test Automation</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Conclusion"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Question"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Frequently Asked Question</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-a-user-story"><span id="What_is_a_User_Story"><strong>What is a User Story?</strong></span></h2>



<p>The user story is a term narrated extensively in the Agile software development context, but what exactly is it?</p>



<p>User story testing is a brief, concise explanation of a product or capability from the end user&#8217;s perspective. In an Agile process, a user story is a small workflow unit. It allows the development team to understand the user&#8217;s wants and needs and ensures that the program fits those demands. It is often used in software development.</p>



<p>User stories are typically written in a specific format;</p>



<ol><li>User</li><li>Functionality</li><li>Goal</li></ol>



<p>User stories are essential for directing the development process and ensuring the final product meets the consumer&#8217;s demands. As a <strong>User</strong>, I seek <strong>Functionality</strong> so that the <strong>Goal</strong> is structured. Examples include wanting to follow their purchase status online and knowing when to anticipate delivery. Testers must understand and turn user stories into appealing test cases to ensure the program functions as intended.</p>



<h2 id="h-characteristics-of-a-user-story"><span id="Characteristics_of_a_user_story"><strong>Characteristics of a user story</strong></span></h2>



<p>User stories are a great component for any development team, but there are several crucial characteristics to consider while designing them, mentioned below:</p>



<ul><li>A quick and concise explanation of a software feature or need.</li><li>Written from the standpoint of a user or stakeholder.</li><li>Features acceptance criteria for defining the feature&#8217;s expected behavior. It may be divided into smaller, more manageable chunks (epics, themes, or tasks).</li><li>Often written in “user, functionality, goal” &#8211; format, the development team and stakeholders reach a common understanding.</li><li>Priorities are assigned based on business value and influence on end-user experience.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-examples-of-user-stories-in-testing"><span id="Examples_of_User_Stories_in_Testing">Examples of User Stories in Testing</span></h2>



<p>Let&#8217;s look at some user story testing examples to understand better what they are:</p>



<h3 id="h-user-story-1"><span id="User_Story_1">User Story 1:</span></h3>



<p>As a user on social media, I want to be able to modify my profile information, So that I can keep my expertise current.</p>



<p>By doing so, Users can easily alter their profile information to maintain their knowledge and personal details on the platform, focusing on their motivation and desired outcome.</p>



<h3 id="h-user-story-2"><span id="User_Story_2">User Story 2:</span></h3>



<p>As an online shopper, I want to limit search results by price to select items within my budget.</p>



<p>This user story reflects online customers&#8217; needs to specify a price range when looking for items. This feature allows customers to filter search results by price, improving the browsing experience by allowing them to exclude goods outside of their specified price range.</p>



<h3 id="h-user-story-3"><span id="User_Story_3">User Story 3:</span></h3>



<p>As a fitness app user, I want to track my progress over time to see how I am progressing.</p>



<p>This user story highlights fitness app users&#8217; need to track their progress and performance over time. This option&nbsp;allows users to examine their fitness journey, such as steps done, calories burnt, distance travelled, or weight lifted, to assess their progress and make educated fitness decisions. With the growing demand for fitness apps, it&#8217;s important to choose a reliable and experienced <a href="https://onix-systems.com/sports-and-fitness-development-services" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fitness app development company</a> that can create a user-friendly and feature-rich app tailored to individual fitness goals.</p>



<h2 id="h-benefits-of-user-stories-in-testing"><span id="Benefits_of_User_Stories_in_Testing">Benefits of User Stories in Testing</span></h2>



<p>User stories offer a variety of benefits to software development teams:</p>



<ul><li>To clearly understand what the user wants helps developers create software that meets their needs.</li><li>Encourage collaboration between developers, testers, and stakeholders, leading to a better end product.</li><li>They can be easily prioritized, allowing teams to focus on the most important features first.</li><li>To help identify potential issues and challenges early on in the development process.</li><li>Promote a user-centered approach to software development, resulting in a more satisfying user experience.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-how-to-convert-user-stories-into-test-cases"><span id="How_to_Convert_User_Stories_Into_Test_Cases">How to Convert User Stories Into Test Cases?</span></h2>



<p>Once you have a solid understanding of user stories, the next step is to convert them into practical and effective test cases. Here&#8217;s an example that demonstrates how you can do it:</p>



<p><strong>User Story: </strong>I want to add products to my shopping basket on an e-commerce website to make a purchase.</p>



<h3 id="h-identify-the-scenarios"><span id="Identify_the_scenarios">Identify the scenarios:</span></h3>



