Testing Data : Should I Create a bogus test case?

Question

I've written an Integration program that produces files from a source set of data and converts it to a target data file. These files contain field/record information that must be validated by our clients using their validation methods.

I plan to create numerous test cases and expect to receive information on how well the data validated so I can tweak my program.

I want to create a test case that I know will not pass their validation, however I need to know if their validation methods are picking up basics such as the file structure and layout.

I am trying to prevent the situation if all my test cases pass, but later on the files were not in the correct format the client needed.

Do you feel this is a good idea and would I get any valid information from it?

score 10 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:01

10

Yes

that's not a bogus test case, it's a valid test for expected exceptions

edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:01

Community

1

answered Aug 31 '11 at 23:02

Steven A. Lowe

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Negative test cases are just as good as positive ones. Does it break the way we expect.... – Jon Raynor Sep 01 '11 at 00:40
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Or perhaps more accurately "does it work they way we intended instead of breaking?"? – Andy Hunt Sep 01 '11 at 08:49

Testing Data : Should I Create a bogus test case?

1 Answers1

Yes