Combinatorial Explosions Explained (Software Testing Example)

It is impractical in many situations for testers to test every possible permutation of software tests.

In this video Justin Hunter, the founder of Hexawise, explains how combinatorial explosions impact software testing. He explains how to quickly calculate the total possible number of permutations exist in simplified systems under test using several examples.

The video ends with a reference to a continuation of this discussion in the next video: How Many Pairwise Tests Required (In the Face of Combinatorial Explosions).

Related: Combinatorial Testing, The Quadrant of Massive Efficiency GainsMind Maps: What, Why and HowCombinatorial Testing for Software

Using Hexawise to Reduce Test Cases by 95% While Increasing Test Coverage

Kathleen Poulsen spoke on using Combinatorial Software Testing at Fidelity Investments during the StarEAST conference in 2017.

Hexawise sponsored an evening gathering with short talks on software testing by various experts. Kathleen discussed the use of Hexawise at Fidelity Investments, as seen in this video.

We hope you enjoy this video. We plan on added several more from the speakers at the evening sessions.

Kathleen, in the video:

We had more than 20,000 less than 30,000 test cases that were in place. 95% of them were redundant; either with the integration layer below them or themselves because people would come on board for 6 months and they would quit and go somewhere else and someone else would come along and reinvent exactly the same test.

I could see that now. When we went with in Hexawise we could see how many tests it actually took and just so small compared to what we had been testing. The first time I ran the full suite of [new Hexawise designed] tests I went back an hour later and I told the manager “we’re done you can move ahead you’re all right now.” By “move ahead” I meant promote to a new environment. And he said, “what, I thought I would see you again in 2 weeks.

That’s the kind of difference it is making.

Related: Examples of the Benefits of Using Hexawise at a Large Bank QA DepartmentHow Do You Know You are Executing the Right software Tests?Too Many Tests

2 Minute Introduction to Hexawise Software Testing Solution

This short video gives a quick overview of the Hexawise software as a service solution and a very high level overview of software testing with a focus on interactions between parameters/factors.

Learn more about pairwise and combinatorial software testing practices: Introducing the Hexawise Coverage Matrix!How to Pack More Coverage Into Fewer Software TestsCreate a Risk-based Testing Plan With Extra Coverage on Higher Priority Areas