What can and should be written in the Pre-conditions field in test cases
Product testing is an integral part of the software development process. It is based on the creation and execution of test cases – documented instructions that define steps to test certain functions or aspects of the program. Test cases play an important role in ensuring the quality of a software product. They help not only to identify errors and defects, but also to ensure that the program functionality meets the stated requirements.
Each test case is designed to test a specific aspect of the product, be it a feature, interface, or performance. The key element of each test case is the preconditions, or Pre-conditions, which define the state of the system before testing begins.
The preconditions specified in each test case play a key role in ensuring the correctness and reliability of the test results. They define the necessary conditions that must be met before running a test, thus ensuring consistency and reliability of the results. In this article we will look at what can and should be written in this field, and also give examples.
System Status: The system must be in a certain state before starting the test. For example, the application must be installed and running.
Data: Some tests may require certain data to be present on the system. For example, testing a search function might require a database of test data.
Custom Settings: If functionality depends on certain custom settings, those settings must be specified in the prerequisites.
Hardware and Software: If the test depends on specific hardware or software, this should also be noted. For example, a test may require a specific operating system or browser version.
Network conditions: If testing is dependent on network conditions, such as internet speed or connection type, this should be noted.
Authorization/Authentication: If the test requires logging in with a specific account, this should also be specified in the prerequisites.
Versions: If testing depends on a specific version of the software or application, this should be specified in the prerequisites. Application State: If testing depends on application state, this should be specified in the preconditions. For example, if testing the Add to Cart function requires that the item has already been added to the cart, this should be specified.
State of the test environment: If testing depends on the state of the test environment, this should be specified in the preconditions. For example, if testing the Upload File function requires that a particular file has already been uploaded to the server, this should be specified.
Account Status: If testing depends on the user's account status, this should be specified in the prerequisites. For example, if testing the “Delete Account” feature requires that an account already exists, this should be specified.
Prerequisites: If the test depends on activities that were performed before the test began, these should be specified in the prerequisites. For example, if testing the “Recover Password” feature requires the user to first click on the “Forgot Password?” button, this should be specified.
Specific Conditions: If testing depends on specific conditions that are not listed above, these must also be specified. This can include everything from specific settings to certain conditions of use.
Environmental State: If testing depends on a specific environmental state (eg network settings, hardware settings), this should be specified in the prerequisites.
Security: If testing includes security testing, prerequisites may include security settings that must be set before testing can begin.
Time: If testing depends on a specific time or date, this should be specified in the prerequisites. For example, some features may operate differently depending on the time of day.
Permissions: If the test requires specific access rights or levels of access, this should be specified.
Dependencies on other test cases: If the execution of a given test case depends on the results of another test case, this should also be indicated.
Test cases and their preconditions are fundamental elements of the product testing process. They help not only to identify errors and defects, but also to ensure that the program functionality meets the stated requirements. Correctly defining and documenting prerequisites can significantly improve testing efficiency and the quality of the final product.
Proper use of the “Pre-conditions” field allows you to:
