Error guessing
Choosing tests based on experience of typical mistakes developers make.
Definition
It is one of the experience-based techniques. Experienced testers try inputs like apostrophes in names, double taps, 29 February, empty lists or a phone call mid-payment, because these break apps again and again.
In practice
You type O'Brien in the name field because apostrophes often break sign-up forms.
Learn it in context
Lessons that use this term.
Related terms
- Exploratory testingLearning, designing and running tests at the same time, guided by curiosity and a goal.
- Edge caseAn unusual situation at the extreme of what the software should handle.
- Fault attackA planned, systematic form of error guessing: list likely failures, then design tests to provoke each one.
- Experience-based testingTest techniques that rely on the tester's knowledge of where software usually breaks.