In interviews related to software engineering, software testing and application testing, it is common for aspirants to come across questions like “What is the difference between verification and validation in testing?”, “What is verification and validation in software engineering?”, “What is the meaning of validation and verification?”, etc. It is common for people to understand the significance, meaning and attributes of verification and validation interchangeably; however, they are different to a large extent.
Verification vs Validation
The following chart brings out the difference between validation and verification in the simplest of ways, take a look:
|
Basis of Differentiation |
Verification |
Validation |
|
Type of process |
Verification is in the form of static steps useful for verifying designs, documents, codes, programs, etc. |
Validation, as a process, is dynamic in nature. It serves as a mechanism for validating as well as testing actual products. |
|
Execution of codes |
Verification does not involve any form of code execution. |
Validation always involves the execution of codes. |
|
Human/ computer based |
Verification is completely human based and involves the checking of documents and files. |
Validation is computer based and involves the execution of programs. |
|
Methods used |
Verification involves methods including reviews, inspections, walkthroughs, desk-checking, and so forth. |
Validation involves methods including black box (functional) tests, white box (structural) tests, gray box tests, and so forth. |
|
Area of application |
Verification checks whether a specific software conforms to the given specifications or not. |
Validation checks whether a specific software adheres to customer requirements and expectations or not. |
|
Level of exercise |
It is equipped to catch errors that are not capable of being caught through validation. It serves to be a low-level exercise. |
Validation catches errors that are not capable of being caught through the verification process. It serves to be a high-level exercise. |
|
Targeted activities |
Targets of verification pertain to requirements specification, high level and complete design, application/software architecture, database design tests, etc. |
The targets of validation pertain to real products, units, modules, set of integrated modules, final product effectiveness, and so forth. |
|
Performed by |
Verification is performed by the QA team; it makes sure that a specific software is in line with the specifications present in the SRS document. |
Validation is performed by utilizing the skills and involvement of the testing teams. |
|
Sequence |
Verification is generally performed before the validation process. |
Validation processes follows the ones dealing with verification. |
|
Catching bugs |
Verification finds bugs in the initial stages of the development cycle. |
Across the validation process, bugs not found by the verification process are caught. |
|
What does the process describe |
Verification process showcases whether outputs are in accordance to the given inputs or not. |
Validation process show whether the software in use is capable of being accepted by users or not. |
What is Verification
Verification refers to the process of evaluating a specific software with the aim of determining whether the products related to any given development phase are capable of satisfying the conditions imposed the initial stages of that phase or not. It is a static process of verifying documents, designs, programs and codes. The process includes activities linked with the generation of high-quality software via processes like inspection, specification analysis, design analysis, etc.
An important point of distinction between verification and validation is that verification is a relatively objective process. It helps in assessing whether a software is of benchmarked quality or not; however, it does not ensure whether a system is completely useful or not. Overall, it deals with whether a system is error-free and well-engineered or is otherwise. Static testing, walkthrough, inspection, review, etc. are some popular methods of verification.
What is Validation
Validation testing or validation helps in the evaluation of software at the end of or during the development process with an aim of determining whether the specified requirements are satisfied or not. It deals with the process of evaluating final products for assessing whether a specific software meets the customer expectations and requirements or not. It is a dynamic mechanism of validating and testing the actual product. The popular methods of validation are testing, end users and dynamic testing. The process of validation usually follows the process of verification.
Key Difference between Validation and Verification
- Verification puts to use methods such as reviews, inspections, walkthroughs, desk- checking, etc. On the other hand, verification uses methods of the likes of Black Box Testing, non-functional testing, white box testing, etc.
- In verification, the QA team performs the methods and ensures that the software adheres to all requirements of the SRS document. In case of validation, the testing team executes checks on the software code.
- Another difference between verification and validation is that in the former, the targeted processes deal with application/ software architecture, product specification, total design, database design etc. Conversely, the latter targets the actual product only.
Conclusion
Overall, the processes of verification and validation are different from each other and cannot be used interchangeably. In case you have any further suggestions, tips or questions related to this article then do drop us a line in the Comments section below. We will be happy to answer as quickly as we can.