Difference between Unit Testing and Integration Testing

Last Updated : 30 Aug, 2022

Unit Testing: Unit Testing is a type of software testing where individual software
components are tested. Unit Testing of the software product is carried out during
the development of an application. An individual component may be either an
individual function or a procedure. Unit Testing is typically performed by the
developer. It is a testing method using which every independent module are
tested to determine if there is any issue by the developer himself.

Integration Testing: Integration testing is the process of testing the interface

between two software units or modules. Its focus is on determining the
correctness of the interface. Integration testing aims to expose faults in the
interaction between integrated units. Once all the modules have been unit tested,
integration testing is performed.

Difference between Unit and Integration Testing:

S.
No. Unit Testing Integration Testing

In integration testing, all modules

In unit testing, each module of the
1. of the software are tested
software is tested separately.
combined.

In unit testing tester knows the Integration testing doesn’t know

2.
internal design of the software. the internal design of the software.
S.
No. Unit Testing Integration Testing

Integration testing is performed

Unit testing is performed first of all
3. after unit testing and before
testing processes.
system testing.

Integration testing is black box

4. Unit testing is white box testing.
testing.

Unit testing is performed by the Integration testing is performed by

5.
developer. the tester.

Detection of defects in unit testing Detection of defects in integration

6.
is easy. testing is difficult.

It tests parts of the project without It tests only after the completion of
7.
waiting for others to be completed. all parts.

8. Unit testing is less costly. Integration testing is more costly.

Unit testing is responsible to Error detection takes place when

9. observe only the functionality of modules are integrated to create
the individual units. an overall system.

Module specification is done Interface specification is done

10.
initially. initially.
S.
No. Unit Testing Integration Testing

The proper working of your code The proper working of your code
11. with the external dependencies is with the external dependencies is
not ensured by unit testing. ensured by integration testing.

12. Maintenance is cost effective. Maintenance is expensive.

Fast execution as compared to Its speed is slow because of the

13.
integration testing. integration of modules.

Integration testing results in the

Unit testing results in in-
14. integration structure’s detailed
depth exposure to the code.
visibility.

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Goals and Measures of Software Quality Assurance

Last Updated : 29 Jun, 2020


 

Software Quality simply means to measure how well software is designed i.e. the
quality of design, and how well software conforms to that design i.e. quality of
conformance. Software quality describes degree at which component of software
meets specified requirement and user or customers’ needs and expectations.

Software Quality Assurance (SQA) is a planned and systematic pattern of activities

that are necessary to provide a high degree of confidence regarding quality of a
product. It actually provides or gives a quality assessment of quality control
activities and helps in determining validity of data or procedures for determining
quality. It generally monitors software processes and methods that are used in a
project to ensure or assure and maintain quality of software.
Goals of Software Quality Assurance :

 Quality assurance consists of a set of reporting and auditing functions.

 These functions are useful for assessing and controlling effectiveness and
completeness of quality control activities.

 It ensures management of data which is important for product quality.

  It also ensures that software which is developed, does it meet and compiles
with standard quality assurance.

 It ensures that end result or product meets and satisfies user and business
requirements.

 It simply finds or identify defects or bugs, and reduces effect of these

defects.

Measures of Software Quality Assurance :

There are various measures of software quality. These are given below:

1. Reliability –
It includes aspects such as availability, accuracy, and recoverability of
system to continue functioning under specific use over a given period of
time. For example, recoverability of system from shut-down failure is a
reliability measure.

2. Performance –
It means to measure throughput of system using system response time,
recovery time, and start up time. It is a type of testing done to measure
performance of system under a heavy workload in terms of responsiveness
and stability.

3. Functionality –
It represents that system is satisfying main functional requirements. It
simply refers to required and specified capabilities of a system.

4. Supportability –
There are a number of other requirements or attributes that software
system must satisfy. These include- testability, adaptability, maintainability,
scalability, and so on. These requirements generally enhance capability to
support software.

