Integration Testing & Several Kinds of Integration Testing

Integration testing comes shortly after unit testing to ensure all units function in harmony with each other. Oftentimes, a unit is going to be regarded as operational on its own but might cause difficulties when interacting with other components.

That’s why software testing is so crucial, particularly testing components as a set. Also, most software projects have several programmers writing code for different modules and units.

So, integration testing allows you determine whether the software different programmers are composing are working toward the last goal. But before you are able to perform an integration test, you have to do unit testing.

Now that you have a complete comprehension of what integration testing is, let’s look at the various kinds of integration testing developers use regularly.

Big Bang Approach

The big bang approach is one of the most common types of integration testing. Essentially, all units you need to check will be smashed together and analysed at the same moment. Now, this is very good for small software projects or once you’ve done other kinds of testing.

For one, if there’s an error or bug found, testers won’t know which module is responsible to this because they’re all combined. Also, this approach requires all modules to be made and prepared prior to testing can occur — producing a bottleneck and extending the time it takes for system testing and product release.

Incremental Approach

The incremental approach has you just take two or more modules which are logically coordinated and examining them in one batch. You then add extra, related modules and examine them together, and so and so forth until all the modules are successfully merged and tested with every other successfully. The incremental strategy is carried out by utilizing either the bottom-up or top method procedure, which we cover below.

Bottom-up Integration

A bottom-up integration approach takes one module in the lower level at one time and tests with higher modules before all modules have been successfully analysed. This procedure is great for detecting fault localization. Additionally, it wastes time waiting for modules to be completed before testing, like the big bang. However, it is not perfect. Considering that the most critical modules, those at the top level, are analysed last, they might be more prone to defects.

Top-down Integration

Top-down integration is the reverse of bottom-up. You test the modules at the top one at a time with the modules in the bottom until all modules have been tested.

The attractiveness of the model is that crucial modules are tested first, so any significant flaws are available and fixed right away. The downside of this model is the lower levels don’t get as much focus and maybe tested inadequately.

Hybrid/Sandwich Integration

You test the very best modules with lesser modules at the exact same time as you examine lower modules with the top modules. Top and bottom are being integrated simultaneously, providing you the best of the two worlds and better outcomes.

Before you are able to start implementing integration testing, then it is important to have a few strategies in place.