Definition
Precondition
The required state or setup that must exist before a test case can be executed.
Full Definition
Preconditions define what must be true before a test case can be executed. They ensure the system is in the correct state for the test.
Types of preconditions:
- •User State: "User must be logged in as admin"
- •Data State: "Customer account with ID 12345 must exist"
- •System State: "Application deployed to staging environment"
- •Configuration: "Feature flag X must be enabled"
Why preconditions matter:
- •Ensure test repeatability
- •Prevent false failures due to missing setup
- •Document dependencies clearly
- •Enable test independence
Best practices:
- •Be specific and complete
- •Include all assumptions
- •Make preconditions achievable
- •Consider who will set them up
Examples
- 1.User is logged in with admin role
- 2.Test product "Widget A" exists in inventory with quantity > 0
- 3.Database contains at least 100 customer records
- 4.Payment gateway is configured in test mode
In BesTest
BesTest provides a dedicated Preconditions field in test cases, ensuring setup requirements are clearly documented.
See Precondition in Action
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