A fast introduction to Classification Tree Editor (CTE) a systematic test design technique with tool support.

1. Ian McDonald
Classification Tree and Classification Tree Editor (CTE) -
Presentation
January 2010 v1
May 2012 v2
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2. Introduction
 Classification Tree is a wonderful systematic
test design technique, which if used alongside
other test approaches can considerably
reduce test analysis time.
 It is particularly useful when applying boundary
value and partition analysis techniques.
 A free download tool is available and a
professional version can be purchased – I
have found considerable labour saving when
using the tool in appropriate projects.
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3. What is CTE?
 CTE - the Classification Tree Editor, applies the
Classification Tree Test Design Approach,
through setting up the relevant test classes, then
automatically generating the valid tests cases for
the set. Some Test Management Tools then allow
the population of the test cases automatically.
This means that with nominal effort, test cases
can be set up in a simple tree, which can be
reviewed very quickly. The Test Vector sets are
then set up automatically.
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4. What is Classification Tree?
 The classification tree method is an evolution of the Category-Partition Method
and was developed in the software research laboratory of Daimler Chrysler in
Berlin.
 The systematic test analysis technique allows you to identify data groups and
so ensure that each group is assigned data.
 You can break down those data groups further into boundaries and so ensure
that each boundary value is assigned to a test.
 You can then populate the table to create test cases quickly. This can also be
done automatically. You can select to populate combinations or permutations.
 The key advantages are:
 A figure (much like a family tree can be reviewed far more effectively and
faster than detailed scripts.
 The tool will flag where test scripts are missing.
 The test cases can be imported automatically to tools such as HP/Mercury, so
work packages for creation of test scripts can be distributed quickly.
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5. General Principle
 The figure below shows the essence of the table principle.
Car
Car Body Entertainment Colour
 Here we have 6 test cases that ensure that each parameter is
tested at least once.
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6. Tutorial and Installation
 There are excellent help facilities and a tutorial
within the product. This also explains the
principles of Classification Tree as an approach.
 The following screens simply provide some
relevant advice for getting started in using the
tutorial and how to get around initial setup
problems.
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7. Installation #1
 The installation will need to be done through the
Detica IT Help Desk.
 CTE XL can be downloaded from:
 www.systematic-testing.com/functional_testing/c
 A special acknowledgement goes out to the
tool designers and the company that markets
the tool
 http://www.berner-mattner.com/en/berner-mattne
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8. Installation #2
 Installing the CTE XL
 Run the installation file.
The installation dialog
opens which will help
you with the installation
of the CTE XL.
 Please click on Next. A
dialog for the selection
of the installation folder
appears. If you want to
change the folder, you'll
need to enter the new
path in the text field or
click on Choose... to
select the new path:
Image from the CTE tool available through Berner & Mattner
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9. Installation #3
 Click on Next. A
dialog for creating
shortcuts opens.
Now select name
and place of the
shortcuts to be
created in the
windows start
menu. In order to
create shortcuts
for all users on
this computer
you'll need
administrator
rights:
Image from the CTE tool available through Berner & Mattner
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10. Installation #4
 Click on Next. In the following dialog information about the selected
installation is displayed. Click on Install to start the installation process.
 Start the CTE XL from the windows start menu or execute the cte.exe file
from the CTE XL installation folder.
If you are starting the CTE XL for the first time the CTE XL's main window
containing the license agreement will appear. Please read it thoroughly and
click on I agree if you agree with the conditions.
 Next the registration dialog opens. Please register your copy of the CTE XL
by following the instructions from the registration chapter.
 Please also refer to:
 Installing a new version
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11. Starting CTE and Language Settings
 Start the CTE XL from the windows start menu or execute
the cte.exe file from the CTE XL installation folder.
If you start the CTE XL for the first time you have to
register CTE XL first. Follow the instructions in the help
menu chapter Registration.
 If the German language is preset you can switch to
English by clicking on Allgemein in the Optionen menu,
clicking in the Sprache section on Englisch and exiting the
dialog by clicking on OK.
You see the main window of the CTE XL:
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12. Tutorial
 A Full Tutorial
is available
from the Help
Menu.
Image from the CTE tool available through Berner & Mattner
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13. Automation vs Manual
 Having set up test
classes in a tree
structure, test cases can
be added manually. If
the minimal number of
tests is to be created,
then at least each value
option for all the classes
needs to be used once.
This means that the
minimal number of tests
will correspond to the
largest number of option
values for the class
range.
Image from the CTE tool available through Berner & Mattner
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14. Setting Dependency Rules
 In creating test
conditions,
Dependency rules can
be set up. Select the
Class and select from
the menu:
Tools>Dependency
Rules to set these.
More information in the
Help menu under
“Dependencies”.
Image from the CTE tool available through Berner & Mattner
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15. Test Set Generation
 Having generated
a classification
tree, the test set
can be
automatically set
by selecting:
Tools>Generate
Test cases, then
select Generate
from the Dialogue
box.
Images from the
CTE tool available
through Berner &
Mattner
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16. View Test Cases
 The Test
Cases are
generated
automatically,
which can
then be
expanded, by
expanding the
test set.
Image from the CTE tool available through Berner & Mattner
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17. Active Dependency Manager
 Select the
Active
Dependency
Manager
 This will
apply the
dependency
rules and
indicate valid
and invalid
test cases.
In this example a stripe is only an option for colour Green only.
This was previously set within the Dependency Rules Dialogue.
Images from the CTE tool available through Berner & Mattner
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