<ul><li>Scenario 1: Adding one item to the shopping cart.</li><li>Scenario 2: Adding numerous items to the shopping cart.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-define-the-test-cases"><span id="Define_the_test_cases">Define the test cases:</span></h3>



<ul><li>In Test Case 1, Confirm that a single item may be added to the shopping basket.</li><li>Verify that a user may add numerous products to the shopping basket in Test Case 2.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-write-the-test-steps"><span id="Write_the_test_steps">Write the test steps:</span></h3>



<p><strong>Test Case 1:</strong></p>



<ol><li>Go to the product&#8217;s page.</li><li>For the chosen item, click the &#8220;Add to Cart&#8221; button.</li><li>Check that the item has been put to the shopping basket.</li></ol>



<p><strong>Test Case 2:</strong></p>



<ol><li>Go to the product&#8217;s page.</li><li>Select multiple items by selecting the &#8220;Add to Cart&#8221; buttons next to them.</li><li>Check that all selected goods have been put in the shopping basket.</li></ol>



<h3 id="h-add-relevant-screenshots"><span id="Add_relevant_screenshots">Add relevant screenshots:</span></h3>



<p>Include images of the product page, the &#8220;Add to Cart&#8221; button, and the updated shopping cart after the item(s) have been added.</p>



<h3 id="h-prioritize-the-test-cases"><span id="Prioritize_the_test_cases">Prioritize the test cases:</span></h3>



<p>Prioritize the situations depending on their relevance. </p>



<p><strong>Test Case 1</strong> is a priority since it covers the core operation of adding a single item to the shopping cart.</p>



<h3 id="h-update-the-test-cases"><span id="Update_the_test_cases">Update the test cases:</span></h3>



<p>Update the test cases as the user narrative matures or changes. For example, if the user narrative is changed to include the ability to remove products from the shopping cart, the test cases should be updated to incorporate the removal procedures.</p>



<h3 id="h-how-to-make-this-activity-helpful-for-test-automation"><span id="How_to_Make_This_Activity_Helpful_for_Test_Automation">How to Make This Activity Helpful for Test Automation</span></h3>



<p>To make the activity of turning user stories into test cases helpful for <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test automation</a>, there are several key considerations:</p>



<ol><li><strong>Selecting the <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/10-points-to-help-you-choose-the-right-test-automation-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Right Test Automation Tool</a>:</strong> Select a test automation solution that is compatible with the needs of your project, such as Testsigma, which can automate test cases efficiently.</li><li><strong>Creating Automation-Friendly Test Steps:</strong> Focus on generating test procedures that can be easily converted into automated scripts while writing test cases, reducing difficult activities into manageable processes.</li><li><strong>Prioritizing Test Cases for Automation:</strong> You may choose which test cases should be automated first by assigning priority to them. Concentrating on high-priority test cases may optimize your automation efforts while ensuring key functionality is adequately evaluated.</li></ol>



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<p></p><p style="padding-bottom:10px">Testsigma is a no-code test automation tool that reduces human error, saves time, and offers scalability. With Testsigma, writing test cases is as easy as writing sentences in simple English; thus converting your user stories into efficient and effective test cases is easier. It reduces human error by conducting automated tests consistently and reliably, saves time by completing tests quickly, and offers scalability to meet the demands of a project.</p><p></p>



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



<p>Finally, turning user stories into compelling test cases is essential in ensuring your program meets your users&#8217; needs. Thanks to our easy-to-use test automation platform, these stories can be easily turned into automated tests and executed quickly and efficiently with Testsigma.</p>



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-question"><span id="Frequently_Asked_Question"><strong>Frequently Asked Question</strong></span></h2>



<div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1752838309929"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Who writes user stories?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">User stories are often developed by product owners, business analysts, or other stakeholders who thoroughly understand the users&#8217; needs and expectations. The idea is to get everyone on the team on the same page about what the program needs to do and what features will be required to get there.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1752838321037"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What are the two types of user stories?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">The two types of user stories are functional and technical. Functional stories focus on the user and the value of the application software&#8217;s functioning, while technical stories are written to supplement functional stories. Technical stories are further subdivided into:<br/>infrastructure stories<br/>refactoring stories<br/>spike stories<br/><br/>The technical stories require architecture and design research to meet the customer&#8217;s functional requirements.</p> </div> </div>


User Stories In Testing How To Convert it Into Test Cases

User Stories In Testing: How To Convert it Into Test Cases?


