ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-4:2021

INTERNATIONAL ISO/
STANDARD IEC/IEEE
29119-4
Second edition
2021-10
Software and systems engineering —
Software testing —
Part 4:
Test techniques
Ingénierie du logiciel et des systèmes — Essais du logiciel —
Partie 4: Techniques d'essai
Reference number
© ISO/IEC 2021
© IEEE 2021
© ISO/IEC 2021
© IEEE 2021
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Published in Switzerland
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© ISO/IEC 2021 – All rights reserved
© IEEE 2021 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Conformance . 7
4.1 Intended usage . 7
4.2 Full conformance . 7
4.3 Tailored conformance . 7
5 Test design techniques . 8
5.1 Overview . 8
5.2 Specification-based test design techniques . 10
5.2.1 Equivalence partitioning . 10
5.2.2 Classification tree method.12
5.2.3 Boundary value analysis .12
5.2.4 Syntax testing . 14
5.2.5 Combinatorial test design techniques . 15
5.2.6 Decision table testing . 18
5.2.7 Cause-effect graphing . 18
5.2.8 State transition testing . 19
5.2.9 Scenario testing . 20
5.2.10 Random testing . 21
5.2.11 Metamorphic testing . 21
5.2.12 Requirements-based testing . 22
5.3 Structure-based test design techniques . 23
5.3.1 Statement testing . 23
5.3.2 Branch testing.23
5.3.3 Decision testing . 24
5.3.4 Branch condition testing . 25
5.3.5 Branch condition combination testing . 25
5.3.6 Modified condition/decision coverage (MCDC) testing . 26
5.3.7 Data flow testing . 27
5.4 Experience-based test design techniques .29
5.4.1 Error guessing .29
6 Test coverage measurement . .30
6.1 Overview . 30
6.2 Test measurement for specification-based test design techniques .30
6.2.1 Equivalence partition coverage .30
6.2.2 Classification tree method coverage .30
6.2.3 Boundary value analysis coverage . 31
6.2.4 Syntax testing coverage . 31
6.2.5 Combinatorial test design techniques coverage . 31
6.2.6 Decision table testing coverage . 32
6.2.7 Cause-effect graphing coverage . 32
6.2.8 State transition testing coverage . 32
6.2.9 Scenario testing coverage . 33
6.2.10 Random testing coverage . 33
6.2.11 Metamorphic testing coverage . 33
6.2.12 Requirements-based testing coverage . 33
6.3 Test measurement for structure-based test design techniques . 33
6.3.1 Statement testing coverage . . 33
6.3.2 Branch testing coverage . 33
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© ISO/IEC 2021 – All rights reserved
© IEEE 2021 – All rights reserved

6.3.3 Decision testing coverage .34
6.3.4 Branch condition testing coverage.34
6.3.5 Branch condition combination testing coverage .34
6.3.6 Modified condition/decision coverage (MCDC) .34
6.3.7 Data flow testing coverage . 35
6.4 Test measurement for experience-based testing design techniques — Error
guessing coverage . 35
Annex A (informative) Testing quality characteristics .36
Annex B (informative) Guidelines and examples for the application of specification-based
test design techniques .49
Annex C (informative) Guidelines and examples for the application of structure-based test
design techniques . 102
Annex D (informative) Guidelines and examples for the application of experience-based
test design techniques . 122
Annex E (informative) Guidelines and examples for the application of grey-box test design
techniques . 125
Annex F (informative) Test design technique effectiveness . 128
Annex G (informative) ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-4 and BS 7925-2 test design technique
alignment . 131
Annex H (informative) Test models . 133
Bibliography .134
IEEE Notices and Abstract. 136
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© ISO/IEC 2021 – All rights reserved
© IEEE 2021 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical
committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical
activity. ISO and IEC technical committees
...