Test cases serve the purpose of confirming that an application or software system functions as intended. Test case authors develop these cases to enable testers to assess the correct operation of features within the app or system. It is crucial to conduct thorough testing of applications in order to observe their behavior under various input scenarios. Having a comprehensive understanding of software functions and the testing process facilitates the creation of test cases that effectively identify defects. You can refer to the provided guide for detailed insights on crafting and formatting different types of test cases.
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What is a QA Test Case?
Test cases provide guidelines for testers to verify the correct functioning of programs. They outline the expected behaviour of the software under normal, abnormal, or error conditions. The process of writing test cases involves translating user requirements into a series of test conditions and descriptions that assess the system’s performance. A test suite in an automated test script can encompass multiple test cases combined together.
Test Case vs Test Scenario
When formulating a test case, it is customary to consider every aspect of the expected behavior. For instance, when developing a login system, a test case might entail verifying that an error message is displayed when an incorrect email address is entered. Various tests can be designed to cover different scenarios, such as:
- Omitting the email address altogether
- Appending a space at the end of the email address
- Using all uppercase letters for the email address
- Capitalizing only the first letter of the email address
Test scenarios, also referred to as test conditions or possibilities, encompass the typical tasks users may intend to accomplish using the software. A single test scenario may require multiple test cases to encompass the various potential outcomes. In the case of our login system, some scenarios could include “Successful login” or “Failed login due to incorrect email address entry.”
Types of Test Cases
Test cases can be classified based on their purpose in the testing process, which is valuable for quality assurance professionals in focusing their efforts and selecting the appropriate test format.
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- Functionality Test Cases
These are fundamental and straightforward test cases that ensure the proper functioning of each feature in the system.
- Performance Test Cases
These tests verify that the system operates at an acceptable speed and meets requirements related to scalability and stability.
- Unit Test Cases
Typically written by software developers, unit tests evaluate individual units, such as modules, procedures, or functions, to ensure they perform as expected.
- User interface (UI) Test Cases
UI test cases assess the correct functioning, appearance, and usability of each UI element, recognizing that the user interface is an integral part of the overall system.
- Security Test Cases
These test cases validate that a product or system operates reliably under various conditions, including attempts by malicious users to gain unauthorized access or compromise the system. They prioritize the security, privacy, and confidentiality of data.
- Integration Test Cases
Integration test cases confirm that the application components integrate seamlessly and function as intended when combined, forming a cohesive product.
- Database Test Cases
These test cases ensure that the database meets both functional and non-functional requirements, verifying that the database management system (DBMS) adequately supports business needs.
- Usability Test Cases
Usability test cases evaluate whether users can successfully interact with the application, assessing ease of use, intuitive navigation, and absence of confusion or difficulty in common procedures and functions.
- User Acceptance Test Cases
User acceptance test cases determine whether an application meets the business requirements and receives user approval before its release into the live environment.
- Regression Testing
Regression test cases verify that modifications made during development do not cause any existing functionality to cease functioning properly. These tests are performed after implementing changes to ensure that all pre-existing or legacy features continue to operate as intended.
Who writes Test Cases?
The task of writing test cases is generally assigned to individuals within the software development, testing, or quality assurance teams. It is generally recommended to have someone who did not participate in writing the code to be responsible for writing the test cases, as they can offer a fresh perspective. The approach to QA testing may differ depending on the software development framework employed, such as Agile or Scrum.
How to write Test Cases: A step-by-step guide
Test cases serve as the guidelines for testers to follow, making it crucial for them to be clear, comprehensive, and accurate. Whether you are creating new test cases or assessing existing ones, the following steps can be helpful:
- Determine the specific scope you wish to address based on the test scenario.
- Ensure that the test case is easily understandable and executable by testers.
- Familiarize yourself with and apply relevant test designs that align with the testing requirements.
- Assign a unique test case ID to each case for proper identification.
- Use a requirements traceability matrix during testing to maintain visibility and track progress.
- Provide a clear and concise description within each test case.
- Include appropriate preconditions and postconditions to set the necessary context for the test.
- Clearly specify the expected result or outcome of each test case.
- Employ appropriate testing techniques suitable for the specific context.
- Seek a peer review of your test plan before proceeding to ensure its accuracy and effectiveness.
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Best Practices for well-written Test Cases
To establish an effective and comprehensive workflow, combine the suggestions provided in the previous list with the following tips:
- Promote reusability and maintainability of test cases whenever feasible
Keep in mind that specific software, applications, or features being tested may require customization. Nonetheless, by consciously designing test cases that are reusable and easy to maintain, you can save time and effort.
- Adopt the end user’s perspective when creating test cases
Throughout the test case development process, always remember that you are striving to understand the user’s standpoint. By aligning your exploratory testing methods with the user’s viewpoint, you can generate efficient and relevant test cases for the software application. If you want to know more about the latest salary trends for Software Tester, Check out Software Tester Salary For Freshers, which will help you get an insight into the packages as per the companies, skills and experience.
Consider creating a reusable test case template
A test case template offers a versatile yet fundamental framework that can be tailored as per requirements. It can also function as a checklist to ensure all crucial elements are incorporated. Testers often utilize spreadsheets where each test is represented in a row and the test elements are organized in columns. Here are several elements that can be included in your test case template:
- Test Case ID
- Test Case Description
- Pre-Conditions
- Test Steps
- Test Data
- Expected Result
- Post Conditions
- Actual Result
- Status
Benefits of Writing High-Quality Test Cases
The process of writing test cases enables a thorough examination of all aspects of the software, facilitating the identification of any gaps that may exist during its development. There are several advantages associated with creating formal test cases:
- Documentation ensures comprehensive test coverage, allowing you to verify that all areas of the software have been adequately tested.
- By having well-defined test cases, you can minimize software maintenance, bug fixes, and future support costs.
- Test cases can be reused in both current and future projects, saving time and effort in test case creation.
- The quality of the software and the user experience can be enhanced through the implementation of effective test cases.
- A higher quality product results in greater customer satisfaction, ultimately leading to increased profits.
Popular Test Case Management Tools
Test case management tools are valuable for overseeing the development of software and hardware. These tools enable the tracking of test cases, bugs, and other pertinent information associated with testing.
There are many testing tools on the market and familiarity with one or more of these tools may be required for roles such as test case writers. Some examples of these tools include:
- JIRA
- JunoOne
- Klaros-Testmanagement
- QACoverage
- Qase
- SPIRATEST by Inflectra
- TestFLO for JIRA
- Testpad
- XQual
- Xray
- Zephyr Scale
- Zephyr Squad
Now that you have understood the concepts of test cases, How to Write Test Cases, step-by-step guide to write test cases, Best practices for well-written test cases, benefits and its tools. Want to know more about Software Testing Course in Hyderabad? Join FITA Academyand learn about the testing methods from an experienced trainer.