<p>The browser renders web pages as HTML documents, HTML documents contain a series of HTML elements such as &lt;body&gt; &lt;div&gt; &lt;title&gt; &lt;p&gt; etc. <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-web-application-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Automation Testing of web application</a>s requires components of the webpages to be identified uniquely to perform any action on that. Locators or Selectors are used to identify the web elements uniquely on the webpage. The Locators are a series of elements chained with the selector-specific syntaxes. However, every automation tool provides its own method to find element by XPath.Selectors can be broadly classified into,</p>



<ul><li>CSS selectors</li><li>XPath</li></ul>



<p>The XPath selector is the most commonly used selector and is supported by all major browsers and test automation tools.</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_XPath"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">1</span> What is XPath?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Find_Element_by_XPath_in_Chrome"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">2</span> How to Find Element by XPath in Chrome</a></li><li><a href="#FindElement_by_XPath_in_Selenium"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">3</span> FindElement by XPath in Selenium</a></li><li><a href="#FindElement_by_XPath_Detailed_Guide"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">4</span> FindElement by XPath Detailed Guide</a></li><li><a href="#Find_Elements_in_Selenium"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">5</span> Find Elements in Selenium</a><ul><li><a href="#Find_Elements_in_Selenium_Code_Example"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">5.1</span> Find Elements in Selenium Code Example</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Using_FindElements_by_XPath_in_Selenium"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">6</span> Using FindElement(s) by XPath in Selenium.</a><ul><li><ul><li><a href="#Create_a_web_driver_object"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_3">6.0.1</span> Create a web driver object</a></li><li><a href="#Navigate_to_webpage"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_3">6.0.2</span> Navigate to webpage</a></li><li><a href="#Log_the_text_value_of_the_element"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_3">6.0.3</span> Log the text value of the element</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_1">7</span> Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_is_XPath-2"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.1</span> What is XPath?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_Absolute_XPath"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.2</span> What is Absolute XPath?</a></li><li><a href="#What_is_Relative_XPath"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.3</span> What is Relative XPath?</a></li><li><a href="#Which_locator_strategy_is_most_recommended"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.4</span> Which locator strategy is most recommended?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_find_the_XPath_Value"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.5</span> How to find the XPath Value?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_find_the_XPath_by_Text"><span class="toc_number toc_depth_2">7.6</span> How to find the XPath by Text?</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-xpath"><span id="What_is_XPath">What is XPath?</span></h2>



<p>XPath stands for XML Path Language. It is an XML Path notation used for navigation throughout the HTML document of the page. It uses the XML-based syntax to find the HTML element on the webpage. XPath is also known as a query language. The XPath works for any complicated application. General Syntax for XPath is as follows.</p>



<styled-code>
//tagname[@attribute=&#8217;value&#8217;]
</styled-code>



<p>For example, you can construct XPath,</p>



<styled-code>
//div[@id=&#8217;myid&#8217;]
</styled-code>



<ul><li><strong>//: </strong>Selects the current node.</li><li><strong>Tag name:</strong> Name of the tag.</li><li><strong>@: </strong>Select the attribute.</li><li><strong>Attribute Name:</strong> Name of the attribute.</li><li><strong>Value:</strong> Value of the attribute.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-how-to-find-element-by-xpath-in-chrome"><span id="How_to_Find_Element_by_XPath_in_Chrome">How to Find Element by XPath in Chrome</span></h2>



<p>The XPath is supported by most modern browsers. Browsers like Chrome allow us to write the XPath in the developer tools and check the correctness. If your XPath is correct, then chrome highlights the specific web element in UI.</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s discuss how to write the XPath in Chrome Browser,Let&#8217;s take the above-mentioned scenario of finding the XPath for &lt;ul&gt; that contains the list of product menu.</p>



<p>1. Navigate to the Webpage.</p>



<p>You can Navigate to any webpage you wish, for simplicity let&#8217;s navigate to https://testsigma.com/.</p><br><p style="padding-bottom:30px">2. Right Click on the desired element in our case its footer element and Click on Inspect.</p><br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/image_5997ce681e67d6d68124ccc91593895d_2000.png_1748948944.png" alt="inspect" width="800" height="400"/></figure></div>



<p><p style="padding-top:30px">Ensure the Chrome DevTools opens with the Elements tab Activated.3. Use the Ctrl+F key to bring the Search Input into the dev tools4. Construct the XPath using the XPath rules.XPath follows certain syntaxes mentioned above; it may start with / or //, and you need to follow XPath syntax.</p></p>



