A test condition is a specific circumstance or state of the software system that is tested during the execution of a test case. Test conditions are derived from test cases and are designed to validate that the software behaves as expected under various scenarios. Each test condition specifies a particular situation or aspect of the software that the tester wants to examine or verify.
Key points about test conditions include:
- Derived from Test Cases:
- Test conditions are derived from test cases during the test design phase. A test case may have one or more associated test conditions, each focusing on a specific condition or input.
- Specific and Measurable:
- Test conditions are typically specific and measurable criteria that can be used to determine the success or failure of a particular aspect of the software. They are often expressed in terms of inputs, actions, and expected outcomes.
- Address Different Scenarios:
- Test conditions address different scenarios or states within the software. For example, a test condition might involve testing the software’s behavior when a user enters valid data, invalid data, or boundary values.
- Related to Requirements:
- Test conditions are closely related to the requirements or specifications of the software. They are designed to ensure that the software meets the specified criteria and behaves according to the intended functionality.
- Example:
- For a login functionality, test conditions might include:
- Valid username and password combination
- Invalid username and valid password combination
- Valid username and invalid password combination
- Empty username and password fields
- For a login functionality, test conditions might include:
- Traceability:
- Test conditions are often traced back to the corresponding requirements or user stories. This traceability ensures that each requirement is covered by one or more test conditions, contributing to comprehensive test coverage.
- Documented in Test Design:
- Test conditions are documented in the test design specifications, providing a clear and organized representation of the aspects of the software to be tested. They serve as the basis for creating test cases.
- Executable:
- Test conditions should be executable, meaning they can be translated into concrete test cases that testers can execute during the testing process.
In summary, test conditions are the granular elements within the testing process that allow testers to systematically validate specific aspects of the software’s behavior. By designing test conditions, testing teams ensure that the software is thoroughly examined under various conditions, contributing to the overall quality of the software product.