Integration Testing in Software Testing

Integration testing is regarded as the kind of QA services in which different software modules get integrated logically, after which it gets tested as the group. The typical software project comprises different software modules, which are coded by various programmers. The ultimate objective of this kind of testing is exposing and finding different defects within the interactions between such software modules as they are integrated.

 The integration testing is known to check the data communication among such modules. You are sure to reap a lot of benefits as you opt for integration testing. First, it assures that different integrated modules work properly, catering to the needs. The integration tester begins testing with the availability of the modules which need to be tested. 

It is known to diagnose different errors related to the specific interface present between different modules. It is useful to the modules in interacting with APIs and different third-party tools. It is known to cover the system’s large volume. Hence, it is considered to be more efficient. It enhances the test coverage, thereby improving the test reliability.

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Reasons to execute integration testing

Though every software module is unit tested, different defects exist for different reasons. The module gets designed by the individual software developer, who has a unique programming logic and understanding, which is different from other programmers. The integration testing has become the need of the hour as it helps in verifying and validating the software modules, thereby working in unity. 

During the module development time, there are chances that there is a change in the needs of the clients. Such new requirements are not unit testing. Owing to this, integration testing becomes crucial. The software modules interface along with the database might prove to be erroneous. The lack of exception handling might result in different problems.

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Kinds of integration testing

There are different kinds of integration testing, which include Big Bang Integration testing, Top-down integration testing, Incremental integration testing, Bottom-up integration testing, sandwich integration testing, to name a few.

Speaking of the Big Bang Integration Testing, as different modules get tested and developed individually, they get integrated at once, after which they get tested. The best thing about this kind of testing is that it is considered to be the ideal option for smaller systems. The incremental testing is executed as two different modules which are logically related get connected.

At the later time, the modules get added and tested to ensure the prerequisite functionality. It is accomplished as the modules are tested and integrated in a successful manner. It is further categorized as Bottom-up approach, top-down approach, and sandwich approach.

In the top-down integration testing, you need to test different topmost modules, after which you should move to the modules lowest set at once. The testing begins from top to down after following the software system’s control flow. 

There are chances that the lower-level modules are not developed. During the testing of different modules, we should make the right use of different stubs in the ready modules. Speaking of the simpler apps, the stubs require returning the control to the specific supreme modules. On the other hand, complicated apps require simulating a vast array of responses.

There are different benefits of integration testing. It involves the detection of the crucial design flaws at an early phase. The critical modules of the integration testing should be tested upon priority. In addition to this, it is essential that the studs are written in reduced time than the drivers. The test product is known to be really constant. The fault localization becomes really easy with the execution of the integration testing.

The bottom-up integration testing involves testing the least app units, after which it moves one after one upwards. The testing is going to take place from the control flow bottom part to the upward direction. There are chances that the higher-level modules are not developed, by the time, at which different lower modules get tested. 

In these cases, we require simulating the missing module’s functionality with the aid of the drivers. Such drivers execute a wide assortment of tasks, like passing test data, receiving output data, and invoking the module under the prerequisite test. One of the primary benefits of this kind of testing is that it allows the execution of testing and development, which assures that the product is highly efficient. In addition to this, it facilitates hassle-free test conditions.

If you intend to avoid the limitations and reap the benefits of the bottom-up and top-down approach, you should make sure to opt for the integration testing’s hybrid approach. It is also referred to as mixed integration testing or sandwich integration testing. 

The system gets viewed as the three primary layers. The primary target layer remains in the middle, whereas the other layer is present on the target layer. The last layer, on the other hand, is present under the target layer.

 It will help if you remember that the Bottom-up approach is an effective choice for the layer, coming to the middle from the Bottom. The top-down approach is considered to be a suitable choice to the middle layer from the upper part. The big bang approach is known to be the prerequisite option for modules present within the middle.

It is possible to execute the Bottom-up and top-down testing techniques after each other or parallel. It is believed to be a suitable choice for massive projects and large enterprises, which have a bunch of different subprojects. Integration testing involves testing different individual components, after which it assesses the app’s performance. 

Such components are known to be combined to understand different modules operated as the singular unit. The Integration testing approach depends on the modules testing, starting after which it continues towards the specific lower levels. Integration testing is considered to be an integral part of the software testing life cycle.