<p>Now, you need to find the list of the footer links using XPath. You have a ul tag associated with li, which can be constructed as shown below.</p>



//footer[@class=&#8217;footer sec_padding&#8217;]//div[@class=&#8217;footer_items&#8217;]/ul/li<br>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/image_e40eb4e5e17a32733f0a3bd5670a5ed3_2000.png_1748948940.png" alt="find element by xpath" width="900" height="400"/></figure></div>



<p>For example, as you can see in the above screenshot. First &lt;li&gt; is highlighted and in the search box you can see there are 18 matches. There are 18 different links in the list.</p>



<p>You need to follow the same steps for other browsers also. As mentioned before, most of the modern browser supports XPath. You can also use Edge, Firefox, Chromium, or any similar browsers.</p>



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<h2 id="h-findelement-by-xpath-in-selenium"><span id="FindElement_by_XPath_in_Selenium">FindElement by XPath in Selenium</span></h2>



<p>The FindElement and FindElements are two different methods that help to find the element in the webpage, by using the locator strategies.</p>



<p><strong>FindElement in Selenium: </strong>The FindElement method returns the WebElement object which contains the <a href="https://www.freedomscientific.com/SurfsUp/Elements.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">element of the webpage</a>. It returns the Single element so it is more suitable when you are acting on a single web element. When you execute the FindElement() logic on the browser, it searches for the matches based on the locator Strategy. Returns you the first locator that matches.</p>



<p><p style="padding-bottom:30px"><strong>FindElements in Selenium: </strong>Unlike the FindElement method, the FindElements method returns multiple elements as a list (List&lt;WebElement&gt;) so it is more appropriate when you want to perform the operation on a series of web elements.</p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Find Element</strong></td><td><strong>FindElements</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Returns the Single Element of Type WebElement</td><td>Returns the multiple web element of type List&lt;WebElement&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>Returns First most web element if there are multiple matches</td><td>Returns the list of web elements</td></tr><tr><td>Cannot iterate over multiple elements</td><td>Helps to iterate over multiple elements and perform an action on them</td></tr><tr><td>If there is no Element NoSuchElementException is thrown</td><td>Returns the empty list if no matching element is found</td></tr><tr><td>Since there is only one element cannot access the element by index</td><td>If there are multiple elements we can access the element by using index. The index starts from 0, 0<sup>th</sup> index returns the first web element</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 id="h-findelement-by-xpath-detailed-guide"><span id="FindElement_by_XPath_Detailed_Guide">FindElement by XPath Detailed Guide</span></h2>



<p>The below example shows the usage of findElement using Java.</p>



WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.LocatorStrategy(&#8220;SelectorValue&#8221;));



<ul><li><strong>driver: </strong>the driver is an instance of Selenium Webdriver</li><li><strong>findElement: </strong>The Find Element method requires Locator Strategy as the parameter.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-find-elements-in-selenium"><span id="Find_Elements_in_Selenium">Find Elements in Selenium</span></h2>



<p>As the name indicates, the findElements returns multiple web elements as a List. This method fetches multiple elements at once and performs iterative operations on them.</p>



<h3 id="h-find-elements-in-selenium-code-example"><span id="Find_Elements_in_Selenium_Code_Example">Find Elements in Selenium Code Example</span></h3>



<p><strong>Syntax:</strong></p>



List&lt;WebElement&gt; elementList = driver.findElements(By.LocatorStrategy(&#8220;Selector&#8221;));



<ul><li><strong>Driver:</strong> The driver is an instance of the Selenium Webdriver.</li><li><strong>FindElements: </strong>A method in selenium, requires the LocatorStrategy as parameters.</li><li>Returns the List containing the Web elements.</li></ul>



<p><strong>Example:</strong></p>



<p style="padding-bottom:30px">Let’s consider we have a list of footer links, and we wanted to fetch all the links at once and get the text. Then we can construct find elements by XPath like below,</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/blog-assets-production.testsigma.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/migrated_images/image_f625f2a41d65e975591828b44197007e_2000.png_1748948942.png" alt="footer links"/></figure>



List&lt;WebElement&gt; links = driver.findElements(By.XPath(&#8220;//footer[@class=&#8217;footer sec_padding&#8217;]//div[@class=&#8217;footer_items&#8217;]/ul/li &#8220;));



<h2 id="h-using-findelement-s-by-xpath-in-selenium"><span id="Using_FindElements_by_XPath_in_Selenium">Using FindElement(s) by XPath in Selenium.</span></h2>



