Final answer:
User stories differ from use cases primarily in their focus and level of detail. User stories are brief and user-centered, while use cases offer more detailed sequences of actions and the system's responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
User stories and use cases are both tools used in software development to capture requirements, but they have some significant differences:
- User stories are shorter, high-level descriptions of functionality told from the perspective of an end user. They typically follow a simple template: “As a [type of user], I want [an action] so that [a benefit/a value]”. User stories are intended to be conversational and focus on the user's needs.
- Use cases, on the other hand, provide a more detailed look at how users interact with the system. They describe a sequence of actions that a system performs that yield an observable result of value. Use cases typically include more detailed information such as preconditions, postconditions, and alternative flows.
The main difference is in their focus and the amount of detail they capture. User stories are more about the 'what' and the 'why,' while use cases are more about the 'how.' Additionally, different functions can be identified in use cases due to their detailed steps.