What is the focus of specification-based testing?

Specification-based testing primarily focuses on the program specifications to guide the creation of test cases and the selection of test data. This type of testing is driven by the requirements and functional specifications of the software, which outline what the system is expected to do. The objective is to ensure that the software behaves as intended according to these documents, verifying that all specified functionalities are tested.

By relying on these specifications, testers can derive meaningful test cases that cover various input conditions, expected outputs, and corner cases. This method ensures that all scenarios defined in the specifications are validated, providing a systematic approach to testing that aligns closely with the expected features of the software.

In contrast, an emphasis on the experience of the test executor would rely on subjective insights rather than objective specifications. Focusing exclusively on user interactions narrows the testing scope and does not consider all functionalities of the software. Lastly, relying on historical performance data does not address whether the current implementation fulfills the specifications; instead, it reflects past behaviors that may not apply to new inputs or requirements. Therefore, focusing on the program specification is crucial for thorough and effective testing.