Test Parameters

A test parameter is a variable that can be assigned a value outside the test execution. It enables the testing steps of a test case to be executed multiple times/iterations with variations in the test procedure. Using test parameters can increase the flexibility of your tests by enabling you to run the same test repeatedly with different data each time.

Use Case

Rather than create separate test cases or different sets of steps, it is possible to capture the variables during test execution process as test parameters, which can be applied by testers during different executions of the same test case. Test parameters are placeholders for actual values. They enable test case authors to write test cases and steps in an abstract way, thereby enabling testers to execute them with specific variations.

For example, suppose you are testing a login operation for a Jira website. Your steps might be as follows:

1. Launch a browser and access URL: https://jira.homepage.com
2. Enter 'Username' and 'Password' in respective fields
3. Click the 'Login' button

Suppose there are three types of user accounts need to be tested: external user, internal user, and an admin user. Rather than write three separate test cases with similar steps, test parameters named 'Username' and 'Password' can be created and inserted into test steps when writing up a test case.

Test Parameters:

During the execution of the above test case in which test parameters 'Username' and 'Password' are inserted, user-created iterations of executions will be listed with different parameter values. 

Below diagram shows how 'Test Parameters', 'Test Cases' and 'Test Executions' work together:

[Screenshot - v9.2_Test_Parameter_Overview]