Getting Familiar With Test Cases

Manual test cases are a useful tool in testing systems

Before the era of JUnit Testing, we can only assume that programmers of yesteryear wrote manual test cases for all of their systems.

While this may seem like a tedious task, it is possible to identify that they are a useful tool in testing.

A Test Case is a testing tool that defines a situation, the components used within the situation, the series of actions that are performed, the inputs, expected output and actual output received through a system, while gauging whether the system performs its function properly. 

Let us look at the format of a test case. While there are many formats, the following can be used as a sample in order to start testing your system manually.

Test Case Number: 1
Name: Clear name of Test Case
Precondition: A state that exists that would make the testing situation possible
No.	Description	Inputs	Expected Result	Generated Result	Pass/Fail
1.1	Short description of the test case and steps to follow	Any inputs necessary to run the test case	The result to be displayed if the system works according to the requirements	The actual result that is displayed	The verdict

The numbering can be continued for testing all the functions within one component and thereafter, this format can be followed for the various components in the system.

Manual testing may take time, but is an easy and clear method to test any system.

Happy testing!