What is the difference between verification and validation in software testing?

Software Testing And Quality Assurance Questions Medium



35 Short 66 Medium 50 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is the difference between verification and validation in software testing?

Verification and validation are two important concepts in software testing that help ensure the quality and reliability of software systems. While they are closely related, there are distinct differences between the two.

Verification refers to the process of evaluating a system or component to determine whether it meets the specified requirements. It involves checking and reviewing the software artifacts, such as design documents, code, and requirements, to ensure that they are consistent, complete, and accurate. Verification activities are typically performed during the early stages of the software development lifecycle and focus on preventing defects from entering the system.

On the other hand, validation is the process of evaluating a system or component during or at the end of the development process to determine whether it satisfies the specified requirements. It involves executing the software and comparing its actual behavior with the expected behavior to ensure that it meets the user's needs and expectations. Validation activities are typically performed during the later stages of the software development lifecycle and focus on detecting defects that may have been missed during verification.

In summary, verification is about checking the software artifacts for correctness, consistency, and completeness, while validation is about evaluating the actual behavior of the software to ensure it meets the user's requirements. Verification is a static process that occurs before validation, which is a dynamic process. Both verification and validation are essential for ensuring the quality and reliability of software systems.