What is a breach of contract?

Most business disputes involve a contract and an allegation that someone has broken a promise contained in the contract.  What is a "breach of contract" case?  A breach of contract is when one party a contract breaks a promise that is embodied in the contract.  To have a case for breach of contract, it is necessary to show the existence of a legally enforceable contract, oral or written, a material breach (violation) of the contract by one of the parties to the contract, and damages resulting from the breach of contract.