Test Case Naming 02
- 1. TEST CASE NAMING CONVENTIONSrilu BallaLake Oswego OROctober 20 2010
- 2. What does a test case belong to?
- 3. The test cases come from requirementsSo, it may seem like the test case name should be mapped to the requirements or use cases.But what happens if the requirements change?
- 4. The requirements change, new requirements come up, some requirements do not see the light of the day.Is it practical to change the test case with the changing requirement? Even with versioning will it make sense on the long run?
- 5. NO
- 6. New test cases arise from new projects intended to improve or modify a system
- 7. So, it might seem like the test case name should reflect the project which initiated it.But the projects end at some point. New teams and team mates take over the system maintenance, testing and other improvements.Is it useful to learn about the project ?Is there any value to learning about an ancient project?
- 8. NO
- 9. What does a test case belong to?
- 10. A Test case always belongs to the product
- 11. That is correct.Projects come and goRequirements come , change and goBut the core product is forever(I mean as long as it lasts)
- 12. The test case must aid in identifying the product it belongs to .A company may have only one product currently, but there is every chance the company could introduce new products. Always be prepared for change.The first part of the test case should always reflect about the product it belongs to
- 13. What is a test case named after?Example test case nameLet us try naming for Microsoft Power Point application.Since Microsoft has several applications under Microsoft Office, we will have to indicate which MS Office application the test case belongs toMS_PPT_TestCaseor PPT_TestCase might be ideal.
- 14. Example test case name 02Let us try naming for Google applications.Since Google has several applications, the naming should help identify the concerned product“G_GM_TestCase” or “GM_TestCase” for Google Mail“G_GC_TestCase” or “GC_TestCase” for Google Calendar“G_GD_TestCase” or “GD_TestCase” for Google Documents“G_GMap_TestCase” or “GMap_TestCase” for Google Maps“G_YT_TestCase” or “YT_TestCase” for You Tube
- 15. Example test case nameLet us try naming for Microsoft Power Point application’s First elements (parts)Since the Menus are the first elements in a PPT, let us try naming a test case relating the first elements.“MS_PPT_mHome_TestCase or “PPT_Home_TestCase”MS = MicrosoftPPT = Power PointmHome= menu Home, Home = first element Home.Test Cases for other elements in the test
- 16. Example test case nameLet us try naming for Microsoft Power Point application’s Second elements (parts)The second elements in a PPT’s Home menu are the groups. The group “clipboard” consists of elements - Paste, Cut, Copy, Former Painter etc.“MS_PPT_mHome_gClipboard or “PPT_Home_Clipboard”mHome= menu HomeHome = first element HomegClipboard= group ClipboardClipboard = second element ClipboardTest Cases for other elements in the test
- 17. Naming for Microsoft Power Point application’s Third elements (parts)The third elements in a PPT’s Home menu’s Clipboard group are the - Paste, Cut, Copy, Former Painter etc. Test case for these elements would be names like – “MS_PPT_mHome_gCl_iCut or “PPT_Home_Clip_Cut”mHome= menu HomegClipboard= group ClipboardClip = second element ClipboardiCut= icon CutCut = third element CutTest Cases for other elements in the test
- 18. Naming for Microsoft Power Point application’s Fourth elements (parts)The fourth elements in a PPT’s Home menu’s Clipboard group’s Paste icon are - Paste, Paste Special, Paste as Hyperlink, Duplicate. Test cases names for these elements could be –“MS_PPT_mHome_gCl_iP_oPasteSpecial” or “PPT_Home_Cl_P_PasteSpecial” iP= icon PasteP = third element PasteoPasteSpecial= option Paste SpecialPasteSpecial= fourth element Paste SpecialTest Cases for other elements in the test
- 19. List of suitable test case names for MS-PPTMS_PPT_InvokeMS_PPT_mHome_iCutMS_PPT_mHome_iCopyMS_PPT_mHome_iFormat PainterMS_PPT_mHome_iPasteMS_PPT_mHome_iPaste_oPasteMS_PPT_mHome_iPaste_oPaste SpecialMS_PPT_mHome_iPaste_oPaste as a HyperlinkMS_PPT_mHome_iPaste_oPaste DuplicateSample test case names
- 20. Do test cases need hierarchy?The test case could also be named as MS_PPT_Cut, a seasoned tester or a new tester would understand what the test case deals with.But if Microsoft one day decided the Cut did not belong in the menu Home but in the menu Review, how will any tester guess where the cut icon is located?Hierarchy helps in identifying the navigation and location of the element needed for testing. Hierarchy for Test cases!?!?
- 21. Functionality for / in Test casesTest cases can have an intended functionality in the nameMS_PPT_mHome_iCut_RemoveMS_PPT_mHome_iCut_AddMS_PPT_mHome_iCut_ModifyMS_PPT_mHome_iCut_EditMS_PPT_mHome_iCut_DeleteMS_PPT_mHome_iCut_InsertMS_PPT_mHome_iCut_nameChangedto_Bite(by eye balling the test case name the intended test can be assumed or understood along with navigation & hierarchy)
- 22. Identify the Elements for TESTINGExample with PPT menus
- 23. View of Test case HierarchyLevel 0 Test cases usually deal with one time test functions. These tests may need to be executed only one time.These tests are crucial and they may not be as straight forward as testing the UI.(I prefer to have them in Level 0, unless Level 0 tests are validated, I won’t touch the rest of the tests. Once bitten twice shy)(Cont..)
- 24. View of Test case HierarchyUnless the Level 01 tests pass, the Level 02 tests may not be executed. Because they will obviously fail. Dividing into Levels saves time (You already know how valuable time is)
- 25. More FunctionalityThe function CUT can be performed by another means too. With CTRL + XSo where does the test case to test this functionality go? And how should it be named? And where does it stand in the hierarchy?The short cut keys are not specific to PPT . They work in almost every Windows application.Still it is necessary to include them in the tests.So how is this done?
- 26. The function CUT can be performed by another means too – CTRL + XMS_sk_Ctrl+Xor MS_sk_CUTsk= Short cut KeyCtrl + X = key Control + keyXCUT = function to CUTThe test case is not tied to an application. But it may be tied to Microsoft (so, “MS_” is appropriate). By indicating that it is a test case for short cut key, the tester can assume where it might be applicable.More Functionality
- 27. SummaryTest Cases belong to the product. Test Cases aim to test the specifications as per a requirementTest Cases are a result of a project initiated.But test cases belong to the product.Average life of software is 7 years.A test case we create today is the guide for users, testers, developers, project managers etc. to understand the functionality and purpose of a system. The need to study the high level requirements, business cases, use cases etc can be eliminated with one well written test case.This is a necessary art that is taken for granted.
- 28. Thank you for taking the time to read my views and strategy for test case naming convention. I have not yet come up with suitable name for this strategy.I am always open to suggestions as well as questions. Please feel free to leave your comments and any unusual situation you might be facing with test case naming convention – together we can come up with a solution.(The views in this document are solely mine. If any of you out there developed a similar strategy – Kudos to you. I would like to know you.Please know that my strategies are a product of my efforts to streamline QA maintenance proceduresMore documents to follow ………)Thank You