What distinguishes white-box testing from black-box testing?

The distinction between white-box testing and black-box testing primarily revolves around the tester's awareness of the internal workings of the software being tested. White-box testing involves a comprehensive understanding of the internal code structure, algorithms, and logic. This knowledge enables the tester to design test cases that specifically target paths through the code, ensuring that all branches and possible inputs are examined.

In contrast, black-box testing is characterized by a lack of insight into the internal code; instead, it focuses solely on the outputs generated in response to various inputs. Testers operate with the assumption that they do not need to know how the system works internally to validate its functionality.

Therefore, recognizing that white-box testing entails knowledge of the underlying code and how it operates confirms that the statement about it knowing the internal code being tested is accurate. This internal perspective is essential for debugging, optimizing performance, and improving overall code quality.