Which options best describe characteristics of structure-based testing?

Structure-based testing, also known as white-box testing, involves a thorough understanding of the internal workings of a software application. This technique leverages knowledge about the software’s construction, such as source code, data structures, and algorithms, to design test cases. By using this information, testers can identify specific paths and conditions within the code that need to be tested, which is fundamental to ensuring comprehensive coverage.

The mention of statement coverage and decision coverage is pivotal; these are key metrics often utilized in structure-based testing. Statement coverage ensures that every possible executable statement in the code has been tested, while decision coverage checks that each decision point (such as conditional statements) has been exercised in both true and false scenarios. Both metrics help gauge the effectiveness of the test cases created based on the software’s structure.

This approach distinguishes structure-based testing from other forms of testing, such as black-box testing, where the test cases are derived from specifications or requirements without considering the internal code structure. Therefore, the correct answer encapsulates the essence of structure-based testing by emphasizing the use of software architecture information for test case derivation and measuring coverage metrics for existing tests.