A path represents the flow of execution from the start of a method to its exit. A method with N decisions has 2^N possible paths, and if the method contains a loop, it may have an infinite number of paths. Fortunately, you can use a metric called cyclomatic complexity to reduce the number of paths you need to test.
The cyclomatic complexity of a method is calculated as one plus the number of unique decisions in the method. Cyclomatic complexity helps you define the number of linearly independent paths, called the basis set, through a method. The definition of linear independence is beyond the scope of this article, but in summary, the basis set is the smallest set of paths that can be combined to create every other possible path through a method.
Like branch coverage, testing the basis set of paths ensures that you test every decision outcome, but unlike branch coverage, basis path coverage ensures that you test all decision outcomes independently of one another. In other words, each new basis path "flips" exactly one previously executed decision, leaving all other executed branches unchanged. This is the crucial factor that makes basis path coverage more robust than branch coverage and allows you to see how changing that one decision affects the method's behavior.
To achieve 100% basis path coverage, you need to define your basis set. The cyclomatic complexity of this method is four (one plus the number of decisions), so you need to define four linearly independent paths. To do this, you pick an arbitrary first path as a baseline, and then flip decisions one at a time until you have your basis set.
Path 1: Any path will do for your baseline, so pick true for the decisions' outcomes (represented as TTT). This is the first path in your basis set.
Path 2: To find the next basis path, flip the first decision (only) in your baseline, giving you FTT for your desired decision outcomes.
Path 3: You flip the second decision in your baseline path, giving you TFT for your third basis path. In this case, the first baseline decision remains fixed with the true outcome.
Path 4: Finally, you flip the third decision in your baseline path, giving you TTF for your fourth basis path. In this case, the first baseline decision remains fixed with the true outcome.
So, your four basis paths are TTT, FTT, TFT, and TTF.