5. Usability –
It is capability or degree to which a software system is easy to understand
 and used by its specified users or customers to achieve specified goals with
effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. It includes aesthetics,
consistency, documentation, and responsiveness.

Differences between Black Box Testing and White Box Testing

Last Updated : 06 Aug, 2024

Understanding the differences between Black Box Testing and White Box
Testing is important for checking the quality and reliability of software products.
Both methodologies play vital roles in the software development lifecycle but
approach testing from different perspectives.

This guide will explore the fundamentals of Black Box Testing and White Box
Testing, highlighting their unique characteristics and benefits. Whether you’re a
seasoned software engineer or new to the field, grasping these distinctions will
empower you to make informed decisions about testing strategies and enhance
the overall quality of your software projects.

Black Box and White Box testing are two important types of testing that combine
to check the software’s overall performance. If you wish to learn this more deeply
and understand another more important concept of testing and want to build a
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Note: Regression testing can indeed be a part of both black-box and white-box
testing

 In black box regression testing, testers verify that new updates do not
break the software’s user-visible functionality.

 In white box regression testing, testers ensure that new code changes do
not negatively impact the existing internal structures and code logic.
Black-box testing is a type of software testing in which the tester is not concerned
with the software’s internal knowledge or implementation details but rather
focuses on validating the functionality based on the provided specifications or
requirements. The tester only focuses on the input and output of the software.

Black-box testing

The following are the several categories of black box testing:

1. Functional Testing

2. Regression Testing

3. Nonfunctional Testing (NFT)

What is White Box Testing?

White box testing techniques analyze the internal structures the used data
structures, internal design, code structure, and the working of the software rather
than just the functionality as in black box testing. It is also called glass box testing
or clear box testing or structural testing. White Box Testing is also known as
transparent testing or open box testing.
White Box Testing

White box testing can be done for different purposes. The three main types are:

1. Unit Testing

2. Integration Testing

3. Regression Testing

Difference between Black Box Testing and White Box Testing

Parameters Black Box Testing White Box Testing

Definition Black Box Testing is a way of White Box Testing is a way of

software testing in which the testing the software in which
Parameters Black Box Testing White Box Testing

the tester has knowledge

internal structure or the
about the internal structure
program or the code is hidden
or the code or the program
and nothing is known about it.
of the software.

Black box testing is mainly

focused on testing the White box testing is mainly
functionality of the software, focused on ensuring that the
ensuring that it meets the internal code of the software
Testing requirements and is correct and efficient.
objectives specifications.

Black box testing uses methods White box testing uses

like equivalence methods like control flow
partitioning , boundary value testing , data flow
analysis , and error guessing to testing and statement
Testing methods create test cases. coverage testing .

Black box testing does not

require any knowledge of the White box testing requires
internal workings of the knowledge of programming
software, and can be languages, software
performed by testers who are architecture and design
not familiar with programming patterns.
Knowledge level languages.

Scope Black box testing is generally White box testing is used for
Parameters Black Box Testing White Box Testing

testing the software at the

used for testing the software
unit level, integration level
at the functional level.
and system level.

Code implementation is
Implementation of code is not
necessary for white box
needed for black box testing.
Implementation testing.

White Box Testing is mostly

Black Box Testing is mostly
done by software
done by software testers.
Done By developers.

Black Box Testing can be White Box Testing is the

referred to as outer or external inner or the internal
Terminology software testing. software testing.

White Box Testing is a

Black Box Testing is a
structural test of the
functional test of the software.
Testing Level software.

Black Box testing can be

White Box testing of
initiated based on the
software is started after a
requirement specifications
detail design document.
Testing Initiation document.

Programming No knowledge of programming It is mandatory to have

Parameters Black Box Testing White Box Testing

is required. knowledge of programming.

Black Box Testing is the

White Box Testing is the logic
behavior testing of the
testing of the software.
Testing Focus software.

White Box Testing is

Black Box Testing is applicable
generally applicable to the
to the higher levels of testing
lower levels of software
of software.
Applicability testing.

