Software Quality Assurance Practice Exam

Exhaustive path testing can be described as which of the following?

1. Testing only the most common paths of execution.

2. Testing all the possible paths of control flow through the program.

3. Testing only the input fields of a program.

4. Testing only for code performance.

The correct answer is: Testing all the possible paths of control flow through the program.

Exhaustive path testing is a rigorous testing approach that involves evaluating all possible paths through the program’s control flow. This method aims to ensure that every potential route the code can take is executed at least once to verify that the software behaves as expected under all conditions. By testing all paths, this technique helps identify errors that might only manifest in specific scenarios or input sequences that are not commonly encountered. This comprehensive testing allows for a thorough assessment of the software’s logic and helps ensure that all branches, loops, and decision points within the code are functioning correctly. While exhaustive path testing can be highly effective, it is often impractical for larger, more complex systems due to the potentially exponential number of paths. However, understanding this approach underlines its significance in achieving high levels of software quality and reliability.