How can you test all possible scenarios and edge cases?

1 What are scenarios and edge cases?

A scenario is a specific situation or use case that your software should be able to handle. For example, a scenario for an online shopping app could be: "A customer adds an item to the cart, applies a coupon code, and proceeds to checkout". An edge case is a scenario that involves extreme, unusual, or invalid inputs or outputs that could cause your software to behave unexpectedly or incorrectly. For example, an edge case for the same app could be: "A customer tries to buy a negative quantity of an item, or a coupon code that has expired or is invalid".

2 How to identify scenarios and edge cases?

One way to identify scenarios and edge cases is to use techniques such as user stories, personas, user journeys, and flow diagrams. These methods help you understand the needs, goals, and actions of your users, and the steps and outcomes of your software. You can then create test cases based on these scenarios, and prioritize them according to their importance, frequency, and risk. Another way to identify scenarios and edge cases is to use techniques such as equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, decision tables, and state transition diagrams. These methods help you divide the input and output domains of your software into logical groups or classes, and test the values or conditions at the edges or boundaries of these groups.

3 How to write test cases for scenarios and edge cases?

A test case is a set of instructions or steps that describe how to test a specific scenario or edge case. A test case should include the following elements: a test case ID, a test case name, a test objective, a test precondition, a test input, a test action, a test output, a test postcondition, and a test result. A test case should also follow the SMART criteria: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. You can use tools such as spreadsheets, documents, or software testing platforms to write and organize your test cases.

4 How to execute test cases for scenarios and edge cases?

To execute test cases for scenarios and edge cases, you can use different approaches such as manual testing, automated testing, or a combination of both. Manual testing involves performing the test steps by yourself or by a tester, and verifying the test output against the expected output. Automated testing involves using scripts, tools, or frameworks to run the test steps and compare the test output with the expected output automatically. Manual testing is more flexible and intuitive, but also more prone to human error and more time-consuming. Automated testing is more accurate and efficient, but also more complex and costly.

5 How to report and fix bugs for scenarios and edge cases?

A bug is a defect or error in your software that causes it to deviate from the expected or desired behavior. When you encounter a bug while testing a scenario or edge case, you should report it and fix it as soon as possible. To report a bug, you should use a bug tracking system or tool that allows you to create, update, and track bug reports. A bug report should include the following information: a bug ID, a bug summary, a bug description, a bug severity, a bug priority, a bug status, a bug assignee, and a bug resolution. To fix a bug, you should use a code editor or IDE that allows you to edit, debug, and test your code. You should also use version control systems or tools that allow you to manage, track, and merge your code changes.

6 How to improve your testing skills for scenarios and edge cases?

Testing all possible scenarios and edge cases is not a one-time activity, but a continuous process that requires constant learning and improvement. To improve your testing skills for scenarios and edge cases, you should follow some best practices such as: reviewing your requirements and specifications regularly, updating your test cases and test data frequently, using test design techniques and test automation tools effectively, applying testing standards and methodologies consistently, collaborating and communicating with your team and stakeholders clearly, and seeking feedback and learning from your mistakes constructively.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?