Exhaustive Testing is a theoretical approach that tests all possible input combinations and conditions. In practice, it’s often impossible for complex systems.
Characteristics:
1. Covers all possible input combinations
2. Tests all system states and transitions
3. Aims for 100% test coverage
4. Theoretically finds all possible defects
5. Often impractical for real-world applications
Limitations:
1. Time-consuming and costly
2. Impossible for systems with large input domains
3. May not be feasible within project constraints
4. Can be redundant for many scenarios
5. Doesn’t guarantee absence of defects in practice
Alternatives:
1. Risk-based testing
2. Boundary value analysis
3. Equivalence partitioning
4. Combinatorial testing 5. Model-based testing