Actual Result
The Actual Result is the observed outcome, behavior, or state of a software application after a test case has been executed. It is compared against the 'Expected Result' to determine if the test has passed or failed.
First used·1970s
Definitions·1
Synonyms·3
Category·Software Testing
Also known as
Definitions
What it means.
- 01
Actual Result in Software Testing
In the context of software testing and quality assurance, the Actual Result is the real behavior or outcome produced by the software application when a specific test case is executed. It is what the system actually does in response to a set of actions and inputs.
The core activity of manual and automated testing involves a direct comparison between this Actual Result and the 'Expected Result'. The Expected Result is the predetermined, correct outcome based on the software's requirements and specifications.
- If the Actual Result matches the Expected Result, the test case is marked as 'Passed'.
- If the Actual Result differs from the Expected Result, the test case is marked as 'Failed'. This discrepancy, often called a variance or deviation, typically points to a software defect, also known as a bug.
For example, in a test case for a login feature:
- Test Step: Enter a valid username and password, then click 'Login'.
- Expected Result: The user is successfully logged in and redirected to the dashboard page.
- Actual Result: The system displays an 'Invalid Credentials' error message.
In this scenario, the mismatch between the expected and actual outcome would lead to the test failing and a bug report being created.
Origin
Where it comes from.
Etymology
The term is a straightforward combination of 'Actual' and 'Result'. 'Actual' derives from the Late Latin 'actualis', meaning 'relating to action or existence'. 'Result' comes from the Latin 'resultare', meaning 'to spring back' or 'to follow as a consequence'. In software testing, it signifies the real consequence of executing a test.
Historical context
The concept of an Actual Result is as old as the practice of testing itself. In the early days of computing, testing was often an informal, ad-hoc process where a developer would simply check if their code produced the outcome they had in mind.
As software systems grew in complexity, more structured methodologies became necessary. With the rise of the Waterfall model and the formalization of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in the 1970s, dedicated Quality Assurance (QA) teams were established. This shift necessitated formal test documentation.
Test cases became standardized documents that explicitly listed preconditions, steps, an Expected Result, and a field to record the Actual Result. This formal comparison became the cornerstone of systematic testing, allowing for repeatable, verifiable, and auditable quality checks. The distinction between what should happen and what did happen was now explicitly documented, making bug tracking and resolution more efficient.
Usage
In context.
The test case failed because the Actual Result was a 404 error page, not the user dashboard as expected.
During regression testing, the QA engineer meticulously documented the Actual Result for each step in the test management tool.
We need to analyze the server logs to understand why the Observed Result deviated from the system's specifications.
Please attach a screenshot of the Actual Outcome to the bug report for the developers to review.
FAQ
Common questions.
The primary purpose is to determine the pass/fail status of a test case. If the Actual Result matches the Expected Result, the test passes. If they differ, the test fails, which typically indicates a potential defect or bug in the software that needs to be investigated.
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