What characterizes black-box testing?

Black-box testing is characterized by its focus on evaluating the functionality of a software application without any examination of the internal workings or code. This type of testing aims to ensure that the software behaves as expected from the user's perspective by validating the outputs against specified inputs based solely on the defined requirements. Testers in black-box testing are not concerned with how the software accomplishes its tasks but rather whether the results align with the desired outcomes, making it an essential approach in functional testing.

In contrast, other testing methodologies require specific knowledge about the internal mechanics of the software, such as the algorithms, data structures, or code paths. This is why it is incorrect to associate black-box testing with any methodologies that focus on internal structure analysis or expected outcomes based on internal states. By not requiring insight into the internal logic, black-box testing emphasizes the user's experience and confirms that the software meets its functional specifications.