Pairwise testing
Also called: All-pairs testing
Choosing a small set of tests so that every pair of input values appears together at least once.
Definition
When many options combine (browsers × languages × payment methods), testing all combinations is impossible. Pairwise testing catches most interaction bugs with far fewer tests.
In practice
Instead of 4 × 3 × 5 = 60 combinations, 20 pairwise tests cover every pair of browser, language and payment method.
Learn it in context
Lessons that use this term.
Related terms
- Combinatorial explosionThe rapid growth in the number of combinations as conditions are added.
- Decision tableA table listing combinations of conditions and the action the software should take for each.
- PICTPairwise Independent Combinatorial Testing: Microsoft's free command-line tool that generates pairwise test sets.