Ad Hoc vs Exploratory Testing

December 25 11:31 2015 by Nataliia Vasylyna Print This Article

There are a lot of various notions in software testing field. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between a little bit similar terms and concepts, for example, black box and white box testing, unit and system testing, etc.

Many people are interested in the question: What are the main distinctions between Ad Hoc and Exploratory Testing?

What Are the Differences Between Ad Hoc and Exploratory Testing?

Ad Hoc Testing implies learning of the software before its testing. During Exploratory Testing, you learn and test the software simultaneously.
Before Ad Hoc Testing, we collect data on the particular software from different resources, and then we start the testing. During Exploratory Testing, we collect data and perform the testing at the same time.
For Ad Hoc Testing it is necessary to know the software well. For Exploratory Testing you have to gain your knowledge in course of work with the software.
Before Ad Hoc Testing, you need to perform considerable software testing. Before Exploratory Testing of the software, you may learn this software.
Exploratory Testing is a type of Ad Hoc Testing. Ad Hoc Testing is an independent testing type.
Ad Hoc Testing is not considered to be testing approach. Exploratory Testing is an approach.