Validation Testing Types

If the testers are involved in the software product right from the very beginning, then validation testing in software testing starts right after a component of the system has been developed. The different types of software validation testing are:

• Component Testing: Component testing is also known as unit testing. The aim of the tests carried out in this testing type is to search for defects in the software component. At the same time, it also verifies the functioning of the different software components, like modules, objects, classes, etc., which can be tested separately.

• Integration Testing: This is an important part of the software validation model, where the interaction between the different interfaces of the components is tested. Along with the interaction between the different parts of the system, the interaction of the system with the computer operating system, file system, hardware and any other software system it might interact with is also tested.

• System Testing: System testing, also known as functional and system testing is carried out when the entire software system is ready. The concern of this testing is to check the behavior of the whole system as defined by the scope of the project. The main concern of system testing is to verify the system against the specified requirements. While carrying out the tester is not concerned with the internals of the system, but checks if the system behaves as per expectations. 

• Acceptance Testing: Here the tester especially has to literally think like the client and test the software with respect to user needs, requirements and business processes and determine, whether the software can be handed over to the client. At this stage, often a client representative is also a part of the testing team, so that the client has confidence in the system. There are different types of acceptance testing:

• Operational Acceptance Testing
• Compliance Acceptance Testing
• Alpha Testing
• Beta Testing

Often when validation testing interview questions are asked, they revolve around the different types of validation testing. The difference between verification and validation is also a common software validation testing question. Some organizations may use different terms for some of the terms given in the article above. As far as possible, I have tried to accept the alternate names as well.