Four Types Of Test Cases To Write

In software testing, there are several types of test cases that help ensure you have complete coverage in your testing, and in turn ensures the quality and functionality of a system. These test cases are essential tools that guide testers through various scenarios to make sure the system behaves as expected in different conditions.

Test cases can be categorized into several types, each serving a unique purpose in the testing process. By using these categories, testers can explore different angles of the testing cycle and identify potential issues. Below, we’ll dive into the most common types of test cases.

1. Positive Test Cases

Focus: Verify that the system works as expected under normal, valid conditions.

Characteristics:

  • The goal is to test expected behaviour.
  • Uses valid input and scenarios that should lead to a successful outcome.

Example:

  • Test Case: Verify login functionality with valid username and password.
    • Test Data: Username: user1, Password: password123
    • Expected Result: User is successfully logged in and redirected to the dashboard.

2. Negative Test Cases

Focus: Ensure the system handles invalid input or unexpected conditions properly.

Characteristics:

  • Tests the system’s ability to handle invalid or erroneous input.
  • Verifies that the system returns appropriate error messages or behaves gracefully under edge cases.

Example:

  • Test Case: Verify login functionality with invalid username.
    • Test Data: Username: invaliduser, Password: password123
    • Expected Result: The system should display an error message: "Incorrect username or password."

3. Boundary Test Cases

Focus: Test the system with input values that are at the boundaries of acceptable input.

Characteristics:

  • Verifies that the system correctly handles input values at the "edges" (minimum and maximum allowed values).
  • Often used for validating form fields, numeric values, or input ranges.

Example:

  • Test Case: Verify password length restriction (min = 8, max = 16 characters).
    • Test Data: Password: 12345678 (8 characters), 1234567890123456 (16 characters)
    • Expected Result: Both passwords should be accepted as valid.

4. Destructive Test Cases

Focus: Test how the system behaves under extreme or unintended conditions.

Characteristics:

  • Intentionally push the system beyond its limits to see if it can handle crashes or failures.
  • Verifies that the system either recovers or fails gracefully when under stress.

Example:

  • Test Case: Verify how the app behaves when the device loses connectivity.
    • Test Data: Disconnect (or simulate) the app during a long running process.
    • Expected Result: The app should either crash without corrupting data or display a related error.

Test cases play a critical role in ensuring that a system works correctly under different scenarios. By writing and executing positive, negative, boundary, and destructive test cases, you ensure that the software is robust and can handle a variety of situations. This helps identify potential issues early in development, improving the overall quality of the product and providing a better user experience.

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