Monkey test
Encyclopedia
In computer science
, a Monkey test is a unit test
that runs with no specific test
in mind. The monkey in this case is the producer of any input. For example, a monkey test can enter random strings into text boxes to ensure handling of all possible user input or provide garbage files to check for loading routines that have blind faith
in their data. The test monkey is technically known to conduct stochastic testing, which is in the category of black-box testing.
The name 'monkey' comes from the adage that ‘a thousand monkeys at a thousand typewriters will eventually type out the entire works of Shakespeare
’. Cf. the Infinite monkey theorem
.
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
, a Monkey test is a unit test
Unit test
In computer programming, unit testing is a method by which individual units of source code are tested to determine if they are fit for use.A unit is the smallest testable part of an application. In procedural programming a unit could be an entire module but is more commonly an individual function...
that runs with no specific test
Software testing
Software testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the product or service under test. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to appreciate and understand the risks of software...
in mind. The monkey in this case is the producer of any input. For example, a monkey test can enter random strings into text boxes to ensure handling of all possible user input or provide garbage files to check for loading routines that have blind faith
Blind faith (computer science)
In computer programming blind faith is a situation whereby a programmer develops a solution or fixes a computer bug and deploys it without ever testing his creation...
in their data. The test monkey is technically known to conduct stochastic testing, which is in the category of black-box testing.
The name 'monkey' comes from the adage that ‘a thousand monkeys at a thousand typewriters will eventually type out the entire works of Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
’. Cf. the Infinite monkey theorem
Infinite monkey theorem
The infinite monkey theorem states that a monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type a given text, such as the complete works of William Shakespeare....
.