Updated March 18, 2023
Difference Between Code Coverage vs Test Coverage
When software is created, it should satisfy all the requirements. In order to have this checked, the code should cover all requirements, while the test cases should have all cases covered as per the requirements. There are differences between code coverage and test coverage. Code coverage helps in having an idea about the program’s degree of source code, which has been tested. Code Coverage vs Test Coverage is a format of white box testing where the code is tested, and the areas of a program not exercised by test cases are found. It helps in gathering information about running the program. Test coverage is a metric that defines the amount of testing for a particular set. Code Coverage vs Test Coverage determines which parts are run in-suite and finds the branches’ different conditional statements.
Head to Head Comparison Between Code Coverage vs Test Coverage (Infographics)
Below are the top 4 differences between Code Coverage and Test Coverage:
Key Differences Between Code Coverage vs Test Coverage
Let us discuss some of the major key differences between Code Coverage vs Test Coverage:
- Code Coverage describes how much application code is being executed when an application is being run. On the other hand, test coverage describes the test cases which are written and mentioned in any document.
- Code coverage is a part of white-box testing where the code is tested, while Test coverage is a part of black-box testing where the functionality is tested as per the requirement documents. Measuring code coverage focuses on exactly which application code is being exercised.
- Test coverage mostly covers the test cases which are created by making the requirements document as a base. There is no need for having a look at the code when test coverage comes into the picture.
- Code coverage is a straightforward process that looks for improving the coverage of code under test and find more defects. On the other hand, Test coverage is a black box testing methodology; the way for testing should be aligned as per the requirements specified.
- Code coverage is easy to set up and helps in finding bugs in the flow of the program. Test coverage checks for the functionalities and tests the features of the software.
Code Coverage vs Test Coverage Comparison Table
Let’s discuss the top comparison Code Coverage and Test Coverage:
| Basis of Comparison | Code Coverage | Test Coverage |
| Definition | It describes the source code of the program which is being tested. It is a part of white-box testing where test cases cannot help. It increases the coverage for testing and helps in finding a quantitative measure of code coverage. | It determines the amount of testing, which is to be performed by a set of test cases. It also has information about the different parts of the program which are executed. The test suite helps in testing the different conditional statements and functions which are provided. |
| Why use these? | It helps in measuring how efficiently the test implementation can be done. It checks the quantitative measurement. The source code can be tested, and it defines the degree for testing as well. | It provides new test cases that help improve the test coverage and, in return, increase the defects. It helps in identifying the measure of test coverage which helps in increasing the quality of the software. It also eliminates test cases that are not useful and do not increase the software’s test coverage. It also helps in finding the areas which are not implemented by any of the test cases. |
| How are these coverages accomplished? | Below Code coverage methods help in accomplishing proper code coverage 1) Statement Coverage 2) Decision Coverage 3) Branch Coverage 4) Toggle Coverage 5) FSM Coverage Statement Coverage: This helps in executing all executables at least once. It calculates the number of statements in the code and returns the number of how many can be executed. Decision Coverage: It returns the result in a true or false format. 100% coverage cannot be achieved for this as the expressions sometimes get complicated. Branch Coverage: Each outcome coming from any module is tested here. If the outcomes are true and false, both of these should be tested. Condition Coverage: This helps in the unfolding of how variables or subexpressions are to be evaluated. The logical operands which are present are usually used in this coverage. It provides proper control over the flow. However, it does not guarantee full decision coverage. |
This activity can be easily accomplished by exercising static review techniques, which include peer reviews, inspections, and multiple walkthroughs. It is easy to increase coverage at the code level by using automated code coverage or using different test coverage tools. The defects that are found during run time can be transformed into executable test cases by using this technique. Also, there are many tools available in the market that help properly test the tools. |
| Ways to calculate Test and Code coverage | The formulas for different coverages for code are as below: · Statement Coverage = Number of executed statements/Total number of statements X 100 So if the total number of executed statements are 6 and the total number of statements are 7, then the statement coverage will be 6/7*100= 85% · Decision Coverage can be calculated by: Decision Coverage= A number of Decision Outcomes Executed/Total number of Decision Outcomes. ·Branch Coverage= Number of executed branches/Total number of branches · Condition Coverage= Number of Executed Operands /Total Number of Operands |
The test coverage can be found out by following the below steps: · Calculate the total number of lines in the software which is under test · The number of lines of all the code of all test cases which are currently under execution should be found out. The count in step 1, divided by count in step 2. The result of this multiplied by 100 is the percentage of test coverage that is covered. Example: If the total lines in code are 1000 and the number of lines executed in all is 100, then the test coverage is 10%. |
Conclusion
Both the coverages that are test and code are measures to check the quality of the application which is built. One covers the coding aspect, while the other covers the requirements aspect. Code coverage describes which application code is run, and test coverage describes which requirement has been covered. Both are important in their own ways when an application is being tested and helps in delivering a quality product.
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