Difference between Use Case and Test Case

Software testing is a process of examining whether the actual product matches the expected requirements and ensures that the software product is bug-free. The purpose of software testing is to identify bugs, errors, or missing requirements in contrast to the actual requirements. In the software testing field, these two terms are the most important and are also closely related, but from a different perspective. 

What is a Use Case?

A Use Case is used to define the system that how to use the system for performing a specific task. A use case is not a part of execution it is only a diagrammatic presentation of a document that specifies how to perform a certain task.

• The actor simulates the end-user interaction and it can be portrayed by human or external software.
• Use cases are also visualized with an overview diagram.
• The diagram should contain all components that are involved when interacting with the system.
• Among the components, there are different actors, a list of actions, relationships between them, and so on.

Advantages of Use Case:

• Focus on end-user interaction: Use cases focus on end-user interaction with the system.
• Specify context: Use cases specify the context in which a system should be viewed.
• Model for the flow of events: They provide a model for the flow of the events when it comes to user interactions.
• Helps understand system behavior: Use case helps to understand system behavior based on the requirements.

What is a Test Case?

A Test Case is defined as a group of test inputs, execution conditions, and expected results that further lead to developing a particular test objective.  If we talk about test cases it is used to validate the software which is developed by testers for validating whether the software is in working as per requirement or not. 

• Test cases cover fields like test descriptions, test steps, anticipated results, etc.
• These are useful in providing good testing coverage.
• Test case documentation helps to keep the team on track with upcoming tasks.
• These can be reused for future use.

Advantages of Test Case:

• Validate software features: Test cases help to validate that the specific software feature is working flawlessly.
• Keeps team aligned: Test cases help to keep teams aligned and coordinated with the forthcoming assignments.
• Reusable: Test cases written for one project can be reused for some other project.
• Ensures good test coverage: Executing test cases properly using solid test cases allows us to make sure that no essential steps are missed.
• Improved software quality: Designing good test cases helps to make sure that all the customer requirements are met and thus helps to improve the software quality.

Use Case vs Test Case

Below are the differences between the use case and the test case: