What method is commonly used to assess how well software testing has covered the potential uses of an application?

Test coverage analysis is a method used to evaluate how effectively software testing has addressed the various potential uses and functionalities of an application. This approach entails measuring the extent to which the codebase and all its paths have been exercised during testing. It helps identify parts of the application that have not been tested, allowing for improved test case design and ensuring that more areas of the application are evaluated for defects.

This analysis can provide metrics such as statement coverage, branch coverage, or path coverage, offering insights into the robustness of the testing process. By utilizing test coverage analysis, teams can systematically understand which areas of their application are tested adequately and which may require additional testing efforts to ensure quality and reliability.

In contrast, risk analysis focuses on identifying and prioritizing risks associated with the application rather than measuring test coverage. Code reviews are primarily concerned with examining the source code for bugs or adherence to coding standards, while static analysis involves examining the code without executing it, often for security vulnerabilities or coding errors. These methods do not directly assess the effectiveness of software testing in covering the potential uses of an application like test coverage analysis does.