<p>As mentioned above selenium provides the FindElement(s) method to fetch the locator from the webpage. You can use this method with the driver by passing the Locator strategy as a parameter.</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s understand it with a simple scenario.</p>



<ol><li>Navigate to Testsigma.</li><li>Find the footers in the footer section.</li><li>Log the Text of the footers.</li></ol>



<p>To write the above scenarios in Selenium we need to follow different steps. Let&#8217;s take a look one by one.</p>



<h4 id="h-create-a-web-driver-object"><span id="Create_a_web_driver_object">Create a web driver object</span></h4>



WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver()



<h4 id="h-navigate-to-webpage"><span id="Navigate_to_webpage">Navigate to webpage</span></h4>



driver.get(&#8220;https://testsigma.com/ &#8220;);



<p>Find the footer Element which is having the list of items.</p>



<p>As discussed in the Chrome XPath section, the ul and li holds the list of product menu items.</p>



<p>Let’s construct XPath for the same,</p>



XPath: //footer[@class=&#8217;footer sec_padding&#8217;]//div[@class=&#8217;footer_items&#8217;]/ul/li



<p>Once you have the XPath, pass this XPath as a locator strategy for the Find Element by XPath method. Example:</p>



List&lt;WebElement&gt; elements =driver.findElements(By.XPath(&#8220;//footer[@class=&#8217;footer sec_padding&#8217;]//div[@class=&#8217;footer_items&#8217;]/ul/li &#8220;));



<h4 id="h-log-the-text-value-of-the-element"><span id="Log_the_text_value_of_the_element">Log the text value of the element</span></h4>



<p>To log the text value of the element, you need to iterate over each element and log it.</p>



<p>Putting everything together, below is a code example to find element by XPath.</p>



import java.util.List;<br>import org.junit.Test;<br>import org.openqa.selenium.By;<br>import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;<br>import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;<br>import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;<br>public class SeleniumXPath {<br>@Test<br>public void seleniumDemoTest() {<br>WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();<br>driver.get(&#8220;https://www.testsigma.com&#8221;);<br>driver.switchTo().frame(&#8220;iframeResult&#8221;);<br>List elements = driver.findElements(By.XPath(&#8220;//footer[@class=&#8217;footer sec_padding&#8217;]//div[@class=&#8217;footer_items&#8217;]/ul/li &#8220;));<br>for (WebElement element : elements) {<br>System.out.println(element.getText());<br>}<br>}<br>}



<p>The above example illustrates the Selenium Find Element by XPath. Similarly, you can use the Selenium findElement by ID.</p>



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



<h3 id="h-what-is-xpath-1"><span id="What_is_XPath-2">What is XPath?</span></h3>



<p>XPath is XSLT standard element. It can be used to navigate elements in XML or HTML DOM contents.</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-absolute-xpath"><span id="What_is_Absolute_XPath">What is Absolute XPath?</span></h3>



<p>Absolute XPath is the least used XPath type; it starts from the root of the HTML DOM tree. Absolute XPath Starts with a single slash (/).</p>



<h3 id="h-what-is-relative-xpath"><span id="What_is_Relative_XPath">What is Relative XPath?</span></h3>



<p>Relative XPath is the most used XPath type; it starts with a double slash (//).</p>



<h3 id="h-which-locator-strategy-is-most-recommended"><span id="Which_locator_strategy_is_most_recommended">Which locator strategy is most recommended?</span></h3>



<p>There are different types of locator strategies available in Selenium, such as ID, class, name, Link text, and XPath. However, various experts suggest using the XPath when there are no other locators available to use. One of the reasons is &#8211; typically, XPath is associated with more than one HTML elements, so any new functionality can break the existing XPath.</p>



<h3 id="h-how-to-find-the-xpath-value"><span id="How_to_find_the_XPath_Value">How to find the XPath Value?</span></h3>



<p>Any modern browser’s developer tools can help to find the XPath value; there are third-party plugins that can help you to find the XPath easily. However, the browser dev tools can help you in most of the scenarios.</p>



<h3 id="h-how-to-find-the-xpath-by-text"><span id="How_to_find_the_XPath_by_Text">How to find the XPath by Text?</span></h3>



<p>The XPath can also be constructed to find text in the DOM element. In such cases, you need to use the text() functions in the XPath.<strong>Example:</strong>//ul/li[text()=&#8217;banana&#8217;].<gwmw style="display:none;"></p>
