Path Coverage

What is Path Coverage?

Path coverage is the most thorough white box testing technique, requiring that every possible execution path through the code — every unique combination of branches — be tested at least once.

Why It's Challenging

The number of possible paths can grow exponentially with the number of decision points and loops, making 100% path coverage impractical for most real-world applications. Basis path testing is often used as a practical, mathematically grounded compromise.

Coverage Hierarchy

• Statement coverage is the weakest criterion.
• Branch coverage is stronger, subsuming statement coverage.
• Path coverage is the strongest, subsuming both statement and branch coverage.