What is Adhoc Testing?

Ad-hoc testing is a testing phase where the tester tries to ‘break’ the system by randomly trying the system’s functionality.

Ad-hoc testing is a type of software testing that is performed without any formal test plan or test case documentation. In this approach, the tester explores the application, trying to find defects without any predefined set of test cases. Ad-hoc testing is often unstructured and unplanned, relying on the tester’s domain knowledge, experience, and intuition.

Key characteristics of ad-hoc testing include:

1. No Formal Test Cases: Unlike other testing methods, ad-hoc testing doesn’t involve predefined test cases or scripts.
2. Informal Nature: Testers perform ad-hoc testing based on their intuition, creativity, and experience rather than following a strict testing procedure.
3. Exploratory Testing: Ad-hoc testing is often associated with exploratory testing, where testers actively explore the application to identify defects, issues, or areas of improvement.
4. Dynamic and Unpredictable: Ad-hoc testing can be dynamic and unpredictable since it depends on the tester’s ability to think outside the box and identify potential issues that may not be covered by formal test cases.

While ad-hoc testing can uncover unexpected defects, it may not be as thorough or repeatable as formal testing methods. It is typically used in conjunction with other testing approaches to ensure comprehensive test coverage.