What Are the Different Approaches to Integration Testing?

The process of software testing known as integration testing involves testing individual software units, modules, or components to determine whether the system complies with functional requirements.

Besides, unit testing is the first step in the software testing process; integration testing is the second. 

This testing stage is essential to guarantee smooth interactions between different units/components, their functionalities, and how well they can perform together as a single unit. 

Integration Testing Procedures

The procedures for integration testing are as follows:

1. Develop the Testing Plan: 

In order to conduct integration testing, a comprehensive plan must be created. 

This plan should specify which system units must be tested, the main objectives of the testing, the functionalities and interactions that must be examined, and the best way to guarantee the system units’ maximum operability. 

This will provide a clear understanding of what to expect and aid in the execution of the integration testing process.

2. Clear Definition of Tests: 

A test case is a particular set of inputs, execution conditions, testing strategies, and anticipated test outputs or outcomes. 

Conversely, use cases specify how the testing procedure is applicable. 

To effectively conduct integration testing, it is necessary to identify the test and use cases for unit testing based on particular software units, features, software development requirements, and other criteria.

3. Run testing method: 

There are several approaches to integration testing, including big-bang, top-down, risky-hardest, and others. 

Using a black box testing methodology, integration testing is carried out by the testers interacting with the software interface. Integration testing tests the functionality of the codes through the interface, rather than the codes themselves or how they operate.

Whether you use any testing method, it is always advised to run testing on secured cloud storage.

4. Scan & Detect Errors: 

In order to identify any potential issues with the integrated functionality of the software units, modules, or components, this step entails conducting a thorough scan. 

This stage assists in determining whether the software’s various parts are communicating and operating as intended. After this point, any gaps or problems must be resolved.

5. Retest after Fixing Errors: 

Retesting is carried out to make sure that any bugs remain and that the issues from the first testing have been fully resolved. 

This step is essential to guaranteeing a system’s or piece of software’s maximum functionality and error-free operation.

6. Error Elimination through Retests: 

The integration testing process ends with this phase. 

As the name implies, retesting needs to be done a lot until all problems or bugs are resolved and the best possible software quality and functionality are attained.

Types Of Integration Testing

Source: Geeksforgeeks.com

Besides, before describing the various types of integration testing, one should answer the question, what is integration testing? 

So, integration testing is the process of testing software to identify any malfunctioning.

The major types of integration testing include: 

1. Big-bang integration testing: 

Testers who desire a quicker testing procedure and don’t want to go through the modules and sub-modules testing methodologies are fond of big-bang integration testing. 

Big-bang integration testing involves connecting all of the system’s modules, parts, or units as a single software unit, and testing is done on the entire system at once. 

Although this is a more approachable and straightforward method for software testing, it frequently makes individual interface testing and bug isolation more difficult.

2. Bottom-up integration testing: 

Under bottom-up integration testing, the primary module or routine is tested after the sub-modules or sub-routines have been tested. 

An incremental approach known as “bottom-up testing” entails combining and testing two or more sub-routines or sub-modules first. 

The core module is then tested one step at a time. It is also known as bottom-up integration testing for this reason.

3. Top-down integration testing: 

One well-known method for testing integration is top-down, which starts with the main module and works down to its sub-modules and subroutines. 

In this case, the subroutines and submodules serve as stand-ins and produce results that resemble those of the installed software.

It is referred to as top-down integration testing since the primary module or routine is tested first, followed by testing for sub-modules and sub-routines.

Best Practices Of Integration Testing

Integration testing can be carried out in a variety of ways, and to get the most of them, one must be aware of the best techniques and tactics. Let’s examine the top integration testing best practices.

• Maintain dedicated test suites: It is advised that unit and integration testing be carried out independently to prevent complications and give them even greater meaning. This can be achieved by maintaining distinct and dedicated test suites.

• Keep business logic separate: It is advised against testing business logic in addition to integration testing to minimize issues with integration testing and unit testing. Unit testing is the preferred way of testing by testers in continuous integration environments (CI) because it is faster than other testing techniques and satisfies the need to assess the effectiveness of individual software units.

• Leverage the scope of extensive logging: Unit testing can be used to test and resolve problems with any kind of software, regardless of its size. If the unit testing procedure fails, it enables you to swiftly test any software with a specific scope and aids in problem detection and resolution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, to ensure that different software modules work together and function properly, integration testing is essential. 

As such, it is extensively employed in testing many software kinds across various industries, ranging from SaaS to eCommerce. 

It is advisable to conduct integration testing after unit testing to assess the functionalities of each unit as well as the interactions and functionalities of these units together to guarantee the highest level of software quality.

The test suites could need more time and space because testers frequently need quick feedback through unit tests. It is advised to conduct the testing procedures and maintain distinct test suites in such a situation. 

Additionally, a general delay in the testing and product delivery process could be caused by the infrastructure for unit testing needing to be maintained.

 Setting up distinct suites for unit and integration testing is the best way to prevent such a situation.