Alternative Black Box Testing is also called White Box Testing is also
Names closed testing. called as clear box testing.

Time Black Box Testing is least time White Box Testing is most
Consumption consuming. time consuming.

Suitable for Black Box Testing is not

White Box Testing is suitable
Algorithm suitable or preferred for
for algorithm testing.
Testing algorithm testing.

Data domains along with

Can be done by trial and error
inner or internal boundaries
ways and methods.
Approach can be better tested.
Parameters Black Box Testing White Box Testing

Search something on google by By input to check and verify

Example using keywords loops

It is comparatively more
It is less exhaustive as
exhaustive than black box
compared to white box testing.
Exhaustiveness testing.

Types of Black Box Testing: Types of White Box Testing:

 Functional Testing  Unit Testing

 Non-functional testing  Integration Testing

Types  Regression Testing  Regression Testing

Software Measurement: A measurement is a manifestation of the size, quantity,

amount, or dimension of a particular attribute of a product or process. Software
measurement is a titrate impute of a characteristic of a software product or the
software process.

Table of Content

 Software Measurement Principles

 Need for Software Measurement

 Classification of Software Measurement

 Software Metrics

 Characteristics of software Metrics

 Types of Software Metrics

  Advantages of Software Metrics

 Disadvantages of Software Metrics

It is an authority within software engineering. The software measurement process

is defined and governed by ISO Standard.

Software Measurement Principles

The software measurement process can be characterized by five activities-

1. Formulation: The derivation of software measures and metrics appropriate

for the representation of the software that is being considered.

2. Collection: The mechanism used to accumulate data required to derive the

formulated metrics.

3. Analysis: The computation of metrics and the application of mathematical

tools.

4. Interpretation: The evaluation of metrics results in insight into the quality

of the representation.

5. Feedback: Recommendation derived from the interpretation of product

metrics transmitted to the software team.

Need for Software Measurement

Software is measured to:

 Create the quality of the current product or process.

 Anticipate future qualities of the product or process.

 Enhance the quality of a product or process.

 Regulate the state of the project concerning budget and schedule.

 Enable data-driven decision-making in project planning and control.

  Identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement to drive process
improvement activities.

 Ensure that industry standards and regulations are followed.

 Give software products and processes a quantitative basis for evaluation.

 Enable the ongoing improvement of software development practices.

Classification of Software Measurement

There are 2 types of software measurement:

1. Direct Measurement: In direct measurement, the product, process, or

thing is measured directly using a standard scale.

2. Indirect Measurement: In indirect measurement, the quantity or quality to

be measured is measured using related parameters i.e. by use of reference.

Software Metrics

A metric is a measurement of the level at which any impute belongs to a system

product or process.

Software metrics are a quantifiable or countable assessment of the attributes of a

software product. There are 4 functions related to software metrics:

1. Planning

2. Organizing

3. Controlling

4. Improving

Characteristics of software Metrics

1. Quantitative: Metrics must possess a quantitative nature. It means metrics

can be expressed in numerical values.
 2. Understandable: Metric computation should be easily understood, and the
method of computing metrics should be clearly defined.

3. Applicability: Metrics should be applicable in the initial phases of the

development of the software.

4. Repeatable: When measured repeatedly, the metric values should be the

same and consistent.

5. Economical: The computation of metrics should be economical.

6. Language Independent: Metrics should not depend on any programming

language.

Types of Software Metrics

Types of Software Metrics

1. Product Metrics: Product metrics are used to evaluate the state of the
product, tracing risks and undercover prospective problem areas. The
ability of the team to control quality is evaluated. Examples include lines of
code, cyclomatic complexity, code coverage, defect density, and code
maintainability index.

2. Process Metrics: Process metrics pay particular attention to enhancing the

long-term process of the team or organization. These metrics are used to
 optimize the development process and maintenance activities of software.
Examples include effort variance, schedule variance, defect injection rate,
and lead time.

