What is the difference between functional requirements and non-functional requirements?

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What is the difference between functional requirements and non-functional requirements?

Functional requirements refer to the specific functionalities or features that a software system must possess in order to meet the needs of its users. These requirements define what the system should do and how it should behave in different scenarios. They are typically expressed in terms of specific actions, inputs, and outputs that the system should be able to handle.

On the other hand, non-functional requirements are the qualities or characteristics that a software system should possess in order to be considered of high quality. These requirements focus on aspects such as performance, reliability, usability, security, and maintainability. Non-functional requirements are not directly related to the specific functionalities of the system but rather define how well the system should perform or behave in different situations.

In summary, the main difference between functional and non-functional requirements lies in their focus. Functional requirements define what the system should do, while non-functional requirements define how well the system should do it. Functional requirements are concerned with specific actions and behaviors, while non-functional requirements are concerned with qualities and characteristics of the system.