
	use case


	Home > Software Quality Definitions - Use case

SearchSoftwareQuality.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)

EMAIL THIS

LOOK UP TECH TERMS		Powered by:

Browse tech terms alphabetically:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

use case

Digg This!

StumbleUpon

Del.icio.us

- A use case is a methodology used in system analysis to identify, clarify, and organize system requirements. The use case is made up of a set of possible sequences of interactions between systems and users in a particular environment and related to a particular goal. It consists of a group of elements (for example, classes and interfaces) that can be used together in a way that will have an effect larger than the sum of the separate elements combined. The use case should contain all system activities that have significance to the users. A use case can be thought of as a collection of possible scenarios related to a particular goal, indeed, the use case and goal are sometimes considered to be synonymous.

A use case (or set of use cases) has these characteristics:

Organizes functional requirements
Models the goals of system/actor (user) interactions
Records paths (called scenarios) from trigger events to goals
Describes one main flow of events (also called a basic course of action), and possibly other ones, called exceptional flows of events (also called alternate courses of action)
Is multi-level, so that one use case can use the functionality of another one.

Use cases can be employed during several stages of software development, such as planning system requirements, validating design, testing software, and creating an outline for online help and user manuals.

LAST UPDATED:

06 Apr 2007

Read more about use case:

-	Alastair Cockburn offers a tutorial.
-	The Use Case Zone examines them in more detail.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Digg This!

StumbleUpon

Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT

	Approaches to defining requirements within Agile teams Agile development methods focus on defining "just enough" requirements detail for the next sprint. Martin Crisp explains three things to consider when...
	Getting started with Web application misuse cases When developing applications it isn't enough to think about how they will be used. You must also consider how they will be misused -- or abused -- so...
	Developing use cases that support business goals Discovering use cases that account for the whole value of your project requires a meticulous approach. Expert Rob Apmann explains how to define use...

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS

Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary

build tool (SearchSoftwareQuality.com)
A build tool is a programming utility that automates a software build task, such as ensuring that the proper source code files are compiled and that...

development environment (SearchSoftwareQuality.com)
In computer program and software product development, the development environment is the set of processes and programming tools used to create the...

SEARCH

TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.


TechTarget Corporate Web Site \| Media Kits \| Reprints \| Site Map All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2006 - 2008, TechTarget \| Read our Privacy Policy