What is the primary purpose of a test case?

The primary purpose of a test case is to provide a step-by-step procedure for executing tests. This means that a test case details the inputs, actions, and expected results necessary to test a specific aspect of the software being evaluated. By outlining these steps clearly, test cases ensure that tests can be reproduced consistently, helping to verify that the software behaves as expected under various conditions.

Test cases serve as essential tools for validating requirements and identifying defects. Each test case specifies exactly what needs to be done and what the outcome should be, enabling testers to systematically verify functionality, performance, and compliance with specifications. When a test case is executed, testers can document whether the actual results met the expected results, thereby confirming the software's integrity or highlighting issues that need to be addressed.

While the other options relate to important aspects of testing, they do not encapsulate the main function of a test case. Outlining specific goals, facilitating communication, and providing final reports are all critical components of the testing process but do not define the fundamental purpose of a test case in the same way that a clear, actionable procedure for testing does.