Why Does Testing Need an ‘Oracle’?

February 12 09:40 2016 by Nataliia Vasylyna Print This Article

The specialists from software testing company create and use test cases to execute usability testing or performance testing effectively. Test cases consist of three elements: inputs, outputs and the execution order.

The number of possible input combinations is almost endless. And one cannot predict the exact outputs. In such a case, an ‘oracle’ helps. It is a program that determines the expected result of the written test. There are several kinds of oracles used in QA field.

What Are the Oracle Types?

The easiest way to get the output is Kiddie Oracle. One should just run the program, and the actual result is in the pocket. If it seems to be right, then it is really so.
The second type resembles regression testing. It is called Regression Test Suits. A tester runs the program, gets the results and compares them to the outputs got from running previous program version.
The third oracle type – Validated Data – requires the available standard outputs. One needs to run the program and compare received results with the valid outputs. It may be formula, table, schema, etc.
Purchased Test Suites need previously created valid tests which are standardized. These programs are usually used to test compilers, SQL, web browsers, etc.
If another program version is available, then it is time for Existing Program. One should just run the program and compare the results with another version of the program.