equivalence class partitioning

equivalence class partitioning
equivalence partitioning

   <testing> A software testing technique that involves
   identifying a small set of representative input values that
   invoke as many different input conditions as possible.

   For example, for {binary search} the following partitions
   exist: inputs that do or do not conform to pre-conditions,
   Inputs where the key element is or is not a member of the
   array.  One can combine these into finer partitions.  One can
   also pick specific conditions of the array, e.g. a single
   value, even or odd number of elements.  One should look at
   {boundary conditions}, e.g. inputs where the key element is
   the first or last element in the array.

   (2004-01-18)