How to Write Specifications

In order to know what to test, there must first be a description of what the application is supposed to do. The easiest way to do that is with a functional specification that describes each feature. To allow the specification to be used as a basis for both an automated test and as a script for a human quality assurance person, it’s written in a simple format that serves both purposes.

Design by Contract

A design by contract specification outlines the steps a user performs in the application for a single interaction and how the interaction affects the application’s state. In one variation, an interaction with an application has the following properties:

  • Pre-conditions: The state of the application before the interaction
  • Input: The information transferred into the application from the interaction
  • Side-effect(s): One or more side effects which occur
  • Output: The output from the application in response to the input
  • Post-conditions: The state of the application after the interaction

This allows a feature to be described in clear, concrete terms in the simplest way possible.

Example

The following example, which is included with the tools available on this site, shows how design by contract can be realized in a simple format. It is for a simple note taking application:

Scenario

  • Save a note with a custom name

Pre-conditions

  • A note with the name “save-note” does not exist

Steps

  • Browse to URL http://localhost/notes
  • Set the name of the note to “save-note”
  • Set the contents of the note to “This is my saved note”
  • Click “Save”
  • Assert that the status message changes to “Saved note: save-note”

Post-conditions

  • A note with the name “save-note” exists and contains the content “This is my saved note”

This specification format is very simple and lightweight, and contains enough information to both implement the functionality and write a test for it. There will be other artifacts needed to implement a feature like this, for example designs for the user interface, but this format provides the minimal information needed.

Once the specification is written, it can be archived as a description of the application’s features, used as a script for a human quality assurance person, and converted to an automated test.