Test Data, Test Tables and Errors
Select normal, extreme and exceptional data, record expected results, and distinguish syntax, execution and logic errors.
How to study National 5 Computing Science
Move from functional requirements to designs and implementation, trace data and code carefully, and support testing and evaluation with evidence.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Normal data is valid and ordinary; extreme data is valid at a permitted boundary; exceptional data is invalid.
Exam cue: Derive test values from the exact valid range or format in the requirement.
Concept 2
A useful test table records the test purpose, input and expected result, then can record the actual result.
Exam cue: Predict the expected result before using actual output as evidence.
Concept 3
Syntax errors break language rules, execution errors arise while running, and logic errors produce incorrect behaviour.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Calling a value just outside a valid boundary extreme rather than exceptional.
Guardrail: Check option route, data type, valid boundary, loop condition, array index, identifier and expected output before committing to the response.
Calling every incorrect result a syntax error.
Guardrail: Check option route, data type, valid boundary, loop condition, array index, identifier and expected output before committing to the response.
Memory anchors
Normal data
Valid, typical data that the system should accept.
Extreme data
Valid data at the lowest or highest permitted boundary.
Exceptional data
Invalid data that the system should reject or handle safely.
Syntax error
Code violates the language’s grammar.
Execution error
The program starts but fails while running.
Logic error
The program runs but its logic or result is wrong.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
What test checks the lower boundary of a 10–99 range?
Which pair gives exceptional tests around a 10–99 range?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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