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Code Coverage Tutorials: Main types of code coverage metrics

Here’s a comprehensive list of the main types of code coverage metrics used in software testing, ranging from basic to advanced:


1. C0: Line Coverage (Statement Coverage)

  • What it measures: Whether each line of code has been executed.
  • Goal: Make sure all lines run at least once.
  • Example: if is_valid(user): # Covered if condition is evaluated send_email(user) # Covered if executed

2. C1: Branch Coverage (Decision Coverage / Condition Coverage)

  • What it measures: Whether each decision (like if, else, case, loop conditions) has been evaluated both true and false.
  • Goal: Ensure all branches of control structures are tested.

3. C2: Path Coverage

  • What it measures: Whether all possible execution paths through a function are executed.
  • Goal: Ensure every unique route through the code is tested.
  • Note: Path coverage grows exponentially with complexity, so it’s often impractical for large methods.

4. Condition Coverage (or Predicate Coverage)

  • What it measures: Whether each boolean sub-expression in a decision has been evaluated to both true and false.
  • Example: if (A && B)
    • You must test:
      • A = true, B = false
      • A = false, B = true
      • A = true, B = true
      • A = false, B = false

5. Modified Condition/Decision Coverage (MC/DC)

  • What it measures: Whether each condition in a decision has been shown to independently affect the outcome of that decision.
  • Used in: Aviation, automotive, medical systems (critical systems testing).
  • Example:
    • For if (A && B), test cases must show that toggling A while keeping B fixed changes the decision result—and vice versa.

6. Function Coverage

  • What it measures: Whether each function or method is called during execution.
  • Useful for: High-level view, especially in unit testing.

7. Loop Coverage

  • What it measures: Whether loops are executed:
    • Zero times (e.g. empty loop case)
    • One time
    • Multiple times
  • Example: for i in range(n): print(i)
    • Test with n = 0, n = 1, and n > 1.

8. Call Coverage

  • What it measures: Whether function calls between modules/classes are exercised.
  • Used for: Integration-level or system-level tests.

9. Exception Coverage

  • What it measures: Whether exception-handling code is covered (e.g. try, catch, finally blocks).
  • Goal: Ensure error paths are tested.

10. Data Flow Coverage

  • What it measures: Tracks variables to see:
    • Where they’re defined (assigned),
    • Where they’re used (referenced),
    • And whether they’re used correctly.
  • Types include:
    • Definition-use (DU) chains
    • All-defs, all-uses, all-paths

11. Toggle Condition Coverage

  • What it measures: Ensures that each condition’s change (toggle from true to false or vice versa) influences the outcome at least once.

Summary Table

MetricFocus AreaPractical Use
C0 (Line Coverage)StatementsBasic test coverage
C1 (Branch Coverage)Conditions/branchesEnsures if/else tested
C2 (Path Coverage)Execution pathsExhaustive, mostly theoretical
Condition CoverageBoolean sub-conditionsLogic safety
MC/DCIndependence of conditionsSafety-critical industries
Function CoverageMethods/functionsHigh-level view
Loop CoverageLoop bodiesLoop logic correctness
Call CoverageInter-module function callsIntegration testing
Exception CoverageError-handling codeRobustness validation
Data Flow CoverageVariable definition/use pathsDetects potential bugs or dead code

Would you like a diagram or sample report showing how these look in real tools like SonarCloud, JaCoCo, or Istanbul?

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