test case
A test case is a specification of input values, execution preconditions, expected results, and execution postconditions, written to verify a particular software requirement or exercise a specific code path.
Each test case targets a single behavior, so failures point to a localized cause rather than a broad area of the system. A typical test case records a unique identifier, a short purpose description, the steps to perform, the actual result observed during a run, and a pass or fail status.
Related test cases are grouped into a test suite, and the higher-level document that organizes suites is called a test plan. Common categories include the following:
- Positive test cases that check expected behavior with valid inputs
- Negative test cases that probe error handling with invalid or boundary inputs
- High-level test cases with abstract preconditions and inputs
- Low-level test cases with concrete values and detailed actions
Formally written test cases, kept under version control, allow the same checks to run repeatedly against new releases as a form of regression testing.
Related Resources
Tutorial
pytest Tutorial: Effective Python Testing
Master pytest with this hands-on tutorial. Learn fixtures, parametrize, marks, and plugins to write fast, effective Python test suites.
For additional information on related topics, take a look at the following resources:
- Python's unittest: Writing Unit Tests for Your Code (Tutorial)
- Write Unit Tests for Your Python Code With ChatGPT (Tutorial)
- Python's assert: Debug and Test Your Code Like a Pro (Tutorial)
- How to Provide Test Fixtures for Django Models in Pytest (Tutorial)
- Getting Started With Testing in Python (Tutorial)
- Python's doctest: Document and Test Your Code at Once (Tutorial)
- Understanding the Python Mock Object Library (Tutorial)
- Testing Your Code With pytest (Course)
- Effective Testing with Pytest (Quiz)
- Testing Your Code With Python's unittest (Course)
- Python's unittest: Writing Unit Tests for Your Code (Quiz)
- Using Python's assert to Debug and Test Your Code (Course)
- Python's assert: Debug and Test Your Code Like a Pro (Quiz)
- Test-Driven Development With pytest (Course)
- Getting Started With Testing in Python (Quiz)
- Improving Your Tests With the Python Mock Object Library (Course)
- Exploring unittest.mock in Python (Course)
- Understanding the Python Mock Object Library (Quiz)
