Integration testing is crucial for verifying data communication among software modules and ensuring their effective performance when connected. It involves multiple approaches, including big bang, incremental, top-down, bottom-up, and hybrid methods, to systematically test modules and detect interface defects. Best practices for integration testing include understanding module workflows, creating test conditions based on data flow, and ensuring appropriate separation of unit and integration tests.

1. Integration Testing –
A Complete Overview
Integration testing primarily focuses on verifying data
communication among different modules of the
software project. Integration tests determine the
effectiveness and performance of different software
modules when they are connected to each other.
The software has changing requirements and new patches of
code are developed frequently. When these patches are
grouped together to form one software, integration testing
should be taken up. Usually, when complex software is built, it
is classified into different modules and separately coded.
Ensure that a detailed design
document with listing of various
interactions between modules is
As regression testing is essential each
time a unit is integrated, automate tests
based on a top-down or bottom-up
approach to ensure effective results
A proper configuration management
system should be kept in place to
track the right version of each unit
Ensure that initially unit testing is taken
up before Integration testing is started
It provides a systematic technique for
assembling a software system while conducting
tests to uncover defects associated with
interfacing
Integration testing ensures effective functioning
across modules when combined. A more
in-depth look at the different types of Integration
testing gives a broader perspective of it.
It is one type of Integration testing wherein all modules are tested in one go. It verifies whether the
system works as expected. The only disadvantage with this type of testing is, if there is an issue
detected within the modules, it becomes challenging to find out which module has caused it. It is
supposed to be the right approach for testing small systems while it is a more time-consuming
process.
As software development involves changes in
requirements, testing of modules at different
levels is vital for which integration testing proves
to be effective
Ensures the integrated modules and
components work properly
Why
Integration Testing is
Essential within the SDLC?
How to initiate Integration Testing?
Critical aspects to watch out
before initiating Integration Testing
What are the advantages
of Integration Testing?
What are
the different methods
of Integration Testing?
Big Bang Approach
This type of progressive approach is used to test two or more modules that are logically aligned
and tested in a single batch. Additional and related modules are tested to make sure that all
modules are merged and tested with each other effectively. This Incremental approach can either
be a Bottom-up or Top-down approach.
Incremental Approach
This process involves the testing of high level or the parent modules at first level, and then testing
of the lower level or child modules, and then integrated together. Stubs, which are a small segment
of the code are used to simulate the data response of lower modules until they are completely
tested and integrated.
Top-Down Integration
It is the reverse of top-down approach wherein first lower-level modules are tested before they are
actually integrated with their parent modules. Drivers which simulate the data response of a
connecting higher level or parent module is used instead of stub.
Bottom-Up Integration
This is a hybrid method that combines both bottom-up and top-down methods into single sandwich
method. It allows testing top modules with lower modules and vice versa at the same time. This
type of testing ensures better and faster results.
Hybrid/Sandwich Integration
For any iterative development or upon any issue resolution, testing needs to be taken up to ensure
the change did not inadvertently break or change expected results elsewhere in the application.
Hence, it should be taken up to ensure other areas of the application are functioning as per the
design objectives. It should be done with every release, and as it is very repetitive, hence test
automation can simplify this process.
Regression Testing
It involves the testing of a collection of modules and interfaces to check if the application meets
the specification requirements. It is both Black box and white box testing hence the knowledge of
modules and interfaces is required.
System Integration Testing
What are the best practices to follow
for Integration Testing?
Get a complete understanding of the application under test
Identify the work-flow of different modules
Get an overview of what each Module does
Take a stance of the way data is transferred from one module to another
Get the view of exact data entry and data exit of the application
Segregate the application to match the testing pattern
Identify and create test conditions based on data flow
Draft the test cases with deep analysis of conditions
Start integration testing of modules
Any core business logic
should not be tested with
Integration testing
Testing suites should be
maintained separately such
that developers can run unit
tests during development
and before committing code
Perform Integration
Testing only after Unit
Integration tests might span
several modules and log
extensively, and if these tests
fail, it becomes challenging to
identify the cause
It is important not to stop at integration
testing and go beyond it as it is essential
to run system tests that accurately
simulate the production environment
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