3. Project Metrics: The project metrics describes the characteristic and

execution of a project. Examples include effort estimation accuracy,
schedule deviation, cost variance, and productivity. Usually measures-

 Number of software developer

 Staffing patterns over the life cycle of software

 Cost and schedule

 Productivity

Advantages of Software Metrics

1. Reduction in cost or budget.

2. It helps to identify the particular area for improvising.

3. It helps to increase the product quality.

4. Managing the workloads and teams.

5. Reduction in overall time to produce the product,.

6. It helps to determine the complexity of the code and to test the code with
resources.

7. It helps in providing effective planning, controlling and managing of the

entire product.

Disadvantages of Software Metrics

1. It is expensive and difficult to implement the metrics in some cases.

2. Performance of the entire team or an individual from the team can’t be

determined. Only the performance of the product is determined.
 3. Sometimes the quality of the product is not met with the expectation.

4. It leads to measure the unwanted data which is wastage of time.

5. Measuring the incorrect data leads to make wrong decision making.

6. Difference between Forward Engineering and

Reverse Engineering
Aspect Forward Engineering Reverse Engineering

In forward engineering, the In reverse engineering or

application are developed backward engineering, the
with the given information are collected from
Process requirements. the given application.

Reverse Engineering or
Forward Engineering is a
backward engineering is a low
high proficiency skill.
Skill Level proficiency skill.

While Reverse Engineering or

Forward Engineering takes
backward engineering takes
Development more time to develop an
less time to develop an
application.
Time application.

The nature of reverse

The nature of forward
engineering or backward
engineering is Prescriptive.
Nature engineering is Adaptive.

In forward engineering, In reverse engineering,

Production Start production is started with production is started by taking
Point given requirements. the existing products.

The example of forward

engineering is the An example of backward
construction of electronic engineering is research on
kit, construction of DC Instruments etc.
Examples MOTOR , etc.

Development Forward engineering Starts Reverse engineering Starts

 Aspect Forward Engineering Reverse Engineering

with requirements analysis with an existing software

and design, then proceeds system and works backward
to implementation and to understand its structure,
Steps testing. design, and requirements.

Forward engineering is
Reverse engineering is Used
used to create new
to modify and improve an
software applications from
existing software application.
Use Case scratch.

Forward engineering is Reverse engineering is a

process of moving from a process of moving from a low-
Abstraction high-level abstraction to a level implementation to a
Level detailed implementation. higher-level abstraction.

Requirements and design

Requires a clear set of specifications may not be
Requirements requirements and design available, making it necessary
and Design specifications. to reconstruct them from the
Specifications code itself.

Forward engineering is Reverse engineering is

generally more time- generally less time-consuming
Time and Cost consuming and expensive. and less expensive.

The final product is The final product is typically a

completely new and modified or improved version
independent of any existing of an existing software
Final Product software system. system.

Involves a series of steps

Involves steps such as code
such as requirements
analysis, code understanding,
gathering, design,
Development design recovery, and
implementation, testing,
documentation.
Steps and deployment.

Software Forward engineering is Reverse engineering is

commonly used in the initial commonly used in the
 Aspect Forward Engineering Reverse Engineering

maintenance stage of the

Development Life stages of software
software development life
development.
Cycle Stage cycle.

Software Maintenance refers to the process of modifying and updating a software

system after it has been delivered to the customer. This involves fixing bugs,
adding new features, and adapting to new hardware or software environments.
Effective maintenance is crucial for extending the software’s lifespan and aligning
it with evolving user needs. It is an essential part of the software development life
cycle (SDLC), involving planned and unplanned activities to keep the system
reliable and up-to-date. This article focuses on discussing Software Maintenance
in detail.

Table of Content

 What is Software Maintenance?

 Several Key Aspects of Software Maintenance

 Several Types of Software Maintenance

 Need for Maintenance

 Challenges in Software Maintenance

 Categories of Software Maintenance

 Reverse Engineering

 Software Reverse Engineering

 Why Reverse Engineering?

