Software Testing - Verification VS Validation

Summary

This video from Tech introduces the concepts of verification and validation in quality management systems. It explains that verification focuses on ensuring the procedures and processes are correctly followed, while validation checks if the final product meets customer requirements. Using an example of traveling from point A to B, the video illustrates how different routes fulfill the requirement (validation), while the method of choosing the route is verification. It further elaborates using the V-model of software development, emphasizing reviews for verification and testing for validation. The video aims to help viewers distinguish between these concepts, particularly useful for interview preparation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Verification and validation are independent procedures used to check if a product, service, or system meets its requirements.
• 🔍 Verification focuses on the correctness of the procedure, while validation focuses on the fulfillment of the customer requirement.
• 🚀 An example given in the script is traveling from point A to point B, where validation checks if the destination is reached, and verification checks how it is reached.
• 💻 In software development, verification involves reviewing work products like requirements, architecture, design, and code to ensure the procedure is correct.
• 📚 The V-model for software development is highlighted, showing the relationship between verification (reviews) and validation (tests).
• 🔎 Requirement review, design review, and code review are examples of verification activities in software development.
• 📈 Unit tests, integration tests, system tests, and acceptance tests are examples of validation activities in software development.
• 🤔 There is a small gray area in software development where both verification and validation occur, such as during code reviews and unit testing.
• 📋 The script emphasizes the importance of being able to differentiate between verification and validation, especially for interview preparation.
• 👍 The video encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel for more informative content on similar topics.

Q & A

What are verification and validation?

Verification and validation are independent procedures used together to check if a product, service, or system meets its requirements. Verification focuses on the procedure, while validation focuses on the result.

Why are verification and validation important?

They are critical components of a quality management system, ensuring that both the process and the final product meet specified requirements.

Can you give a simple example to explain the difference between verification and validation?

Yes, consider a requirement to travel from point A to point B. Validation is ensuring we reach point B (the result), while verification examines the routes taken (the procedure).

What is the focus during validation?

The focus during validation is on the result and whether it meets the customer's requirements.

What is the focus during verification?

The focus during verification is on the procedure and whether it is correctly implemented.

How does the classical V-model for software development illustrate verification and validation?

The left side of the V-model includes work products like requirements, architecture, design, and code, which are reviewed for verification. The right side includes various tests (unit, integration, system, and acceptance tests) that validate the final product.

What types of reviews are involved in the verification process?

Verification involves various types of reviews such as requirement review, design review, and code review.

What does validation confirm in the software development process?

Validation confirms that the system output, behavior, or results meet the customer requirements.

Is there any overlap between verification and validation?

Yes, there is a small gray area in the code phase where both verification (code review) and validation (unit testing) can occur.

Why might it be useful to take a screenshot of the provided table differentiating verification and validation?

Taking a screenshot of the table can serve as a future reference to clearly differentiate between verification and validation.