Equivalence Partitioning
Testing every possible input for an application is impractical. The equivalence Partitioning technique allows testers to streamline their efforts by grouping similar inputs into partitions, ensuring comprehensive coverage without unnecessary effort. This technique saves time, optimizes resources, and reduces redundancy while still identifying potential defects.
What is it?
Equivalence Partitioning is a black-box test design technique that divides input data into partitions or classes. Each partition represents a set of inputs that should be treated similarly by the application. Testing one value from a partition is assumed to be representative of all other values within the same partition.
The core idea is to identify equivalence classes where the application’s behavior is expected to be uniform. Partitions can be derived from input ranges, valid and invalid data, or specific business rules.
Benefits of Equivalence Partitioning
Example #1: A mobile app login validation
Consider a mobile app that requires users to set a password with the following rules:
The figure below illustrates the test cases designed for this requirement using Equivalence Partitioning.
Example #2: Invoice Processing in SAP system
Consider that in an SAP system, the invoice amount field accepts amounts within the range of 0.01 to 1,000,000.00.
The figure below illustrates the test cases designed for this SAP specification.
Closing Thoughts
Equivalence Partitioning is a fundamental yet powerful technique in a tester’s toolkit. By identifying logical partitions in input data, testers can efficiently validate an application’s functionality, saving both time and effort while ensuring high-quality outcomes.