State-Transition Testing is a black-box testing technique used to test systems or applications that exhibit behaviour based on different states and transitions between those states. It focuses on testing the system’s response to various transitions and events.
To apply State-Transition Testing, we can follow these steps
Identify the States: Determine the different states that the system can be in. A state represents a condition or mode of operation of the system.
Define the Transitions: Identify the events or actions that can cause the system to transition from one state to another. These transitions may be triggered by user actions, system events, or time-based conditions.
Create a State Transition Diagram: Represent the states and transitions in a visual diagram. The diagram should illustrate the different states, the transitions between them, and the triggers for each transition.
Define Test Scenarios: Based on the State Transition Diagram, create test scenarios that cover different combinations of state transitions. Consider both valid and invalid transitions, as well as any specific conditions or constraints associated with the transitions.
Define Test Cases: For each test scenario, define the specific test cases that include the initial state, the transition or event, and the expected resulting state.
Execute the Test Cases: Execute the defined test cases by performing the necessary actions or events to trigger the transitions. Observe and record the actual resulting state.
Validate the Results: Compare the actual resulting state with the expected state specified in the test cases. If any discrepancies are found, investigate and report them as defects.
State-Transition Testing helps ensure that the system behaves correctly as it transitions between different states. It helps identify defects related to state transitions, state-specific behavior, or the system’s response to different events. By covering various state-transition combinations, this technique provides comprehensive test coverage and improves the reliability and robustness of the system.