Structural coverage

Structural Coverage refers to a set of metrics used to assess the extent to which the internal structure of a software component or system has been exercised by a test suite. This type of coverage is crucial in identifying portions of the code that have not been executed and ensuring that the software behaves as expected under various conditions. Structural coverage is often used to guide the creation of additional test cases to achieve a higher level of thoroughness in testing, essentially aiming to achieve complete code coverage. By focusing on the internal workings of the software, structural coverage helps reveal potential defects that may not be apparent through functional testing alone.

This coverage can be measured in several ways, such as statement coverage, branch coverage, and path coverage, each providing a different lens through which to understand the test completeness. Statement coverage ensures that each line of code is executed at least once, while branch coverage checks that every possible path or branch in the code is taken at least once. Path coverage goes further by ensuring that every potential path through a code segment is executed. In essence, structural coverage helps developers and testers ensure that the internal logic of the software is thoroughly verified, which is critical for maintaining software quality and reliability.