Manuals / Exploratory Testing / Ch 6

B · Thinking toolsIntermediate30 min read

6. Oracles & recognizing bugs

Exploratory Testing · 36 pages source format

An oracle is how you know something is wrong: consistency, standards, user expectations, history, claims in docs.

What you'll learn

  • FEW HICCUPPS
  • Consistency oracles
  • When “weird” isn’t a bug

Name your oracle

Every bug report implies an oracle. Make it explicit.

Do this now

For 3 bugs you’ve filed (or will file), write the oracle in one line.

Pro tip. “I don’t like it” is taste. “Violates stated pricing rules” is an oracle.

Clear?

Checklist