 Uses of Software Reverse Engineering

 Advantages of Software Maintenance

 Disadvantages of Software Maintenance

  Questions For Practice

 Conclusion

 Frequently Asked Questions on Software Maintenance

What is Software Maintenance?

Software maintenance is a continuous process that occurs throughout the entire

life cycle of the software system.

 The goal of software maintenance is to keep the software system working

correctly, efficiently, and securely, and to ensure that it continues to meet
the needs of the users.

 This can include fixing bugs, adding new features, improving performance,
or updating the software to work with new hardware or software systems.

 It is also important to consider the cost and effort required for software
maintenance when planning and developing a software system.

 It is important to have a well-defined maintenance process in place, which

includes testing and validation, version control, and communication with
stakeholders.

 It’s important to note that software maintenance can be costly and

complex, especially for large and complex systems. Therefore, the cost and
effort of maintenance should be taken into account during the planning and
development phases of a software project.

 It’s also important to have a clear and well-defined maintenance plan that
includes regular maintenance activities, such as testing, backup, and bug
fixing.

Several Key Aspects of Software Maintenance

1. Bug Fixing: The process of finding and fixing errors and problems in the
software.
 2. Enhancements: The process of adding new features or improving existing
features to meet the evolving needs of the users.

3. Performance Optimization: The process of improving the speed, efficiency,

and reliability of the software.

4. Porting and Migration: The process of adapting the software to run on new
hardware or software platforms.

5. Re-Engineering: The process of improving the design and architecture of

the software to make it more maintainable and scalable.

6. Documentation: The process of creating, updating, and maintaining the

documentation for the software, including user manuals, technical
specifications, and design documents.

Several Types of Software Maintenance

1. Corrective Maintenance: This involves fixing errors and bugs in the

software system.

2. Patching: It is an emergency fix implemented mainly due to pressure from

management. Patching is done for corrective maintenance but it gives rise
to unforeseen future errors due to lack of proper impact analysis.

3. Adaptive Maintenance: This involves modifying the software system to

adapt it to changes in the environment, such as changes in hardware or
software, government policies, and business rules.

4. Perfective Maintenance: This involves improving functionality,

performance, and reliability, and restructuring the software system to
improve changeability.

5. Preventive Maintenance: This involves taking measures to prevent future

problems, such as optimization, updating documentation, reviewing and
testing the system, and implementing preventive measures such as
backups.
Maintenance can be categorized into proactive and reactive types. Proactive
maintenance involves taking preventive measures to avoid problems from
occurring, while reactive maintenance involves addressing problems that have
already occurred.

Maintenance can be performed by different stakeholders, including the original

development team, an in-house maintenance team, or a third-party maintenance
provider. Maintenance activities can be planned or unplanned. Planned activities
include regular maintenance tasks that are scheduled in advance, such as updates
and backups. Unplanned activities are reactive and are triggered by unexpected
events, such as system crashes or security breaches. Software maintenance can
involve modifying the software code, as well as its documentation, user manuals,
and training materials. This ensures that the software is up-to-date and continues
to meet the needs of its users.

Software maintenance can also involve upgrading the software to a new version
or platform. This can be necessary to keep up with changes in technology and to
ensure that the software remains compatible with other systems. The success of
software maintenance depends on effective communication with stakeholders,
including users, developers, and management. Regular updates and reports can
help to keep stakeholders informed and involved in the maintenance process.

Software maintenance is also an important part of the Software Development

Life Cycle (SDLC). To update the software application and do all modifications in
software application so as to improve performance is the main focus of software
maintenance. Software is a model that runs on the basis of the real world. so,
whenever any change requires in the software that means the need for real-world
changes wherever possible.

Need for Maintenance

Software Maintenance must be performed in order to:

 Correct faults.

 Improve the design.

 Implement enhancements.

 Interface with other systems.

 Accommodate programs so that different hardware, software, system

features, and telecommunications facilities can be used.

 Migrate legacy software.

 Retire software.

 Requirement of user changes.

 Run the code fast