Define test cases, test scenarios, and test scripts.
Testing Terminology Explained
In software testing, clarity is everything. While they sound similar, Scenarios, Cases, and Scripts represent different levels of detail in the quality assurance lifecycle.
1. Test Scenario (The "What")
High-Level Perspective
A Test Scenario is a high-level description of a functionality to be tested. It answers the question: "What can a user do on this application?" It is derived from use cases and requirements.
2. Test Case (The "How")
Intermediate Level
A Test Case is a set of conditions, variables, and steps used to determine if a specific feature works as expected. It includes preconditions, test data, expected results, and actual results.
3. Test Script (The "Automation")
Low-Level/Technical Perspective
A Test Script is a short program or set of instructions written in a programming language (like Python or Java) used to automate a test case. It is executed by a tool like Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress.
driver.find_element(By.ID, "user").send_keys("admin")
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Test Scenario | Test Case | Test Script |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granularity | Broad/Abstract | Detailed/Specific | Technical/Programmatic |
| User Type | Business Analyst/PM | Manual Tester | Automation Engineer |
| Purpose | Coverage analysis | Step-by-step validation | Execution automation |
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