Test oracle
Also called: Oracle
Any source you use to decide whether a result is right or wrong.
Definition
A spec is the obvious oracle, but testers also compare against the product itself, similar products, user expectations, standards and claims in marketing. When there's no spec, naming your oracle makes a bug report convincing.
In practice
'Expected: 120 beans, the same number the Home screen shows' uses consistency within the product as the oracle.
Learn it in context
Lessons that use this term.