How to Write Test Cases: Introduction and Best Practices
Parvati Panchal
Senior Software EngineerSeptember 3, 2024
Push High-Performance Apps to the Market Faster with Our Testing Services
Writing test cases is an art and science designed to verify that your application operates as expected. As a test case writer, you write test cases so that testers know how to determine whether a feature of an application or software system is correctly working. Applications must be tested thoroughly to ensure you understand how it behaves under all possible input conditions.
A clear understanding of software functions and a good knowledge of the test case process make writing test cases that uncover defects and verify functionality easier. Our blog covers how to write test cases and some established formats and templates.
What is the Term “Test Case”?
Test case design begins with application requirements and specifications. The test case designer determines the conditions to test a specific feature or functionality and whether it works. Test cases serve as blueprints and steps for testers to ensure programs function correctly. They describe how the software should work in normal, abnormal, or error operating conditions.
Test case writing converts user requirements into precise test conditions and system functional behavior descriptions. Test cases serve as blueprints and steps for testers to ensure programs function correctly. Multiple test cases can be combined in an automated test script to form a test suite.
Who Writes Test Cases?
Writing test cases is usually the responsibility of someone on the software development, testing, or quality assurance teams. You could also take on the team’s specific role as a test case writer. It’s typically preferred that a professional who wasn’t involved with writing the code should write the test cases since they offer a fresh perspective. Agile and Scrum approaches blur the lines between developer and QA, with developers being more involved in testing.
What is the Difference Between a Test Case vs. Test Scenario?
When writing a test case, you typically think about every detail of ‘how’ something should behave. For example, if you’re developing a login system, a test case might be that an error is displayed if you enter an incorrect email address. Then you may have tests for:
- Not entering any email address
- Adding a space at the end of an email address
- Use all caps for the email address
- Capitalising the first letter of the email address
Test scenarios, also called test conditions or test possibilities, represent typical tasks users might want to accomplish with the software. A simple test scenario may require multiple test cases to cover the different outcomes. In our login system, some scenarios could be ‘I can successfully log in’ or ‘I can’t log in without entering my email address correctly.’
Sometimes, the term test case and test scenario seem interchangeable—but it’s helpful to remember that ‘scenario’ refers to the bigger picture of what you’re trying to accomplish with your tests, and a ‘test case’ focuses on the minute details of the test scenario
Basic Types of Test Cases
Test cases can be categorized based on the purpose they serve in testing. As a quality assurance professional, knowing their differences helps focus your efforts and choose the correct test format.
- Functionality test cases: These are the most basic and obvious test cases to write. They ensure that each feature of your system works correctly.
- Performance test case: This test ensures that the system runs fast enough and that all system requirements, including speed, scalability, or stability, work as expected.
- Unit test cases: Software developers usually write unit tests for their code to check individual units, for example, modules, procedures, or functions, to determine if they work as expected.
- User interface (UI) test cases: It’s important to remember that the user interface is part of the overall system and not just a shell where functionality appears. UI test cases check that each UI element works correctly, displays, and is easy to use.
- Security test cases: Security test cases help ensure that a product or system functions properly under all conditions, including when malicious users attempt to gain unauthorized access or damage the system. These test cases safeguard the security, privacy, and confidentiality of data.
- Integration test cases ensure that the application components work together as expected. They check whether modules or components integrate seamlessly to form a complete product.
- Database test cases: These cases ensure the database meets its functional and non-functional requirements and that database management systems (DBMS) support all business requirements.
- Usability test cases: Usability test cases help check if users can use the application successfully. They determine whether users can easily use the system without difficulty or confusion and verify whether users can navigate the system using common procedures and functions.
- User acceptance test cases: User acceptance test cases verify that an application satisfies its business requirements before users accept it. They determine whether users accept or reject the output produced by a particular system before it is released to the live environment.
- Regression testing: Regression test cases verify that changes made during development don’t cause any existing functionality to stop working. Regression testing happens after changes have been made to the existing code to test that all existing or legacy functionality continues to work as expected after the changes.
Popular Test Case Management Tools
Test case management tools help you manage software and hardware development. These tools track your test cases, bugs, and other important information related to testing.
Countless test case management tools are available in the market. If you’re applying for test case writer jobs or a similar role, you might need prior experience with one or more of these tools:
- JIRA
- JunoOne
- Klaros-Testmanagement
- QACoverage
- Qase
- SPIRATEST by Inflectra
- TestFLO for JIRA
- Testpad
- XQual
- Xray
- Zephyr Scale
- Zephyr Squad
Benefits of Writing High-quality Test Cases
Writing test cases allows you to think through every aspect of your software and makes it easier to identify any software gaps as it develops. Several benefits emerge when you write formal test cases.
- Documentation means you can guarantee the coverage of your tests
- You can reduce software maintenance and bug fixes and support future costs
- Test cases can be used again in current and future projects
- You can improve the quality of the software and the user experience
- A higher quality product means more satisfied customers and higher profits
How will Test Cases be Written?
A test case template organizes and outlines test details, making it easier to go back and review the test. Having a document with all tests as a guide for future review is a good idea. Many testers use spreadsheets with one test per row and the test elements in columns.
The template below is a simple format that’s adjustable for your needs.
- Test Case ID
- Test Case Description
- Pre-Conditions
- Test Steps
- Test Data
- Expected Result
- Post Conditions
- Actual Result
- Status
Best Practices and a Step-by-step Process for Writing Test Cases
Test cases are essentially the ‘recipe’ for testing, so they must be clear, thorough, and accurate. If you’re writing a new test case or revising an existing one, here are some step-by-step processes and best practices for writing test cases.
- Define the area you want to cover from the test scenario
- Ensure the test case is easy for testers to understand and execute
- Understand and apply relevant test designs
- Use a unique test case ID
- Create test cases with the end user’s perspective in mind
- Use the requirements traceability matrix in testing for visibility
- Have a clear description of each test
- Add proper preconditions and postconditions
- Specify the exact expected result
- Make test cases reusable and maintainable where possible
- Utilise suitable testing techniques
- Get your test plan peer-reviewed before moving forwards
How Royal Cyber Helps with Software Testing
Creating effective test cases is vital for ensuring the quality and reliability of our software applications. A well-structured approach to testing identifies potential issues early and contributes to overall project efficiency and success. At Royal Cyber, we offer a comprehensive suite of testing services to support your organization at every stage of the testing lifecycle.
Our Automation Testing Services leverage industry best practices and domain expertise, enabling automated testing of mobile devices and browsers in the cloud or on-premises. We conduct an Assessment and ROI Analysis to prepare a detailed automation test plan, estimation, schedule, and cost. Our Training and Support services also equip your team with the necessary skills to succeed in future projects.
Furthermore, Royal Cyber’s in-house tool, GoTestPro, enhances our testing capabilities by providing a comprehensive set of out-of-the-box test cases specifically designed for SAP modules. This platform enables automated testing without requiring extensive test case creation, making it an invaluable asset for businesses looking to streamline their testing processes. For more information, contact us at [email protected].
Author
Priya George
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