Exploratory Testing Heuristics and Test Oracles

Question 1

What does the acronym 'FEW HICCUPS' primarily help exploratory testers identify?

Accepted Answer

Test oracle heuristics for recognizing problems in a product

Answer

FEW HICCUPS (Familiar, Explainability, World, History, Image, Comparable Products, Claims, User Expectations, Product, Standards) is a set of consistency-based test oracle heuristics used to recognize when software behavior is problematic.

Question 2

In exploratory testing, a 'test oracle' is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A mechanism for determining whether a test has passed or failed

Answer

A test oracle is any mechanism — human, document, system, or heuristic — used to determine whether the actual output of a system matches what was expected.

Question 3

Which heuristic in HICCUPPS involves comparing the product under test against competing or similar products?

Accepted Answer

Comparable Products

Answer

The 'Comparable Products' heuristic involves benchmarking the product against similar or competing products to identify differences that may indicate defects.

Question 4

When using the 'History' oracle heuristic, a tester primarily compares:

Accepted Answer

The current product version against previous versions

Answer

The History heuristic uses prior versions of the product as a reference point, allowing testers to detect regressions or unexpected behavioral changes in newer releases.

Question 5

The 'Claims' oracle heuristic involves comparing the product's behavior against:

Accepted Answer

Marketing materials, manuals, and stated requirements

Answer

The Claims heuristic checks whether the product fulfills all stated claims found in its documentation, marketing copy, help files, and formal requirements.

Exploratory Testing Practice Test

Exploratory Testing Practice Test

Exploratory Testing Heuristics and Test Oracles